There is a chill in the air and the fires are ablaze in Charleston. There is nothing more soothing to the body and soul than to be wrapped in a blanket of warmth from the glowing ambers and aroma of burning wood accompanied by the synchronized popping and crackling. Add to that a special someone and the scene is set for a romantic interlude. Ah, less we not forget some necessary complimentary components of a Marilyn Merlot or Cuvée Sublime to lubricate the path to passion accented by a plate of almonds, some decadent buttery foie gras, mouth watering raw oysters sucked right out of their shells, or asparagus.

Everyone knows the benefits of raw oysters as an aphrodisiac since it is very high in zinc. They were the favorites of both Cleopatra and Casanova, who ate 50 raw oysters every day. Asparagus is a member of the Lily family. It "stirs up lust in man and woman," wrote English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper in the 17th century. In 19th-century France, bridegrooms were served three courses of the risque' spears at their prenuptial dinner. The aroma of almonds supposedly arouses passion in females. Alexandre Dumas slurped on almond soup every night before slinking off to his mistress. Buttery foie gras is associated with fine living and sought the world over.

Two other fruits you might consider are the voluptuous avacado and shapely banana. Avacados have been associated with male sexuality. The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl," or "testicle tree." The Spanish found avocados so obscenely sexy, that Catholic priests forbade them to their parishioners. Bananas contain chelating minerals and the bromelain enzyme and are said to enhance the male libido. Central Americans drink the sap of the red banana as an aphrodisiac.

Now to the wine selection. Marilyn Merlot may sound ficticious, but it is a bottle of wine named after Marilyn Monroe. If you were perseptive enough to have bought a bottle of the 1985 stock, you'd be laughing all the way to the bank. You could peddle that particular collector’s item for about $3,000. The Blonde Bombshell's Velvet Collection features a “peel and peek” label. Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Sublime is a sweet sparkler from the champagne family. A bottle of the bubbly goes for $38. You may have your own preferences for such occassions. You got to go with what works for you, but at least give the aforementioned suggestions a try.

Here is a list of hotels and resorts in Charleston featuring specials and packages for romantic getaways. Click on the hotel link to check out what their package offers.

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Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on vacation blog Vacation Rick of Charleston.

"Tickets please." "May I show you to your seat." "Enjoy the performance." There is something nostalgic and exhilarating about attending live stage performances at old theaters. Originally from Northeastern Ohio, I periodically took the short thirty mile trek into the theater district of Cleveland called Playhouse Square and saw performances like the Lion King, Phantom Of the Opera, Cats, Starlight Express, and the Invisible Man. The architecture was stunning, the atmosphere was electric, everything exudes the feel of cultural distinction and gratification.

If you are willing to step out of the box when it comes to movie entertainment and cinema going to try some live theater look no further than the Dock Street Theater in the French Quarter of Charleston. The Dock Street Theater had been closed since 2007 and for the past three years underwent a multi-million dollar transformation and re-opened March 2010 ready to dazzle and gratify its patrons with a taste of Broadway.

The original Dock Street Theater opened in 1736. It was the the first building designed for theatrical use in the Americas. Quite a privileged distinction that sets it apart from all other theaters. One month after the theater was opened the name of Dock Street was officially changed to Queen Street, but the theater retained its original name. The building had numerous uses during the next 200 years. In the 19th-century it was replaced by Planter's Hotel where wealthy planters stayed during Charleston's horse-racing season, but in time became a derelict building and nothing more than a shell. In the 1930's it went through a restoration and the theater was in business again until it closed in 2007 when a full-scale renovation brought the historic theater into the 21st century with state-of-the-art lighting and sound.

There will be a benefit performance for Charleston Stage July 31st starring Michael Emerson of ABC's "Lost" and Carrie Preston of HBO's sizzling show "True Blood" in the Broadway hit "Love Letters". This will mark their return to the theater and kickoff the 2010-11 season with a full list of scheduled performances such as "Hairspray" in September, Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" in October, "Blue" in January, and "The Original Peter Pan" in March and April of 2011.

