FLIRT THE WORLD

The Drive

THE S.P. 122 TOWARD TAORMINA, SICILY

WHATTO EXPEC A road that winds inland and upward, around Mount Etna. Admire the wildly beautiful landscape, where the occasional farmhouse or villa is perched amid goat-strewn rolling fields, WHAT TO WEAR Headscarf and shades to evoke the glamour of Grace Kelly on the comiche in an Alfa Romeo Spider, WHAT TO EAT Stop for some local prosciutto and Pecorino at any of the roadside trattorias, WHATTO DRINK A Bellini on arrival at the terrace of the Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina's best hotel. BEST FLIRTING SPOT Survey the wild Sicilian countryside without a tourist in sight, TOP TII Make a detour to Savoca, a tiny medieval hilltop town where scenes from The Godfather were filmed. PS: Go in early October, when the roads are empty and the leaves and grass are beginning to turn gold, (grandhoteltimeo.com)

The Jungle

LAPA RIOS, OSA PENINSULA, COSTA RICA

WHAT TO EXPECT The "real" rain forest. A simple top-ofthe-line eco-lodge with 16 private bungalows, set 300 feet aboveground, gives you full access to the area's beautiful views and wildlife, WHAT TO WEAR Pack your Patagonia and rain boots for walks with the monkeys and horseback rides on the beach, WHAT TO EAT Go green—enjoy basics like local fish and fresh fruit. Take advantage of regional cooking classes, WHAT TO DRINK Whiskey and schnapps, with all kinds of fresh fruit juices, at Jungle Love—the hotel bar. BEST FLIRTING SPOT Enjoy a private three-course picnic at the resort's spectacular waterfall in the heart of the forest, PS: Play soccer or go dancing with the locals, (laparios.com)

The Stately

LISMORE CASTLE, COUNTY WATERFORD, IRELAND

WHAT TO EXPECT A fairy-tale castle set high above the Blackwater River in the town of Lismore, with breathtaking gardens, sculpture by Anthony Gormley, and its own contemporary-art gallery, WHAT TO WEAR Anything waterproof, WHAT TO EAT Mountains of local oysters. WHAT TO DRINK: Guinness in the Red House pub, in town, BEST FLIRTING SPOT On Tony O'Gallagher's boat Maeve, sailing up the river, watching the leaping salmon, TOP TIP Drive to the Knockmealdown Mountains and have a picnic among the heathery summits. PS: If none of the above sets the scene for love, the jewelers on Lismore High Street are a fail-safe bet. (lismorecastle.com)

The Beach

TRANCOSO, BRAZIL

WHAT TO EXPECT Deserted, wide, virgin beaches—some with glamorously unglamorous clubs. Think St. Tropez or St. Barth's in the 1970s, with lots of chic Brazilians, colorful houses, small hotels, bars, and restaurants, WHAT TO WEAR Tiny bikinis and Brazilian Speedos. At night, linen for men and minidresses for ladies. Flip-flops with everything, WHAT TO EAT Head to the town square and tuck into a buffalo-mozzarella crepe. For dinner, try shrimp with lemon cream or spicy cod balls at the cliff-top restaurant El Gordo, WHAT TO DRINK Caipirinhas. BEST FLIRTING SPOT Go to the Pandora bakery, where Tostex, the coolest beach club, sells tickets for its parties. TOP TIP: Trancoso is all about the good spirit, so being snooty gets you nowhere, (dehouche.com)

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The Temples

BAGAN, BURMA

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WHAT TO EXPECT: Some 2,000 ancient Buddhist temples scattered over a 16-square-mile plain in one of the most mysterious countries in Asia, WHAT TO WEAR: Keep it simple and cool. A Nehru shirt and a pair of linen trousers, WHAT TO EAT: Snack on jaggery, a delicious sweet made from the sap of a local palm, BEST FLIRTING SPOT: Lounge in the back of a covered horsedrawn cart as your driver picks his way through the temples, the pagodas just visible as the twinkling stars announce nightfall. TOP TIP The nearby romantic Inle Lake, home to the famous Intha people, is worth a day trip, (abercrombiekent.co.uk)

Diamond in the "Rough "

IL PELLICANO, TUSCANY, ITALY

WHAT TO EXPECT: Rugged cliffs. century-old olive trees, fragrant Mediterranean flora, a private beach, and the tranquil waters of the Tuscan coast surround a cluster of villas which make up the II Pellicano resort, WHAT TO WEAR: Designer caftans, summer dresses, itty-bitty bikinis, big hats. Light summer suits for men. WHAT TO EAT: Farmhouse cheese, perfectly grilled Fish, and simple pastas with octopus and spiny lobster, WHAT TO DRINK Watermelon vodka, fresh fruit juices, Italian wine, BEST FLIRTING SPOT: The outdoor, heated, saltwater swimming pool, overlooking the Argentario coast, at sunset, (pellicanohotel.com)

Surf and Turf

HACIENDA DE SAN ANTONIO, COLIMA, MEXICO

WHAT TO EXPECT: A magnificent, romantic 19th-century Mexican hacienda, formerly a private house that belonged to the late tycoon Sir James Goldsmith. The hotel has a relaxed atmosphere and elegant furnishings and is surrounded by fountains, rivers, waterfalls, and its own 5,000-acre working ranch, WHAT TO WEAR Bikinis, caftans, long skirts, ruffled blouses, and a flower behind your ear. WHAT TO EAT Delicious Mexican food, made with the ranch's organic produce, WHAT TO DRINK Sip the Hacienda's special margarita, made with a homemade mango grappa. BEST FLIRTING SPOT: Ride through the bamboo forest and picnic by the Epazote Lagoon. TOP TIP: For extra romance, organize a trip to the Hacienda's sister property, Cuixmala, for a couple of nights by the sea. Both have private landing strips, (haciendadesanantonio.com)

CUIXMALA, MEXICO

WHAT TO EXPECT: Charmingcasitas, coconut plantations, and native animals are all part of the 25,000 acres that make up Cuixmala (meaning "resting place of the soul"), Goldsmith's former Virgin Coast hideaway, WHAT TO WEAR Anything goes, but beat the heat in sarongs, bikinis, and tunics. Linen and brightly colored trunks for men. WHAT TO EAT: Keep it light with the resort's own organically grown fruits and vegetables, followed by sweet local raisin cakes or creamy flan, WHAT TO DRINK: Press the "margarita maker" button on your phone, and moments later a frosty glass arrives at your door, BEST FLIRTING SPOT: Unpack a picnic next to a bonfire at Playa Cuixmala. TOP TIP: A fully crewed, 47-foot sailboat is at your disposal. (cuixmala.com)

-ALICE B-B, with additional reporting from around the globe