KAUAI, HAWAII

Perfect for: The couple that likes to take their desires off the beaten path

The scene: Maui is too family-oriented to be sexy. For a throwback island with a primal vibe, make for Hawaii's most northerly hunk of rock, Kauai (view slideshow). This is the real Hawaii: Instead of loud silk shirts with flowers on them, you'll find rippling fields of luscious hibiscus. Instead of locals performing in grass skirts, you'll find them out in the sea, communing with the waves. The landscape is so potent and sensual that most visitors can't help but be overcome. Sharp, high mountains rise out of the thick green foliage, and dramatic cliffs give way to cerulean waters. You'll want to embrace all that raw beauty—and each other.

Don't miss: The all-but-inaccessible Na Pali Coast. Kauai is a get-out-there-and-do-it place, and the roads that ring the coast will bring you to most of the oceanside highlights. But adventurous souls will love the fierce Na Pali cliffs, which can only be reached by sea or by foot. Those waters can be awfully rough, so consider the Kalalau Trail, a footpath high above the coastline. It's an extremely strenuous 11 miles, but the first four hours are enough to get your heart thumping and your soul stirring—an awfully good excuse for fruity drinks later back at the hotel.

Between the sheets: This is not the kind of island where you want staff barging in to find you in some degree of undress. In the free spirit of the place, look to Pure Kauai, which rents out all types of private villas. Score an intimate cottage or a sprawling estate, and order up just the amount of staff and service you prefer. Or none at all.

NEXT: Shabby chic >