myLovetripper

Old Country, New City

2009-07-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

by Joy Polanco, Queens, New York

For repeat visitors to Jamaica, Montego Bay offers something old with something new!

On my past visits to Jamaica, I've vacationed in Ocho Rios, the destination for many newlyweds who choose to "honeymoon" on this photogenic Caribbean island. I love Ocho Rios but hate the long, winding drive on Jamaica's northern coast to get there. This drive can easily take one or two hours depending on how far into Ocho Rios your hotel is from the nearest airport.

Jamaica has only two airports used by the major airlines, Norman Manley International Airport in the capital city of Kingston and Donald Sangster International Airport in the resort town of Montego Bay. Sangster Airport is the one you'd use to get to Ocho Rios but for this trip, I was able to get off my plane at Sangster and head to my hotel just five minutes away. This time I chose Montego Bay, affectionately called "Mo Bay" by native Jamaicans, as my vacation destination.

Just knowing that I would go from collecting my luggage off the conveyor belt to sipping on a frozen pina colada in less than an hour was a great feeling. My home for the week was the Royal Decameron Montego Beach Hotel. The resort is part of the Decameron All-Inclusive Hotels and Resorts located throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Montego Bay's Royal Decameron is designed to give all guests a front-row panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea. Having stayed at quite a few all-inclusive hotels in the past, this one had all the amenities (and trappings) common of all-inclusives.

Upon my arrival, I was impressed with the West Indian décor of the lobby. Vivid bright hues, natural-colored bamboo furniture and a central statue of a Rastafarian man squatting and smoking an "exotic" pipe, were all there to greet me. The airy, open lobby has a nice-sized bar on the opposite side of the registration counter with comfortable cushioned seating surrounding it. From there it's just a hop, skip, and a jump to the hotel's main restaurant call The Passa Passa, the small but cozy beach, as well as two inviting pools, one with a swim-up bar.

Unlike some of the reviews I read about this hotel prior to my trip, checking-in went fairly smoothly and the interior-decorating of my clean and spacious room pleasantly looked like an extension of the lobby. My one complaint was that the bathroom desperately needed renovation. Otherwise, everything in my ocean-view room was as expected, including the breath-taking view of the sea from my balcony, perfect for creating post-card caliber sunset photos.

Montego Bay was originally called by the Spanish "Bahia de Manteca" or Bay of Lard. Lard was an early major export of Jamaica. Montego Bay is on the northwest coast of the island and considered to be the more "hip", more vibrant tourist town, as opposed to Negril on the west-coast of the island, known for being a quieter, more lackadaisical resort area. Since this was my first time staying in Montego Bay, I was determined to see the attractions it had to offer. Luckily for me, I took my trip during the spring when the weather in the Caribbean is mild and warm, not unbearably hot. I had blue skies throughout my trip and therefore had no trepidations about venturing outside the shelter of my resort.

I decided to visit Rose Hall via one of the many taxis waiting just beyond the main gate of my hotel. Rose Hall is the name of the lush resort area just a 15-20 minute drive east of the airport in Montego Bay. The Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort is located here. The beautiful and immaculate golf course just begs for golfers on the level of champions, to play on its pristine and luscious green course. I, unfortunately, am no Michelle Wie, so I made my way over to Rose Hall Great House, which was the reason for my visit to the area.

The great house is actually a Georgian Mansion built between 1770 and 1780. In the 19th century, it was home to Annie Palmer, who is said to have dabbled in witchcraft while also murdering her husbands and countless lovers. She was dubbed the name, White Witch of Rose Hall, which became the title of a book later written about her. Annie is rumored to be one of the many ghosts which haunt the house. A placid tour guide takes you on a walk throughout the two-story home that naturally had to be re-built and repaired over the years. However, just being in the historic residence, gave me a sense of what life must have been like back in Jamaica during its period of slavery.

Like other countries in the Americas, slavery afforded a pampered life for the slave owners but a miserable life for the slaves. Eventually that misery led to a slave uprising at Rose Hall, which resulted in the killing of Mistress Annie. You end your tour by visiting the mansion's dark and damp cellar/dungeon, which is a stark contrast to the beautiful courtyard it opens out to. Lily ponds and bright pink azaleas surround you as you conclude your eerie visit of this massive former sugar plantation.

