Reading for Romance

Ahwatukee Monthly
December 2003

Don't let the title of Pam Swartz's book, Arizona Getaways for the Incurably Romantic, mislead you into thinking it's merely a travel guide to romantic destinations; it's much, much more. In fact, it's just as much a "how to rekindle romance" book as it is a compendium of intimate getaways.

The first third of the book is chock-full of effectual advice on sparking the flames of intimacy before, during and after romantic excursions. Learn how to keep the fires of affection burning hot from one amorous adventure to the next.

Pam, who hasn't an unromantic bone in her body, has enjoyed love-filled getaways with her husband for the past 25 years, to the point where planning them became her specialty. In Arizona Getaways, she willingly shares her expe-riences, her secrets for planning the perfect romantic rendezvous and the reasons it's important to reconnect frequently with your partner. Among the tools offered in the book is a 20-question romance quiz to help couples identify and meet each other's romantic needs.

IGNITING THE FLAMES
Arizona Getaways gives the following suggestions for turning up the thermo-stat on romance:

• Set the stage a week before your trip by leaving your partner love notes in the morning paper, in the medicine cabinet or in his or her briefcase. It doesn't take much to get the message across. Try dropping a few lines from a favorite poem or using words shared during a wedding ceremony.
• Flirt often. "Flirtation helps you -regain that sexy feeling you had when you two first met and continues it if this is a new relationship," says Swartz.
• If you're keeping your adventure a surprise for your lover, there are excel-lent suggestions on how to pull it off with flare throughout Arizona Getaways. One especially clever tech-nique is attaching a box to the auto-matic garage door opener so that when your significant other comes home, a special surprise drops down and greets them with a message that lets them know they are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
• Use food to your advantage. "Like kisses, foods are sensual and evocative and speak to the heart and soul," she writes. To enhance a dining experi-ence, pre-arrange for strolling musi-cians. Have a rose placed on your lover's plate or tuck a special gift into the breadbasket. If your dining is of a more private nature, play with your food. Feel the tomato's satiny skin before you cut it or rub the soft skin of a peach against your lover's cheek. Arizona Getaways includes a list of foods long thought to be aphrodisiacs.
• Pack for romance. Bring massage oils, romantic videos, favorite CDs, a bottle of champagne, note cards for additional love messages during your visit or flower petals to spread on sheets or in a bat". Learn the sensual proper-ties of different flowers.
• Extend the feeling of your blissful interlude by returning from your trip with tapes or CDs of music you heard during your sensual escape. Bring home a cookbook that has local dishes that remind you of the foods you ate while away and have a candlelight dinner.
• Keep the passion flowing throughout the days until your next excursion by holding hands more often, sharing a daily intimate ritual such as passionate kisses whenever you part and meet again. Put flower petals on the ceiling fans so when your partner turns it on (s)he will be showered with the same scents you experienced on your trip. Listen to your partner. Be generous with physical gestures and laugh.

TRAVELING TIPS
Don't be concerned if you're a bit rusty on making travel plans. In addition to Arizona Getaways romantic ideas, it includes a plethora of practical and clever traveling tips.

If your venture is in celebration of a very special event in your lives, be
certain to book your reservations at least a couple of months in advance. If budget is a concern, Arizona Getaways gives excellent advice on getting the biggest bang for your buck. Sometimes it's as easy as asking for a discounted rate or booking during an off-season. At times, limousines can be cheaper than taxis. You may receive wonderful little perks throughout your trip if you tell the hotel and restaurant staff in advance that it's a very special event for you.

If you have the opportunity, preview the room you've booked to make sure it's far away from noisy elevators, vending machines or outside traffic.

Not sure what to tip while on the road? Swartz was thoughtful enough to include a list of appropriate gratuities for drivers, bell staff, maids and anyone else who assists you in your fanciful endeavor.

ACCOMMODATIONS
The last two-thirds of Arizona Getaways is an extensive, detailed listing of accom-modations, including romantic activities and attractions in the area. For easy reference and comparison, there is a chart in the back of the book that inven-tories amenities and features of listed accommodations. There's also a provi-sion for those traveling with kids. In addition, She includes an appendix of romantic movies, music and poetry to help you plan.

One of the most exciting features of this book, however, is that in addition to listing the obvious resorts, inns and B&Bs, Arizona Getaways includes many little-known places. In the book's forward, Win Holden, publisher of Arizona Highways writes, "My love affair with Arizona dates back more than 25 years, and when I learned Pam Swartz was writing a book focusing on Arizona's most romantic getaways, I figured there would be nothing in the book that I didn't already know. Was I wrong! Pam's exhaustive research reveals secret hide-aways; perfect places to recharge your relationship."

Arizona Getaways is available for $16.95 in most major bookstores, online at www.amazon.com or at www.arizonagetaways.com.