That celebration may take on many different forms, but most will celebrate.

Dinner. A movie. Date night away from the kids. Something to show the importance of being a couple.

So, what happens when your significant other lives, or works, hundreds of miles away?

You get inventive, that’s what.

The number of long distance relationships, or LDRs, are apparently growing in the United States. Just Google “long distance relationships” and you’ll find more information than you can imagine on the topic.

There’s even a mysterious Center For The Study of Long-Distance Relationships, which dishes out some interesting tidbits.

For example, according to the center, the average distance apart is 125 miles and LDR couples only call each other twice a week.

So, while calling a long-distance significant other twice a week may work when you’re in college, it certainly doesn’t when you’re a bit older.

Trust me, I know.

For a long while now, I’ve been one-half of a long distance relationship. First I was in New England working strange hours and days, as in almost around the clock for prolonged periods of time.

I’d had enough of that, so I returned to Louisville. Meanwhile, my significant other, whom we will call “Sweetie,” took a job a few hundred miles of where I was based in New England.

Whoever said “all’s fair in love and war” obviously never dealt with a long distance relationship.

While the average may be a distance of 125 miles apart, ours is closer to 600. Phone calls every two days? Yeah, right. Try about every two hours.

What we’ve learned is that if you want the relationship to survive, you really have to work at it. More so, I believe, than if you’re both in the same home or at least city.

When one half of a couple is traveling, you get really good at overlooking the stupid things that would annoy a lot of people. You even look forward to those annoyances.

As my life unfolds with a committed partner, who happens to be in upstate New York most of the time, there are a few observations worth sharing.

You can’t call each other often enough. Even the most mundane life experiences need to be shared, since you can’t talk about them over dinner or at home at night.

Text even more often. If you don’t have an unlimited text plan, get one. Trust me.

Use some type of video chatting when you can, whether it’s Apple’s FaceTime or Skype. Being able to see your significant other, even on a small screen, is better than not seeing them at all.

And, book travel well in advance to save a few dollars and above all, make every weekend, or week at home count.

There simply is not enough time during the time together to get into arguments, or debates as we call them, about stupid things. Dishes still in the dishwasher? Big deal. Laundry strewn everywhere? Who cares. Things not exactly perfect around the house? It doesn’t matter.

What does matter is staying connected. Opening the mail, paying bills, dealing with contractors, talking about life and life’s annoyances. That’s what matters. And, don’t forget, never make the one traveling feel as though they’re only visiting.  That has potential to push a wedge in the relationship that may not be easily fixed.

One thing relationship experts might say is that a long-distance romance is perfect. You don’t have enough time together to lose interest in each other or let the little things add up. But, what they don’t say also is that you don’t have enough time together to really build a life together.

What Sweetie and I do is make every minute we have together count. If I’m traveling to see her, we find something interesting to do and see – everything from tourist attractions to complaining about the worst meal we’ve ever had together to finding the trashiest dive eatery that just happens to serve the most amazing homemade bread (If you’re ever in Buffalo, N.Y., try Sophia’s on Military Street and you’ll see what I mean).

If she’s coming home, we try to have a “normal” weekend or week together regardless of the rigors of the road. We still run errands together, we cook together and we plan things to do, and not just stay at home all the time.

It’s true that we see, and do a lot of things together. Memory building things.  But, night after night, saying goodnight via FaceTime or a phone call gets old.

It’s far better to say goodnight in person.

But, after a while, romance may need a little jump start.

To help get you primed for the day, we looked at quick getaways where you can relight a fire or pour gasoline on a fire already lit.

So, pour a glass of wine and plan a romantic breakaway from everyday life.

Biltmore

Nestled in the rolling hills of Western North Carolina lies one of America’s true gems, and one of the most romantic places in the area.

A mere five hours away by car is The Biltmore Estate. Built by George Vanderbilt for his family, the original 125,000-acre estate’s grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same man who designed Louisville’s parks. Famed architect Richard Morris Hunt modeled the buildings on three different 16th century French Chateaux.

And what a job they did.

The grounds are stunning and the family has restored the Estate to its original glory.

The grounds are impressive, to say the least. Beset with massive limestone walls and huge gargoyles, the main house is beyond elegant, but still retains its homey feel.

As you walk through you can see where children played, meals were eaten and Vanderbilt built his empire.

Over the years, the estate has seen good and bad times, but members of the Vanderbilt family renewed the estate in 2001 when they opened the Inn on the Biltmore and completed its transformation to a true tourist destination.