My next venture was within walking distance of my hotel. This time just a short 7-minute stroll brought me to a long-standing tourist attraction called Doctor's Cave Beach. Considering how small the beach was at the Royal Decameron, which I'm sure is becoming quite a common sight, as more and more beachfront resorts spring up demanding their piece of the shore action, it was a welcomed relief to see a large beach with all the room I needed to spread out and relax under the sun.

Doctor's Cave located right off Gloucester Ave., a.k.a. the "hip strip", is listed in tour books as one of the best beaches in the West Indies. It was once the property of Jamaican tourism pioneer Dr. Alexander McCatty. A small fee of $5 U.S. will allow you to enter and from there you can enjoy what you imagine a Jamaican beach to be. Clean sand and clear blue-green water. The sea was calm and at the perfect temperature for my visit. I was able to see cruise ships in the distance and was grateful they did not dock too close. I believe these mega-floating hotels, however luxurious, create muddied, polluted sea water which is becoming all too common in certain parts of Jamaica.

Doctor's Cave also features a small café, as well as chairs and umbrellas for rental. All you need to bring is your desire for sunbathing. During my mid-afternoon visit, the beach wasn't too crowded and the sun wasn't too high in the sky but that was okay with me. I was able to swim unfettered and overexposure to UV rays aren't good for you anyway.

Along the hip-strip is where you'll find many souvenir shops, which are essentially mom and pop stores which will compete for your patronage by meeting you on the street and asking you to take a "look-see." Although the prices are right, especially at the small supermarkets where you can buy Jamaican-made condiments, the famous Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and bottles of rum, the prices are better at the airport, where you can buy many of the same items duty-free. However, I would recommend buying t-shirts and other clothing items at these souvenir stores since I think you get a bigger and better selection with the opportunity to haggle.

Finally, how could I leave Montego Bay without stopping by what has become a well-touted hot spot in Jamaica--the increasingly popular Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. The bar and grill is just a short walk from Doctor's Cave Beach. It looks like just another store-front but as you get closer you eventually discover the elaborate set-up, which includes an open-air bar, a huge waterslide and floating trampolines.

Margaritaville commands its own section of the Caribbean Sea. The two-level hotspot attracts tourists from both sides of the hip strip. In the afternoon, you can snack on a hefty plate of nachos and enjoy one of the 52 varieties of margaritas while listening to American dance music under the sun. Late at night you can re-visit and have a Red Stripe beer while listening to more American dance music under the stars. You can also head to the second-level for a live band singing and playing home-grown reggae music, which is the moment when it finally dawns on you that you're in Jamaica, you have left all your worries behind, and everything's gonna be alright.

Photo by Lovetripper.com

Las Vegas: myRomanticGetaway

2009-02-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

Where: Las Vegas

Why I Love Las Vegas: It has the fountains at the Bellagio Casino which are very romantic!

My Favorite Part: the restaurants

--contributed by Lily Kwan

Ireland: myHoneymoon

2009-02-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

Where: Ireland

Why I Love Ireland: As an avid reader of romance novels, I've always fantasized about traveling to the majestic green isle of Ireland. My adoring fiance wanted to be the man of my dreams, so he took us there for our honeymoon!

My Favorite Part: We visited many different towns and cities during our 10 day trip. My favorite location by far was the small town of Westport, Ireland. The town has won the title of "Tidiest Town" for 3 years running and this title is well deserved. This adorable little town will steal your heart.

What I'd Like Others to Know: If you want to fall in love all over again, you must visit Ireland. The lush green fields, the plush white sheep, the romance inspiring castles, the hearty food, and those adorable accents are all the things that dreams are made of.

--contributed by kerri1973, Prattville, Alabama, USA

New Orleans: myRomanticGetaway

2009-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

Where: New Orleans

Why I Think New Orleans is Romantic: BEEN THERE AND FELL BACK IN LOVE AGAIN

--contributed by Craig Cota, Versailles, OH, United States

Niagara Falls: myRomanticGetaway

2009-02-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

Where: Niagara Falls, New York

Why I Love Niagara Falls: We live here and we wanted to get away from our 8 kids. We got a room at the casino downtown and overlooking the falls, it was beautiful. The mist in the snow covered gorge was breathtaking. The falls was light up and you could see Canada it was awesome

My Favorite Part: just being with my husband alone taking in the sights of our home town.

What I'd Like Others to Know About Niagara Falls: That it truly is one of the 7 wonders of the world whether in winter or summer.

