What makes a place romantic enough to inspire a long, passionate kiss? The answer differs for all couples, but one universal answer seems to apply: Being together in beauty -- whether in a natural setting or a creation of the human imagination -- can certainly help affections flow freely.

1. Verde Hot Springs, Arizona

Hot passions won't cool off at these secluded hot springs. Wintertime water temperatures reach 96ºF and soar higher in summer. Soak in pools fit for two or in seclusion underneath cliff overhangs.

2. Mendocino Headlands State Park, California

If the town of Mendocino wasn't tantalizing enough for romance, there's the adjacent state park where kissing spots are as common as tidal pools. Explore gentle pathways leading along rugged coastline to secluded beaches, hidden grottoes, and sea arches. On foggy days, a cool mist caresses cheeks and lips, so snuggle up to stay warm.

3. San Juan Skyway (U.S. 550 between Durango and Ridgway), Colorado

Reach the height of romance on this high and mighty scenic loop in south central Colorado. The 14 summits along the route -- all above 14,000 feet -- lead lovers toward the sky and to unsurpassed vistas. Even at lower elevations, there's no romantic letdown. The old mining towns of Durango, Telluride, and Silverton -- all mother lodes of romantic ambience -- highlight this 236-mile stretch of highway.

4. Amelia Island, Florida

A sun-kissed beach certainly qualifies as a smooching spot, but if lovers want more drama, Amelia Island delivers. More than just sand and surf, the island increases the pucker-up potential with delights of the Deep South: gnarled oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, footbridges crisscrossing windswept dunes, and wide, unspoiled Atlantic beaches. Study the birds and the bees while kayaking through gentle tidal creeks where egrets and herons await.

5. Na Pali Coast State Park, Hawaii

Heaven and Earth merge at this exquisite state park, located on the untamed northern side of Kauai. Journeying by foot (the only way to go) into the verdant rainforests and deep valleys flanked by mile-high cliffs is like stepping into untouched Hawaii. There's nothing here but you and nature. Whisper "Aloha" to each other at one of the secret crescent beaches that dot the shoreline, many perfect for a little au naturel action.

Na Pali Coast State Park on the Hawaiian island of Kauai offers exquisite scenery and hidden beaches.

6. Chicago's Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, Illinois

Take to the sky to smooch! Nighttime is prime time to whirl around, snuggled together on a swinging seat, and view Chicago's fabulous skyline from this 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel.

7. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky

Bring a flashlight, hold hands, and venture deep into the woods to cast your eyes upon a romantically rare and unforgettable moonbow. A moonbow is a lunar rainbow that occurs at night, and Cumberland Falls (dubbed the "Niagara of the South") serves up this optical phenomenon on clear, moon-bathed nights. There's no pot o' gold at the bow's end, but the romantic reward of a moonlit kiss should prove satisfying enough.

Keep the romantic fires burning in the spots found on the next page.

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