Lisa Snowdon and her boyfriend of the past year George Smart look like a pair of honeymooners as they snuggle up at Shirley Heights, the well-known sunset spot on the Caribbean island of Antigua.
"Just look at that view. It takes my breath away," says the former Capital Radio FM presenter, as she marvels at the stunning panorama overlooking English and Falmouth Harbours. "They say there are 365 beaches on the island – one for every day of the week," she adds knowledgeably.
The couple, who have been staying at Rock Cottage, an exclusive private villa at the well known Blue Waters' resort, have been spending their days swimming, kayaking and simply lounging by their private infinity pool.
"You see pelicans flying overhead at sunset and there's a little turtle who pops his head up and says 'Hello,' every morning," enthuses Lisa. "We have an amazing chef called Dennis who cooks us amazing fresh seafood. Everyone is so warm and friendly."
This isn't the first time the 44-year-old model and presenter has been to the island but it's the first time she has been anywhere so far flung with entrepreneur George, who is seven years her junior.
"We've been on a few trips together but never on a gorgeous luxury beach break like this, which is my sort of holiday," says Lisa, who first met George some 14 years ago when she was working at MTV where he was Head of Events.
"I have been showing him all the sights," smiles Lisa, whose previous beaux have included Hollywood star George Clooney, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation actor Gary Dourdan and footballer Jay Bothroyd.
"Shirley Heights is a great place to come on a Sunday night. They have steel bands, a bar and you can sit on the edge of cliff and watch the sun go down."
Another fascinating spot is the old naval dockyard, Nelson's Dockyard, which was this year given Unesco World Heritage status. Named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who lived in the Dockyard from 1784 through 1787, it was considered one of the finest natural harbours in the Caribbean and was built by generations of enslaved Africans, who were brought from the nearby sugar plantations.
"It’s a rather sad place really," says Lisa solemnly. "But a very interesting historical site which has a wonderful museum."
Fully restored to its original splendour, these days the 18th and 19th century buildings house modern amenities such as shops, hotels, and the slave ships have been replaced by luxury yachts. Visitors can also see the remains of Betty's Hope, which was the island's flagship plantation - although Antigua was once home to as many as 190 others which relied on slaves for labour.
Sadly Lisa didn't manage to go deep sea fishing, as she was hoping, due to unfavourable weather conditions, but she joined in with locals instead.
"I caught a grouper and a little snapper fishing off the rocks - but we put them back because they were little," she said. "They do a local soup called Fish Water, which is a local broth with lots of different fish in it. It's delicious," says Lisa.
As well as swimming in the sea and going to the gym, she also managed to indulge in some wonderful treatments at the hotel's spa, which uses Elemis products.
"I did a ginger and lime salt scrub and had an aromatherapy tub," says Lisa, who is something of an expert on spa treatments.
The couple also spent time strolling through the stunning gardens of the resort which overlook Soldiers Bay. Despite the romantic setting however – cocktails at sunset and barbecues-a-deux on their terrace - Lisa insists she has no announcements to make. But she clearly sees her future with George.
"I do (see my future with George) – and what's lovely is that we both feel the same. We are completely in sync and feel exactly the same way about each other," she says.
The former model has been busy since she said goodbye to her morning radio show almost a year ago. As well as being into her third year designing her own jewellery line for QVC, she went down a storm when she covered for Lorraine Kelly on her daily show in August and has been entrusted with the serious task of finding 'Lorraine's Hot Pants', a new face to front a men's underwear campaign for Debenhams, along with Patrick Grant and Mark Heyes.
Bathed in the rosy glow of a Caribbean evening, it is hard to believe she will be 45 next January. There's nothing she is particularly wishing for before then. "I just want to continue feeling peaceful and happy," she says. "We are hosting Christmas at home this year and having everyone over."
And who knows, if she and George manage to fit in a return trip to Antigua in the New Year, next time maybe they really will be honeymooners!
For more information on Antigua & Barbuda visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com. 7 nights at Blue Waters, Antigua: from £5,945 per person. Price is based on two persons sharing a Rock Cottage on an all-inclusive basis, economy flights from London Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic including private transfers & UK lounge passes.
For further information, please contact Elegant Resorts on 01244 897515 or visit elegantresorts.co.uk.
For more information on Blue Waters hotel please visit www.bluewaters.net