--contributed by l. filx, niagara falls,ny usa

Honolulu: myRomanticGetaway

2009-02-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

Where: Honolulu

Why It's Romantic: It has the most beautiful view of the beach for 5 miles. Every room is decorated to recreate a beautiful beach scenery, it makes it feel like you are right there on the beach.

My Favorite Part of Honolulu: The clear waters, the amazing views, the overall relaxing feel of the whole place.

What I'd Like Other Romantic Travelers to Know: Go when it's warm, because you will want every second of your time to be spent on the beach.

--contributed by Marqelle, Grants Pass, Oregon, United States

Paia, Maui, Hawaii: A Fresh New Alternative to a week in Wailea or Kaanapali, or Kapalua

2009-02-12T13:40:00.000-08:00

Paia, Maui. The North Shore. Getaway for Willie Nelson, world class windsurfers and kite boarders, surfers, artists, and hippies, Yes, actual hippies, some from California's counter culture of the 60ís and 70ís, others younger but spiritually attuned to the lifestyle and its ways. All authentic organically fed and real reminders of when all we asked of each other was to "Give Peace a Chance." The Zen and spirituality of the area is supported by a number of Yoga studios and spiritual shrines like The Great Paia Peace Stupa, recently blessed by the Dalai Lama in a 2007 visit.

Paia is also the home to eye popping surf including famous Ho'okipa Beach, inspiring surfers and boarders from locals to world class daredevils to pursue their adolescent fancies, to defy the sea's wind driven fury, to remain youthful and to "Catch the Perfect Wave." There is a balance to life here from the raging surf and tropical landscapes to the gentlest namaste. Take a few deep cleansing breathes; you can feel it in the air.

The Paia Inn, a beach town boutique hotel right in the center of Maui's North Shore, is the perfect destination to tie these elements together into the most fabulous finish to your visit on Maui. 2 or 3 nights here on Maui's spiritual North Shore seems just right before returning to the mainland. The Paia Inn is the child and love of Michael Baskin, son of a successful hotelier. He has converted an old main street Plantation style building into a boutique hotel so enchanting that it exceeds any measure you can place on a small hotel . The design and planning of the 5 small but extremely comfortable rooms includes upgraded baths with marble showers, refrigerators, specially designed beds and furniture to allow for needed storage of luggage and active gear, and flat screened TVs. The guest rooms located on the upper floor also have 2 additional common but private restrooms (what a great idea), a large open common area to read; sitting on comfortable upholstered leather arm chairs and a computer station to print your return tickets or surf the Web. Attention to details is evident everywhere and always with their guests comfort in mind. In addition to the hotel rooms there are 2 larger 2 and 3 bedroom cottages on an immediately adjoining property.

The art displayed throughout the Inn is original, fabulous, colorful and locally available in a nearby gallery. The featured artist is Avi Kiriaty, a "Painter of Polynesia" whose works are inspired by Gauguin's impressionism. Go to www.avikiriaty.com to view more of his works and request his DVD.

Enter the Inn thru the gated garden patio; note the native wood carvings over the door and archway. At check in you will receive a tour of the grounds. The private path to your beach is just a few steps away and beach chairs are provided free of charge, as is everything but the mini bar. Note the outdoor covered ping pong table too. The beach is breathtaking by the way. Paia's little nude beach is a beach walk away if you'd like.

The Inn features all the elements to make your stay comfortable. Outside patios highlighted by a waterfall and tables to enjoy your morning coffee and scones from Anthony's, a famous in town coffee stop for most, but a morning staple for you. In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine and some music. At the Inn the music is played based on your individual likes and requests. This is a great gathering spot just prior to dinner hour. Everyone freely exchanging information about their day's fun or dinner plans. Maybe a review from last night or a suggested stop along the "Road to Hana."

This personalized care is all orchestrated by a staff of young managers under the on site direction of the owner. These people are attentive, locally knowledgeable about all things Hawaiian and Paian , and seemingly perpetually happy to be able to assist you in finding a place to eat or a shop that carries particular gifts which you might want to bring back home. The staff's personalized attention to any guest's needs makes this place pop. They provide the fun and the local connection to the fabulous North Shore. Theirs is that specialness that transforms you from a tourist to a visitor. You especially feel at home as the sun sets and the day trippers head back to their resorts and you feel local. Its very cool. Have a cold beer and a few laughs before a restful sleep.

