When couples get together, the first years of their relationship bustles with dizzying excitement. Whether you're married or in a committed partnership, the honeymoon phase is at high intensity. Life is wonderful. Romance is constantly in the air. You and your significant other are deliriously happier than you ever imagined. Swoosh! Fast-forward a few years, and you've lost that loving feeling.

As the years wane, so does the spontaneity between long-term couples. Doing things the same way, the same time every week, with the same person, makes for a dull existence as boredom sets in. Added to this mix are children, house payments, housework, jobs, and the last thing on your mind is fun and romance. But couples can pull-out-all-the-stops by putting the pizzazz and vigor that they once had, back to into their lives.

Take a couples retreat.

There are many getaways designed to help couples focus on reconnecting with each other through intimacy and self-discovery. Playful exercises and pleasurable couples massage therapies are offered with romance in mind.

Have date nights.

Romance declines over time, particularly for those in long-term relationships. Spice things up by venturing somewhere new and engaging in activities outside of your usual routine. Take in a dinner cruise, enjoy wine and cheese in the park, or head for a Sunday afternoon matinee to rekindle old flames.

Have an affair.

Yes, but with each other. It's safe, effective, exciting and eliminates the gloom and doom. Women have been known to don wigs that are starkly different from their own hairstyle and color. Their partners enjoy the experience of pretending they are with someone new and exciting.

Holding hands.

When partners have been together a long time, simple pleasures like holding hands get pushed to the back burner. As you walk together, hold hands rather than just walk side by side. Younger couples occasionally hold hands while swinging their arms in a playful gesture, or mischievously bumping into each other as they move along. Consider holding hands as you go roller-blading, bike riding along a trail, or just strolling through the woods.

The golden touch.

Don't miss an opportunity to give your mate a warm or flirty touch as you pass by. There's no better way to create chemistry. A simple, innocent stroking of the back, neck or arms not only feels extremely good, but it also forms a special bond between you and your mate. In 'The 100 Simple Secrets of Great Relationships', David Niven suggests

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