Advice for playfully perfect couple getaways

If you and your lover are jumping off the hamster wheel and into a romantic getaway, take note. Sex (which is always better on vacation) and intimacy are not the same thing. Scantily clad bodies, that rose-scented Jacuzzi built for two and the gauzy linen hiding a ridiculously huge canopy bed doesn't replace soul-bearing intimacy that traveling with your lover brings.

Intimacy is a decadent proposition - completely exposed to the person you love most in this world. Trouble is, it's often fraught with frustration, especially when you factor in the unpredictability of travel.

Couples who travel together know a little pre-planning, a healthy sense of humor and willingness to compromise can make the difference between a trip you'll reminisce about fondly for years and one you want to forget the moment you're back home.

Feel free to pin this list to your dashboard for your next lovers' getaway.

1.    Ditch the scorecard

We all have annoying habits and living out of your lover's back pocket can throw a megawatt spotlight on them. Before you leave the house, air the annoyances and then agree to temper every reminder with a kiss. If your partner forgets to put the toilet seat down or you leave the lid off the toothpaste, a kiss makes it easier to say and receive. And who knows, all the kissing may lead to...

2.    Honor your body's needs

A day of sightseeing after a night dancing under stars (coupled with meals grabbed on the go) is a recipe for disaster. Agree to be honest with each other when you're tired or hungry. And more importantly, listen when your partner tells you he needs something. You might want to fit in one last boutique, but if it's going to end in a meltdown before dinner, it's not worth it.

3.    Have back up navigational tools

Your Android phone might have a built in GPS but what if your battery dies or you're in an area where the network frequently goes down? You'd be amazed at the anti-divorce powers of an old-fashioned map.

4.    Pull your own weight

You're ditching real life for time with your lover, so household rules don't apply here. At home, your partner may the laundry-picker-upper and you might be the dishwasher, but who cares. On vacation, pitch in and do the chores together - which means you'll both be finished quicker (hint: more playtime). Same goes for carrying your own luggage through airports. If you packed it, be prepared to lug it.

5.    Travel like a honeymooner

There's nothing sweeter than being mistaken for a newlywed. Think about it, breathing each other's air, running fingers through hair, across skin, mooning over each other in public - it's blissful. Been a while since you fell in love? Give it a try on your next romantic getaway - you'll be amazed how that heady, feeling can lead to long conversations that lead to remembering why you fell in love with each other in the first place.

And that can lead to the next best thing about romantic getaways with your lover....

Got a romantic getaway tip to share with us? We'd love to hear how you keep the peace and reach Nirvana at the same time when you're vacationing with your lover. Leave a comment here, friend us on facebook or follow us on Twitter.