The town has many studios and galleries featuring local and established talent. There are 2 artist co ops in town as well. Even though the airport is just 10 minutes drive, leave your purchases to the shop owners to ship back home for you. You might save the tax and the trouble of taking it through inspection.

Though the dining in this region of Maui is quite reliable and in fact terrific, there are several restaurants that exceeded their internet/ guide book description. Almost all are within close walking distance of the Paia Inn. Those that arenít are a short easy drive away.

Next door to the Inn is Flatbreads. This local pizzeria and meeting spot serves ice cold beers, many local to Maui and Hawaii, and the finest flatbread pizzas anywhere. The locally grown ingredients and their farm source are prominently displayed on a chalkboard next to the special wood fired clay oven which sits stage center, open to all to watch as their thin crusted special pies are crisped to perfection. The crowd is young and fun and families can enjoy the affordability. The bar is hopping on weekends. Cheap and cheerful . Try the Mobley's special with Kalua pork, Maui onions, pineapple and goat cheese. Remember all local!

Across the street from the Inn is the Paia Fish Company. Famous for their fish sandwiches and other assorted fresh seafood treats. Ahi? Mahi? Ono? O My. You stand in line to order then find a seat at one of the many long wooden benches and tables. Make friends with a neighbor till they shout out your number. The orders come up fast so this isnít a place to dally but for lunch its perfect and for dinner its perfect too if judged by the crowds. All the fish served is fresh caught locally. Another cheap fabulous meal in Paia.

Across the intersection from the Inn is Milagros Food Company. This gem of a Mexican eatery serves the freshest ingredients and manages to mix the standard dishes with a local flavor of the Islands to create outstanding somewhat upscale food to compliment the tequilas and cervazas. The large outside patio is always packed due to its prominent intersection location. Prime for people watching. The menu is diverse and very reasonably priced. The blackened Ahi taquitos with mango passion fruit salsa was outstanding.

The last restaurant Iíd mention as particularly special is Hali'Imaile. You need to drive from the Inn about 15 minutes but this is well worth it. Of all the restaurants, this is a bit more money so I'll recommend you go for lunch. The view from the base of Haleakula is panoramic so lunch it is. Served Monday thru Friday. This delightfully bright airy hillside jewel was one of the first to serve Hawaiian Regional Cuisine. The menu is so varied and the tastes so delicious. The food is stylishly presented using very island fresh ingredients; very whimsical and fun. The desserts are epic endings and worth sharing. Our waiter worked in a local theater company and revealed by night he was the fanciful evil witch in Sleeping Beauty, but by day, he was a wonderful server, well versed in all the menus offerings. Reminded me a bit of Ed Begley Jr.

Before leaving Paia it seems appropriate to pass on some local knowledge I learned from the gals at the Paia Inn. Firstly, the cream puffs at the 100 year old T. Komoda Bakery in Makawao are the real deal and worth the 10 minute drive. Maybe try out their glazed "doughnuts on a stick" or a local Malasada pastry . Secondly, if you stop just passed the first one lane bridge beyond the Garden of Eden, on the Road to Hana, hop over the grey cinder block fence used in the shooting of Jurassic Park, and follow the trail to the left past the first waterfalls, you will find a secret second falls, known only to locals, and a swimming pool to privately enjoy. Or possibly share with a group of soapy hippies. Promise me you won't tell anyone else. Enjoy the Maui less traveled. Aloha

Contributed by Kendo, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

Boracay, Philippines: The Next Big Thing

2009-02-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

by Jon W. Wick

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I finally figured out Hollywood. I've got all those television commercials pegged. I know the secrets of those tourist ad campaigns where a sweeping shot of the most beautiful beach imaginable is shown, where it quickly becomes the backdrop for some cliché catch line as, "the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world; visit (fill in the blank)."

Yup, I'm on to all of them. Here's the secret: Boracay, Philippines is all of those pictures. No matter the country, the continent, or hemisphere, all those pictures are Boracay. Boracay is the silhouetted sailboat against a burning sunset, it is the sand so soft it resembles cooking flour, it is the brown palm trees with striking green leaves stretching over the aqua marine waters and crystal blue sky, and it is the happy hour margaritas with your toes in the sand. It's everything that every beach in every part of the world wants to be. And the best part about the entire thing, you'll be the first person in your group to know about it.

