There are a slew of generally accepted romantic practices that you can employ as a way to show your devotion to either a new love interest or a long-term partner. You might send roses, dine at a fancy restaurant, or serenade your love by moonlight. But whether things are just starting to get serious or you're trying to spice up a relationship that's hit the doldrums, a romantic weekend getaway could be just the ticket to let the other person know how you feel. And here are a few things you'll want to consider when planning your mini vacay of love.

1. Cost. There's just no getting around this one, especially in a recession economy. You might be keen to pull out all the stops, but if the cost of your plans comes at the expense of paying your monthly bills, your one true love might be none too pleased after the fact. Luckily, there are tons of ways to make romantic plans without going over budget. Heck, planning a day trip to the lake, complete with a picnic in the park featuring cold pasta and a bottle of cheap champagne qualifies. So get creative if you want to not only save some money, but also impress your significant other with your mental prowess.

2. Going off the grid. It's always important to let someone in on your travel plans just in case, but if you want your weekend to be a truly romantic experience, don't spoil it by taking a phone call in the midst of some soulful eye-gazing. Leave your cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other mobile connectivity devices powered down and safely locked away if you want to devote your full attention to the person you're trying to romance.

3. Secrecy. Although certain types of people are a bit too anxious when things are out of their control, most of us love a good surprise, especially when it's all about making us happy. So if you're looking to plan a romantic getaway, think about ways you can keep it a secret as long as possible. You might have to reveal snippets like the
dates of travel so that the object of your affection can be sure to avoid other commitments during that time. And you may want to help with the packing process if particular types of clothing are needed. But otherwise you can keep mum on the travel plans.

4. Activities. It's not always easy to figure out what kinds of activities are going to go over as romantic. For example, active couples might really enjoy hitting the slopes during the day and then cuddling up by a roaring fire at night. For others, an entire day spent lounging in bed and ordering rooms service could be just the ticket. So when you're planning a romantic getaway, focus on personalized activities that are sure to sweep your one and only off his or her feet.

5. Travel time. Unless you want to spend the majority of your weekend in a car or on a plane, you need to take travel time into consideration during the planning process. While whisking your love interest away to Paris certainly qualifies as the height of romance, it might not seem like such a good idea when you factor several hours of flying and jet lag into the equation. In truth, long-distance travel is actually kind of a terrible idea when you only have a couple of days at your disposal. So look for romantic places nearby, whether that means arranging for Atlanta, Albany, or Albuquerque lodging at some kind of spa resort or other couples getaway spot.