Put on your best, rent a limo, pop some bubbly, and strut your stuff for an evening of enchantment at the historic Dock Streeet Theater. Make it a complete package by reserving a place at one of the tables of Charleston's fine restaurants such as Charleston Grill, Circa 1886, Mercato, Halls Chophouse, Bocci's, High Cotton Maverick Bar & Grill, or Magnolias to name a few. Dock Street Theater is located at 135 Church Street.-Vacation Rick Travel

Can you answer: What drink was first introduced at the Planter's Hotel?

Article by Rick Dunbar first published on travel blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the articles on things to see and do in Charleston and beyond. 

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jiggety jig. To market, to market, to buy a fat hog, home again, home again, jiggety jog. To market, to market, to buy a plum bun, home again, home again, market is done. This nursery rhyme came to mind when I thought of writing about the Old City Market. Now I don't know about buying fat pigs, fat hogs, and plum bun, but the Old City Market originally sold foodstuffs, including meat, fish and fresh produce grown locally.

Today, the City Market is definitely the center of attention and on any given day, especially the warmer months with cruises in port and tourists in abundance, quite crowded. Many of the carriage rides begin their tours here and on both sides of the Old Market numerous specialty shops and restaurants cater to the many visitors needs and wants. Locally crafted sweetgrass baskets, clothing, artwork, jewelry, local souvenirs, perfumes, food, T-shirts, and other gift items are displayed by numerous vendors.

Coming down Meeting Street from the interstate there is no mistaking you have arrived at Old City Market because Market Hall stands out rather distintively compared to the surrounding structures. It was built in 1841 from a design by Edward Brickwell White and is a copy of the Temple of the Wingless Victory in Athens, Greece. Charles Cotsworth Pinckney ceded the land to the City of Charleston in 1788. So far his wishes that a public market be built on the site and remain in use as a public market into perpetuity has been honored. The low buildings that stretch from Market Hall to the waterfront have survived fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and bombardment.

Even now, as a resident, when taking new visitors or relatives to Charleston I invariably end up at the Old City Market like it is "Go" on the Monopoly Board. All my favorite restaurants and sites are a short walking distance. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co is there with their "Bucket of Boat Trash" and at one time offered you a chance to embarass yourself or show off your hula hoop skills at its entrance. Around the corner on East Bay Street is Southend Brewery where I stop for a sidewalk lunch and sample their great microbrews. Charleston Place, one of Charleston's finest hotel venues graces this area and also the Market Pavilion Hotel with its rooftop bar overlooking the Market where on a hot, humid evening you can catch the slight breeze coming off the bay while leisurely consuming a cool alchoholic concockshun.

The Old City Market is an intricate piece of the Charleston experience. Parking can be a challenge and patience is a must if you are looking to park on one of the streets, but there are lots and parking garages in the area as an alternative. By the way, if you see a man hosing down the street creating a sudsy, foamy looking substance, don't ask him what he is doing. Looking forward to seeing you hobnobbing around beautiful Charleston.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston

Article by Rick Dunbar first published on vacation blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the other articles on what to do and see in Charleston and more.

Tristan at the French Quarter Inn Order the Chef’s Tasting Menu

Located on the bottom floor of the French Quarter Inn, Tristan offers a bold American menu with a global influence in a beautiful, yet relaxed atmosphere that reflects the cosmopolitan character of a fine dining establishment. With entrances on Market, Linguard and Church Streets, Tristan offers an energetic bar and an award-winning wine list comprised of over 400 wine selections.

http://www.tristandining.com/

Trotters at the Town and Country Inn and Conference Center

It’s a buffet, so no need to wait on your food! Everything is delicious! Our menu and full Buffets always feature the finest in meats, salads and sides. Bountiful portions that will keep you coming back for more!

http://www.thetownandcountryinn.com/

Library at the Vendue Inn Order the Crab Cakes!

