Romantic Road Trips

Romantic Road Trips : Romance and Honeymoons : 

When my now-husband and I were 16, our favorite date was to hop in his GTO and hit the road, setting out to see what there was to see. While listening to Bowie on the 8-track, we explored our hometown's back roads. One night, we happened upon a quirky diner that served up sundaes-for-two in giant fishbowls. When my spoon trespassed onto the ice cream's north face - the driver's side - he simply smiled. Our fate was sealed: Ever since, we've been a car-traveling couple - a pair with a penchant for road trips.

Going out for drives sparked our romance and now, decades later, road trips help revive it when kids, finances and work detour us. In the event of boredom, we might head clear across the county; for angry impasses, perhaps halfway across the country.

Mind you: Not all road trips are catalysts and/or cure-alls for romance, but here is a handful that are.

California Route 1
The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as California State Route 1, is a drive through jaw-dropping drama; that holds doubly true during the 123-mile stretch from Monterey to Morro Bay. If you drive from north to south, your views of the coast - characterized by jagged mountains plunging into a wild surf as well as wind-sculpted trees on rocky outcrops washed by jade-colored waves - will be unobstructed. Plus, just south of Monterey, you can set a dreamy California tone right from the get-go with a meal at Casanova, known as Carmel's "most romantic restaurant.

Point Lobos State Reserve is a perfect place to wander hand in hand, especially during the months of December through April, when gray whales migrate past.

The orange-red-purple-pink-ness of a Big Sur sunset will take your breath away as surely as any first kiss. But do make an effort to breathe here as deeply and often as possible, as a heady sage-redwood-salt air-scent perfumes the canyons of this jewel in the crown that is the central California coast.

For an overnight stay, the FogCatcher Inn is an aptly named romantic getaway located just steps from the town of Cambria's Moonstone Beach.

Morro Bay is at the terminus of this journey, and it is here that serendipity strikes, California-style: Just when your road-refreshed relationship has attained peak strength - I mean, at the very moment when the passenger-driver connection goes positively granite - you'll encounter Morro Rock, also known as the "Gibraltar of the Pacific." 

Vermont Route 100
Here, under the cover of yellow leaves and red bridges, are picture-perfect trysting places. Vermont's Route 100 skirts quintessential Yankee towns whose claims to fame involve copious covered bridges: the handsome Big Eddy Bridge in Waitsfield and the Lincoln Gap Bridge over the Mad River in Warren, to name a couple. In Moretown, after driving through the Upper Coxbrook Bridge, you'll reach the only spot in Vermont where you can still see one covered bridge from another: the view through the Newell Bridge to the Station Bridge.

The journey along Route 100 runs for 200 miles from tip to tail through the state. Roughly midway down this bumpy backbone, Romance Mountain rises from ancient groves of northern hardwoods along a remote section of the Long Trail that winds its way along the ridgeline of the Green Mountains. Here, you'll want to park the car and stretch your legs a bit to bag the peak of Romance in time to watch the stars come out.

Love never tasted so good as it does along Vermont's Route 100; don't miss a lick of the erotically charged Karamel Sutra ice cream, at the Ben and Jerry's factory, of course.

Georgia's Golden Isles
Although an amphibious vehicle might come in handy here, it's not necessary for negotiating the barrier islands or marshes, rivers and estuaries that define the Low Country coastal region of Georgia between Jekyll Island and Savannah. The intoxicatingly slow and scenic routes 520, 99 and 17 drape around the Golden Isles like Spanish moss on an old oak: St. Simons and Jekyll islands are bridged to the mainland at Brunswick, and Sea Island is bridged to St. Simons Island. The only thing that flows more abundantly than water in this region is romance. The Sea Island's Cloister Hotel alone has hosted nearly 37,000 newlywed couples since 1940. (Each couple receives a card indicating what number they are: for instance, honeymoon couple No. 1,768 was George and Barbara Bush, who visited in January 1945 and again in 1995 to celebrate their 50th anniversary.) The Cloister is, hands down, the most highfalutin place around, but it's hardly the only high point of this Low Country tour.

In the quiet village of Shellman Bluff, all the dirt roads lead to an overlook of the Broro and Julienton rivers; winding along the edge of the bluff is a sandy road that offers an unsurpassed sunrise view of the marsh from behind Harris Neck. Speed's Kitchen aptly describes the locale for out-of-towners on its menu: "SHELLMAN BLUFF. Not a place for Fast Lane folks. Ain't got no red lights. No 4-lanes. We move slow here. Try it - good for your health."

