#1: On any beach, during a full moon, by a bonfire
Imagine the waves washing up onto the sand as golden flames and silver moonlight illuminate the face of someone very special. With so many beautiful beaches around the world, it's easy to find your perfect setting for this scene.
You might try the famous Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica, with its seemingly endless white sand, warm turquoise water, and rhythmic beats of reggae wafting on the breeze. You'll find a more intimate setting at secluded Polihale Beach Park on the west shore of Kauai, Hawaii; the two of you may even have the place to yourselves. Kauai's spectacular terrain makes it a great place for romantic hikes, helicopter rides, and other activities that that let you experience nature at its best. Prime cuddling opportunities abound on the chilly beaches of Monterey, California. While you're in Monterey, you may also enjoy walking or biking along the coast, sailing, diving, kayaking, or stopping in at the excellent local vineyards and museums. In nearby Pacific Grove, you can visit the wintering spot of the monarch butterfly.
Consult the Old Farmer's Almanac's Full Moon Days chart to choose a day with a full and bright for your beach trip. And before you build that bonfire, make sure local regulations allow it. You wouldn't want the authorities to douse the flames of your passion.
#2: Flipping pancakes together in the kitchen, any Sunday
Sleep in on a lazy Sunday morning, awake, and entwine your arms with your mate's. Cooking breakfast together, you know that the day will be a slow and tranquil one. Plant a fond smooch on your loved one as you hand over the spatula. The relaxed comfort of this setting makes it one of our best places to kiss.
But every now and then, you may enjoy those pancakes even more if they're prepared for you by a gourmet chef at a cozy bed-and-breakfast. The Mainstay Inn in Cape May, New Jersey, for example, features the mouthwatering cooking of Sue Carroll. In fact, so many guests at the inn asked for her recipes that she has compiled them into a cookbook, Breakfast at Nine, Tea at Four (Callawind, 1998).
#3: At any airport, meeting your lover coming off a plane
As anyone knows who has been separated from a partner for a long time, airport kisses are especially ardent. You can't help letting the sparks fly with that first kiss upon reunion, right in front of all the other travelers.
Although no one would suggest that airports themselves are romantic, they do set the stage for some of life's most dramatic moments. Savor kisses here; they are the passionate punctuations of the comings and goings of love.
#4: In an elevator, with no one else inside
The glass elevator at the famous Fairmont Hotel in San Franciscoc whisks you up and down its 24 floors. Share a special moment as you soar above the city's steep hills, Victorian houses, glittering office buildings, and arching bridges.
San Francisco provides a romantic backdrop for every activity--especially kissing. You might spend an afternoon at the art collections of the Palace of the Legion of Honor, the Asian Art Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art, or visit the wineries of Sonoma and Napa counties, just a two-hour drive away. If you are drawn to the city's funky character and history, tour its many distinct neighborhoods, including Chinatown, the flower-power Haight, the Latin-flavored Mission District, or the flamboyant Castro. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike or bike the many parks, trails, and beaches; go sailing in the San Francisco Bay; or go to a 49ers or Giants game.