The Library is located in The Vendue Inn, surrounded by historic Charleston. Both hotel guests and locals savor the elegance and sophistication in this decidedly Lowcountry restaurant. The Library has been a traditional haunt of residents and visitors to Charleston's Historic District. Chef Carter's dishes are prepared with an emphasis on fish, meat and produce from small local farms, markets and artisans. An extensive wine list offers vintages to complete the experience.

http://www.vendueinn.com/html/top-restaurants-charleston.asp

Grill 225 at the Market Pavilion Hotel Truth in Beef.

The Market Pavilion Hotel is Charleston's newest and most luxurious hotel. Dining at Grill 225 is an experience like no other. The upscale, but relaxed ambiance. The exquisite service and the finest aged meats and the freshest seafood. They are a member of the Great Steakhouses of America. http://www.grill225.com

Swamp Fox at the Francis Marion Award Winning Fried Chicken.

The Francis Marion Hotel is locally owned and operated and we are a certified SC participate of Fresh on the Menu.  Every night of the week we are preparing five different delicious sides.  Among them are casseroles, fritters, stews and other Lowcountry specialties.  All have been sourced from local farms and vendors.

http://www.francismarionhotel.com/dining.htm

Palmetto Café at the Charleston Place Hotel Order the sampler. It’s just a small bite, but big taste of all the good things on the menu. The Palmetto Cafe offers a garden like setting framed by palms in dramatic planters, sumptuous fabrics in summer colors and an adjoining courtyard. Located on the main floor of the Charleston Place Hotel, the restaurant features innovative American cuisine using only the freshest local ingredients.

http://www.charlestonplace.com/web/ocha/palmetto_cafe.jsp

Amalfi's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria at the Best Western on Lockwood Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Amalfi’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria features a wide assortment of authentic homemade Italian cuisine. The food is prepared fresh daily from scratch by our personal chefs so we can guarantee the quality and freshness of the food for your eating experience, featuring foods such as gourmet pizza, stromboli, and calzones. If you are in the mood for something heavier, something lighter, or something in between, Amalfi’s has something to satisfy you. We have everything from Zuppa di Cozze e Vongole to Veal Scaloppine, and that’s just for dinner!!!

http://www.amalfisofcharleston.com/

I just saw the movie "Holiday" again for the umpteenth time. There is something about the movie I like that keeps me interested time after time. It has everything to do with the idea of being rejuvinated by rediscovering life and the possibility of achieving happiness despite life's setbacks, particuliarly in relationships. Holidays can do exactly that, rejuvinate and reinvigorate.

Holiday is an Europian term, here in the U.S. we call it a vacation. We vacate our everyday lives to experience a change of scenery and for a brief time immerse ourselves into a world of self gratification, reconnect with those we love, or experience something new and exciting. Some refer to it as "recharging their batteries". It could be a weekend respite or span an amount of time usually involving a week or two.

Charleston abounds with places to do just that, recharge the batteries. In this article I will highlight two of Charleston's more prestigious inns, Wentworth Mansion and John Rutledge House Inn. Wentworth Mansion is a AAA Five Diamond Award hotel and John Rutledge House a AAA Four Diamond Award inn.

Wentworth Mansion was built in 1886 by wealthy cotton merchant Francis Silas Rodgers. It was a private residence turned into one of the world's finest and most unique hotels. The hotel features 21 luxurious rooms and suites, all with whirlpool tubs and most have working fireplaces. It also has a spa. The original carriage house in the gardens behind the mansion is home to the Circa 1886 restaurant. The hotel offers a variety of packages through the year, many of which cater to couples looking for a romantic interlude.

John Rutledge was one of the fifty-five signers of the U.S. Constitution and built his home in 1763. George Washington made a visit to the home as a guest in 1791. The restored home was turned into an inn offering nineteen guest rooms within a complex of three buildings, the main house and two carriage houses. Some of the rooms have working fireplaces and jetted-tubs. It too offers a variety of packages that cater to couples.

They are not cheap, but why not indulge and immerse yourself into the Charleston of the past. John Rutledge House Inn is located at 116 Broad Street and Wentworth Mansion is located at 149 Wentworth Street.-Vacation Rick Travel

Article by Rick Dunbar first published on vacation blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the other articles on what to see and do.