(MONEY Magazine) – Has winter worn you down? Do ads of brown-limbed women languishing beside aqua waters make you ache with envy? Are you itching to get away--preferably far away--but don't have the time?

Well, you're not alone. Rather than burn up their precious vacation in chunks of a week or more, many Americans are opting for a series of quick weekend trips. Indeed, the Travel Industry Association of America reports that such trips increased 70% between 1986 and 1996 and now constitute the majority of U.S. travel. Such jaunts are especially popular among travelers with demanding careers who'd rather not be away from the office (or perhaps from today's precarious stock market) for long. They find that a dozen short breaks spread over the year keep them invigorated better than one or two multiweek vacations.

These weekend wanderers value their time and demand an exciting and memorable getaway. They're among the 58 million Americans expected to take international vacations in 1998, and that can mean jetting to Paris or a Pacific island for a quick visit and "dropping major bucks on a hotel room," says Isabel Bishop, an agent at R.T. Peak Travel in San Jose--a city that is home to many harried (and moneyed) computer-industry executives.

A growing number of travel agencies cater to the luxe weekend market. They know which rooms have views at the best undiscovered hotels and which tables to book at the hot new bistro. And their connections can get you opera tickets or tee times on short notice. "We have pre-arranged rates and packages with hotels, so we can offer our clients extra perks like free upgrades or maybe even a car and driver," says Julie Lemish, a travel consultant at Rex Travel in Chicago.

After interviewing specialists in upscale weekend travel, MONEY has picked spots at six points of the compass that have appeal for every taste, from Old World romance to sundrenched beaches. While the resorts we've selected are among the best and most expensive, all weekends abroad offer good value these days, as airlines cut their fares for weekend stays and the strong dollar buys more in other countries.

CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA, CANADA

You'll be out of breath on your approach to Lake Louise, but it won't be from the two-hour road trip up through the mountains from Calgary or the thin air at 5,680 feet. You'll be struck by the drama and beauty of an emerald lake framed by the imposing castle of Chateau Lake Louise, a massive bluish glacier and the sawtooth Canadian Rockies. Rooms at the chateau are cozy and decorated in an alpine theme, with views of either Victoria Glacier and Lake Louise or the awesome mountain range. This romantic spot also serves as the base for some of the world's best downhill and cross-country skiing. And during snow season you can spend your days ice-skating, sleigh riding, tobogganing and dogsledding. Summer activities range from canoeing and fishing on nearby Lake Minnewanka to hiking and mountain-biking along wooded trails. The night life tends to be pretty tame, but after a day in the mountains and a dinner of renowned Alberta beef or fresh salmon, most guests are happy to lounge in the hotel with a hot chocolate or a snifter of Calvados and gaze out at the lake. Rates start at $55 a night, $150 for suites. Call 800-441-1414.

LAS VENTANAS AL PARAISO, LOS CABOS, MEXICO

This new resort at the tip of the Baja peninsula is a visual knockout, with ocean views on three sides and a scenic desert on the fourth. Just a two-hour flight from Los Angeles or Phoenix, Las Ventanas has an easy, elegant feel. The architecture is at once Mediterranean and Mexican, with lots of hammocks, palm trees and cacti, stone inlaid floors, carved cedar doors, rattan furniture and terra cotta fireplaces. You can spend your days snorkeling, deep-sea fishing or playing golf at one of the four nearby championship courses. And indulge yourself at the resort's spa, which offers herbal body wraps and aromatherapy facials. At day's end, find a seat facing west, snag a pitcher of margaritas, and watch the sun bleed into the ocean. Rates start at $475 a night; luxury suites start at $1,800. Call 888-525-0483.

CAMBRIDGE BEACHES, BERMUDA

This century-old cottage colony on the pastel island of Bermuda beckons, only two hours' flying time from New York or Baltimore. Cambridge Beaches is nestled just outside the village of Somerset, 25 minutes from the capital city of Hamilton, with the roaring Atlantic on one side of the resort and a tranquil bay on the other. Each pink stone bungalow is decorated with English antiques and colorful chintzes. You can start the day with breakfast on your private terrace, then stroll down to your choice of five uncrowded, pink-sand beaches beside sparkling turquoise waters. And if you tire of sunbathing, the island offers windsurfing, sailing and deep-sea fishing. Tennis courts and golf courses are plentiful, but if you want to play the private, world-renowned Mid-Ocean Golf Club, be advised that nonmembers are welcome on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only, and you can't reserve tee times more than 24 hours in advance.

