| Most couples in long-term relationships end | | | | to your local park or have it in your back |
| up stuck in a rut at some time in their lives | | | | garden. |
| and forgetting how much romantic fun they | | | | |
| used to have together. Here are some tips on | | | | Go to the zoo - remember how much fun you |
| things you can do together to bring back the | | | | used to have there as a child! |
| fun and romance in your relationship. | | | | |
| | | | Visit a museum or art gallery. It'll give you |
| At home | | | | both something to talk about. |
| | | | |
| Having a family needn't put an end to your | | | | Just lounge about in a coffee shop all |
| romance - you can have plenty of fun together | | | | afternoon enjoying cappuccinos and cakes in |
| at home when the kids are tucked up in bed. | | | | comfy sofas. |
| | | | |
| Rent some films and have a cosy night in | | | | Find a hotel or health club near you that has |
| watching them with a bottle of wine and box | | | | a luxury gym, swimming pool, whirlpool and |
| of chocs. Dim down the lights and pretend | | | | spa facilities for non-residents/non-members |
| you're in the back row of the cinema! | | | | and pamper yourselves all day. |
| | | | |
| Buy some flowers and candles, put on some | | | | Have a day out at the races. Get dressed up |
| soothing music, decorate your dining room | | | | and make an occasion of it (but agree on |
| like a romantic restaurant and make a special | | | | betting limits beforehand)! |
| meal for two - together. Cooking is much more | | | | |
| fun when you share it, and you can enjoy a | | | | Take a trip in a hot air balloon. Lots of |
| wee glass of wine or gin and tonic while you | | | | companies offer such trips now and they're |
| work. | | | | very romantic. |
| | | | |
| On a nice long, summer night, prepare a | | | | If you and your partner are active types, |
| picnic dinner with all the traditional | | | | arrange a day of outdoor activities and |
| romantic picnic treats (champagne, | | | | adventures such as quad biking, archery, |
| strawberries, biscuits and cheese) and eat it | | | | abseiling or clay pigeon shooting. |
| al fresco. Turn your garden into a picnic | | | | |
| area, with rugs (and cushions to make you | | | | If there's a funfair near you, go along and |
| more comfy), garden candles and a parasol or | | | | get on some of the rides - and treat |
| gazebo for some privacy. | | | | yourselves to some candyfloss! |
| | | | |
| Have a games night. Dig out all your | | | | Nights out |
| favourite board games - you might even want | | | | |
| to invent your own saucy rules for them! | | | | Try spending an evening together doing |
| | | | something a bit different now and again. |
| Simply ban television for the night. Put on | | | | |
| some music and let the conversation flow. | | | | Get some tickets for the theatre and go for a |
| | | | pre-show dinner beforehand. Be adventurous - |
| Have a bath with some luxurious bath essences | | | | have you ever gone to a ballet or the opera |
| and oils, go to bed early and just cuddle. | | | | for example? You might be surprised at how |
| | | | much you'd enjoy it. |
| Look out your old photos and have fun | | | | |
| reminiscing about the young and carefree days | | | | Go ten-pin bowling. When was the last time |
| of your relationship. | | | | you did that? |
| | | | |
| Days out | | | | Have some drinks at the pub - but not your |
| | | | local. Find somewhere different where you can |
| Couples often don't spend much quality time | | | | relax alone together and chat away all night. |
| together during the day and their social | | | | How about a quiet wine bar for a nice bottle |
| lives tend to revolve only around nights out. | | | | of Chardonnay or even Champagne if you're |
| There are loads of fun things you can enjoy | | | | feeling extravagant? |
| together during the day though. If you've got | | | | |
| time to spare on a Saturday or Sunday | | | | Go to a gig - not necessarily a massive rock |
| afternoon or during the week, have a go at | | | | concert. Sometimes smaller gigs in intimate |
| these: | | | | clubs and venues are much more fun. And try |
| | | | something a little out of the ordinary. If |
| Go to a matinee performance at the cinema or | | | | you're not usually into rock music, why not |
| theatre - and you'll still have the evening | | | | break with tradition? You're bound to have a |
| free to go out. | | | | lively night out. Likewise, if you're not |
| | | | used to classical or jazz concerts, why not |
| Take a trip into the countryside and go for a | | | | give one a try? Sometimes these can be very |
| walk. It's a wonderful feeling to get out | | | | relaxing. |
| into the open air where there's noone else | | | | |
| but the two of you around. If you're not a | | | | Find out what evening classes are on in your |
| keen walker, simply go for a drive and find a | | | | local area and choose one that you both have |
| nice spot to park up and enjoy the views. | | | | an interest in. You're bound to find |
| | | | something that suits both your tastes - |
| Buy or hire a picnic hamper if you don't have | | | | cookery, dancing, language, art or even keep |
| one and make a traditional picnic. You don't | | | | fit. |
| need to travel far to enjoy it - even just go | | | | |