Do you have what it takes?

Travel is a great aid to romance. There is much value in getting away from all the distractions back home - business, housework, children, rivals. Just leave that all behind.

A romantic interlude can be the beginning of an amazing relationship, but it can also revive a flagging o­ne. People invariably draw closer together when they travel for romance. Shared experiences create a special kind of intimacy, and beautiful memories.

The planning is part of the fun, and surprises should be confined to smaller gestures, like champagne with breakfast. There are some other basic rules. Don't skimp; be as extravagant as you can afford to be. Romance deserves all the help it can get. The predicament of what to pack for a romantic weekend getaway will be made easier for you after reading these tips.

Here are some highly recommended items to pack in that special weekend bag. Pack for passion, even though you may stay at a romantic hotel, you should still come well prepared!

The Romantic ‘Pack for Passion' tips are:

• Tea lights or scented candles – remember the matches
• Luxury bubble bath
• Massage Oil
• Small CD player
• CD of love songs
• Elegant lingerie
• Lacy topped stockings
• Chocolate body paint
• Rose petals to scatter in the bed
• Romantic notes to leave o­n each others' pillow

And the romantic hints don't end with the suitcase contents; there are additional tips o­n the best treats to order from room service.

• Champagne
• A real treat to order, Champagne with Crème de Cassis
• Strawberries with chocolate sauce
• Ask for your breakfast toast to be cut into heart shapes
• Hot chocolate with amaretto and cream, there's nothing better as a winter "warm me up" after a long romantic walk
• After your main course, ask if you can have dessert served in your room – with o­nly o­ne spoon

All this may seem unambiguous: all o­ne can say is that there have been many cases where people have either forgotten such simple sweet rules, or have chosen to ignore them - to their consequential regret.