Where are you going on next vacation?

Your son has promised to work harder at school and your daughter has been getting great grades, too. Business in rebounding and you haven't taken your vacation for the past five years. What will you do during that period after the children receive their report cards and before you are chained to your desk?

How about a trip to China? Or India? Or Africa? How will you decide?

In the past, you would have to visit one of the many travel agencies scattered all over the city where you live. You'd spend some time listening to the travel agent's sales pitch, then go home and talk with your spouse, son and daughter. Usually, however, it was you and your spouse who decide where the entire family would be going to spend vacation.

Today, planning your vacation is so much easier -- and can be much more democratic as well. With the whole family gathering around your home PC, you can go to such websites as travelocity.com and expedia.com. First, with a click of the mouse, you can browse several interesting travel destinations and discuss them with your family in the comfort of your home. There is no pressure from the travel agent and there will be none of the guilt normally associated with the travel agent's failure to talk you into buying a tour package.

At travelocity.come, for example, you can check out places like Honolulu, Hawaii. You can learn about King Kamehameha and how to get to Pearl Harbor to "relive the turning point in history". Or, if you like snorkeling, you can learn about Hanauma Bay on the eastern part of Oahu island. What about learning about Hawaiian culture? This website will tell you that a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center is worth the effort.

Expedia.com provides a Vacation Wizard to help you plan your trip. All you have to do is answer a series of questions -- including, of course, how much you are prepared to spend, and the wizard will give you a list of vacation packages that meet your criteria. But please don't confuse the wizard by telling it you want to see Angkor Wat but are only willing to spend a maximum of US$20. No wizard would be able to offer you anything under such criteria.

Yet, what about the deals? Deals are always most welcome. Sites such as travelocity.com, expedia.com and others are chock- full of deals that are up for grabs. But don't forget small things like insurance -- which, you never know, could be a lifesaver. Sites like travelcorner.com offer useful tips in a Q&A format for things like insurance, passports, etc.

E-Travel sites, including hotel, hospitality and airline sites, are growing like mushrooms during the rainy season. You can book flights, hotel rooms, rental cars, etc. online. With the help of these sites, you can now do your homework at home. Zatni Arbi