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CUPID’S CORNER

How You Find Love —All Year Long

Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

With February 14 just around the corner, it’s time to turn up the romance quotient to high gear!  Here is a collection of purely heart-warming ideas guaranteed to inspire passion all year long, plus a few to create romance at home — including a cooking class for MEN ONLY!

Cal-a-Vie Spa (www.Cal-a-Vie.com) one of the Top 50 spas in the U.S. according to Spa Finder’s 2007 Worldwide Guide to Spas, Cal-a-Vie is located  in the sun-drenched hills just outside of San Diego, a traditional European-style spa that welcomes couples who need a break from the world — but not each other — during Couples Petite Week, February 11-18.  Quality time is the name of the game and couples will choose and enjoy relaxing spa treatments together such as hydrotherapy, thalassotherapy, and reflexology.  Couples will also be tutored in the many techniques and concepts for at-home spa treatments to maintain the rhythm of togetherness in their hectic everyday lives.  For this special package, one person pays full price, $6, 995, and the other pays one half price, $3,498. 866.772.4283

International House (www.ihhotel.com) in New Orleans, offers a Sanctuary of Love experience that calls upon ancient traditions to inspire love.  For the Voodoo chic, the ones seeking the exotic, International House brings to you [by 30-day advance appointment] the local matriarch of Mambo. This Voodoo priestess will restyle your guestroom with beautiful sacred objects and create for you a personal altar. Intimacy is reinforced with a delicate transitory design that captures the moment, and a “gris gris” bag, or lucky charm, is created for the couple during the ceremony.  Guests also receive a basket of ritual objects and recipes to secure the everlasting commitment and enhance the evening courtship — including the orris root which is placed under the tongue while kissing so as to ensure the eternal joining of two souls. Other locally handmade offerings are aromatic bath salts in a box tied with white lace ribbons, and massage oils in a bottle adorned with feathers, beads, rhinestones, and semi-precious stones, incense and an essential oil candle in a glass votive holder.  The Sanctuary of Love is priced at $549.  800. 633. 5770

Lake Placid Lodge (www.lakeplacidlodge.com) in the Adirondacks has love all boxed up in a kit!  As you arrive at your cabin, luxury awaits you:  the bed piled high with down pillows and a lumberjack plaid blanket; the deep soaking bathtub with a view of a serene pine glade; even the lake and the mountains, with their promise of great outdoor activities - but that’s not the priority.  A slight chill stirs the mountain air, so you’re tempted to light a fire in the impressive stone fireplace over there.  Upon closer inspection, it’s ready to go – the whole kit and caboodle! Your personal in-room fire-building kit, compliments of the Lodge.  But wait – there’s more…or did you say Amour! It is an entire Love Making Kit- a basket of essential soaps, bubble bath, oils and fresh rose petals for you to accent your evening. Snuggle into your monogrammed robes with the date of your stay and the pet names you have for each other. In 2007, guests benefit from the “Half Price Offer” during the time of the renovations; therefore your cost for this romantic package is $650.  877. 523. 2700

The Chanler in Newport, RI (www.thechanler.com) From its lofty perch on Newport’s historic Cliffwalk, the Chanler indulges you in the splendor of the Gilded Age, particularly with the Romance Butler, in addition to the comfort, luxury, and old world elegance you expect from the hotel, when you stay for two evenings. “At your service” is the butler’s motto, and this one delivers Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate in every sense of the word. Dual massage with a cup of Grand Marnier spiked hot-chocolate on the private balcony of your suite, or if a bit too nippy, then in the cozy sitting area.  Tip-toe into the soothingly warm skin-safe chocolate scented bath salts made with all natural sea salts and hand mixed with essential oils and fragrances.  Alternatively, the next night go for some bubbly with the chocolate-scented bubble bath, and a chocolate swirl soap bar made with pure vegetable glycerin -- turn on the Jacuzzi and bubbles galore to accompany the chilled champagne with little nibbles from Spice Pear Restaurant.  And for the eccentric chocoholic in you, dinner awaits you with a tasting menu from Chef Ketchum, to include Roasted Squab Breast “Brandy Soaked Cherry Foie Gras Panna Cotta” with Dark Chocolate Ganache and Coco Nib Croustillant. And the sweetest offering is the package price, $650. 866 793 5664

The Inn of the Five Graces (www.fivegraces.com) in Santa Fe rekindles the flames of affection with its “Paint the Town Red” package.  Couples enjoy a Passionate Fruit Cocktail upon arrival to tantalize the palate and awaken the senses.  Red party favors and tasty treats of a rosy hue arrive later — including chocolate-covered cherries and blush Champagne.  Red rose bath salts are sprinkled in a staff-drawn bath and cozy Frette bathrobes with red Turkish slippers stand by to slip into après bath.   Red incense coils are available to burn or take home and guests will also receive two red-thread eternity bracelets to wear.  Paint the Town Red is priced at $555 per night and is available every night of the week. 505.992.0957.

