Help! We've got a week of vacation coming up, and we've made no plans--just too busy to set anything up ahead of time. Do you have any strategies for the last-minute vacationing family?
Spontaneity rules! And there's a benefit to the quickie trip--you can take advantage of last-minute deals. As long as you're flexible--as in, not totally fixed on one destination--you can have an awesome vacation in three weeks or less. Here are some ideas:
CONSIDER ORLANDO
You can often get cheap airfares to O-Town with just a few days' notice, versus the one- to three-weeks' advance ticket purchase required for most other destinations. And there are tons of hotel rooms around the theme parks, so you're sure to find one. Feeling gutsy? Go to the Orlando CVB when you hit town, and look in their Black Book for cut-rate, last-minute hotel deals. For info on hotel consolidators, see "Road Trip" below.
CRUISE IT
If your bunch likes big resorts with lots to do, why not try a floating version of the same? Mega-ships have mucho cabins to fill, and at the last minute, they dump unsold cabins at bargain-basement rates. Try Spur-of-the-Moment Cruises (call 800-343-1991 or click here), advertising as much as 50 percent or more off last-minute bookings. Book the air portion of your trip directly with the cruise company.
ROAD TRIP
Don't want to fly? Then make it a road trip to the nearest enticing big city; hit the museums, ethnic neighborhoods, free cultural offerings. To save money on your hotel, check out a consolidator. Like outlet stores, they sell unsold rooms at bargain rates, offering savings of 20 to 50 percent or more. Try 1-800-USA-HOTEL (or click here), which works with more than 40,000 hotels, including major chains; and Hotels Online (call 800-383-2270 or click here), which has more than 50,000 hotels, including most chains, all over the US.
GETTING THERE
For last-minute airline deals, sign up with Smarter Living, which consolidates the e-saver deals from most major airlines. Also check out Travelocity for current specials and to compare fares, or Priceline to name your own ticket price.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in January 2001. Updated April 2006.