Beartooth Highway, Wyoming/Montana
US Highway 212
Love is not for the fainthearted. Neither are the zigzagging switchbacks of the Beartooth Highway. Since 1882, the courageous, the adventurous and the strong have recorded travel across the Beartooth Pass. One of the most rugged and pristine terrains in the lower 48, the Beartooth area is punctuated by 20 glaciated peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation.

Here, it blizzards in the winter. And spring. And fall.

Despite - or perhaps, because of - its white-knuckled rigors, this 64-mile road trip from Red Lodge to Cooke City, Mont., is all the sweeter as it winds through lush forests and alpine tundras. Traffic on and around the Beartooth comes (when and if it comes) in the form of mountain goats, moose, elk, marmots, mule deer, black bears, grizzly bears and wolves.

The historic Pollard Hotel in Red Lodge offers two intriguing packages to intrepid couples: one, aptly called Adventure, Danger, Romance features a trail ride, a whitewater float trip and a candlelit dinner for two; another, named The Big Hook-Up, has something to do with trout, I'm guessing.

Heart Mountain is an 8,123-foot peak just north of Cody, WY; composed of limestone and dolomite that dates back 500 million years, this ancient Heart holds mysteries of the geologic variety.

The Beartooth Highway ends at the eastern gateway of Yellowstone National Park, site of one of the most romantic of natural wonders in all the world: Old Faithful.

North Shore Drive
Minnesota Route 61
It bodes well for a road trip when even the map puts you in a romantic mood, if only poetically speaking. This drive, which hugs the north shore of the world's largest freshwater lake, skirts places whose names tease the tongue: Tettegouche.Gitchigume. Nanijoubou.

Gitchigume is Lake Superior in local American Indian dialect. Route 61 is an as-the-crow-flies byway from Duluth to the Canadian border that allows road-tripping landlubbers to stay safe and dry on terra firma (surely you recall the sinking of the "Big Fitz"?) while getting up close and personal with this greatest of all the Great Lakes. (Split Rock Lighthouse annually marks the anniversary of the loss of the "Edmund Fitzgerald" with a reading of the names of the 29 men who lost their lives on Nov. 10, 1975, and a lighting of the beacon at dusk.)

Not that you want to stay stowed away in your car for the whole trip: the Superior Hiking Trail is a spectacular, well-marked 205-mile-long footpath that follows the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior from Two Harbors to the Canadian border. There are trailheads with parking lots every 5 to 10 miles, making it ideal for both day hikes and backpacking.

While boating causes some to lose their appetites (for food, for love, etc.), walking, as well as driving, for any distance usually has the opposite effect. That's why Betty's Pies in Two Harbors sells countless world-famous handmade pies, and also (get this!) something called a pie shake. No wordplay involved here; a pie shake is exactly what it says: Betty slices a hunk of your favorite pie and drops it into a blender full of ice cream and milk.

You know you're in love if you can bear to share (no matter how grudgingly) a sip of your cherry pie shake, or a bite of Betty's signature 5-layer pie: a flaky crust is layered with dark chocolate, cinnamon meringue, whipped cream and chocolate whipped cream..

Romantic Bed and Breakfasts

Romantic Bed and Breakfasts : Romance and Honeymoons - 

Inn BoonsBoro 
Boonsboro, Maryland
With best-selling romance author Nora Roberts at the helm, it's no surprise that Inn BooonsBoro is a bed and breakfast straight from the pages of a romance novel. Roberts and her husband own the romantic inn that is inspired by some of literature's great love stories. Rooms are named for Elizabeth and Darcy from "Pride and Prejudice," and Titania and Oberon from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Star-crossed lovers Westley and Buttercup of "The Princess Bride" fame would approve of their room with a grand king-sized bed, an elegant parlor and an oversized copper-and-mosaic soaking tub that is truly fit for a princess.

