Although it may not seem a logical move, head to Europe while there are still some values to be found. As fuel prices continue to rise through the summer, so will trans-Atlantic rates. So go during spring at prices mostly under $700.

Travel with US Airways to Madrid, Spain, for $509 round trip (see additional costs below) on journeys started on or before May 15. The rate is valid any day with a one-week or more advance notice. Buy through March 31. www.usairways.com . Travel from Madrid by rail to Toledo (30 minutes), to Zaragoza (90 minutes) and to Seville (2 1/2 hours). www.raileurope.com .

American Airlines offers select spots in Europe at super affordable rates, but only for a limited time. To qualify, start trips April 6-15 and finish on or before April 20. Unique to this sale is a minimum-stay requirement of any five days. Rates include $601 to Copenhagen, Denmark; $627 to Dublin or Shannon, Ireland; and $636 to Lisbon, Portugal (plus taxes and fees). Buy tickets before April 8.

Egypt for less

The desert destination of Cairo, Egypt, is $824 round trip (see additional costs below) on travel started on or before March 31 on Delta or Northwest airlines. Delta requires no advance notice; Northwest requires at least a week. Buy tickets through March 31.

Gate 1 Travel has last-minute eight-day packages from Cairo, including a three-night cruise on the Nile with calls at Thebes, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, the Aswan Dam and tours of Cairo. Per-person rates, based on double occupancy, start from $689 on the March 27 sailing. www.gate1travel.com

Note: Airfare sales to Europe and Africa include a $210 round-trip fuel surcharge, but not extra taxes and fees, which can add an average of $160 per person. Prices are based on travel Mondays-Thursdays, unless otherwise noted. Rates for other days are $20-$30 higher each way. Economy-class airfares require a Saturday night stay with return completed within a month of departure. The required advance notice of travel is seven days.

Hotels.com saleAlways a trusted spot on the Web for bargains on worldwide hotels, Hotels.com, is running a 30-percent off sale on rooms booked through April 7 for stays through

April 21.

The list of sale destinations is long, including domestic cities and spots in Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe.

SunFest festival

If you're a fan of Florida beach getaways, head to SunFest, the state's largest music, art and waterfront festival held in West Palm Beach. This year's events, April 30 to May 4, feature more than 160 fine artists in photography, sculpture and painting, plus entertainment from 50 bands on three stages, including headliners such as the Black Crowes, John Legend, Fergie and Sheryl Crow.

Stay just under three miles from the festival site at the recently renovated Crowne Plaza West Palm Beach on a package that includes festival tickets, shuttle service between the hotel and the fest and accommodations.

Two-night stays start from $399 for two persons in a room and $449 in a suite. Four-night rates are $729 for a room, $799 for a suite. www.sunfest.com/lodging.php