Amid the unfortunate profusion of T-shirt shops in nearby Hamilton, the best stores still offer top-quality linen, cashmere, porcelain, china, crystal, watercolors and Cuban cigars. Cambridge Beaches also boasts a highly regarded chef, as do the Fourways Inn and the Newport Room at the Southampton Princess. Cambridge Beaches rates until mid-April start at $305 a night for two and include breakfast and dinner; suites start at $410 a night. Call 800-468-7300 for information and reservations.

THE LANCASTER HOTEL, PARIS

There's no kick quite like casually informing your beloved that he or she should pack for a weekend in Paris. This eternally romantic and sophisticated city is a proven cure for stress, especially if you stay at an elegant little gem like the Lancaster. The hotel's 60 rooms were recently renovated with splendid damask curtains, delicate Louis XVI furnishings and plush beds. Located just off the Champs Elysees, the Lancaster is at once quiet and convenient.

Even though your time is limited, idle over a cafe au lait at the terrace of a bistro like the famous Les Deux Magots on St. Germain, and simply watch the Parisians cruise by. (On a winter visit you won't see many tourists, and you'll find it easier to get into the best restaurants and museums.) The Louvre is a brisk 20-minute walk from the hotel, and a charming museum not to miss, the Carnavalet, is just a bit farther away on the Rue de Sevigne. Shop the Left Bank for the latest fashions, and savor open-air markets like the one on Rue Mouffetard in the fifth arrondissement, where merchants hawk baskets of baguettes, fennel and other simple delights. And light a candle for Chopin, Jim Morrison or another of the luminaries buried at the Pere Lachaise cemetery. After a late-afternoon glass of pastis at Cafe Marly on the Rue de Rivoli, relax at the Lancaster and then dress up for a night on the town. We recommend dinner at 404, followed by excellent people watching at Natacha. The concierge can help with reservations. Rate: about $1,452 for a three-night stay. Call 011-331-40-76-40-76.

THE LODGE AT KOELE, LANAI, HAWAII

Yes, we know: Hawaii isn't exactly "abroad." but it offers a delightful blend of the exotic and the familiar, especially at this resort on the tiny, sparsely populated island of Lanai. It's not palm trees you see as you roll up the drive to the Lodge at Koele but pines, and a pasture full of horses running as free as in Marlboro country. The Lodge is a lush, tropical mountain retreat that resembles a plantation home and is often blanketed in clouds. Its expansive, Asian-accented lobby is replete with fireplaces and dark wood, while the 105 cozy rooms have four-poster beds and little sitting areas with plump chairs.

Koele prides itself on its mystical appeal, but it's the stylish 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman and Ted Robinson that draws many weekend wanderers. Down the road at Manele you'll find another, even more breathtaking course, where several holes flank a cliff with endless views of the Pacific. The island is home to diverse microclimates, from dry fields of golden grass to lush green mountains, which are best explored over unpaved roads in one of the island's rental Jeeps. The beaches are great for sunbathing and strolling, but in most places the coral reef makes taking a dip dangerous, and the surf is heavy, so swimming is best done back at the pool. Once you've worked up an appetite, try the local venison or opah (a native ocean fish) in the main dining room at the lodge. Then stroll around the garden and tour the glass orchid house, or mellow out on the roomy, cushioned wicker deck chairs overlooking the island's old pineapple fields. Rates start at $325 a night, $600 a night for suites. Call 800-321-4666.

RITZ-CARLTON, MONTREAL, CANADA

If you live in the northeast and long for a quick getaway to somewhere really foreign, book a trip to Montreal. After just a 90-minute plane ride (from New York), you'll land in a city that is distinctly French in language and culture but has its own unique charms. The local Ritz-Carlton is impeccably done in an ornate French style, with vast rooms and elaborate chandeliers, and provides little personalized luxuries (such as setting up cooking facilities in Sophia Loren's suite so she could make her own pasta). The location allows walking access to the city's main attractions, including the museums and majestic churches of Montreal.

For shopping, stroll Rue Sainte Catherine, Sherbrooke and Saint-Denis. If you're looking for hip and ethnic areas, head for the Latin Quarter and Plateau Mont-Royal. Fashionable restaurants, including the excellent Restaurant Toque, are found along Saint-Denis and Saint-Laurent Boulevard--as are some of Montreal's most attractive men and women. That they speak French only adds to the allure. And here's a tip: Don't be afraid to try your high school francais here. These aren't haughty Parisians; most will appreciate the effort and will help you along. Rates start at about $105 a night, $230 for suites. Call 800-363-0366.