L'Auberge Provencale 
White Post, Virginia
You don't need to take your love all the way to France for a little romance. L'Auberge Provencale brings French country charm to the Shenandoah Valley just a short drive from Washington, DC. Rooms are a sea of calm with pale yellows, dusty roses and vibrant blues. La Suite Romantique has gleaming hardwood floors, a sumptuous king bed, an oversized Jacuzzi tub and a view of the gardens. Vineyards, orchards, horseback-riding and even hot air balloon rides are all nearby day-trip options. Breakfast is a feast of croissants, crepes and inspired entrees. Two examples: local shitakes over thinly sliced duck and poached egg in a potato nest basket. The inn's restaurant is a destination in itself with heaps of accolades for the farm-fresh cuisine and inspired wine list.

Inn at the Highland Haven 
Evergreen, Colorado
Finding a romantic B and B without all of the frill and flounce of more traditional inns can be a challenge. Less than an hour from Denver, Highland Haven delivers rustic-chic romance with spacious rooms decked out with warm wood and comfy leather furniture. Each room has a private entrance and bathroom so there are no intrusions on your romantic getaway. This sense of privacy spills over to the scrumptious breakfast buffet: You can enjoy chocolate bread pudding, egg strata and baked oatmeal at a table for 2 on the porch, the private champagne room or even in your own quarters with breakfast in bed.

The Reluctant Panther 
Manchester, Vermont
Escape to Vermont to the Reluctant Panther, an anniversary and honeymoon favorite in the mountains. Outdoor lovers can hike mountain trails at Equinox, Stratton or Green Mountain National Forest or challenge their sweetheart to a round of golf at historic Gleneagles Golf Course, just a short walk from the hotel. All rooms have fireplaces, downy featherbeds and elegant bathrooms, while pricier suites have a private entrance, sitting room and double fireplaces. Complimentary breakfast in the main dining room is so scrumptious that you may have to return for dinner, a feast of local favorites like Hudson Valley foie gras, Vermont Bayley Hazen Blue Cheese Tart and Maple Rubbed Vermont Rack of Lamb and Slow Cooked Shoulder all served with perfect wine pairings.

Seven Gables Inn 
Pacific Grove, California
Boasting a prime location just outside of Monterey Bay, the Seven Gables Inn is a Pacific Coast gem perfect for rekindling romance. Spread out over 7 buildings, each of the 25 rooms has a view of the sea at the Pacific Ocean or Monterey Bay while expansive corner rooms have 180-degree coastline views. Guests are pampered with a full breakfast spread, afternoon wine and cheese and cookies and milk before bed. Profess your love to your mate at Lover's Point Beach, just a few minutes from the inn, and then continue on a romantic waterfront stroll. In the winter you may encounter migrating gray whales or Monarch butterflies, but you can enjoy the silly sea otters any time of year.

The Fairthorne Cottage Bed and Breakfast 
Cape May, New Jersey
Built by a whaling captain in the late 19th century, the Fairthorne is the perfect setting for summer romance, a spring fling or a holiday getaway in the year-round Jersey Shore beach town of Cape May. Each of the 10 rooms has a private bathroom, luxurious linens and central air. Bring along complimentary beach chairs and towels to the beach or borrow a bike for a ride out to the lighthouse. After the beach, relax in a rocking chair and nibble on snacks during tea time on the wraparound veranda. Take along a bottle of wine to the many BYOB restaurants within walking distance and explore Cape May by moonlight during a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. In the morning, it's back to the veranda for a breakfast feast of sweet and savory favorites like French Toast Strata with lemon and raspberries.

Five Gables Inn 
St. Michaels, Maryland
The Five Gables Inn caters to couples looking for an Eastern Shore escape on the Chesapeake Bay. Cozy rooms and snazzy suites are spread out across 4 historic 19th-century homes with modern amenities and plush decor. The main building has an indoor swimming pool, sauna and an Aveda spa, which offers a luxurious couple's massage. Adding to the romance is St. Michael's enchanting small-town friendliness with antique shops and waterfront crab shacks just beyond the front door.

Two Meeting Street Inn 
Charleston, South Carolina
The love story at Two Meeting Street begins 2 centuries ago when a wealthy Charleston businessman presented his daughter and her new husband with an extravagant wedding gift of $75,000 to buy the mansion on the corner of Meeting Street and the Battery. Love is still in the air in this romantic bed and breakfast in the tony South of Broad neighborhood. Each room exudes Southern charm and style with high ceilings, tall 4-poster beds and porches made for sipping sweet tea and watching the activity along the Battery.

