Once you've decided that you deserve a restful, relaxing week away from work, you need to choose a locale.

Despite the continuing threat of terrorism and the less than robust economy, the travel industry is bracing for a big summer season.

"Travel is definitely coming back," said Marybeth Bond, a travel expert for CBS/Evening magazine and author of several travel books. "People are booking at the last minute and there are still bargains and deals available."

In fact, there's a slight up-tick in the length of vacations and the size of the traveling parties, notes Mitch Robinson, marketing manager for Expedia, the country's largest online travel site. Families are traveling again and taking advantage of deals after being pent up all winter and spring.

One of the most popular destinations right now is Canada, where the U.S. dollar is worth about $1.50 compared to the Canadian dollar. Canada is considered a safe haven for those worried about terrorism, yet locations like Vancouver, Montreal and Banff have the flavor of a foreign destination.

With the advent of online travel sites and the ability to shop and compare, it's virtually never too late to find a travel deal. Great package deals, for example, can still be found for resorts in Mexico, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Orlando, Florida — destinations that have a real vacation feel, but aren't too far for U.S. travelers who may still be wary of flying overseas.

In fact, most U.S. travelers continue to confine their travels to the Americas, though growing numbers are beginning to at least fly to their American destinations. New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas are all reporting steady travel interest. Travelers understand better now what is expected in terms of security and delays at U.S. airports, Robinson said. They are also becoming very organized, aware of what to pack, and, for those with children, prepared for longer waits.

The only overseas destination that is on the rise this summer is the United Kingdom, which might be related to a sense of safety and familiarity, he said.

Car travel, which has benefited from the relatively cheap room rates across the United States this summer, is also on the rise - especially for the budget minded.

A return to nature is another good idea for last-minute travelers. Yosemite and other national parks have experienced drops in tourism this year.Vacation procrastinators may still have a chance to book a room this summer, Bond said.

So pack those bags and happy trails!

Web sites:
www.marybethbond.com
www.expedia.com

Richard Hill, a senior packaging engineer in Wisconsin, hasn't taken more than a three- or four-day weekend vacation since 1994.

His reasons vary - from worrying about who will cover all the details at the office, to concern about being behind at work when he returns. Even when he's managed to tear himself away, he still thinks a lot about work.

"My biggest problem is that I never completely relax during the time off," Hill said. "I never get well rested."

Hill is not alone.

For the second year in a row, a survey commissioned by online travel agency Expedia.com revealed that American workers currently neglect an average of 1.8 vacation days per year, giving back almost $19.5 billion worth of unused vacation time to their employers.

Not surprisingly, more than half of the employees who don't take all the vacation time they're entitled to (55%) report high levels of feeling overworked, according to a recently released study by the Families and Work Institute in New York.

It's a common American rut, a product of our famous work ethic and of the increasing pressure to produce more in our competitive, fast-paced economy. Many of us just can't detach from our jobs, and feel that no one else can handle our workload. When we do "get away," we still want to check e-mail and voice messages - even if it's from the beach.

"There are situations in which employees really can't let go of work," said Natalie Gahrmann, a New Jersey-based on-line columnist on work/life issues and a career coach.

Still, there's hope. Fifty-seven per cent of American workers, according to the EXPEDIA survey, said they plan to take all their vacation days this year in an effort to give rest, relaxation and time with loved ones their proper dues.

The consequences of overwork, according to experts, can be grave. They include a higher potential for heart attacks, aggravating existing illnesses such as cancer, and other problems like alcohol or drug abuse.

"Workaholism is a fatal addiction," said Ken D., a retired doctor from the Bay Area and a spokesperson for Workaholics Anonymous. Their Web site is www.workaholics-anonymous.org. Workaholics need to get help overcoming their addiction, he added.

Ironically, most workplaces actually want their employees to take the time to which they are entitled, said Ellen Galinsky, president of the Work Institute, who recalled a meeting she had with a CEO of a large corporation: "He commented that if employees burn themselves out at work, they are not any good to him."

Vacations allow employees to renew themselves mentally and physically, gain some perspective, and process information better. They boost creativity and productivity and improve employee retention and workplace morale.

"That's why vacations were invented," Galinsky said.

For all those reasons, U.S. employers and managers should encourage their employees to reap the full benefits of a break by taking week-long vacations - not just three- and four-day mini-vacations, said Gail Jern, human resources representative for Westaff, an international staffing company based in Walnut Creek, California.

Here are some simple steps to encourage vacations:

• Let employees turn a business trip into a family vacation by tacking on a long weekend at the end of it.
• Reduce workaholics' fears that their office will "fall apart" in their absence by cross-training employees and having a game plan set up in advance. Know who can do someone else's job, what passwords and equipment will need to be transferred, and even what kind of emergency will warrant interrupting someone's vacation with a phone call or e-mail.
• Help employees get their work done before a vacation by defering assignments until they return, or providing temporary replacements for them.
• Consider shutting down an entire office for a whole week, particularly around a holiday.
• Managers should also take vacations themselves to set an example for the rest of the office and to signal that it's really OK.
• Make a workplace more vacation-friendly. Create a billboard for vacation postcards, offer coupons to family theme parks, and allow workers time to chat about vacation plans.

Managers should be particularly insistent if they notice signs of stress, such as depression or changes in behavior: a gregarious employee who suddenly become quiet or a patient worker who develops a short fuse.

"They need to stay on top of the situation with employees," Westaff's Jern said.

Web sites:
Contact Natalie Gahrmann at www.bluesuitmom.com or www.transformingwork.com
www.workaholics-anonymous.org
www.expedia.com
www.familiesandwork.org