(All above hotel accommodations are based on double occupancy and additional taxes and gratuity will apply)

DC Coast Restaurant (www.dccoast.com) in Washington, DC is lending a helping hand to the man who needs some assistance in the culinary department.  The “Sweetheart’s Special For Men Only!” cooking class on January 27 will help guys find their way around the kitchen — and into their mate’s hearts.  Don’t settle for that standard restaurant experience -- show her you really want to make the effort to show you care—and also have fun doing it. Participants will be taught by Chef de Cuisine Travis Timberlake and Pastry Chef David Guas how to add a sensual spin to their dinner [three course menu with aphrodisiac choices] with flower suggestions and other decorative touches that evoke romance. The cost for the two-hour lesson is $70.00 and if you passed the cooking skills test [all fun], cigars and after class aperitif tastes are presented. 202.216.5988

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves romance. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com . And for something really racy, see www.carladynews.com

INSPIRED READING TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD

BE SEXY

THE EVERYTHING GREAT SEX BOOK
By Suzie Heumann & Susan Campbell, PHD.
From sensuous to sizzling, the hottest tips, tricks and techniques for spicing up your sex life.
Adams Media
www.everything.com

Nerve’s Guide to SEX ETIQUETTE
For ladies and Gentlemen
By Em and Lo
Authors of The Big Bang
Plume Book
www.penguin.com

Make Love all Night & Talk to him in the Morning
By Pam Spurr
(author of Naughty Tricks and Sexy Tips)
Ulysses Press
www.ulyssespress.com

BEING A SEX GODDESS
By Stacy Clark, M.A. and Eve Adamson
Alpha Publishing
www.idiotsguides.cm

ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS

ROMANTIC WEEKENDS TEXAS
By Mary Lu Abbott
Hunter Travel Guide
www.hunterpublishing.com

ENCHANTED EVENINGS
323 Nights Out to Remember
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

RAISE YOUR SENSUAL IQ

101 Ways to Flirt
by Susan Rabin with Brbara Lagowski
How to Get more Date and Meet your Mate
Plume Book
www.penguin.com

HOW TO ATTRACT ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE
The smart guide to Flirting
By Sara Rabin with Barbara Lagowski
Plume Book
www.penguin.com

READ AND FANTASIZE

SEDUCE ME
12 erotic stories
Edited by Michele Slung
Editor of Slow Hand and Fever
A Plume erotica book
www.penguin.com

INTIMACY
Erotic Stories of Love, Lust, and Marriage by Black men
Edited by Robert Fleming
Plume Book
www.penguin.com

OLDER COUPLES: NEW ROMANCES
Finding and Keeping Love in Later Life
By Edith Andersmit Kemp L.C.S.W and Jerrold E. Kemp, EdD.
Celestial Arts
www.tenspeed.com

SEDUCTION
By Snow Raven Starborn
Tempt, Tease and Tantalize your Lover
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

ROMANTIC MISCHIEF
The Playful side of Love
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

ROMANTIC FANTASIES
And other sexy ways of expressing your love
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

SEXY FOOD

HOW TO MAKE LOVE AND DINNER AT THE SAME TIME
By Rebecca Field Jager
200 Slow Cooker recipes to Heat up the bedroom instead of the kitchen
Adams Media
www.adamsmedia.com

INTERCOURSES
An aphrodisiac cookbook
By Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge
Terrace PUblishing
www.intercourses.com
800-372-2311

PLAY WITH YOUR PARTNER

INTIMATE QUESTIONS
459 WAYS TO BRING YOU CLOSER
BY Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

THIS BOOK WILL CHANGE YOUR LOVE LIFE
An indispensable companionship to any self-respecting relationship
By Benrik
You will start laughing when you see the cover which advises: couples may purchase this book together and share the cost, or buy it for each other as a gift. Single people may not buy this book unless it is meant as a gift to a fully qualified couple.”
www.thisbookwillchangeyourlovelife.com

NAUGHTY OR NICE
By Amy Scott and Boyd Geary
101 Sexy ways to Tempt your Lover
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
www.sourcebooks.comory

EXPANDED ORGASM
Soar to Ecstacy at your Lover’s every touch
Patricia Taylor, PHD
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

THE LOVERS COMPANION
Romantic Inspiration and Creative Ideas
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

SEXY COUPONS
Set your lover on fire with desire
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

STEAMY COUPONS
Tempt, tease and tantalize your lover
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

NAUGHTY OF NICE COUPONS
44 sweet and sexy ideas to warm your hearts and set your pulse racing
Gregory Godek
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

ROMANTIC ESSENTIALS by Gregory Godek
Hundreds of ways to show your love
Casablanca Press
www.sourcebooks.com

HOW TO BE A SEX GODDESS

THE SEXY BITCH’S BOOK  of DOING IT, GETTING IT, AND GIVING IT
By Flic Everett
Ulysses Press
www.Ulyssespress.com

ARE YOU REALLY IN LOVE?

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU’RE REALLY IN LOVE
By Sol Gordon, Phd
Adams Media Corp
www.adamsmedia.com

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