The Cottages at Cabot Cove 
Kennebunkport, Maine
Celebrate your love at the playful and whimsical enclave of cottages at Kennebunkport's Cottages at Cabot Cove. Each of these 16 restored cottages is a romantic respite from daily life with a quirky and modern cottage style featuring whitewashed furniture and bright splashes of color. Your day begins with a breakfast delivery of fresh pastries and orange juice that you can enjoy on your porch. During the day, meander around the expansive property, challenge your partner to a game of croquet or paddle around the Cove in a canoe or kayak.

Swann House 
Washington, DC
Celebrate love in the city at this romantic urban getaway in an 1883 mansion in DC's Dupont Circle. This grand Washington beauty has 12 rooms, each displaying its unique personality. The hip Milano suite has a queen canopy bed, refreshing rain shower and deep soaking tub for 2, while blue toile wallpaper and a cozy nook in the window dormer add to the French country charm in the Blue Sky Suite. The staff guarantees that you won't go hungry by offering breakfast in the formal dining room or on the covered porch, plus decadent afternoon treats and a glass of sherry nightcap.

Valentine's Day Vacations

Valentine's Day Vacations : Romance and Honeymoons -
Upgrade from the standard box of chocolates or long-stem roses with a romantic getaway to sweep your Valentine off his or her feet. From romantic city escapades to relaxing beach vacations, here are our picks for the sweetest and sexiest Valentine's Day adventures.
New York, New York
Love is all around in the Big Apple, from horse-drawn carriage rides through Central Park to Eskimo kisses on the ice rink at Rockefeller Center. This Valentine’s Day, add some edge to your romance with a downtown Manhattan adventure. Spice up window-shopping with a trip to SoHo’s sophisticated and saucy Agent Provocateur for some sexy skivvies. Next head to the Meatpacking District for a romantic stroll along the neighborhood’s unique elevated park, the High Line. The Valentine’s Day package at the Hotel Gansevoort is equal parts sweet and sexy featuring roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne and the classic game of Twister. Take advantage of the late check-out time and sleep in or spend the morning lounging at the heated outdoor rooftop pool.
San Francisco, CaliforniaWoo your Valentine with chocolate, champagne and some canoodling penguins in flirty San Francisco. Gourmet Walks celebrates the holiday with a sweet stroll around town. The Champagne and Chocolate tour kicks off with a bit of bubbly at a wine bar followed by 7 stops for gourmet chocolate tastings. Next get some sex tips from the birds and the bees at the San Francisco Zoo’s “Woo at the Zoo.” This quirky, adults-only event spills the beans on secret sex lives and mating rituals of some of the zoo’s favorite residents. When it’s time to turn in, the “Lose Your Heart” package at Campton Place Hotel in Union Square promises more romance with dinner and a wine-tasting at the restaurant.
San Juan, Puerto RicoA trip to the beach in the middle of winter might kick-start your romance, and Puerto Rico is a great choice with no passport requirements and quick direct flights from many US airports. Let your love glow in San Juan, a historic city perfect for strolling, lounging and club-hopping at night. The Luminescent Love Package at the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino includes an oceanfront room, champagne, a massage and a trip to the Bioluminescent Bay in Fajardo. This ethereal “biobay” is filled with microscopic plankton that glitter and glow in the water. Keep the romance going with an aphrodisiac in the ornate red and gold dining room at Dragonfly. Latin American and Japanese cuisines are fused to create the most scrumptious and sexy sushi rolls.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah’s cobblestone streets, moody Spanish moss and Southern charm are known to inspire hand-holding and stolen kisses for new lovers and seasoned partners. Get physical and paddle a canoe for 2 on a Wilderness Southeast tour. The area’s coastal creeks are framed by stately tupelo and cypress trees and filled with cool wildlife including herons, turtles and alligators. Looking for more sedate waterfront fun? Travel down the Savannah River on a brunch or dinner riverboat cruise. Once back on dry land, indulge in a sundae at Leopold’s Ice Cream, which has been scooping up tasty treats since 1919. Rose Petal Cream and Chocolate Cherry Cordial are only available in February. The city is filled with romantic inns and cozy bed and breakfasts. Check into the Ballastone Inn or the ultra-luxe Mansion on Forsyth Park.
Denver, ColoradoThe Brown Palace Hotel and Spa celebrates love, and even love’s loss, all month long. The Love Stinks package pampers the broken-hearted with cocktails, stress-relief massage and a copy of the book “He’s Just Not That Into You.” History buffs can take a hotel tour and learn about romantic rendezvous of celebrities and even past presidents that have happened at the hotel since it opened in 1892. Those feeling a bit more amorous will enjoy the decadent chocolate brunch or the spa’s cherry chocolate scrub. Love reaches new heights -- 12,050 feet to be exact -- at The Loveland ski slope, located just an hour from Denver. Couples tie the knot or renew their vows during the annual Mountaintop Matrimony Ceremony and then ski down the hill to their reception.