I took the advice of a well traveled friend after a conversation we had about some different destinations in Asia. As soon as he finished describing it, I booked tickets for Manila. My girlfriend and I were on our way.

Manila, at first impression, is an unkempt, run down, impoverished, and threatening sprawl of a city. "Pearl of the Orient" it is not; barely a shadow of its former self. The raw energy of the city, intimidating gawks from nearly all we encounter, and oceans of jeepneys, the local and very unique form of transportation, are enough to turn anyone away, but at the end of this exhaust choked journey, lay our golden ticket, a week of pure bliss on the most beautiful beach in the world. It was only a short puddle jumper flight later that we were sipping freshly made mango margaritas from the comfort of handcrafted bamboo chairs, watching the sun gently slip below the horizon, and drifting into a meditative trance by the sounds of the relaxing ocean swells.

The second I walked out on the sand, those pictures weren't just pretty pictures of a place I'll never dream of finding, they weren't the images of great expectations; they were right in front of my eyes. It was if somewhere between Manila and the alley path we used to get to the beach, we crawled through the same coat rack and entered our very own world of Narnia. Palm trees stretching to the ocean then gracefully curving to the heavens, sand so white that it takes a second for your eyes to adjust before you can take in the entire scene, and a beach lifestyle so chilled out and cool that Jack Johnson would feel at home. We looked in both directions and saw restaurants, shops, massage therapists, dive companies, adventure companies, and beautiful auburn island goddesses waiting to accommodate any way they can. The restaurants served their meals at tables in the sand; you can drink your fruity concoctions from the shade of a palm tree with your mind a million miles from any where. I did, in all my sensory ecstasy, notice there was a lack of something; a lack of something I had only recently become accustomed to "hordes of people" and this was considered the "high season." That made me think, am I on to something here?

The more we walked the beach, the more we were amazed at purely the set up of this place. Apparently the city planners and engineers that were supposed to be fixing Manila, gave up on the poor place, and all went to Boracay instead. To describe this best, I'll pull out a perpendicular cross section of the beach and try to describe it. First, opposite the water, you have all the businesses, all tropical themed as you can imagine they would be. The accommodations, along the beach, very from the backpacker's bungalows at $3 a night, to the posh luxury resorts. Their storefronts are all generally lined up with the beach path, an eight or ten foot wide, hard sand area everyone accepts as the main highway of transportation. One step closer to the water is the area of palms. This is about a fifty foot wide swath of deep sand, the gorgeous palm trees, lounge chairs, with the occasional tiki hut grill or bar. It seems as though the corresponding businesses have claim to this area and either serve meals or drink there, but it is mostly set aside during the day for people looking for some shade. Then come the chairs and umbrellas in the sun, mostly all of them come with waiter service from the closest restaurant. Next, you reach the beach, where we normally tossed down our towels by day, and took in the sunsets by night. Finally, you reach the waves of the crystalline blue ocean waters.

Approaching the late afternoon time, the beach goes through this incredible transformation; almost beyond recognition. The restaurants spill their tables out onto the section of sand under the palms and decorate the areas with the utmost brilliance. Tables and chairs in the sand, tablecloths and candles, rope lights on the trunks of nearby trees, the sound of waves crashing, and decorative lights hanging from the canopy above. The reflections of the beginning sunset over the water were casting wondrous, soft orange hues about. It was romantic, it was hip, and it was fun.

What can I possibly say about this place? Why isn't there tour bus after tour bus pulling up to the line of gaudy concrete mega resorts? Where are the armies of, too tanned to be just arriving, too hot for their own good, spring breakers? When are the developers going to come here with their bags of money and "pave paradise to put up a parking lot"? There is definitely a heaven on earth and it is found here, without a doubt, without the crowds, and most importantly without everything and anything that seems to always ruin the very reasons we seek the destinations.

The sirens song and clarity of water is truly irresistible, the sand tugs childhood fantasies of sandcastle building and burying a loved one to the surface so much that you need to recognize and act on them. The breezes dance through the palm trees and drift over your skin to butterfly kiss your sun drenched cheeks. Here, your mind has the room it has yearned for, leaving the complexities of life somewhere in the banana tree groves you passed over on the flight. This is a place where your soul can forget about what is true, and live what has been only previously imagined. It can sip fresh mango margaritas while pulling up a bean bag chair, first row, center stage, to take in the explosions of oranges radiating from a glorious sunset, wonderfully silhouetting sailboats and distant parasails, before it slowly slips just beyond the curve of the earth.

