Sandals Royal Bahamian. Photo courtesy, www.TLTravels.com

In the midst of struggling through this economy, a romantic retreat might be just what the doctor ordered to get back to being a couple and focusing on what matters most in your lives. The US Travel Association (USTA) released a series of studies showing the various benefits travelers realize by taking a vacation.

“We want to remind people that whether traveling for business or pleasure, we all benefit tremendously from the experience.” Roger Dow, USTA’s (formerly Travel Industry Association) president and chief executive officer.

Even the anticipation of vacation travel generates an increase in positive feelings about one’s life as a whole, family, economic situation, and health, as revealed in the released survey results.

Women who take more vacations are more satisfied with their marriages is another reported result with more than 40 percent feeling more romantic when on vacation. One travel recommendation for couples to escape is Sandals Resorts.

Sandals is an ultra premium couples only resort with properties in Jamaica, Bahamas, and Antigua. Imagine a private beach dinner for two, a moon and stars couples massage, or an exclusive dinner experience on a pier at sunset.

Sandals Royal Bahamian fire pit. Photo courtesy, www.TLTravels.com

In the Bahamas, The Royal Village at Sandals Royal Bahamian offers a secluded island with unique tiki style vistas to feel as though couples are isolated. Coupled with multiple pools and a lavish beach area, travelers can be as private as they would like in this quiet tropical retreat. The resort’s romantic fire pit area is unique and further contributes to the couples’ ambiance.

USTA’s revealed survey findings also say that more than half of employed Americans say they come back feeling reconnected with their family after vacation. To further connect with the family, a vacation to Sandals owned Beaches (properties in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica), a cruise, a trip to Disney or a visit to Atlantis Resort are just a few ideas that bring families together.

Deals are to be had right now. “The cost of travel remains at historic lows, giving consumers phenomenal options and the opportunity to stretch their dollars farther,” Dow adds. Sandals (as of article posting) was offering up to 65 percent off of packages and a spa credit of $250, which is about 20 to 25 percent more than typically advertised.

Couples Traveling Together Spark Romance was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo courtesy of Malibu Beach Inn

In times of economic turmoil and increased stresses, a romantic getaway might be just what the stimulus package is missing and the doctor ordered. In fact, a recent Trip Advisor survey reveals that 77 percent of travelers plan to take a romantic trip with their significant other in 2009.

Paris tops the list for romantic couple destinations, according to the TripAdvisor survey. Hawaii, Bora Bora, Aruba and Jamaica also are featured in top tropical romantic escapes.

“Bolstered by seaside hammocks and tasty umbrella drinks, 49 percent of travelers said the beach is the best setting for a romantic trip with their sweetheart,” according to the TripAdvisor survey.

The second most popular setting for romance was a city, according to 16 percent of respondents.  Cities featured in the top 10 list include New York City, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Rome.

A romantic trip does not always come with a luxury price tag. TripAdvisor’s top 10 bargain romantic U.S. hotels include*:

Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages, Holmes Beach, Florida, $199 average nightly rate

Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab, Utah, $159 average nightly rate

Old Ranch Inn, Palm Springs, California, $134 average nightly rate

Casa Malibu Inn on the Beach, Malibu, California, $159 average nightly rate

Desert Pearl Inn, Springdale, Utah, $153 average nightly rate

Inn at Sonoma, Sonoma, California, $197 average nightly rate

Overleaf Lodge & Spa, Yachats, Oregon, $177 average nightly rate

Lake Opechee Inn & Spa, Lakeport, New Hampshire, $199 average nightly rate

Hotel Rehoboth, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, $184 average nightly rate

Island Bay Resort, Tavernier, Florida, $163 average nightly rate

*NOTE: Travel Advocate does not guarantee these rates as they were supplied by TripAdvisor.