Best Places to Visit in February

Top Picks Valentine’s Day
Why not woo your Valentine with a romantic getaway? We’ve rounded up the most romantic bed and breakfasts and we’ve got Valentine's Day vacation ideas that are equal parts sweet and sexy.
Snowboarding
Take advantage of the powder with a trip to the best snowboarding spots in the US. There are challenges and lessons at these top snowboarding trails, parks and pipes.
Costa Rica
February is prime time to visit Costa Rica when you can take advantage of the dry season with warm weather and little rain. Plan a classic Costa Rica adventure or check out the best eco-tourism on a road trip around Costa Rica.
Caribbean
Beat the winter blues on a tropical getaway to the Caribbean where the temperatures are balmy and the sunshine bright. Take your pick from the Top 10 Caribbean beaches.
New Zealand
If you have time for an extra-long vacation, catch the tail end of summer in New Zealand. Set off on a classic outdoor adventure Down Under and soak up the country’s natural beauty.
Europe
While you won’t be escaping the cold weather in Europe, you might avoid some of the crowds by visiting the Continent’s coolest cities in the off-season. Visit Paris or London for big-city fun with fewer tourists and even a few bargains.
Heli-skiing in Alaska
There are plenty of great skiing options around the world, but if you’re looking for an unusual extreme ski getaway, try heli-skiing in Alaska. The heli-skiing season only lasts for 12 weeks—from February through April—so take advantage of the adrenaline rush when you can.
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Best Romantic Beaches

Rev up the romance in your relationship with a weekend at the beach where you can blissfully spend the days lazing in the surf, sand and sun -- the nights holed up in high style with your honey. Romance abounds at these 5 destinations, where luxury, amenities and the backdrop of the beach set the stage for fine-tuning your flirting skills.
Cannery Pier Hotel
Astoria, OregonAt the mouth of the Columbia River, the slow-paced fishing town of Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Watch the waves lick the rocks, try your hand at crabbing, or gape at the charming Victorian homes that grace the cliffside community. When the tide is just right, shipwrecks can be spotted right off the coast. All beaches are public, though a bit windy, and free from the throngs of usual coastal tourists. Couples reconnect at Cannery Pier Hotel, where rooms are elegantly appointed with mood-making fireplaces and claw-foot tubs with waterfront views. Service reigns supreme and thoughtful amenities include bikes you can borrow to cruise the boardwalk, free limousine service and nightly happy hours with wine and hors d'oeuvres.
Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa
Shell Beach, CaliforniaTucked away between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Shell Beach boasts a small-town vibe, but packs plenty of appeal to keep even the savviest of travelers entertained for a long weekend. The addition of beachfront beauty Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa has only increased the romance factor in this quintessential beach town. Spacious rooms with panoramic views and bedding to die for, an intimate spa, an oceanfront infinity pool and plenty of privacy have made Dolphin Bay a romantic refuge for discriminating weekend warriors. Looks, comfort and amenities aside, the resort's restaurant, Lido, is serving some of the most innovative cuisine to be found anywhere along the California coast.
The Wauwinet Inn
Nantucket, MassachusettsHeavy hitters like John Kerry and Teresa Heinz and Chanel vice chairman Arie Kopelman summer at this swank island destination, but for a price, everyday folks can partake in the serenity of this coastal haven, too. For scenic dunes and views, head to Ladies Beach. For a more intimate beach experience, scout out Coatue Beach for gray and harbor seals, salt marshes, and rolling dunes. Stay at The Wauwinet Inn, an exclusive Relais and Ch??teaux property where guests are made to feel as though they are staying at their (very wealthy) best friend's beach house. Snuggle together under a blanket on a lawn chair, make it movie night with free popcorn and DVDs, or curl up between the luxurious Pratesi sheets -- the vibe is chic, yet always comfortable.
Casa Morada
Islamorada, FloridaSure, South Beach is a top contender for a Florida weekend getaway, but for a more subdued escape, stray 90 miles from Miami to the 6 islands that make up Islamorada. Although fishing is the preferred outdoor activity of choice on the islands, couples can opt for a weekend of exclusive pampering at the 16-suite Casa Morada. Rooms come equipped with all the necessary elements for romance: private outdoor spaces and al fresco Jacuzzis; panoramic sunset views; and massages en suite. Want to get out and explore? Try snorkeling the Keys reef, taking a yoga class or renting a boat.
The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
Maui, HawaiiBoasting year-round bathing-suit-friendly temperatures, Maui seems especially tailored for couples. Warm tropical weather, swaths of sandy beaches and exclusivity make this slice of paradise a popular romantic rendezvous for well-heeled sun-worshippers. For those who want stellar island hospitality coupled with space and privacy, a stay at the newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Kapalua is a must. Relax on your room's private lanai, get a spa service in one of the couples' cabanas with outdoor shower gardens or make use of direct access to D.T. Fleming Beach, which was recently named the Number 1 Beach in the World by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach.

