Honeymoon How-To: Globe-Trotting Close to Home

By Bev Bennett

Sometimes, it's OK to accept a substitute. A so-called "shadow" honeymoon destination offers a reasonable facsimile of a more exotic locale, at far less cost.

Chinatown can provide a taste of Asia in North America. Photo credit: Sheryl Schindler, San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau.

You and your newly minted spouse are lusciously exhausted after your first day of skiing. You duck into a charming Alpine cafâ for a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

Or, maybe you two are sitting in a Roman trattoria sipping an afternoon espresso while watching a group of men play bocce ball in the nearby piazza.

Although you may think these romantic interludes are only available if you honeymoon in a far-distant locale, that's not the case.

"Shadow" honeymoons - destinations reminiscent of foreign lands, but accessible for a fraction of the cost and far less hassle - are to found throughout the U.S. They offer a hint of the exotic with none of the financial backlash involved in a disadvantageous exchange rate. All you must decide is what you'd like a taste of.

Here are ideas to inspire you.

The European mountain ski experience:

Head to the Rockies for a look at the Old West meets the Swiss Alps. Breckenridge, Colo., is fun for the gingerbread architecture that may remind you of Heidi. Canada's own Whistler/Blackcomb offers one of the most romantic getaways in the world, including a pedestrian-only alpine village.

The Chinese experience:

San Francisco's Chinatown is one of the oldest and largest outside China. You'll find shops where you can buy personally blended tea, cookware stores with chopsticks to match your kitchen decor and jade jewelry in any price range.

Maria Harner at Travel Duet (www.travelduet.com) in Deerfield, Ill., recommends the Pan Pacific Hotel.

"It's an Asian-flavor hotel in the heart of the city," says Harner.

The hotel sponsors walking tours that zigzag through Chinatown. Stop at Portsmouth Square, which is a popular gathering place for Chinese residents.

Vancouver has one of the most dynamic Chinatowns in North America, featuring a strong and vibrant ethnic community and a prosperous commercial district.

New York's Manhattan Chinatown experience isn't as authentic as it once was, but if you thrive on bustling crowds and love poking through stalls of cheap goods, you'll be pleased.

The French Experience:

Without a doubt, Quebec offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities with a truly Gallic flair. Architecture, cuisine, and language will conspire to take you to a new old world. Compare the modern bustle of Montreal to the historic beauty of Quebec City.

The Italian experience:

Again, San Francisco has an alluring Italian district. The North Beach area draws tourists and locals with its outdoor cafâs, restaurants, shops and bookstores including the famous City Lights Bookstore, a mecca for the beat poets in the '50s.

If you love street sights and art, plan your trip around the North Beach Festival, one of the oldest outdoor art festivals in the country, suggests Marsha Garland with the North Beach Chamber of Commerce.

"We've had people get married during the festival," says Garland. This year's festival occurs on June 19 and 20.

Despite movie producers' designs, New York's Little Italy isn't as truly Italian as you might like. If you're adventurous, you can opt for the Italian area of the Bronx and shop Arthur Avenue, according to the guidebook "USA" (Lonely Planet, 2004).

The Mexican experience:

Border states such as Texas, New Mexico and Arizona have thriving Mexican communities. Chicago, however, is also known for its bustling Mexican neighborhood. Pilsen, a short ride from downtown, has a mouthwatering selection of bakeries and gift shops along with some newer art galleries. Look for street murals and festive market atmosphere on the weekends.