These romantic properties not only provide the ambiance required, according to Alan Goldschneider, managing director, Malibu Beach Inn.  Value is a key amenity travelers realize. “If a guest has a wonderful stay and it exceeds their expectations, when they go and check-out and can see the value. It seals the deal,” he adds.

Photo courtesy of YourNovel.com

If the economy has couples not being able to take some time away to re-connect together, another virtual romantic vacation option exists. YourNovel.com gives couples the opportunity to become characters aboard a historical cruise journey, experience passion on a tropical island, embrace romance in the Outer Banks and other romantic, customized journeys.

There are 25 romantic adventures to choose from and several e-books where a couple can escape, even if it is in the depth of a romance novel, as a unique way to experience a romantic getaway. You can opt for either a paperback or a hardback version and can even add your photo for further increased personalization.

Following is one of the book descriptions, Sea Double: A Cruise Romance, available at YourNovel.com:

Sea Double: A Cruise Romance is a personalized novel where our starring couple ply warm, blue Caribbean waters aboard a luxury cruise ship. Our heroine is called upon to switch places with a rock mega-star; our hero takes on the role of her bodyguard. Both find themselves playing at exotic ports-of-call like St. Lucia, Curacao and St. Martin, and basking in first-class comfort, only to find that along with celebrity comes a price.

After selecting your destination, you then enter a series of fields to allow for customization including pet names, number of years together, favorite music and more.  You have the opportunity to see an excerpt to see how the information flows together and you can make any applicable changes if needed. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes. The hardest part is selecting the romantic escape you want you and your significant other to appear in! There are so many great stories that are sure to tempt you to travel to one of these steamy destinations for real. In the meantime, armchair travel is a great prelude!

Romantic Travel: Couples Escaping for Loving Retreats was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Nothing beats a fresh catch for seafood cuisine. According to Aaron Tuell, director of Public Relations, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, “We have over 160 locally owned restaurants, many of which serve fresh, NC Seafood caught in the waters off the Outer Banks.  Shrimp, fish and oysters offered seasonally, prepared in the Outer Banks tradition.”

Dining is a great way for couples to experience a local culture. In fact, according to the Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) 2006 Domestic Travel Report, of 20 trip activities dining tops the list. Nearly a third of all domestic vacations include dining as one of the trip activities.

From casual to high-end dining, the Outer Banks offers all types of cuisine experiences. “We also have 7 local restaurants that carry Wine Spectator awards for their selection,” Tuell says. 

Following are some recommended romantic activities for couples.

Lighthouse Tour: Romantic, panoramic views are afforded to those touring the four coastal lighthouses along the Outer Banks. Two of these can be climbed including the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla, Currituck County (a fee of $7 for anyone 8-years-old and above) and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, which is also recognized as America’s Lighthouse and is the tallest (208 feet) brick lighthouse in the world ($7 for anyone 12-years-old and above; children 11 and under, seniors and disabled pay $3). There is also the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Ocracoke Lighthouse, the latter of which is the oldest still operating lighthouse in the state, according to Aaron Tuell, director of Public Relations, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. “A harbor light, it emits a constant beam and does not ‘flash’.”

Wright Brothers Memorial: Stepping back into the footsteps of the first flight, the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills can be romantic for its spectacular landscape views and for couples who enjoy experiencing history. Entrance fee is $4 for those 17 and older.

Beaches: The Outer Bank beaches are pristine and are the most relaxed beach destinations I’ve experienced. Beyond water sports such as kayaking or shell gathering, you can spend your days in the most peaceful mode. “Walking down isolated stretches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore at sunrise or twilight would rank as pretty neat for couples and is unconditionally romantic,” Tuell adds.

Sand Dune Park: A must-see, hard to miss attraction is Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which according to Tuell was the state’s most visited attraction in 2007, with over 1.5 million visits, an increase of 43 percent over last year. For those with an adventurous side, do not miss the opportunity to try hang gliding. One of my favorite romantic memories at Jockey’s Ridge is watching fireworks on the 4^th of July…a very unique venue.