The Inn, as it’s called, is truly a romantic, soothing getaway for couples, or anyone, needing to recharge.

As you drive into the estate, you’re greeted with tree-lined avenues, horse paths, massive gardens and a vineyard. All before you arrive at the Inn itself.

Once inside the Inn, you’re greeted with a staff that doesn’t understand the word “no.”

On many trips to the Inn, the most seemingly insane requests have been greeted with “we’ll take care of it,” including one request for fresh roses to be delivered to a suite while dining – at 10 p.m. on a Saturday night.

From the massive twin fireplaces adorning the lobby to the elegant word work and perpetual fresh flowers, the Inn invites you to sit down, relax, have a cocktail and enjoy the breathtaking view of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.

Once you’re on property, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a reason to leave.

The Inn features elegant, white tablecloth dining in the massive dining room; less formal, but still delicious meals in the Bistro and casual fare in the bar. One warning, the bar is very small. Wine and cocktails are meant to be enjoyed in the lobby, not the bar it seems.

The Bistro staff is as welcoming as the Inn’s main staff.

If you tell them it’s a special occasion, they will graciously create something on the fly off menu to help guests remember the moment.

After you’ve eaten, you can retire to a well-appointed room with every modem amenity you can think of. Again, with service that is impeccable.

Turn down service is seemingly mandatory, along with chocolates and a fresh flower or two.

After a night’s rest, you’ll want to explore the massive Estate, which sits on four acres and has 250 rooms, 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces.

The Biltmore staff is well trained in its history – just try to stump them on any minute detail and they will know it, instantly.

Be prepared to walk and walk, it takes about three hours to tour the estate and it’s a walking tour.

Adjacent to the estate are the famous Biltmore gardens.

While winter is not the best time to see them, there is always something blooming.

The best season for viewing the gardens is late spring, when the tulips are in bloom and the roses are just beginning to bud.

The experience is not inexpensive, with February rate at $139 for weekdays and $179 on weekends, tax not included.

While it may be a bit higher than some other locations, the luxury and pampering you experience will more than make up for the additional cost.

The Inn on the Biltmore, 1 Lodge St., Asheville, N.C.; 866.336.1245; www.biltmore.com.

Moonrise

Right outside downtown St. Louis is a neighborhood much like Louisville’s own NuLu district.

Called “The Loop,” this area is the destination for both the hip and tragically hip.

And the loop is home to one of the most interesting, coolest hotels around, The Moonrise.

A mere four-hour drive from Louisville, St. Louis is called “The Gateway To The West,” and is home to the St. Louis Arch, the Anheuser-Busch brewery, the St. Louis Botanical Gardens, museums and exhibits and more restaurants than you can shake a stick at.

But The Loop, ah The Loop. Trendy, hip and urban, this neighborhood has a distinctly Louisville feel to it.

And the Moonrise offers a central place where you can unwind, eat and explore the area all in the lap of luxury.

From spaciously appointed rooms to vintage toy collections, the Moonrise offers something for everyone.

Upon arriving at The Moonrise, you’re met with an ever-chaging color display from its iridescent lobby wall and very open staircase.

Keeping with the space theme, the lobby and adjoining areas are decorated with lunar toys, jewelry and memorabilia from America’s space program. These are not the toys you’d find at a yard sale or flea market, but rather high end originals that have been painstaking restored.

Guest rooms are built out with a modern, luxury feel including Symmons Rain Showers, which makes getting clean an experience all in itself. The décor of the rooms are one-of-a-kind and are certainly not standard hotel fare.

After checking in, and checking out your room, head down to the lobby bar.

This is not a hotel where the bar is dark, rather it’s bright, airy and the focal point to the evening’s beginning.

After a cocktail or glass or wine, you may find yourself hungry and this is a place where The Moonrise shines.

The Eclipse (notice the lunar theme?) restaurant is a true sensory experience. Blue fiber optic lighting brings a ambience that you really have to experience to believe. And the food is just as eclectic as the atmosphere.

Boasting entrees such as Hunter’s Duck Loaf and Artichoke Boursin Ravioli, the menu changes quarterly. Be warned, this being St. Louis, the menu is heavy on beef, but the kitchen staff didn’t disappoint when I dined there.

And, if you’re in St. Louis, you have to make sure you have at least one serving of the city specialty, toasted ravioli. The Eclipse does it a little different than just a usual cheese filing by mixing cheese, pork and fennel with a spicy puttanesca sauce. It’s truly heavenly.

