The element of surprise helps keep a relationship fresh. However, with all the responsibilities of adulthood, many couples don't make time to shake up the routine.
"It only takes a little planning and ingenuity to break from the same old, same old," says Liya Lev Oertel, author of "52 Romantic Evenings to Spice up Your Love Life" (Meadowbrook Press).
"A romantic getaway will just take a day of your time, and it's not too expensive," Lev Oertel says. "In the summer, it's the perfect escapade."
Lev Oertel says to pick a weekend when obligations won't distract you and the weather should cooperate. Then, investigate bed-and-breakfasts that are within a two-hour drive of you. Choose a romantic destination that neither of you have been to.
When you have selected your ideal bed-and-breakfast, reserve it, taking care to tell the proprietors that it is a surprise for your spouse. This will prevent any confirmation phone calls or letters from ruining your plans.
Scout out your route and select a place along the way that would be ideal for a picnic lunch. This will be part of the surprise that you spring on your wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend.
Pack your bags in advance, making sure that both you and your partner will have everything you need for an overnight stay. In addition, pick out delicious foods and tasty beverages for that picnic.
Then stash the luggage and the picnic lunch in the trunk of your car. Any food that needs to be refrigerated, of course, should go in a cooler and be placed in the trunk as late as possible without provoking suspicion.
When the big day arrives, tell your spouse that you want to try a new place for lunch. Don't tell him or her that you have anything planned. But insist upon driving.
Of course, as you leave town, your partner will catch on that you have something up your sleeve. Smile and say that you have found a great place for a picnic.
When you get to your site, pop open the trunk and pull out your packed lunch. If you do this quickly, your partner will be too surprised at the impromptu picnic to notice that overnight bags are also stuffed in the trunk.
Enjoy your romantic meal. Accept your partner's praise at your cleverness, but do not let on that this is merely the first of the day's surprises.
After you have eaten and relaxed to your contentment, get in the car and feign going home. Then announce to your partner that it is such a nice day that you want to continue on a scenic drive.
When you reach your bed-and-breakfast, tell your spouse that the place looks so charming that you want to look inside. Your partner will not suspect a thing - at least not until the proprietor hands you a key.
As your spouse tries to figure out what is going on, announce that you are staying the night. Then ignore his or her protests. Reveal that you have bags packed in the trunk and have cleared out the rest of the day for fun and romance.
Your spouse will be delighted at your spontaneity and foresight. And the tingle of surprise will motivate the two of you until you check out the following morning.
"You can keep the surprises coming by planning a fun afternoon activity or reserving a classy restaurant for dinner," Lev Oertel says. "Whatever you decide to do once your getaway is revealed, enjoy the romance of it."
Lev Oertel's book, "52 Romantic Evenings to Spice up Your Love Life" offers dozens of date ideas to keep relationships fresh and exciting.
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