We were in Maui, seated at a table at Mama’s Fish House, overlooking the bay, the zephyr breezes caressing our skin.  

http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/ 

If you remember the old Fats Domino song, I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Hill, you know that the setting doesn’t make as much difference as the sheer chemistry between two people.  With that going for you both, the feelings of "heaven" can be just steps away.

However, we’re talking vacation spots here.  .  . and the moments that just plain "sizzle" forever in memory are Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands (a misnomer if there ever was one) — and half the world away, Hotel Bora Bora in French Polynesia.  What is it anyhow about the sun and the sand, the perfectly clear warm waters, the drinks on the beach, the pampering — so much more — that is more than conducive to love? 

The setting itself on Bora Bora - the palm trees, the mountain peaks, the thatched huts - on the end of piers jutting into the bay - were the ultimate in privacy.  They had glass floors with views into the clear waters below where the sheer variety of tropical fish (that would make any aquarium envious) would gather to be offered - what else - crumbs of French bread.  Well, that is:  if you had time!  Frankly, I thought those exotic fish voyeurs!!  Definitely, Paradise.

Little Dix - oh my God!  A boat would take us out to one of their many desert islands spotted far out in the Caribbean, dropping us off with a picnic basket and drinks, for a romantic evening or even a half day (that passed like an hour).  Most of me was toasty brown . . and old photos had me with some exotic flower above my ear — always. 

It doesn’t come much better than that!!

I’ve been romanced (by different men) under a full moon on a boat on the Mediterranean, under a full moon on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (I never did find my shoes), under a full moon near an English castle that had been converted into a luxury restaurant, and under a full moon on a rustic bridge over a little country river.  In each case, the "true love" was a "new love" and there’s nothing like a "new love" for making a place romantic.

The most romantic place should have been in Maui, the air is so encapsulating and mystical but the time change (5hrs) conked me out at like 8pm and waking at 5am, on the otherhand, it suited my husband fine.

By far, the most romantic place was in Cuba, my husband - boyfriend at the time - and I broke up, so I decided a little TLC would cure my ailing heart and went over the Christmas holidays. 

Note to all broken hearts do not go it alone.  By the second day, a woman asked to join me at dinner, politely, I nodded yes.  She proceeded to tell me all men were jerks.  In a defensive mood,  I mentioned my knight in shining armor would probably show up to join me to her dislike. 

The next day, he showed up and we spent remainder of my holiday making up on the beautiful beaches of Cuba.   That’s when I knew he was the one. 

Think Italy.    Think "Under the Tuscan Sun."    Think about Radda in Chianti in Tuscany  as a Tuscan wine village located between the valleys of the rivers Pesa and Arbia on a forested hillside surrounded by extensive vineyards.  The surrounding hills are dotted with castles, some in ruins, some still inhabited .

Spending a beautiful four days at the Palazzo Leopoldo, a fascinating medieval villa,  with the person you love most in the world.    I’ll never forget this wonderful birthday gift. 

It has to be Venice. How lucky I am to have been there with my artist husband. He taught me so much on the trip even to the details on the faux paint on the bed. I think I was more interested in the Venetian glass chandelier, or was I? So long ago….what great memories….

My husband is employed in the Resort industry so we have been fortunate enough to not only travel to some unbelievably beautiful spots (mostly in this country) but to have enjoyed some of the best resorts at those locations - most often working at them and knowing how the "magic" is presented.  Some of my personal fav’s have been:  

Almost anywhere in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine (Sand Beach is my personal fav - when it’s deserted)
Captiva Island - SW Florida
Amelia Island - NE Florida
Anywhere on Nantucket Island (Madequecham is my fav…)
Any remote area of the Hamptons or the North Fork of the East End.

But I truly have to say that for myself the most romantic place on earth is my own home … we strive to keep our home feeling like our own personal resort.  I always want this to be our place of refuge - no matter where "home" is located - the one place we can be ourselves, express our true feelings for one another and have no inhibitions.  Without that home is just "shelter" - and I can get that anywhere.  And with a successfull 25 year marriage - I think the concept of how we treat our home & ourselves has worked :).

I will say though - with hubby being part of this industry - it has been so rewarding to witness couples salvaging a "failing" relationship, beginning their lives together or just reconnecting away from the kids.  It’s reaffirming to witness others making it work and if some of these locations have helped in the process, well - that just makes them all the better to visit myself.

Being a very un "romantic" person in the literary sense I struggled with this one a bit. but…. think I have it! My all time favorite romantic moments with my husband have been in little road side motels on long motorcycle trips. After a long hot day of riding (often adventurous) in which your senses are heightened there is nothing sexier than cold sheets and a cool shower. one time we stayed at some super cheap place in wyoming with a four dollar bottle of wine with a screw cap. romantic and sexy. I remember a motorcycle dealer telling me one time that he talked a long time Harley couple into buying a BMW sport cruiser. They brought it in a few months later to put on consignment and when he asked them why the woman told him….. It’s a great bike but at the end of the day on a Harley…. the sex is better. uh uh… lemme tell ya. it’s true.

2 places:

strolling through Kew Gardens with a glass of champagne

the Eastwind B & B in Tenant’s Harbor, Maine - my first born was conceived there!