Romantic Spas

Romantic Spas : Romance and Honeymoons : Luxury Vacations -

Over and above the usual pampering proffered by spas, these retreats -  as much as they each differ - all specialize in "rejuvenating 2-body energy systems."

Miraval, Life in Balance
Catalina, Arizona
When romance seems nothing more than a mirage, consider hunkering down with your partner in the middle of the Sonoran desert at Miraval, Life in Balance. Not only does this destination spa in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains set the scene for romance by serving up gourmet-quality cuisine (with wines) and offering its signature hot stone massage, among a vast menu of treatments, it also comes to the aid of fatigued couples trudging through monotonous Click Here!">marriages and barren relationships.

Here, a husband-wife team of nationally acclaimed sexuality physicians conduct regular workshops based on their best-selling book, 'Your Long Erotic Weekend.' Drs. Lana Holstein and David Taylor help to re-energize couples who, in their words, "are having sex instead of making love," as well as reconnect those who've given up completely on a physical relationship.

"People get the idea that our program has a lot to do with the details of having sex, or what is sexy," Taylor says. "Really, it's much more about being intimate."

Even workshop-averse types can find plenty of romantic inspiration here: Miraval's rosemary-scented pathways are made for meandering, holding hands and remembering.

Mirbeau Inn and Spa
Skaneateles, New York
Here's a challenge: First, loll about with your partner in a milk bath scented with orange blossoms. Next, let the Mirbeau Inn and Spa's resident sommelier decide which wine to pair with your foie gras with caramelized pears, and which with your partner's sweet potato and vanilla soup with jumbo prawns. All the while, drink in the heady scents and sights of impressionist-inspired gardens surrounding a pond, complete with a replica of the Monet bridge. Finally, unwind from all this bathing, sipping and dining at a heated foot-massage pool before retiring to your chateau-style room.

I dare you, at this point, to not feel the amour.

There's not just something romantic about this country estate that is French in every way (except that it's conveniently located in the wine-producing Finger Lakes region of upstate New York); there's everything romantic.  Gardens and ponds area designed to look like Claude Monet's home in Giverny and signature spa treatments are offered in the Water Lily room. After the signature 100-minute massage, couples soak in a tub for two that's aptly named "The Art of Living."

Red Mountain Spa
Ivins, Utah
If it's adrenaline that whets a couple's romantic appetite, they're no doubt as happy sharing a lukewarm Gatorade and handfuls of g.o.r.p. as chilled champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. As comfy in climbing harnesses as white terry robes, he thinks she looks hot in a helmet and she doesn't snicker (not openly, anyway) at his bike shorts.

The Red Mountain Spa caters to them: thrill-seekers whose idea of intimacy involves hugging canyons, whether during bike rides, hikes or rock climbs, on the red cliffs and black lava beds of southwestern Utah.

This spa is a haven for couples who know that high adventure does not necessarily entail roughing it: Why settle for ramen noodles and a pup tent when healthy gourmet meals and luxuriously appointed villa suites are available? Whether the trails they traverse are tranquil or treacherous, guests at the Red Mountain Spa can decompress with 70 treatments that range from deeply soothing to rejuvenating; the signature "Four Directions" combines an indigenous scrub with tobacco and cornmeal, a cedarwood oil massage and a sweetgrass herbal wrap.

