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Palau Pacific Resort, surrounded by 64 acres of lush gardens and fringed by a private beach, is just 25 minutes from the international airport and has 160 deluxe guest rooms and suites. Shy octopus, giant clams and clouds of rainbow-colored fish greet the snorkeler right off the hotel's sandy beach in their private lagoon. Scuba divers can board a boat right at the hotel's dock and head out to the mysterious Palau reefs, known for their abundance of tropical fish and really big pelagics, including sharks that streak right up to divers and look them in the eye (harmlessly, of course).

At the Palau Pacific Resort, tours can be booked to the Rock Islands, including overnight excursions where guests can be "abandoned" on an island ... the ultimate romantic getaway! Kayaking, diving, snorkeling and hiking tours are also easily booked at the hotel. Room rates begin at $212. For more information call: 800-327-8585 and check out their Website at: www.panpac.com.

Outdoor Sports Adventure On Maui

Maui remains one of the world's most accessible romantic islands with the tropical allure of white-sand beaches and misty volcano summits that beckon to the adventurous hiker or mountain biker. The island offers a balance of secluded regions such as the Hana Coast and lively resort destinations like Kaanapali. Couples stimulated by award-winning restaurants, luxury hotels, nightlife and easy access to a cornucopia of adventure activities from diving and snorkeling to mountain biking and rainforest hikes should head for the Kaanapali Coast on the west side of the island.

The Hyatt Regency Maui at Kaanapali Beach makes a perfect base for an active vacation. The hotel offers a free "Discoveries in Romance Computer Program," which asks couples questions designed to reveal individual personality types. Then the program recommends the activities most likely to maximize their romantic experience while on vacation, such as watching the sunrise at the rim of Haleakala volcano before biking down its slopes, or snorkeling in the marine conservation area of Molokini Crater, a short boat ride off the coast. Room rates start at $275. For reservations call: 808-661-1234. For package information call: 800-772-0011. Also visit their Website at www.hyatt.com.

On the other side of the island, a 56-mile drive on the Hana Highway winds along lava shores through old plantation towns, past miles of beaches and up through towering forests to the top of a volcano. The rugged and spectacular Hana Coast is a hiker's paradise with trails to secluded coves, black sand beaches, sacred Hawaiian sites and waterfalls amid thick bamboo groves. The exclusive Hotel Hana Maui-Sea Ranch Cottages have private decks with ocean views and sunken tubs perfect for relaxing bubble baths. Plantation-style cottages begin at $495 per night (less extravagant garden accommodations start at $375/night). For more information and reservations call: 800/321-4262 or 800/525-MAUI. Visit the website at: www.visitmaui.com.

Wildlife, Water and Sports in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's mix of flawless white-sand beaches, untouched tropical rain forests and wildlife-viewing opportunities draw many adventure-seeking travelers. The Nicaya Peninsula, located on the Pacific Coast, is esteemed for its gorgeous beaches, snorkeling, boating, kayaking, diving, windsurfing and wildlife. Tamarindo, a 40-minute flight from the capital city of San Jose, is an appealing base from which to explore coastal and inland estuaries inhabited by a plethora of birds and animals, two turtle-nesting beaches and Las Baulas National Park, a reserve for turtles, birds, crocodiles and mangroves.

Hotel Capitan Suiz sits on a tranquil stretch of beach at the south end of Tamarindo. The hotel's landscaped gardens are a peaceful setting to stroll through while heading for a dip in the large freshwater pool or a salty swim in the ocean. Twenty-two spacious hotel rooms with private bathrooms are available, or request one of the eight bungalows with sunken bathtubs. Room rates begin at $140. For reservation information call: 011-506-653-0292 or fax: 011-506-680-0853.



The Garden of Eden (Jardin del Eden) also offers luxurious accommodations. This friendly Italian-French run hotel, located on a hill overlooking Tamarinda, has expansive ocean views and is cooled by sea breezes. The hotel's large swimming pool and Jacuzzi provide relaxation at the end of an activity-filled day. Each room has a private patio or balcony. Room rates start at $100. Call: 011-506-653-0137 or fax: 011-506-653-0111 for reservation information.

The staff at both of these hotels will help arrange excursions for estuary trips, kayaking, horseback riding, bicycling, turtle tours in season, fishing, snorkeling or surfing.

Hiking the Canadian Rockies

The majestic Canadian Rockies offer travelers a plethora of activities from hiking to rock climbing, mountain biking to cross country and heli-skiing. The elegant mountain resorts built by Canadian Pacific Railways at the turn of the century hold a particularly strong grip on the hearts of all romantics and offer the outdoor sports enthusiast fabulous places to stay while enjoying the Rockies.

Emerald Lake Lodge, one of the most elegant of these historic resorts, is a short drive from Lake Louise and Banff. For couples who want to cuddle up next to a fire in their cabin-style room, this is the perfect getaway. The magnificent lodge is built of hand-hewn timber, birch and fieldstone and has massive stone fireplaces. After an active day of rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, fly-fishing or heli-skiing, guests can luxuriate in the lodge's hot tub and watch the Northern Lights. Room rates begin at $165. For reservations call: 800-663-6336 or e-mail: info@crmr.com. Also check out their Website at: www.crmr.com.

Be Treated Like Visiting Royalty in a Seventeenth-Century Palace in Austria

Arrive in royal style at the imposing Hotel Schloss Durnstein, aboard a paddle-wheel steamer. The hotel, a fortified Renaissance-era palace, overlooks the Danube River and is in the scenic Wachau region, one hour northwest of Vienna.

The guestrooms are furnished in antiques, including the luxurious beds. The hotel also has a fitness club, outdoor and indoor swimming pools and lovely manicured gardens. Activities in the surrounding Austrian countryside include cycling through idyllic villages and vineyards and hiking through forested hills. After a busy day of exploration, the hotel's sauna offers relaxation and the terrace is a scenic spot for enjoying a glass of local wine before dinner. The intimate dining room is graced with European antiques, a vaulted ceiling and superb cuisine. Deluxe rooms begin at $328. Try to book the exceptional Princes or Baroque Rooms. For reservations in the U.S. call: 212-856-0115 or in Europe call: 011-43-2711-212 or fax: 011-43-2711-351. For further information check out the Relais et Chateaux Website or the hotel's own site, http://www.relaischateaux.com/site/us/rc_schlossigls.html

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