Boracay is an island oasis disguised as, well, an island oasis. One that will set the standard for all future trips to any island paradises, anywhere.

But just remember, that's our little secret.

Article & Photo Contributed by Jon W. Wick, Yeoju, Gyeonggi, Province, South Korea

Grand Haven Michigan: Most Romantic Place in My Hometown

2009-02-11T10:18:00.000-08:00

My hometown: Grand Haven, Michigan

What's the most romantic place in your hometown? The whole town we have a beautiful pier lit up with lights at night. We are a tree city a quaint park in the middle of town. We are on Lake Michigan. Wonderful sunsets.

--contributed by pumkin, Grand Haven, Michigan

Vama Veche, Romania: My Favorite Romantic Getaway

2009-02-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

My favorite romantic getaway: To the Black Sea, in Vama Veche

What made you select this destination for a romantic getaway? The place itself and the people. Or maybe the sea which sometimes is "bluer" than the sky. And also the sand which gets so hotter at noon, that people that are walking on it, appear to be dancing. Or maybe the wind which drys your lips. That would be a romantic getaway to me and also to my lover, peanut :D.

What was your favorite part of this destination? The nights. I am a very romantic person and in summer time, I often spend nights under the sky looking at stars. For me, Vama Veche was a magic place with all those boutiques with earrings and bracelets which are being sold by a hippie dressed in a blue dress.

What would you like other romantic travelers to know about this destination? A small place called "Papa la Shoni" which is made of reed mace and trawl. And than a place called "The happy Pancake" or something like this were you can find a variety of pancakes,which have funny names. And also a night slept under the sky,on the sand, with no roof above. Yes this I'd recommend. But this thing has no charm if you haven't your girlfriend, wife, husband, lover by your side, holding your hand.

--contributed by Petra, Suceava,Romania

Budapest: My Favorite Romantic Getaway

2009-02-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

My favorite romantic getaway:Budapest, Hungary

What made you select this destination for a romantic getaway? When I was 6 years old, I travelled with my dad there and it was love from the first minutes.

We arrived at night, and when I woke up (I felt asleep in the car because of the long way) we were exactly on the Chain Bridge, full of lights. I can't forget the feeling. Since then it's my favourite place. By the way, the love of my life lives there, although we never walked together in this city, it's my dream...

What was your favorite part of this destination? Each part of the city, because this city is breathing old and new air, the atmosphere, the places, the castle, the museums, the old parts of the historical part.

What would you like other romantic travelers to know about this destination? The best time to visit is in the summer, on 20 August is a national celebrations with fireworks on the Danube. Must visit locations are everywhere, not only the well known tourist museums, places but even if you walk without destination on the street, you can find signs of history everywhere.

--contributed by Hermy, Miercurea Ciuc, Transylvania, Romania

Hocking Hills, Ohio: My Favorite Romantic Getaway

2009-02-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

My favorite romantic getaway: Hocking Hills Ohio

What made you select this destination for a romantic getaway? The seclusion yet close to necessities and not far from home.

What was your favorite part of this destination? You feel like you are miles away from everyone but actually they are only a few minutes away.

What would you like other romantic travelers to know about this destination? The cabins all have their own hot tubs that can not be seen by anyone and the early spring there is so much quiet. If you call for last minute reservations on a cabin they will usually give you a discount. Walking the trails are beautiful and gives you time for one on one with your significant other.

--contributed by Sharon, Minford, Ohio

Jamaica: My Favorite Romantic Getaway

2009-02-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

My favorite romantic getaway: Jamaica

What made you select this destination for a romantic getaway?My husband and I have vacationed in Jamaica once a year for several years. Now we know we love it so we are always eager to return but we selected it the first time because of good airfare and it wasn't too long a flight from home.

What was your favorite part of this destination? I love the good variety of all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. I really enjoy not worrying about what we eat, what we drink, tipping...it's easy for us to budget for (even these days).

What would you like other romantic travelers to know about this destination? You'll hear a lot of bad comments from other travelers about Jamaica like they were hassled on the beach or they were scared to leave the resort. On public beaches, you will be hassled somewhat but on private beaches there are only vendors that the resorts allow to sell on that beach so it's much more laid back. We always take an organized tour or two (we've been to Dunn's River Falls several times) and have never had any problems or worries...just a great time!

