Need an escape from winter? It's not too late

The query came in by e-mail: Where can I find a last-minute, warm-weather deal? When thaw turned to ice again last week, I knew other people would wonder the same thing.

The past few months have been rough on travelers. Economic concerns as chilling as the weather compel some to stay home, but unrelenting winter finds them dreaming of the beach -- and maybe finding a way to get there.

"We hear it every day: 'We have to get away,'" said Wendy Weigel, vice president of travel at AAA Minneapolis.

The good news is that booking late can nab you deals, and there are plenty of websites and travel agents to help you find them.

These tips can point you in the right direction.

Anyone seeking a last-minute getaway should think about places with plenty of flights, which will tend to have more seats available: Cancun and the Mayan Riviera, for instance, said Bonnie Lee, owner of TravelQuest in Albertville, Minn. Being flexible with travel dates and destinations or booking a charter trip can also help land a good price.

Disney is a relative bargain, said Weigel, whose agency garners special rates as a preferred partner with the theme parks. While cruises are cheaper than ever, getting to the port city on a scheduled airline at the last minute probably won't be, she warns.

Agents often know the market and can provide personalized advice based on experience and score low prices given their connections. Websites sometimes offer sale prices that are hard to find elsewhere.

At www.funjet.com, site for the charter company Funjet Vacations, you can explore by destination (Orlando or Mexico, for instance) or interest (family, romance) and check out last-minute specials under the "More Vacation Offers" heading.

At www.worryfreevacations.com, site for the charter company Worry Free Vacations, "red hot deals" are posted every Monday night; booking for these super-savers begins Tuesdays at 12:01 a.m. and runs through Thursdays. A bargain I recently saw -- seven nights at an all-inclusive resort in Cozumel for $571, including airfare -- could mean only the early bird gets the sunshine for that price.

Other sites to try include www.apple vacations.com, with tabs for "super sale," "best buys" and "family"; www.lastminutetravel.com, which offers coupons for your destination (such as 10 percent off at Florida Dolphin Tours), and www.smartertravel.com.

Also, try www.kayak.com. The site, which tracks prices from many suppliers, is often used for airfare alone, but has a tab for vacations, where you'll find packaged deals.