The time will soon come when we’ll all be free to share a spontaneous kiss with our significant other…or anyone else. So, in anticipation of that day, I’ve put together a list of getaways where you can go for a most extraordinary kissing experience. Whether you’re a fan of romantic beach interludes or something more exotic, this list is sure to get you thinking about escaping the current reality. But before we talk possible kissing excursions, let’s first discuss the good and the not so good of kissing…
First, the good…
No doubt about it, kissing is fun. But what happens to your body when you kiss another person? It depends. If your kiss is a heat level one—in which case, I suggest you pay close attention to the benefits of a good lip-lock—then you might feel a release of the happy chemicals serotonin and oxytocin. But up the heat level to a five and not only will your body be flooded with the aforementioned happy chemicals, but you’ll also experience a sudden surge of dopamine that will have you feeling more energized and uplifted for hours.
Myself? I prefer a heat level that makes my toes curl.
Beyond being in a merry state of mind, passionate kissing often leads to more amorous activities. Here’s why…a man’s saliva contains testosterone, which ups a woman’s level of arousal. So, if you want to get in a little beach exploring or hill climbing when you arrive at your destination, save the passion for later.
You may feel more relaxed after a session of kissing. Why? Because it can decrease your level of cortisol, which is the stress hormone. Hmm…Could kissing possibly be the cure for nervousness when you’re about stand before an audience and give a speech?
Kissing burns calories. How many calories are we talking? Again, depends on the heat level of your kissing session, but a good 30 minutes could have you burning up to 150 calories. And couldn’t we all use a pleasurable way to burn calories?
Kissing may reduce your cholesterol. Talk about win-win. By reducing your cholesterol, you may also be lowering your risk of hypertension and heart disease.
Kissing can help alleviate pain. Guess that means no longer being able to use “I have a headache” as an excuse not to get frisky.
Now, for the not-so-good of kissing…
You might get a cavity or two. Sad, but true. It happens with the exchange of saliva. To be safe, experts suggest using mouthwash after a session of heavy kissing. But whatever you do, do not give up kissing.
Kissing spreads germs. Duh, right? Experts say that just one little kiss can pass up to 80 million bacteria from one mouth to another. Again, do not give up kissing, though I highly recommend not kissing anyone who is exhibiting any signs or symptoms of herpes, the flu, the Bubonic Plague, or any other illness.
Kissing can cause an allergic reaction…which can be deadly. If you’re allergic to peanuts and you kiss a guy who’s just eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you could be in serious trouble…or dead. And if you’re not allergic to peanuts, but are in the habit of kissing guys who typically eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch, you might still be in trouble. Just saying.
Kissing, or just the thought of kissing someone, can make your stomach feel all topsy-turvy. Here’s why…your fight-or-flight hormones—adrenaline and noradrenaline—make your blood flow faster and your pulse rate quicken. This is actually a good thing. It means you’re excited at the idea of sharing a kiss with a certain someone.
Okay, so now that we’ve gone over a few of the pros and cons of kissing, let’s get to my picks for great places to pucker up. I’ve listed my top ten, plus five additional worthy mentions. Happy kissing!
TOP TEN:
Sedona, Arizona
Not that you’ll need to add any heat to your kisses, but when you’re ready to take a break from smooching, and maybe do a little hiking, Sedona is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit. Just be sure to do your hiking first thing in the morning…unless you have a hankering to be rescued from the heat by the Sedona Fire District rescue crew. See Sedona here.
Vail Village, Colorado
While summer is nice, this small town is best known for its ski resort. And when you’re finished gliding the slopes, you can sit by a roaring fire and kiss the night away. See here for more information.
Malibu Beach Inn — Malibu, CA
In my opinion, this is the best place to stay in Malibu. Besides having a five-star restaurant, this lovely inn gives you access to the beach that goes unpopulated even on the warmest of days. From your cozy ocean-view balcony (ask for a room on the second floor), you might see porpoise’s swimming or pelicans diving into the Pacific Ocean. You might even see surfers surfing. And when you’ve finished watching the show outside your room, sleep with the sliding door open and listen to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore while you kiss your significant other into the wee hours of the morning. For more information, click here.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
If you’ve never kissed in a medieval castle, this is the place to go. But when you’ve kissed to the point of having chapped lips, what’s next? So much, I can’t even begin to tell you. But never mind that. Who hasn’t dreamed of kissing in a castle? See here for more information.
