COASTAL LIVING MAGAZINE NAMES THE TOP 10 MOST ROMANTIC ISLAND RETREATS

Birmingham, AL — Just in time for Valentine’s Day, COASTAL LIVING picks the 10 most romantic island retreats. From Canada to the Caribbean, these offshore vacations make falling in love even more fun. They include:

1. Bermuda - Bermuda has long been a choice vacation spot for lovers especially Elbow Beach on the south shore. For a secluded retreat, visit Astwood Cove in Warwick Parish or Somerset Long Bay in Sandys Parish.

2. Manhattan, NY- Hopeless romantics will always find inspiration in the Big Apple. Restaurants are everywhere, but couples flock to the West Village’s One if by Land, Two if by Sea (considered one of the best places in the city to pop the question). For skyline views, head to Top of the Rock, the observation deck crowning the GE Building at Rockefeller Center. On Valentine’s Day, adults visiting between 9 p.m. and midnight receive a free glass of Champagne. For a different view of the island, try a Manhattan Harbor Brunch Cruise for two aboard a 1920s-style yacht.

3. Big Island, HI - The Mauna Lani Resort, on the Big Island’s Kohala coast, indulges romantic guests with its Lava Love getaway package. For at least three nights, health-conscious couples may stay in a deluxe oceanfront suite and enjoy sunrise workouts on the beach; a private, lava-rock sauna; spa treatments; and even a hula lesson.

4. Whidbey Island, WA - Stress starts to melt away as you step off the ferry onto this Washington island, just one hour north of Seattle. Rich in natural beauty, Whidbey Island is also home to picturesque towns and romantic B&Bs. Journeying north, drop by Greenbank Farms for wine and cheese before climbing the Admiralty Head Lighthouse for a gorgeous view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

5. Lovers Key, FL - This Gulf Coast island is popular, but it still offers secluded nooks and stretches of beach where you can get away from it all. Rent a canoe or tandem kayak at Lovers Key State Park, and paddle the canals among manatees and other wildlife. Later, snuggle at sunset on a beach that, at least for the evening, is yours alone.

6. Cumberland Island, GA - Renowned for its privacy and serene beauty, Cumberland has more than 17 miles of white sand beaches to explore, and numerous wild horses to admire. We recommend an overnight stay at the Greyfield Inn, a 1900-era mansion on more than 200 acres of protected shore.

7. Princess Royal Island, British Columbia - Journey off British Columbia’s north coast to find wild and beautiful Princess Royal Island. The two of you can get a taste of this remote island when the King Pacific Lodge docks at its shores each year. Combining the best of wilderness and luxury, the floating
lodge offers couples fly-fishing and kayaking adventures, combined with spa treatments and ocean-view or wilderness-view suites.
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8. Grove Isle, Miami, FL - Secluded on a 20-acre island in Biscayne Bay, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa provides a relaxing escape from the big city nearby. A pool and jogging path overlook the bay, as do 49 bay-view rooms. Dine at the acclaimed oceanfront Baleen restaurant, and spice things up with the Tantra Lovers Island Escape package.

9. Naples, Long Beach, CA - Naples, near Belmont Shores in Alamitos Bay, is actually a series of islands divided by waterways. In classic Italian style, gondoliers take lovebirds on a tour of the canals’ no doubt, the best way to explore this watery village. Surprise your sweetheart with a bottle of vino, then take a Venetian-style moonlit ride.

10. Anguilla - With 33 white sand beaches, this small island is a picture-perfect hideaway. Escape for the afternoon to Long Pond Bay or Katouche Bay (if you’re lucky, you’ll have the beach to yourself). Couples on the go will love the CuisinArt Resort & Spa on popular Rendevous Bay (Anguilla’s longest beach). The resort offers activities everyone can enjoy, including catamaran cruises and hands-on cooking classes.

A national magazine that celebrates life along the coast, Coastal Living (www.coastalliving.com) is the source of inspiration and information for people who live or dream of living a coastal lifestyle. Marking 10 years of publication in 2007, Coastal Living serves a total audience of 4 million.

A leader in lifestyle information, Birmingham, Ala.-based Southern Progress Corporation (www.southernprogress.com) publishes Southern Living, Cooking Light, Health, Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Cottage Living, and Sunset magazines, and books through Oxmoor House. It also operates a direct-selling division, Southern Living At HOME, and has a strong Web presence through branded portals, including MyRecipes.com and MyHomeIdeas.com, as well as 10 individual Web sites. Southern Progress is a subsidiary of Time Inc.
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