The Spa at the Hotel Hershey
Hershey, Pennsylvania
The street lamps are kisses: oversized replicas of the foil-covered variety. Oh, and - breathe deep - the whole town smells like ... mmm ... chocolate. With its manicured gardens, fountains and reflecting pools, the Hotel Hershey is the delicious center of a romantic resort. Its European-style spa is ground zero for indulgence.

The signature treatment - it's patented, no less - says it all: a whipped cocoa bath. Or say, for instance, that you or your partner has been less than delectable lately; you can book a chocolate fondue wrap for two. It consists of body-brushing, applications of warmed moor mud with cocoa essence, and Vichy shower rinses. Voilà - sweeties again!

To commemorate 2007 - the 100th anniversary of the Kiss - the spa introduced a new Cocoa Facial during which you're actually encouraged to eat dark chocolate:  mercifully busting the myth that chocolate is bad for the skin.   

The spa's locale is provincial, but the ambiance and treatments are disarmingly exotic. A Moroccan-inspired lounge evokes the interior of a harem tent. The Noche Azul soak (a calming bath containing Cuba's national flower, "la mariposa blanca," or white butterfly jasmine) and the mojito sugar scrub (an exfoliating tropical body experience), transport couples, if only in spirit, to the forbidden paradise of Cuba.

Sundara
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
This secluded retreat lures not only honeymooners and anniversary-ites, but also baby-mooners: first-time moms- and dads-to-be as well as veteran parents who are savvy enough to sneak away for one last tryst before their newborn makes 3, 4 ... or more.

Towering pines envelop Sundara; its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "beautiful." As captivating as the outdoor scenery is - imagine basking in the heated infinity-edge pool and watching a bald eagle soar overhead - the interior environments here are similarly appealing.

Sundara's Spa Together treatments take place in unique rooms architecturally designed for 2. The Asara Spa Together room has shimmering gold walls, quarter-moon windows and a body spa large enough for two, with 10 powerful water jets and a cascading waterfall. Among the most spectacular of the Spa Together treatments is Shakti Radiance, an almost three-hour-long (170 minutes) ayurvedic experience, during which couples occupy twin overflowing soak baths and have a view of the woods.

Romancing the Train

Romancing the Train : Weekend Getaways : Romance and Honeymoons

As the growing number of vintage train fans know, there is nothing more romantic than partaking in a gourmet meal on a steam train, or an afternoon spent lounging in the lush compartment of an Art Deco-era bar car.The gentle rocking of the rails lulls you into a state of relaxation almost unheard of in this era of crowded flights and congested highways.

But for some travelers the idea of being "stuck on a train" for a long journey is daunting. Luckily, many of the world's most romantic vintage train trips can be done in a weekend. Here are some of the best:

The Venice, Italy, to Oxford, England, leg of the Orient Express features one of the most famous and beautiful trains you will ever lay your eyes on. Everything on the Orient Express is restored vintage, not reproduction. Board at the train station in Venice and spend the afternoon and evening traveling through Switzerland and France. In the evening, your cabin is made up by your private cabin attendant, who lays out your own keepsake Orient Express bathrobe and slippers for you. You end up de-boarding, traveling through the Chunnel, and arriving at Dover for the leg to Oxford on the British Pullman where more champagne and plush vintage upholstery is awaiting. Orient Express also operates the reproduction-vintage Northern Belle on day trips throughout Britain.

Also in Britain, which pioneered the steam engine at the dawn of the Industrial Age, the Isle of Man Steam Railway is a 3-foot-gauge, intact vintage rail system. The railway runs from Douglas through Port Soderick, Santon, Ballasalla, Castletown and Port St. Mary to the southern resort of Port Erin. It's a popular way to explore some of the quaintest towns and villages on the island - home of the famous cat without a tail. At 15-plus miles it is the longest narrow gauge steam line in Britain.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers wine-tasting trips and gourmet dining experiences on retrofitted style trains. It's a great alternative to renting a car and driving for afternoon tastings in the region. Afterward, you can relax in a vinotherapy tub at one of the valley's sumptuous spas.

The Niagara Weekender takes travelers roundtrip from New York City to Niagara Falls on a three-day trip with off-train accommodations along the way. The journey includes meals, accommodations and entry to the falls themselves, one of the most romantic destinations since honeymoons began.