The Moonrise offers its guests spa services as well , but for a totally relaxing take on the word, make your way to the rooftop bar.

Offering a stellar view of the city, this bar is the place to be on a weekend night.

Often crowded to capacity, it’s certainly crowded but the staff still makes guests feel as though they are the only people in town. And the view. From the perch above the hotel, you can see everything for miles.

Getting away to St. Louis won’t break the bank, either.

The hotel is offering a “love shack” special during February, with rates from $179. The special includes a bottle of champagne, in-room breakfast, value parking and a romantic passion kit.

We’ll leave that one for you to explore.

Moonrise, 6177 Delmar In The Loop, St. Louis, Mo. 314.721.1111. www.moonrisehotel.com

Nashville

Tucked away in Nashville’s ever-vibrant downtown district is an oasis of fun, chic and modern luxury.

It’s the Indigo Hotel, and it’s a rampant departure from your ordinary big box hotel chain.

With its spacious open lobby, curved front desk and sprawling staircase, you’re more likely to think you’re in someone’s newly-built home than a hotel.

But, you are in a hotel and this outpost reminds you that you’re a guest at every turn.

From the well-appointed rooms with a distinctive modern flair to the lobby bar, the staff at this hotel likes to remind guests that they serve at your pleasure.

The hotel is parked within walking distance to many of Nashville’s greatest attractions, and at only three hours away, it’s the quickest getaway on our list.

Now, this getaway doesn’t have the same vibe that Asheville, St. Louis or Niagara has – you’ll not forget you’re in the heart of a city’s downtown, but what a downtown it can be.

With more restaurants that you can image (we had better sashimi in an eatery there than in New York City) and attractions galore, you can get out and about and see the sights without hailing a cab.

And there are plenty of things to see and do within a short walk.

Head up historic Second Avenue for a visit to famed music row where you can take in everything from jazz and blues to, yes, country music. Who knows, you may see one of the next up-and-comers in some honky tonk on Music Row. Hey, anything’s possible.

And the honky tonks are aplenty. Every type of libation you can think of is available up and down the row. Taste the local flair by trying the Bosco Famous Flaming Stone Beer or a PBR, which is insanely popular.

But, for a more intimate evening, escape back to the Indigo and enjoy a glass or two of their extensive wine list and appetizers before calling it a night.

Once you’ve called it a night, your room will beckon you with sleek lines, funky décor and an inviting vibe that can’t be beat.

From the hardwood floors to the bright colors, this hotel is anything but ordinary. Everything you expect is here, a desk, high-speed internet access and room service, but of all our escapes, this is the funkiest destination.

And like our other getaways, the staff is there to serve you. From helping you decide where to eat (just ask, they have been known to debate each other about the best place to grab a bite) to the best places to see, the desk staff has been helpful, attentive and quick with a comeback when warranted.

As part of the IHG Chain, which also owns Holiday Inn and the Intercontinental brands, Indigo is part of a growing trend where boutique hotels are corporately-owned, but it retains the “hyper local” vibe.

With rates starting at around $120 a night, the price and location can’t be beat.

Hotel Indigo, 301 Union St., Nashville, Tenn. 1.877.270.1392. www.hotelindigo.com.

Niagara

For those of you looking to really get away from it all, and have an interesting Valentine’s day, look north.

Way north.

Only a few hours away by air is Buffalo, N.Y.

Now, why would I say Buffalo for Valentine’s Day?

Because Niagara Falls is only another 30 minutes up the road from Buffalo.

Southwest Airlines offers daily flights to Buffalo, and both Continental and Delta offer daily service to nearby Rochester. None offer nonstop flights, but the layovers in Cleveland and Detroit aren’t that bad, in the 45 minute range. Just enough time to get your digital camera ready for some really fantastic pictures.

The sheer awe of Niagara Falls is something you have to see, feel and hear to truly appreciate. More than 650,000 gallons of water flow over the smallest of the falls every second. Formed by glaciers more than 12,000 years ago, the falls are part of the Niagara River.

Niagara Falls is not only a natural wonder, it’s also a prime spot for weddings and honeymoons.

In fact, less than a month ago, while visiting I saw a bride and groom assembling their wedding party in front of the famed Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara Falls is filled with interesting things to do on the U.S. side, namely the Seneca Casino, which is one of the few places left where smoking inside is encouraged, so be warned if you don’t like cigarette smoke.