Fregate Island Private, Seychelles
This is one of the best places on the planet to kiss. Fill your days with exploring a world you only imagined might exist. Accessible by boat or helicopter, you’ll want to leave this place…never. For more information, click here.
Gorges du Verdon, France
If kisses from your significant other don’t take your breath away, this place will. Turquoise water flows through the gorge that will have you wishing you could stay forever. Kiss here and you might just find yourself falling in love all over again. Google The Gorges du Verdon for more information.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Six million acres of Alaska wilderness is home to some of the most incredible wildlife you’ll ever see. But that’s only if you’re able to take your lips off your significant other long enough for a trek into the park. (Gentle warning: If you do take a trek, and stop along the way to smooch, be sure to keep both eyes open so you can see the Grizzlies coming at you.) Click here for more information.
San Juan Island, Washington
With a temperate year-round climate, this is a great destination no matter when you visit. There are two modes of transportation to the islands: plane and boat (ferry, private boat, and charters). If you’re looking for a gorgeous sunset, paired with plenty of tranquility, take a boat or a water taxi to Henry Island where you’ll find all the inspiration you need for a great kissing experience…and maybe a little exploring, too. Click here for more information.
Winthrop, Washington
If you’re in the mood for a blast from the past, look no further than this western-themed town that has only 595 acres for kissing. And when you’re ready to come up for air, there are plenty of extracurricular activities to keep you busy. From alpine skiing and sledding during the winter months to horseback riding and rock climbing during the summer. For me, I can think of nothing better than beginning my day with a long trail ride after a morning filled with smooching. Then to end my day, I would sit next to a cozy fire with my kissing partner and share a good glass of wine. Whether you fancy staying in a cabin or a house or even a tent, be sure to plan your stay well in advance. For more information, click here.
The Maui Westin Resort & Spa — Maui, Hawaii
Choose the Westin KOR, rather than the Westin resort on Kaanapali, for plenty of quiet time with your significant other. Click here for more information.
WORTHY MENTIONS:
Martha’s Vineyard
Accessible by boat or air, this New England colony encompasses harbor towns and lighthouses, along with plenty of sandy beaches to walk along with your kissing partner. See more here.
Ross Lake Resort — Rockport, Washington
This is a great nature-at-its-finest resort. There’s no road access so you’ll have to hike and then get a quick boat ride across the lake to the resort, or you can take the Diablo Lake Ferry. Once at the resort, you can spend your time in seclusion kissing the day away, or you can stay the night at one of the furnished cabins and kiss the night away. (Note: pots and pans are included, though you must bring your own food as there are no restaurants or stores.) For more information, click here.
Scottish Highlands
Think big! Everything about this place is a sensuous escape from your normal routine. After a day of getting lost in the majestic mountains, and watching dolphins frolic off the coast, you might be thinking you’ll be too tired to kiss. Think again. Don’t miss the opportunity to lay one on your significant other in this wondrous paradise. Click here for more information.
Charleston, SC
Romance is in the air in this lovely city of the south. Take a horse-drawn carriage down a cobblestone street, and then find a place that serves genuine southern cuisine before retiring to your room for a night of blissful kissing. If you’re a first-timer, click here for more information.
Leavenworth, Central WA
The quaint town of Leavenworth has a charming Bavarian theme that makes you feel as though you’ve left the U.S. With a back-drop of the Cascade Mountains, you’ll have no trouble getting in the mood to lip-lock. And if you decide to take a break from kissing, you can visit a nearby reindeer farm or you can hike one of the many nature trails. Or if you want to find something to take home that will remind you of your time in this charming escape, you can peruse all the shops that sell unique gifts like the traditional dirndl dress. For more information, click here.