Top Tips for Planning a Weekend Escape

With busy schedules and hectic lives, more and more people are finding it harder to make the time for rest and relaxation. Whether you're a single looking to hang with friends, a couple ready for a romantic retreat, or a family needing to enjoy some quality time, weekend get-a-ways are a great solution. Here are some great tips for escaping - just for a weekend.

Fly Weekend Deals

If the idea is just to get away (and you're not too particular about where), sign up for discount programs offered by many of the major airlines. Some require enrollment in frequent flyer programs, but they also allow you to receive advance notification of discounted fares.

Delta's Web Fare program involves deals on Saturday departures with Monday or Tuesday returns - usually at substantial discounts. High traffic weeks, like Spring Break, may cause a temporary suspension of the program. The program also qualifies you to get exclusive deals - this week I received an offer for $200 off plus 2,000 bonus miles for booking any Delta air and hotel vacation to Mexico. I frequently receive Delta offers for $49 airfares to Charlotte, $69 - $74 flights to Tampa, even $119 to Phoenix from my home airport of Atlanta.

United's E-Fare program posts weekend sale fares at 12:01 a.m. each Tuesday. Flights are available after 7:00 p.m. on Friday or anytime on Saturday. Return flights must be booked for Monday or Tuesday. This week, you could leave Chicago's O'Hare for a weekend in Vancouver for $534 round trip, about half the cost of the normal fare.

American Airlines' Weekend Getaway Fares offer discounted tickets from a variety of airports each week. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, and return trips must be slated for Monday or Tuesday. New Englanders can book a trip to the Windy City for the weekend of April 2 for only $77 each way.

If you'd rather not depend on one individual airline, Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity check numerous airlines for the lowest deals. TripAdvisor will allow you to request an alert to notify you when prices drop to your desired destination.

Once you've got the fare, just go. Nearly every city that houses an airport will have activities, dining, and accommodations for a weekend escapade.

Roll the Dice at a Casino

Las Vegas and Reno no longer have a lock on the American casino market. With riverboat enterprises and Native American Reservations getting in on the act, a casino-based vacation is closer than you think - no matter where you live. There's also Atlantic City for those on the east coast.

Don't feel you have to gamble away your life savings to enjoy a casino vacation. One of the great things about these properties is the other amenities offered, including great stage shows, international cuisine, world-class spas, and a bevy of shopping opportunities.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino operates seven domestic locations in Biloxi, Chicago, Hollywood (Miami area), Florida; Las Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, Tampa, and Tulsa. Check each hotel's website for special room offers. The Hollywood property is currently offering the fourth night free with three paid nights. The San Diego hotel offered $199 in March, including weekend stays, with a $50 room credit good on any purchase at the hotel. At the Tulsa property, sign up for a free Cherokee Star Rewards cards and earn points redeemable for cash and other offers. Membership also includes special event invitations.

If you live in the Midwest, visit Belterra along Indiana's southern border. Less than an hour's drive from Cincinnati, the resort's hotel lies on the banks of the Ohio River and houses six restaurants. The gaming facilities are found aboard a moored riverboat. A web special room rate of $79 is currently posted, and there is plenty to do even if you don't wager. The heated outdoor pool opens April 17. Poison's Bret Michaels hits the stage on April 24. Engelbert Humperdinck comes to the CenterStage Showroom on May 22. If you are a gambling man, or woman, sign up for the resort's myChoice rewards program. Play the tables or slots to earn Choice Comps, which can be redeemed towards hotel costs, dining charges, or entertainment tickets.

Relax and Recharge at a Health & Beauty Spa

Spa resorts offer plenty of activities without any need to leave the property - a plus as weekend jaunts put time at a premium.

Red Mountain Resort & Spa in Utah is currently offering its Signature Package as a "last minute deal" - a bit of a misnomer since you can book it through June. Rates run from $219 to $299 per person per night on the weekends and include accommodations, all meals and numerous resort amenities, including a fitness center, cooking classes, pools and bicycles.

Check Spafinder for deals only available through its website. Currently, the site touts an InSPAration package at Florida's Willow Stream Spa offering 10% off room rates and a $100 Spa credit with a two-night stay.

Resident spas can be nice, but don't overlook staying at your favorite hotel and using a nearby day spa for your weekend retreat. The Marriott Dallas/Fort Worth Solana has partnered with Coldwater Creek Spas to offer a special weekend package through December 31, 2010. (Use the promotion code SPA.) Room rates start at $249 per night, including buffet breakfast for two and a $100 spa gift certificate. Spa rates are reasonable: $145 will get you an 80 minute hot stone massage. Paraffin treatments are available for $15 - $25.

Still need to be inspired but too busy to search for deals like these? Smarter Travel posts a monthly round-up of weekend getaways. Scan destinations, prices, and activities at a glance. The March report included whale watching in Redondo Beach, California from $178 per night to learning how to make maple syrup in Ontario from $95 a night. There are the more familiar offers as well, like family accommodations near Walt Disney World from $69 per night.

Information gathered from company and travel websites, as well as personal travel experience.