COLORADO HONEYMOONS

HOTELS YOU'LL LOVE:

• Sonnenalp Resort, Vail. 12 rooms, 128 suites. This upscale resort could be in Austria. Gracious European charm permeates everything. Opt for a spacious suite and work out kinks from your day in the Great Outdoors in the spa or indoor/outdoor pool. Breakfast is an unforgettable event. Ludwig's Restaurant is popular with everyone. 20 Vail Road, Vail Village. Tel: (970)476 5656.

• Hotel Jerome, Aspen. 92 rooms. 8 suites. One of the oldest and most elegant hotels in town, it has plenty of Victorian grandeur as well as all of the modern day comforts and more. Spacious rooms with big beds and big bathtubs make it perfect for sybarites. The bar and restaurant are famous gathering places but there are plenty of private corners to be shared. 330 East Main St. Tel: (970) 920 1000.

• Hotel Monaco, Denver. 157 rooms. 32 suites. This hotel does something different. A homey lobby and a colorful avant garde decor throughout attract celebrities as well as businessmen. Rooms are comfortable, and you can request a special one for tall people. The lively bar is popular and the restaurant has plenty of intimate tables for two. The management will bring a goldfish to make you feel even more at home. 1717 Champa St. Tel: (303)296 1717.

• Magnolia Hotel, Denver. 246 rooms. 119 suites. Spacious rooms with an elegant decor were carved out of this turn-of-the-century bank building. Homey touches like nightly cookies and milk, sumptuous breakfasts, drink coupons for popular Harry's Bar, and parties for guests are just a few of the perks. 818 17th St. Tel: (303)607 9000.

• The Cliff House, Manitou Springs. 38 rooms. 17 suites. You'll live at a former stage coach stop here. Victorian grandeur reigns throughout and sybaritic touches delight royalty, politicians, and celebrity guests from throughout the world. Bathtubs for two, heated towel racks, and steam showers pamper you more. Tel: (719)685 3000.

• The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs. 993 rooms. 107 suites. You can be alone together in this sprawling world renowned resort and learn a sport to enjoy for the rest of your lives. There are three great golf courses and a host of tennis courts with excellent instructors. A wide choice of restaurants, a famous spa, and a host of other activities make you want to stay longer. l Lake Circle. Tel: (719) 634 7711.

• Hotel Boulderado, Boulder. 160 rooms. This popular 100 year old hotel has the aura of days gone by accompanied by up to the minute modern comforts. Furnished with Victorian antiques, it has plenty of romantic atmosphere throughout . Reserve a room in the old building and/or a room with a panoramic mountain view. The lively bar and the picturesque restaurant are popular with locals as well as visitors. 2115 13th St., Tel: (303)442 4344.

HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:

• Make reservations. Reserve popular restaurants well in advance and re confirm on the day of your dinner.
• Dress in layers. Dramatic temperature changes can take place throughout the day.
• Tell a friend. If you go into the back country, let someone know where you're going and approximately when you'll return. Also, let them know when you're back home.
• Buy or rent outdoor gear. If you plan to visit remote areas, get the gear you'll need. It's easily available in most towns.
• Prepare for high altitudes. The Colorado Rockies are some of the highest peaks in the nation. Reduce alcohol consumption, drink plenty of water, and carry a sweater or jacket. If the thin air makes you dizzy, slow your pace and go to a lower altitude.
• Drive carefully. Mountain roads can be narrow. Carry a cell phone and an emergency kit if you travel into the countryside. Check the weather before you go. There can be snow in the summer!
• Don't forget sunscreen. Thin air at high elevations makes the sun more intense. Use sunblocks liberally.
• Watch for animals. Wild life is abundant and animals treat the back roads as their own.

HONEYMOON HIGHLIGHTS:

• Have a beer. Colorado breweries are world famous and so are their micro brewery pubs. Coors is made here, but there are hundreds of other local beers to try.
• Try an exotic local dish. Unusual meats such as elk and buffalo are found on many menus. Chile verde, a pepper stew, is also popular.
• Linger over dinner at a table for two in a romantic restaurant. This is a state where every dinner can be an awesome romantic event. At places like Vail, getting to the restaurant is part of the fun. You can reach some of the cozy places to dine in a horsedrawn carriage, a soaring gondola or a snow mobile. Or, you might choose to arrive on skis or on horseback.
• Be a sport. Hike, bike, climb, ski, snowboard, raft, play golf or tennis. Whatever you choose, get outdoors. There are plenty of parks and trails to explore and most are easily accessible. Eighteen major ski areas invite you to share their beauty year 'round.
• Rocky Mountain National Park. Over 300 miles of trails with splendid scenery lie within its borders. The world's highest highway, Train Ridge Road, is considered to be one of the most beautiful roads in the nation. Crystal Lakes, rushing rivers, flowering meadows and snow capped peaks are all part of the view. Wildlife, birds, and waterfalls are abundant. You can see it all by hiking or horseback riding. Let yourselves fall more in love in the fresh air of the high country.

ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:

• Game Creek Club, Vail. Eating here is an adventure. You catch a gondola up the mountain, then take a snowcat to the restaurant which looks like a Bavarian ski lodge with panoramic mountain views. Make a night of it and enjoy several courses as you share your dreams. Reservations are a must. 278 Hanson Ranch Road. Tel: (970)479 4245.

• Poppie's Bistro Cafe, Aspen. This Victorian hideaway has plenty of charm. Delicious food, the intimate atmosphere, and the cozy decor make it a meal to remember. 834 Hallem St. Tel: (970)925 2333.

• Vesta Dipping Grill, Denver. Cool couples who want to do something different love this restaurant. Comfortable banquettes are tucked away to offer the utmost in privacy and romance. Meat, fish and vegetables are expertly grilled and served with a wide selection of exotic dipping sauces. The wine list is wonderful. Reserve early. 1822 Blake St. in the trendy section of town. Tel: (303) 296 1970.

• La Petite Maison, Colorado Springs. You have a choice of two romantic dining rooms. French cuisine and decor make it look like a cozy bistro where you feel at home. 1015 Colorado Ave., Tel: (719)632 4887.

• Q's, Boulder. This restaurant/hotel has kept romance alive for over 100 years. Innovative chefs create affordable multi course meals designed to be accompanied by selections from their extensive wine list. The food and the ambience make every meal special, and you get a glimpse of one of the city's finest hotels to boot. Share an intimate moment on the mezzanine before you leave. 2115 13th St. in Hotel Boulderado. Tel: (303) 442 4880.

DESTINATION WEDDINGS:

• Coming Soon!