Ocracoke, NC: Take the free 40-minute ferry over to Ocracoke to experience remote stretches of beaches, wildlife and sealife. This activity allows couples to connect with the natural habitat the Outer Banks offer and the chance to connect with each other.

What are some of your favorite romantic US destinations?

Romantic Beach Destination: The Outer Banks was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

To be truly successful at giving gifts to women, you just need to remember three things. 1) She wants to know you cared enough to put some thought into the gift. 2) She wants to know you are giving up some of your time to give her that gift. And 3), she wants to know you are willing to spend time with her (and only her) at least one evening a year. (Of course, you do get extra points by turning an evening into a full day.)

Since Valentines Day is the obligatory male-female day of connection that comes but once a year, it is especially important to prove your love on that day. If you “forget” or “just don’t want to give into another day created by Hallmark,” points will be deducted in a big way. However, going the extra mile doesn’t have to be expensive to curry favor…it simply has to fit within the three parameters above.

Now to be truly frugal this Valentines Day, and yet make it the best Valentines Day ever, consider turning Valentines Day into a week (or even two). Some of the ideas below can be done daily and will make the woman in your life feel like a queen without buying her the tiara. All women really want is what they see in the movies…an expression of passion and thoughtfulness.

1. GIVE HER ONE FLOWER A DAY FOR TWO WEEKS: Every day, deliver any kind of flower to her in a unique and thoughtful manner. Stick them under her windshield wiper, in the toothbrush holder, in the fridge (and so on) and you will delight her each time she finds it. That’s because you are going out of your way to 1) come up with ideas, and 2) get the flowers (even though you really just stole them from your neighbor’s garden). At the end of two weeks, she will have a lovely bouquet and fourteen days of enchanting memories.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Put a flower under her windshield wiper when she’s at work or an appointment and she will know that you went way out of your way as soon as she sees it.

1. STICK POST-ITS DECLARING YOUR LOVE FOR HER ALL OVER THE HOUSE. Put one in her coat pocket, in her purse, on the visor in her car, in her planner, etc. This is something you can do all at once, yet she will find these notes over days and weeks. It’s free to do, but your “thoughtfulness” and the romantic sayings will get you two points per note…a win-win situation.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Use flower-shaped or heart-shaped post-its for a little extra romance.

1. DRAW HER A BUBBLE BATH WITH CANDLES LIT ALL AROUND. I know…this is an old cliché…and yet it never grows old. Even though she may want to take the bath without you in it, you’ll get points for drawing the bath, the bubbles, and every candle you lit. Throw some rose petals on top of those bubbles, and you are bringing the magic of the movies into her life.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Throw her towel in the dryer just before she’s ready to get out for that special spa treatment.

1. HAVE A MYSTERIOUS GIFT DELIVERED TO HER WORK. Make a special plan for the evening and deliver something that she will need for that event. For example, a pair of her comfortable boots for a nature hike, or one of her favorite sweaters for a night at the beach. She’ll be trying to guess all day what you have planned, which adds excitement to what may otherwise be an ordinary date. Always include a single rose.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Make that a brand new gift and you’ll get extra points for that as well.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>5. <!–[endif]–>TAKE HER TO A ROMANTIC LOCATION FOR A PICNIC. You don’t have to be fancy with the picnic fare. Grab her favorite sandwich from Subway or some pre-made chicken and potato salad at your local grocery store. Take her someplace you might have taken her when you were teenagers…someplace where making out could be an option…and don’t forget the blanket to sit (or lay) on.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Make that picnic occur at sunset. If the weather is cold, find an indoor location where you can watch the sunset in comfort.

Feel free to use these ideas without deviation, or brainstorm to think of a few of your own. Just remember, all the woman wants to know is that you are willing to go that extra mile…even if it is a requirement.

How to Be Cheap on Valentines Day Without Getting Your Butt Kicked was created by and is property of American Consumer News.