1. Be realistic
If your relationship
is in tatters, don't think you'll feel like Romeo and Juliet when
staying at a ritzy resort. And if your sex life is a disaster,
it won't improve overnight. Put your relationship in good shape
before going. A few relationship counselling sessions could make
all the difference.
2. Be patient
Give yourself and your
partner time to wind down and relax. You may need several days
to throw off your daily cares. Do
what you need to unwind: exercise, reading, pampering, naps, even
time alone, Don't be surprised if your lust levels magically rise
as your stress levels drop.
3. Keep the peace
A holiday isn't the
time to rummage through your "hurt museum" and bring
out all the grievances you've been storing up. If you must
discuss difficult issues, do so without fighting. Take turns to
talk and listen, avoid blaming and name-calling, and do your best
to ensure that both sides are aired. If you can't resolve issues,
agree to shelve them and deal with them together once you're back
home.
4. Be best friends
If you treated your
friends the way you treat your partner, would they stick around?
Probably not. Extend to each other the sort of respect you'd offer
your best mate. Keep your partner's happiness in mind. The best
sex happens when you're good friends as well as lovers.
5. Dare to be different
Holidays are exciting
because you are more exciting when away from routine. Try
bungee jumping or the macarena at midnight. Take over the karaoke,
sling on a sarong and dance together in the moonlight. Find a
secluded spot and
swim nude. Let your hair down together and you may rediscover
that the thrilling person you fell in love with is still there.
6. Excite your senses
On holidays, the scenery,
the sounds of nature, mysterious aromas and new foods excite our
senses. Carry this heightened sensuality into your relationship.
Delight your sense of touch with caresses. Enjoy a bath or shower
together, or listen to live music and dance cheek to cheek. Feed
each other exotic foods and relish the flavours (limit alcohol
as it dulls sexual performance). Watch the sunrise, or make a
date for sunset every evening.
7. Make time for sex
You and your partner
may be the type who love to be busy when you go away. If
you're not 10unge-lizards, schedule time in your days for loving.
Dropping into bed every night exhausted isn't the best recipe
for passion. Make love at different times of the day. There's
nothing more restful than an afternoon siesta following steamy
sex.
8. Holiday all year
Holidays are often
the shot in the arm that jaded relationships need. But we can't
rely on time away to keep relationships going. Use the break to
rediscover each other, and take care not to lose touch after returning
home. If you nurture your relationship, you can escape the daily
grind anytime. Relaxing in your partner's arms for a few minutes
is a mini-vacation and you don't have to pay off your credit card
afterwards!