--contributed by Tina, Atlanta

myRomanticGetaway: Wakaya Island, Fiji

2008-09-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

Where was your romantic getaway?

Wakaya Island, Fiji

What made you select this destination for a romantic getaway?

Entrepreneur David Gilmour (of Fiji water fame) bought Wayaka Island and turned it into a tropical paradise for even the most discerning adults. Nine "bures" situated on the Oceanfront house a total of 18 guests at any given time. The 12 to 1 staff ratio ensures maximum comfort for the guests, and includes a world class chef, private beaches, guided walking tours, every water sport imaginable, and private jet service from Nadi. Surrounded by clear blue waters and white sandy beaches, the place is sensual, beautiful and romantic.

What was your favorite part of this destination?

The people and service are 5 star.

What would you like other romantic travelers to know about this destination?

One of the must see places in the world.

Article and photos contributed by Kimberly Fisher, Los Angeles, CA, USA

myHoneymoon: Chicago, Illinois

2008-09-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Sarah Crawford of Shreveport, Louisiana recently returned from her honeymoon. Read all about Sarah and Hunter's US honeymoon in her myLovetripper entry:

Where did you honeymoon?

My new husband Hunter and I honeymooned in Chicago in mid-August 2008. We stayed at the Whitehall Hotel in downtown Chicago, just a short walk from "The Magnificent Mile," Michigan Avenue.

Why did you select this honeymoon destination?

Many people who marry in the summer choose honeymoons at beach locations or cruises. But Hunter and I aren't beach people - we like it OK, but not for an entire week. Chicago is an exciting place with hundreds of things to do - and if you go between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you can still experience the water on one of the beaches off Lake Michigan. It's a place where good food, swimming, history and culture all come together.

What was your favorite thing about your honeymoon location?

I loved walking the length of Michigan Avenue, called "The Magnificent Mile." It seems to be one of the most popular streets, and I felt like I was a part of something exciting as we walked this mile. It leads straight to the Chicago River and the heart of downtown Chicago. It's just an exciting place to be, and when you experience that with your new husband, there was nothing more romantic for me.

Is there anything you wish you'd known previous to your honeymoon?

I wish we would have included room in our budget to take a ride on one of the dinner cruises on Lake Michigan. We did get to take a skyline boat tour, but the dinner cruise would have been amazing I'm sure!

What advice would you give fellow honeymooners about this destination?

If you go during the right season, definitely take a swim in Lake Michigan off one of the beaches when they're open.

We checked out a show at comedy troupe The Second City, and it was hilarious! Alumni from this troupe include John Belushi, Bill Murray and Chris Farley.

Also check out the great pizza the city is famous for. Giordano's has amazing stuffed pizza!

If you head out to Navy Pier, be sure to ride the ferris wheel at night. Talk about romantic!

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Love in Buenos Aires

2008-08-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

I had always thought of Argentina, and Buenos Aires in particular, as a romantic place to visit. Maybe it was a book I had read as a youth or a photo I had seen in a magazine somewhere; but the thought stuck in my head through the years and I finally decided to visit the city. Little did I know, I would meet the woman of my dreams there.

The city is famous for Tango, a dance that is the embodiment of love, desire, unbridled passion, and graceful movements between a man and woman. Every Sunday, there is a street market that comes alive in the San Telmo district; the district where Tango was born among poor hard working immigrants who desired an escape from the daily grind of life. Musicians play and sing and dancers sway to the lively Tango beat at every corner.

It was noon as I strolled down Florida street in downtown Buenos Aires. The street is confined to walking, no cars allowed, and lined with shops selling a plethora of leather goods. The multitude of Latin American and European shoppers filled the wide Avenue with a charming sense of relaxed purpose to their strides. As the sunshine massaged my shoulders, I decided to eat at a little cafe with outdoor seating.

It's funny how love can find a person in the most unexpected ways. The most unexpected times. Mind you, I wasn't searching for love in the place I had thought to be full of romance, but it found me in the eyes of the lone American I was to meet in that country.

I had started the morning drinking espresso with some fellow German students at my school, followed by two hours of Spanish lessons, so when I overheard her at the next table speaking English, my curiosity was aroused. Of course, I ordered in English and that aroused her curiosity enough to turn towards me and ask if I was American. From that moment, I knew I would marry this woman that fate had so graciously introduced.

