by Cindy Kessler

Created on: November 09, 2009

The internet has changed the way we do our travel planning and allows the last minute traveler to have access to information that only a travel agent was privy to a few short years ago. And that information includes valuable vacation planning sites from across the globe. A few of them are listed here.

Hot vacation spots are often great places to look for last minute vacation deals. The major airlines all offer last minute travel packages and should be one of the first places you look.

American Airlines offered a flight and hotel package to Orlando, Florida for only $300 recently and to Washington, DC for $220. Round trip airfare to Central America was $119. www.aa.com

United Airlines had a round trip to Europe for $263 and hotels in London starting at $120 per night. A round trip flight to Hawaii was only $264. www.united.com

The most popular destinations in the US are Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. So a last minute trip to any of these cities just might garner a bargain or two. Check with airlines and hotels for specials.

Don't forget to check the Convention and Visitor Centers at any location in the US that you are interested in visiting. They have information on everything from accommodations and restaurants to shopping and events.

Ski resorts and beachfront properties experience down days even during the "season" so check with them just in case your available travel dates coincide with vacancies at their places.

Cruise ships offer some of the best last minute travel deals so Miami is definitely on the list of best locations for vacation deals. Norwegian Caribbean had last minute deals for $119 and Carnival had last minute specials starting at$159.

A trip to Boston on www.lastminute.com was $188 for round trip flight and hotel.

Las Vegas always has special promotions and the casinos on the strip often offer five star accommodations at cut rates. The MGM Grand recently offered rooms for $59.

For discount Hawaii vacations check out www.4hawaii.com a round trip flight and three nights at the Oahu Sheraton Princess Kaiulani was only $399 recently.

Central America has begun to aggressively solicit vacation travelers and if your dream location is in the lower Americas check with the specific countries web site and airlines for special last minute travel deals.

A great last minute travel deal can be found at almost any destination so don't hesitate to try for Aspen, Colorado or Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the height of their season. You might just get lucky!

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