For Twosomes Who Are Like Ships that Pass in the Night Because of Jam-Packed Schedules and Are Desperately in Need of Pampering Time Together

Go to: The Bahamas

Poster couple: The break-up rumours swirling around Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson have become a tropical storm this year largely due to the time apart they’ve been spending. They found it was all better in the Bahamas when they stayed at the ultraposh resort of Atlantis.

Good times: A no-brainer holiday at Club Med in Columbus Isle, Bahamas--a one-stop funhouse--might be just the ticket. When you show up, the fridge in your room is already stocked, and there’s a TV with a DVD player, plus an assortment of blockbuster movies. No sweat if you were too busy to remember your wallet--water sports, live entertainment, food, booze and even tips are rolled into this all-inclusive holiday. Add on a romance package, starting at $350, and its massages, Champagne (the good stuff, too) and little extras will win you brownie points for a long time to come, enough to get you out of trouble when you become too busy and forget someone’s birthday.

RUNNER-UP: Turks and Caicos Islands. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner had some serious reconnection time when they paused from their filming schedules long enough to wed at Parrot Cay (a private thousand-acre island). The pristine beaches draw their share of sun bunnies, but the islands have yet to be overrun by tourists. It’s quiet enough for you to hear sweet nothings whispered in your ear without them being drowned out by all those reggae-blasting beach bars.

For Twosomes Who Rank Styrofoam, George W. Bush and SUVs High Among the Environmental Evils of the World

Go to: Dominican Republic

Poster couple: Harrison Ford and his woman, Calista Flockhart, stayed at the Punta Cana Resort & Club while attending a meeting for Conservation International, an eco-organization of which he is a board member.

Good times: The sugary-white beaches of the Dominican Republic are why most people head there, but its best-kept secret is its eco-friendly side. Hike through unspoiled mangrove swamps, mountains with cascading waterfalls, rainforests, plantations and caves to your hearts’ content, while wearing your hemp shirts and Birkenstocks. And then there’s the scuba-diving and snorkelling, which are often underrated: The reefs and marine life are healthy and thriving, the water has good clarity and, best of all, you won’t have to sell your Smart Car in order to afford a diving excursion. Prices are very reasonable compared to other Caribbean dive spots.

RUNNER-UP: Barbuda. Tiny and terrific, this small island (a favourite of the late Princess Di) off the coast of Antigua is like Disney World for bird enthusiasts. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary, accessible only by boat, is one of only a few places in the world where you can spot the frigate bird--an orgiastic event, I’m told, for feather-heads.


For “Let’s Just Do It” Twosomes Who Can’t Get the Vacuum Cleaner Out of the Front-Hall Closet Because It’s Jammed with Baseball Gloves, Golf Clubs, Yoga Mats and Last Year’s Dart-Tourney Trophy

Go to: Barbados

Poster couple: Tiger Woods wed Elin Nordegren, a Swedish former model/nanny, on the island at the 19th hole of the chic Sandy Lane resort at sunset. Post-nuptials, they took to the placid seas of Barbados in a 155-foot yacht, most likely with the ubergolfer’s fishing rods and reels nearby. (He owns 17 of them.)

Good times: Barbados is well known for its challenging golf courses and deep-sea fishing, but there are other activities to test your mettle. Rent bikes and tone your calves while exploring the hills of the island, or grab surfboards and slice through the waves at the Soup Bowl, a top spot on the wild and windy east coast. Or be a voyeur and watch sports like polo and cricket being played there. Though staying at Sandy Lane might be too rich for your non-PGA-winning blood, you can unwind at its Zen-inducing spa. For the real deal, suck back some Banks beers with locals at the Friday night fish fry-ups in the town of Oistins.

RUNNER-UP: Aruba. The trade winds breeze through the islands at a constant rate, making windsurfing the sport for the sporty. Or head for the hills, literally, for a challenging hike, usually under sunny skies (average annual rainfall is just 16 inches).


For Hipster Couples Who Like to Follow the Crowd on the Road to What’s Hot and Happening

Go to: Mexico’s Mayan Riviera

Poster couple: Tom Cruise has always been one to be on top on the latest trend. Just this year alone, he launched the obsession with aliens with War of the Worlds and snagged himself a young plaything (a popular Hollywood tradition) in the form of Katie Holmes. He also knows a good thing: He booked a romantic getaway with his beloved at the Maroma Resort and Spa, a nearly $5,000-a-night sweet spot in the Mayan Riviera.

Good times: This region in southern Mexico is the ultimate place to party, with the copious clubs of Cancun. It’s also a gateway to real, authentic Mexico, with the impressive Mayan ruins in Tulum and the picturesque Isla Mujeres (a.k.a. “The Island of Women”), where you can snorkel in clear waters and sip Coronas by the seaside. Though the area was hit hard by Hurricane Wilma in October, many hotels are back to operating at full capacity.

RUNNER-UP: Cuba. With rumblings from the Americans that would put the country back on their tourist radar screen, Canadians are savouring their remaining Yankee-free (i.e., less commercialized) days spent among some of the warmest, kindest people down south. See the unspoiled rustic version of the island (especially Havana) while you can.


For Twosomes Who Love Facing Challenges and Adversity Head-On and Want a Trip to a Place with Strong Conviction and Spirit

Go to: Grenada

Poster couples: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Heidi Klum and Seal. Both of these couples share things in common: It’s the second time around for both (Will was previously married, as was Heidi), and these twosomes have vacationed on the spice island. Sure, they could’ve given up on finding love again and taken a vow of chastity, but they licked their wounds, found fresh amore and hooked-up for a sequel marriage. That don’t-give-up-attitude defines Grenada as well.

Good times: With the memory of September 2004’s Hurricane Ivan fading fast, Grenada is emerging once again as a must-visit vacation destination. But it’s not like it’s had an extreme makeover. The rough and ready charm of the country is still there. It’s not slick and polished like other Caribbean spots. Instead, it woos visitors with the subtle things it offers--like a safe environment and good value for your hotel dollar, with places like LaSource for the fitness-minded and the secluded Bel Air Plantation, with its spacious, hillside villas. For foodies, Grenada is a sprinkle of heaven with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves kicking up the cuisine at unpretentious, local eateries like Chez Patrick’s. Frolick with fellow pasty-skinned Canadians on a seemingly endless stretch of sand like that of Grand Anse beach. Want the world to go away? Hop a ferry to the nearby island of Carriacou, where you can claim an empty beach for your own and pick up seashells to the beat of gently breaking waves.

RUNNER-UP: Jamaica. Its new cool is bringing a fresh crowd to the culture-rich island, now that travellers are realizing that media reports on crime have not really been reflecting reality. Many Canadians know that Jamaica grooves to its own beat in oh-so-many ways. Sandals resorts entice with good value, great service and a laidback vibe that gives activities like sipping fruity rum drinks by the pool a tropical punch.