Whether you're catching the red-eye to see mom and dad or just want to travel over the holiday, you'll get the best deal if you plan now. Prices are low and options are many. To get the best deal on your airfare, it's important to shop around while, at the same time, booking your flight 21 days in advance. The Internet makes it easy. Check for online specials from individual airlines, and then visit sites such as Bestfares, Expedia, Orbitz, Smarterliving, and Travelocity. Much online planning can be done within an hour. Yet, if you're not in a hurry, why not travel by train? The whole family gets to relax, including the often stressed-out designated driver. And it's tough to top the view; you can go to sleep looking at smooth plains and wake up to mountains. It's a view of America that you can't get from a passenger plane. The Internet can help you research and plan a weekend escape by rail. Web sites with rail travel advice and vacation information include The Train Traveler and Trainweb. The only problem is, with this route, it is tough to land a super-low fare. As with airfares, some of the best deals on rail travel can be purchased online. Amtrak offers discounted tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis to online customers. You may also want to check out train fares available through a local travel agent. Then again, if you won't be visiting relatives, you can still take advantage of low fares and the holiday break. Many places which are expensive during the summer travel season are very inexpensive during the winter. Generally, during the winter it is more economical to travel places where it's cold-or at least not warm-so think north when planning your trip. Cruising in the South Pacific during the end of December is less than $85 a day. While, at the same time, domestic airfare is cheap. Example: Nashville to Dallas round trip - $188.50 Also, the current lull in business travel means lower hotel prices for leisure travelers as well. To get the best hotel deal from among the already low prices, plan the timing of your stay according to the type of place you visit. The same Web site used for searching flights can help you find the best hotel deals. However, even if you're on a skimpy budget, you could still afford to get away. To cut costs, plan a vacation close to home. There's almost always something interesting to see in your hometown. Explore the sites you might not normally visit, like a local museum or holiday festival. Think about places that are within 100 to 200 miles from home, where you can drive in a few hours. Look at the Website for cities' convention and visitors bureaus. They often highlight local specials you might not read about in your own local paper. Most importantly, relax over your holiday vacation travel. Keep yourself entertained whether it be with a book or magazine, headphones or video games. Along with entertainment, pack a snack. Airport dining is often bad and horribly overprices and many airlines will not be serving any type of meals on most flights.