Last Valentines Day, I attempted to start a thread asking where they would best like to stay with their Valentine. I was reminded of my ‘nil returns’ when reading a recent article in the Saturday Telegraph “Our top 10 romantic hideaways”. This featured mostly European hotels, and I wondered whether readers would agree, disagree, or add their own. The list was:<BR><BR>1 The Rookery, London EC1<BR>2 Columbe d’Or, St Paul de Vence, France;<BR>3 Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Italy;<BR>4 Ardanaiseig, Kilchrenan by Taynuilt, Scotland;<BR>5 Giln Castle, County Limerick, Ireland;<BR>6 Hotel de Nice, Paris;<BR>7 La Bateau Jolia, Paris;<BR>8 Riad Kaiss, Marakesh, Morrocco;<BR>9 Jeakes, Rye, East Sussex.<BR>

tosaofj

Romance is alive and well, but it has almost nothing to do with lists of places compiled by others, nice as they may be. Romance is where you find it (not necessarily where OTHERS do).

Romance is at home. My husband came home today with 2 items he bought at an office United Way silent auction event. He sat down, showed me what he found for our daughter, showed me a cheap watch he got for a song, and then put his head next to mine and told me he tried, then swore at whoever outbid him, on a gift for me. We have been to the most beautiful places in Galloway Scotland and Northern Ireland, we've seen Keukenhof Garden in April, but that effort makes the grade for me. Romance happens every day, or week, or it's just a gesture.

I'm from Montana but had never been dog sledding. My squeeeze took me for a surprise dog sled ride. Fun fun under those Deer hides used for blankets while the guide runs the dogs and later sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace while the snow falls. Try it you may like it.