The cuisine won’t be the only thing tempting you at the Casanova

They say the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but women are just as wooed by a lovingly prepared meal. Unfortunately, both sexes are relying on to-go orders and pre-fab dinners to serve up some fast, cheap love these days. If you do it together, making a meal can be an aphrodisiac in itself — especially if it’s while participating in La Bouqeria Market Tour package at the seductive Casanova Hotel in Barcelona, Spain.

Fresh produce at La Bouqeria Market in Barcelona

Designed to be a private cooking lesson that begins in the market and ends at the table, couples embark on a private guided tour of La Bouqeria Market with the hotel’s Michelin pedigree chef, Jaume Brichs. Located on La Rambla, one of the most famous streets in Barcelona, the market offers huge varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats and fish. Outside the market, the tree-lined street will lead lovers to a spectacular view of the harbor.

Sometimes it seems the hardest part of traveling isn’t jet lag, delayed flights, hotel arrangements or finding your way—it’s making the damn zipper on your suitcase close. And as we’re sure you’ve found out, every little bit counts in bulging luggage. So let’s start with your makeup bag and some of your favorite brands of personal products that have whittled down the size to help make packing a snap.

Fake a ducha with Clean’s new Shower Fresh Roller Ball

Clean Shower Fresh Roller Ball
By the end of your ten day excursion to Bali, you’re going to be so sick of wearing that floral fragrance you brought you’ll be nauseous just thinking about it. Why not opt for something a little simpler and easy on the sniffer? If you’re not already a fan of Clean fragrances (aptly inspired by soap), you will be after tossing one of their newly introduced roller balls in your bag. Shower Fresh is our favorite, a .34 oz. bottle of their crisp-but-easygoing, citrus topped, faintly floral perfume. Check it out, because smelling like you just stepped out of the shower will always be a fresh idea. Available exclusively at Sephora.

Cargo PurseGloss is a happy medium between large tin and bubbles of DailyGloss

Cargo PurseGloss
We probably don’t need to convince you of the merits of Cargo lipgloss. You already know the smooth- gliding formula comes in a variety of shades and is the perfect non-sticky gloss for your pucker. But the cool tin the gloss comes in doesn’t always travel so well, as you may have found out. Cargo introduced DailyGloss, single-use packs of gloss-on-the-go, but the applicator brush can sometimes become a hassle to carry along. Now they’ve met us halfway with PurseGloss, a squeezable tube with a dispensing brush attached, and cap that screws on tight to prevent unwanted slicking. Available in nine shades like sparkly pink London and Beijing, a shimmering raspberry, these were made for globe-trotting. Get yours anywhere Cargo is sold or at www.sephora.com.

You’ve sealed the deal with an “I do” and are off to celebrate your first nights of wedded bliss. Chances are your fantasies don’t include a Holiday Inn or a Ramada (those romps all ended at the altar, sweetie). Now you’re thinking sexy, sultry locations—and we don’t think you necessarily have to head to the equator to make your honeymoon sizzle. The following hotels have taken matters into their own hands, designing spaces and providing amenities that guarantee a exciting stay—in more ways than one.

L to R: The scintillating Star Suite and the Eden rooftop

The Ivy Hotel | San Diego, California
Something about the Ivy Hotel’s Star Suite says Sunset Strip, Hollywood. Neon blue lights give the room a provocative feel, as do the sensual wall coverings and crisp white contemporary furnishings. But the best is in the bedroom—king-sized bunk beds will have you deciding who’s on top, and a conveniently placed stripper pole adds to the frisky fun. But don’t think the place resembles a hole-in-the-wall nudie club. We’re talking posh naughtiness, particularly with open shower in which opaqueness is totally optional. If you can tear yourselves away from each other long enough, make sure you experience Eden, the hotel’s stunning rooftop lounge, pool and sundeck that overlooks the Gaslamp Quarter.

www.ivyhotel.com

L to R: Erotica and Bohemia, two of the ZaZa’s sexy concept suites

The Hotel ZaZa | Dallas, Texas
The ZaZa will make you go gaga for one another in suites to suit any romantic personality. Choose from one of the ultra luxurious Magnificent Seven Suites or more than a dozen themed concept suites. Erotica, a concept suite that is the cross between a harem and gothic romance, offers guests transporting surroundings that include furs, silks and velvets in richly colored hues as well as a private balcony and whirlpool to help stir things up. Replenish spent energy at Dragonfly, the award-winning on-site restaurant that has a hip, urban feel.

www.hotelzaza.com

Sue Devitt and her native Adelaide, Australia Courtesy of www.adelaide-attractions.com

It’s easy to see the impact the beauty of the world has had on Sue Devitt’s world of beauty. You might pucker up with her mini mocha lip gloss, Costa del Sol; smooth on a chartreuse green eyeshadow named Prague or line a lid with Zaire, a shimmering plum eye pencil. While the whole earth has been an inspiration for her color palette, it’s her native Australia that’s proved to be the celebrity makeup artist‘s true muse—a melting pot of natural wonders spurred the use of indigenous ingredients and rich hues that Devitt uses in her Sue Devitt Beauty line.

According to Meredith Rommelfanger of luxury travel company Artisans of Leisure, the diverse Adelaide region in which Devitt grew up is one of the most overlooked—and underrated—tourist areas of Australia.

“Adelaide has an ideal location,” Rommelfanger says. “It’s close to the beach, excellent wine regions, Kangaroo Island and its wildlife and the Outback, so locals can enjoy a wide variety of options for day trips and long weekends.”

Find the perfect glass of wine in the Barossa Valley Courtesy of www.globusjourneys.com

As one of the best places in the country to savor gourmet fare and swirl-sniff-sip some of the best Australian vintages (Penfolds Grange, anyone?), no trip would be complete without a visit to a winery. Rommelfanger suggests the Barossa Valley, a region that offers more than 60 wineries (ranging from boutique production to international sellers) and is just an hour’s drive from the city. She also recommends McLaren Vale, a little-known but great wine destination.