Orlando’s world class thrill a minute theme parks and attractions have made this Florida town the No. 1 family vacation destination in America. But Orlando’s a good choice for couples vacations and girlfriend getaways, too.

Grown ups can look forward to luxury hotels, delicious cuisine, even wildlife adventures.

Wandering through the red brick Piazza Centrale at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, you’ll get in tune with “la dolce vita,” Italy’s sweet life. Fountains bubble in the courtyard, terra cotta and gold guestrooms glow with morning sunshine. A mandolin croons popular Italian songs as fishing boats bob in a placid reflecting pond. Cool neon vespas are parked everywhere- if they were real, you’d fire up their engines for a Tuscan countryside jaunt.

There’s a reason Travel & Leisure included this beautiful Italian style property on their “Top 500 Hotels in the World” list.

Early mornings are perfect for a refreshing swim in the sculpture garden pool.

Enjoy a lavish breakfast at The Portofino Club, where the buffet offers bagels, chocolate filled croissants, succulent strawberries, and cappuccino. After a restful sleep in your serene guestroom, you’re energized for an Orlando adventure.

On the Wild Side

First stop: Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive, reservations only tropical island oasis, where nature lovers interact with and learn about dolphins. You’ll also snorkel with tropical fish and manta rays, hand-feed exotic birds, and snooze on a sandy white beach.

Yoko, a gorgeous grey 14-year-old dolphin, swims up to me for a kiss and a hug. “Give her a friendly pet, she’ll be your best friend forever,” says Brad, her smiling instructor. Standing in cool waist deep water, Brad shares fascinating dolphin facts.

 “Did you know dolphins eat a wide variety of fish, squid, and crustaceans like shrimp?” he asks. “They swallow their food whole.”

Tossing a fish into Yoko’s wide toothy smile, it’s gone in a gulp.

“Dolphins are social animals,” Brad continues. “They swim in groups and communicate danger by slapping their tails on the water. They emit sound waves, called echolocation, enabling them to navigate the ocean and find food. Dolphins can live to be 25-40 years old. We determine their age by counting the rings on the inside of their teeth.”

Yoko surely understands everything Brad tells us, because she nods and squeaks her agreement. We grab her dorsal fin for an exhilarating ride across the pool.

Now that’s my kind of surfing.

More hugs, kisses, and photos - we’ve enjoyed a splendid time with this gorgeous mammal.

We relax that afternoon, with cold sodas in our private cabana. Then a salmon salad lunch, followed by snorkeling with manta rays and photographing exotic birds. A terrific wildlife experience, close to home.

The next day, we drive out to Forever Florida Eco-Safari for more wildlife encounters.  We climb into a huge “Coach Safari,” for a tour of Florida’s wetland and prairie areas.  “Back in the 1940’s, the cows out here lived wild and free,” says Carolyn, our guide and driver. “They had to be hunted for food. But now we have 10,000 cracker cattle, mostly grazing peacefully out here. We also have hundreds of birds, like hawks, eagles, cara cara, and sand hill cranes.”

 I ask Carolyn if she ever sees any dangerous critters.

“I’ve seen bobcats, wild hogs, and plenty of gators,” she laughs. “But we’re safe in the Coach Safari, so no worries!”

Forever Florida is home to 4,700 acres of pristine untamed wilderness, natural streams, and dense cypress forests. Kids attend summer camp, learning about ecology, conservation, and visiting with Jasmine, a 4-year-old captive Florida panther. Kids and adults alike love the new Zipline Safari, a high above the tree tops view.

“Florida is so much more than beaches,” says Carolyn. “We’re a living breathing thriving eco-system. You just never know what you’re going to see.”

Chocolate, other delights

 A few days of sports and wildlife adventures, you’ll be ready to indulge in Orlando’s fantastic culinary scene.

Highlights: Mamma Della’s Ristorante at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Strolling musicians and authentic Italian cuisine make for a memorable evening. We loved the “Fra Diablo”- spicy spaghetti with seafood, as well as their stuffed artichokes, and tiramisu.

Downtown Orlando, we adored Ceviche, a unique Spanish restaurant with a gorgeous cathedral ceiling. Ceviche serves over a hundred hot and cold tapas, like garlic spinach, seared tuna, crispy calamari and steak in mushroom cream sauce. Not to mention endless glasses of rich red sangria.

In Winter Park, Chef Brandon McGlamery dazzles with dishes like Islamorada spiny lobster, maple glazed duck breast, and an extensive wine list.

On lovely Lake Baldwin, you’ll discover Orlando’s newest “live/ work/ play” community. The town offers a walk everywhere lifestyle of homes, condos, shops, restaurants and even Trish’s tea shop, where locals network, throw dress up tea parties, or just unwind over soothing tea and a good book.

Our favorite culinary caper was an evening making homemade chocolate at Farris and Foster’s Fine Chocolates. Under the expert instruction of the F&F Team we blended light and dark chocolate with raisins, cherries, caramel's and M&Ms…poured them into fanciful molds and voila! created pounds of sweet delights. A high energy play list of Motown hits kept our enthusiasm high, as we danced around  this heavenly smelling candy shop. Stop by my house if you’d like a decadent sample.

Better yet: fly to Orlando for your Adults Only Getaway, and make your own.

 IF You Go

Through Dec. 15, Orlando offers a special “Free-for-Fall” promotion: a range of deals on free night accommodations, free parking, free dining, free room upgrades and more. Information: VisitOrlando.com/FallDeals, or call 1-888-ORL4-FUN.