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Rolf Hicker Photography - hickerphoto.com
Locavore Delights Stop:
Pacific Central Station, Vancouver, BC
Stay:
Opus Hotel opushotel.com
Get Around:
Granville Island's central location makes it easy to access by bus, foot or boat. theaquabus.com granvilleislandferries.bc.ca
AS ONE OF THE world's most livable cities, Vancouver, BC has local enticements to spare. First, get homey in the Opus Hotel (rooms start at C$229). Located in hip and historic Yaletown, its chic décor elicits a swank and sexy mood. 64
| WINTER 2015
After a morning coffee, run to local roasters Caffe Artigiano, then head to the Granville Island Public Market to savor the selection of artisan foods and Canadian crafts. Pick up goods for a picnic and walk twenty-five minutes (or take a ferry) to Kitsilano Beach, and find a secluded spot in the sand to feed each other. Afterward, toast Canada's first microbrewery, Granville Island Brewing, by sipping a pint of its Maple Cream Ale. For dinner, let the sushi chefs at Tojo’s surprise you with a meal tailored to your personal palate. The evening can only get better with an improv show at the Vancouver TheatreSports League, because laughter is the best foreplay.
Cozy Up & Do Nothing
THE WINTER winds and gray skies on the Washington Coast are a good reason to stay inside and enjoy the view. In Bellingham, hole up at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, located less than a mile from the Amtrak Cascades stop. Deluxe rooms have water vistas, a gas fireplace and two-person soaking tubs (starting at $179). Add the romance package, which includes bubble bath, massage lotion, local chocolates, and a bottle of wine. Take a stroll through the adjacent Fairhaven Historic District, a charming neighborhood lined with brick buildings and locally-owned shops and restaurants. Rent bicycles from Fairhaven Bicycle and pedal four miles to Lake Padden Park, then meander the 900 acres of biking and walking trails. Or, just head back to the hotel for happy hour at Keenan’s at the Pier. Book a couples massage from the renowned spa and perfect the art of doing nothing together.
Stop:
Bellingham, Washington
Stay:
Chrysalis Inn and Spa thechrysalisinn.com
Get Around: Fairhaven Bicycle fairhavenbike.com
Heart Art Stop:
Mount Vernon, Washington
Stay:
Wild Iris Inn wildiris.com
Get Around:
The Inn is nine miles from the Mount Vernon station, accessible via taxi or bus (skagittransit.org).
LA CONNER, a few miles west of Mount Vernon, was founded in 1869, when John Conner bought the town deed and seventy acres for $500, then named it for his wife, Louisa. That romantic tradition persists due to the town’s reputation as the state’s most amorous destination. The romance begins with a room at the Wild Iris Inn, where a king suite comes with a private porch and jetted spa tub, fireplace and fine linens (starting at $149). By 1953, La Conner became known as an “art town” when Life magazine profiled a school of painters living there. Modern couples can celebrate that history with visits to three museums, including the Museum of Northwest Art. Wander the town’s annual outdoor sculpture exhibit, try a wine flight at Hellam’s Vineyard and grab something to nibble at the Calico Cupboard, a bakery specializing in homemade goodies.
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