We went to dinner at a new restaurant in the Palermo Hollywood district, famous for its Bohemian atmosphere. The llomo (filet Mignon) is the best I had ever eaten anywhere in the world, so I knew it was a good starting point for my courtship. With a medium bodied merlot, the mood was set for the rest of the night. An espresso and good conversation followed under a full moon.

After returning to the states, I had to wonder, "Would I meet the woman of my dreams again? Or was that night in Buenos Aires a dream in itself?" As fate would have it, we did meet again--in the state of Florida; the same name as the street upon which we had met each other in Buenos Aires. Coincidence or fate? Maybe you can decide. But remember, love can find a person in the most unexpected ways. The most unexpected times.

--article and photo contributed by Tommy Hayes, Nashville, Tennessee, USA Has traveled to 17 countries and lived in Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. www.world-joblist.com

Staycation: Racine, Wisconsin

2008-08-14T19:18:00.001-07:00

My husband and I love this nice quiet restaurant with great food called "Out of the Pan". We call it our date night when we get a chance to go out for a nice romantic dinner!
YourLocation = Racine, WI, United States

Contributed by mrstrooper, Racine, Wisconsin

Staycations: Cape May, New Jersey

2008-08-14T19:17:00.001-07:00

The most romantic place in Cape May, NJ is the entire Victorian downtown area. We have numerous bed and breakfast inns decorated in Victorian Era colors and style as well as the beach. You can stroll down the mall and visit the quaint little shops, take a walk on the boardwalk, take in a movie, etc. The area is perfect for anyone's idea of romance.

--Submitted by AmberRose95, North Cape May, NJ

Staycation: Hollywood, California

2008-08-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

Probably in Hollywood at the Regency Movie Theatre; they play classic movies, and it's really romantic. And then you can go over to Pink's Hot Dog and chow down on some hot dogs. It's a nice night out for cheap!

--Contributed by Samantha Pruitt, Whittier, CA, United States

Photo by Samantha Pruitt

Staycation: Washington, DC

2008-08-14T18:31:00.000-07:00

Top of the the Washington Monument - steps overlooking the reflecting pool - nightime under the arch in Chinatown - in front of the fountain at Union Station - dinner at Tabard Inn -

--Contributed by Mary Scohera, Washington, DC, United States

Staycation: Rochester, New York

2008-08-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

The most romantic places in my hometown of Rochester, New York is the Pier on Lake Ontario at Sunset. Or, the Bully Hill Winery Outside Patio in Penn Yan, New York (Wine Country here in Upstate, NY)

--Contributed by joannaonthelake, Rochester, New York USA

Staycation: Lutherville, Maryland

2008-08-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

Walk around St. Michaels, a picturesque Victorian maritime village and yachting haven. Find historic sites, trendy quaint stores, numerous antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and romantic B&B's lining the historic Colonial streets. Carriage rides, guided walking and ghost tours available.

Tour exhibits, aquariums and artifacts in nine museum display buildings including the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse at The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Take a sunset cruise of the Harbor, an eco-tour of the Miles River or a horse-drawn carriage tour of town. Rent a bike or small boat at the St. Michaels Marina.

Contributed by penguin28, Lutherville, MD USA

Staycation: Bellingham, Washington

2008-08-14T18:27:00.002-07:00

I normally consider a romantic location as someplace beautiful in nature that I can share with someone I really care about. I think the most romantic place in Bellingham is on the hill at Boulevard Park while the sun is setting over the bay.

Also, any of the tidal pools along the ocean are fun to explore and they create a moment of shared excitement in the interesting things you can find in them that just creates instant connections.

--Submitted by Jess, Bellingham, Washington, United States

Staycation: Linfield, Pennsylvania

2008-08-14T18:27:00.001-07:00

There's a bed and breakfast right down the road from me. It's a Victorian house, just lovely! I'm sure it would be very romantic to stay there with someone special.

--Submitted by Lex, Linfield, PA, USA

Photo submitted by Lex

Staycation: Hampshire, Illinois

2008-08-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Hampshire, IL and most people have not heard of it. So when you are in a small town there is not much to do, let alone romantic places. A romantic place can be anywhere you go with someone you love. Lots of people like to go to Chick-n-dip for ice cream. You sit outside under the yellow lights as you swat the mosquitoes and sit on the red picnic tables while the kids run around with their dogs. Other good places would be the park or an open field at night where you can watch the stars.

--Contributed by sab, Hampshire, IL