I have an unexpected chance to take a quick trip by myself, leaving family at home. I'd love to go somewhere I've never been, but have only 3 or 4 days. I've been to much of Europe (but not the British Isles), Hawaii and the Caribbean. I don't want to spend most of my time getting to my destination. I live in the mid-South. Does anyone have any good ideas for a quick solo trip? I've been to Chicago, NY, San Fran, New Orleans. Have no desire to go to Las Vegas.

Also, are there any great websites for last-minute cheap travel deals? I like travelzoo.com....can you recommend others?

Thanks!

Key West. Direct flights out of Atlanta now on Delta.

San Antonio. Florida Keys. Santa Fe/Taos. Phoenix/Scottadale. Good luck.

--L.A.
--A southwest trip (a spa maybe?)
--Seattle/Vancouver** (my pick)

How about Savannah GA, Hilton Head SC or St Augustine FL? Do you like golf, tennis, historical sites, museums, party towns, what??

Palm Springs, CA. Book a series of spa treatments. The Willows, if you can.

Digital City Travel http://www.digitalcity.com/travel maintains a list of weekend websaver flights. Today you can get a $188 round trip from Atlanta to Seattle. And Seattle would be great for a 3 or 4 day trip - the outdoor market, Capitol Hill, the space needle, etc.

As a solo traveller, I much prefer this to sites that put together packages, mainly because the packages are based on double occupancy. So if you travel alone, the rooms are not always a bargain. Better to book the flight through Digital City, then get the room through Priceline.

I would go straight to Colorado! The snow is already deep and they have opened early in many places and it is so cheap! There are resorts that give free lift tickets right now and accomodation is nothing. If you go to Vail, enter ski school for 4 days and you will leave a low intermediate even if you have never been on skis before. You can hang out with the instructors at the Red Lion apres ski and have a blast. I think there are non-stops from Atlanta to Vail or Steamboat Springs, or perhaps Salt Lake City (Park City, Deer Valley). A short flight, great fun, sporty, and you won't feel lonely and you will spend 25% of what it costs normally. You can then take the whole family back on another occasion. And very safe! Evenings you can have spa treatments, Christmas shop and flirt with the cute ski instructors who will probably give you free lessons. If you make it to Vail, look up William Clark, he is a regular winter season instructor specialized in beginners, based in the Golden Peak part of Vail, and a really nice guy. He'll get you good in 3 to 4 days and eat sushi with you at night!

Here's another idea: go to a spa in Tucson, like the Golden Door. A friend of mine went alone for 4 or 5 days and she lost weight, learned yoga, made new friends, loved the nature and best yet, had hyponsis which helped her quit a 40 year smoking habit permanently!

Trish, hot weather or cold weather?

Try www.smarterliving.com for last-minute airfares, and www.site59.com for packages (air only, or some combination of air, hotel, and/or rental car).

I'm always tempted to go to Europe when I have a few days, but unless you are near an airport from which you can get a direct flight, that may be too much travel time. But if you rule that out, don't forget Canada and Mexico as possible options.

Boston, or elsewhere in New England, could be nice at this time of year.