During the off season, Niagara, N.Y. looks gray and dreary, sorta like the weather outside during the winter, but there are bright spots.

There are fewer crowds, which means you can actually see the falls and the hotel rates are much lower.

And the hotels, they are a plenty.

Name your chain and you’ll find it along both the U.S. and Canadian side. But, alas, without a Passport or Passport card you’ll never get to the Canadian side.

But, there is plenty to see and do in and around Niagara.

On the road from Buffalo to Niagara, you should plan a side trip to LeRoy, N.Y. (don’t worry, you can’t miss the signs on the Thruway) and visit the Jell-O museum. It was closed for the season when I recently made the trip, but rest assured it’s probably worth the visit.

Around the area, there are wineries, which make some pretty good wines; Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes. All of which are breathtaking in their own right, but it’s Niagara that is the big draw.

Beginning in Mid-April, the falls begin to come to life with the excursion boats launching again and the tourists coming back.

Best of all, viewing the Falls is free. Now, all of the side trips and tourist items will cost you, but they are not outrageous.

Airfare will vary, and the father in advance you book it, the less expensive it is and don’t forget the rental car. It may not be cheap, but the experience and beauty of the falls is worth both the price and the time.

Niagara Falls, N.Y., www.niagarafallsusa.org.

My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Ashley Capps, founder of AC Entertainment, Forecastle’s J.K. McKnight, MMJ drummer Patrick Hallahan and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.

While still a few months away, the annual Forecastle Festival has announced its headlining act, and what an act it is.

This year, to celebrate Forecastle’s 10th anniversary, the festival will be headlined by Louisville’s own My Morning Jacket.

Billed as one of the “Top 15 festivals in the country” by Outside Magazine, Forecastle has grown from a small gathering of about 200 people in Tyler Park to hosting more than 30,000 people at Louisville’s Waterfront Park. This year’s event is expected to draw about 40,000 fans over the July 13-15 weekend.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer led the announcement, saying “It (Forecastle) is a lot more than just putting bands on stages. These are wonderful, good moments for the city.”

Unveiled Jan. 24 at a media event in The WFPK studios, J.K. McKnight, festival founder, said Forecastle was inspired by Louisville and Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed the city’s park system. “He wanted the parks to showcase music and arts.”

MMJ’s frontman, Jim James, and drummer Patrick Hallahan were on hand during the announcement saying conversation about MMJ headlining started last fall, and that this was something the band has wanted to do for years.

“Our schedule had been full, but the stars and moon aligned for the 10th anniversary,” said James. “This is something we’ve been trying to do for a long time, but our schedules never lined up and now they did, and we’re very excited,”

McKnight said MMJ was important to Forecastle, with its original lineup being local.

“This is something everyone in the city asked me about and wanted to happen for years. This is a band that understands the importance of local music,” McKnight said before introducing MMJ’s James and Hallahan.

This year’s Forecastle will be “collaborative,” with MMJ consulting with festival organizers on every aspect of the show from its lights, sounds, audience experience as well as chartable aspects.

With its latest album, “Circutial,” MMJ has been featured on The Late Show With David Letterman and Light Night with Jimmy Fallon in addition to playing sold out shows across the country.

The festival’s full lineup won’t be unveiled for another 4-6 weeks, and a limited number of advance tickets will go on sale Jan. 27 at noon for $100.

Regular tickets and day passes will go on sale at a later date, and will range from $100-$159. This year the festival will offer a special VIP package, which includes a three-day pass, special VIP entrance and viewing area, private bars, bathrooms and food vendors. This package is $350, and all sales are final.

New this year, there will also be separately ticketed late night events on The Belle of Louisville as well as the newly-renovated Ice House. In all, more than 75 acts are expected to perform at this year’s event.

Forecastle, which started in 2002, is a three-day festival featuring music, artists and both environmental and outdoor recreational organizations. Last year, Forecastle entered into a partnership with AC Entertainment. The group that promotes and organizes the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Moogfest and more than 750 concerts and events throughout the country.

Forecastle began as a small venture for local artists to perform at Louisville’s Tyler Park and quickly outgrew its digs with attendance more than tripling. After moving to a larger park, Forecastle moved to Louisville’s Waterfront Park in 2010.

For more information on Forecastle, and to purchase tickets, visit www.forecastlefest.com.

Contact writer Jim Hines at jhines@voice-tribune.com.