Weekends away: the last resort?

• Go with the flow. Sex in a strange bed (or shower) can pep up your love life, but don't feel under pressure if you'd rather check out the TV/bath/mini bar.

• Leave hassles behind. Put a ban on work/domestic conversations. Relish the fact that for two or three days, you don't have to cook, take calls or do laundry.

• Dress up. Wear impractical shoes. At home, says Frances Emeleus, 'We tend to give our lover the worst sides of ourselves. It's not very respectful. You don't need to be constantly tarted up - but it's good to make an effort for each other.'

• 'While you're away, recognise that things are so much better when you're in touch with each other,' recommends Frances. 'Commit yourselves to remaining close when you get home. Take turns to initiate quality time together; that way, you're both taking responsibility. Aim for at least three times a week and put it in the diary - this might feel odd, but if you don't, you'll slip back into old habits.'

As for Laura, she hauled Matt to Barcelona for two blissful nights, completely ignoring his protests that he couldn't leave the office. 'We had proper conversations,' she reports. 'We laughed together - instead of barking lists at each other, as we'd been doing at home.'

A successful trip then? Let's just say they didn't see much of Barcelona.

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