Smart Travel: Primo travel destinations filling up early

Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service travel agency.

In the past few months, with a slow economy and worries about terrorism, travelers have taken to making travel plans on a last-minute basis. Sometimes that meant booking within two to four weeks of travel. But travel is picking up now, and travelers who wait until that last minute may find that their desired plans are not available.

Although resort and cruise reservations may still be open, the big problem could be the flights necessary to reach your destination. The airlines have cut back drastically on the number of flights available to most destinations. Seats on many flights are already booked months ahead and may still be subject to flight cancellations. The abundant airlift we have come to take for granted is no longer there.

If you have considered traveling at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, spring break or even Easter, be advised that these dates are filling rapidly. Ski resorts report heavier than usual early bookings, especially at the holiday dates. Many holiday cruises are already sold out, as are domestic and Caribbean resorts. It would seem that the pent-up need for travel, which has been put off for several months, is finally being realized.

Even nonholiday travel plans may be subject to heavy booking. Golf resorts in warm climates are showing vigorous reservations and even major European cities and European and Mediterranean cruises, which have been in the doldrums, are filling up.

A repositioning cruise we are taking that starts in Barcelona, Spain, and ends up in Ft. Lauderdale in November is filled; we were unable to get additional couples desiring this cruise on board as early as July.

Las Vegas, notorious for its ample supply of hotel rooms, is feeling the reservation crunch, too. Holiday dates in the most desirable hotels are nearly filled. There is no word from Orlando and Disney World yet, but they may have record numbers of visitors again for the first time in recent months.

If you are thinking about fall, winter or spring travel, whether over a holiday or not, you would be wise to start making your plans now, and not only planning but actually making reservations. This way you can be assured of getting just the trip you want and the accommodations you desire.

Waiting longer might make you have to accept a second or third choice. If you have travel in mind, get in touch with your travel agent soon and get the planning process started.