The Four-Day Honeymoon

If you've spent all your savings on the wedding, and getting a month off for a trek through the Himalayas is out of the question, you may want to consider an abbreviated honeymoon. Three or four nights is plenty of time for a romantic escape if you plan it wisely.

For starters, think about a place you both really want to visit or something you both enjoy doing. The choices are mind-boggling, of course. Don't try to talk each other into anything. If you have never snow-skied, and he is a downhill demon, don't go to Aspen in January. If you're fluent in Spanish, but he can't say, "Servicio del cuarto, por favor?" avoid Ibiza or Cozumel.

For ideas, in addition to browsing the Web, check the travel section of your local paper where discounted package deals and competitive airfares are advertised. Many hotels offer discounts to state residents in the off-season. Plus, many destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean are priced at super-competitive rates and are easily accessible to most U.S. cities.

One Atlanta-based wholesaler, Vacation Express (800-848-8037), has incredible deals if you are flying from one of their charter cities, which include Charlotte, Nashville, Memphis, Louisville and DC. For example, three-night fall getaways, including airfare, to Jamaica's understated, elegant Round Hill go for $639 per person. To Cancun's Hyatt Regency -- an incredible $389.

For a feel of the Caribbean without leaving the country, consider the Florida Keys. Scuba enthusiasts will be especially enthralled with diving opportunities at the U.S. mainland's only living coral reef. Kayaking, hiking, camping and snorkeling are also available year-round.

My favorite low-key hideaway, in Islamorada, Fla., is The Moorings (305-664-4708). With just over a dozen private cottages dotting the pristine 18-acre site, you'll be left to each other. A relatively large beach (1,000 feet) and a whole bunch of privacy are what set this place apart from other overly commercial spots in the Keys. Rates vary dramatically depending on the size of the home, but start at about $200 per night.

Eat next door at the Cheeca Lodge's superb Atlantic Edge (305-664-4651), where you'll find innovative and fresh seafood offerings in the upper Keys' most elegant surroundings.

If you've never been, Key West's Duval Street is worth a stop, to see the sunset and some Bourbon Street-type mayhem. All the big resorts are there, from the Marriott to the Hilton. In the same price range ($225-$350 per night in season) but a lot more intimate is the Marquesa (800-869-4631 or 305-292-1919). Their restaurant's innovative menu is the best on the island.

Also, dozens of bed and breakfasts are clustered within walking distance of Old Town. To find one, call Reservation Hotline of Key West (800-546-5397 or 305-745-9977; or use the B&B Finder). For more details, call 800-FLA-KEYS, or visit the Website at www.fla.keys.com.

In the Northeast, for a real old-world feel, the island of Nantucket offers the quaintness of a small town with plenty of diversions. This old-fashioned resort town is shrouded in history and fog. Its gray shingled houses, cobblestone streets and manicured gardens are romantic and inviting.

Once the capital of the American whaling industry, Nantucket now offers up-close glimpses of the mammoth beasts, led by naturalists of Nantucket Whalewatch, (800-WHALING). Join the summer crowds in town for shopping, gallery-hopping and waterside dining. And for a chance to swoon, head up to the Great Point Lighthouse, a remote and romantic excursion. For more details, go to the island's Website, www.nantucket.net.

On California's north coast, keep toasting your nuptials while touring the vineyards of Napa or Sonoma. By boat, car or bicycle, you'll enjoy the natural beauty of the wine country's famous redwoods and superb libations. While in the area, you must sample the cuisine of one of the country's very best chefs, Chris Salans. His French Laundry (707-944-2380) and brand-new sister restaurant, the more traditional Bouchon (707-944-8037), redefine French cuisine.

The very finest (and priciest) place to stay in the valley is the French-run Auberge du Soleil (800-348-5406). Beautifully appointed rooms and a superb restaurant make it a popular destination for the most discriminating travelers. Rates are $300 to $900 nightly.

For a rundown of vineyards and detailed maps, see Wine Spectator magazine's site at www.winespectator.com. A hot air balloon ride at dawn followed by a champagne brunch ($185 per person) provides a breathtaking view of the valley. You can get details at the Website (www.napavalley.com) or call Napa valley's Visitor's Bureau (707-226-7459).

If you'd prefer to stay closer to your wedding site and splurge on a luxury hotel within driving distance, The Ritz-Carlton chain, with more than 20 properties in the U.S. (800-241-3333), makes a point of going overboard when it comes to pampering guests. A special occasion package, which includes champagne, flowers, chocolate strawberries and breakfast for two, is available at most locations -- starting at $200 in Kansas City and $595 in Boston, depending on the season. Ask about four-night honeymoon packages, which may include massages, limo transportation, breakfasts and dinners, too.

Oh, yeah, you may want to find a destination where children are not allowed. You'll have plenty of time for that later.