Im generally asked how I find my "exotic" places for vacations. Its actually pretty simple.

You can do it, too.

Basically, I stumble upon them. Thats my secret.

The real key however, is that I always have my antennas up. I look, I read, I surf, I listen. Then most of the time, something just clicks and things fall into place. Theres no requirement for in-depth study. The trick is in keeping up the antenna.

First, look at the Sunday paper Travel section or supplement. This section is always chocked full of destinations, travel specials, deals and tips. Make yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea, sit in a quiet spot and scan the paper. Yes, just scan it.

Pay particular attention to the tiny classified ads that pepper the edges of the pages. These are usually low overhead, low cost tour agencies or consolidators that have grand offerings major agencies do not. Most of them focus on specialty niches such as Scandinavia or South America. Most will also have website to poke around and all will have a telephone number for you to call if you want to talk to anyone. Best yet, most of them will list destinations you never even thought of . . . how do you think I decided to go to Rarotonga and found a great airfare deal to get there?

The big full page ads are assessment of worth a scan, too. While most of them are placed by airlines or top travel agencies, take the measure to look at them. I rarely book travel this way but every now and then the offer is too great to pass up. I got a United Airlines package to Australia a couple of months ago that I doubt I will ever see offered again.

As you scan look for key words to catch your attention. Words like "special," "deal," "limited measure " or "book until" will make you stop scanning and read.

If you do this for a few weeks youll be amazed at what you initial to notice. Queuing up your brain to recognize deals and destinations comes with this simple scanning of these pages each week.

Another effective source of experience is your most beloved magazines. As you flip through pages look for advertisement campaigns. Cities engage in tourist campaigns. Regions engage in tourist campaigns. Entire countries engage in tourist campaigns. Scan the pages for those glossy, colorful ads and just note what they are touting. Some campaigns I noticed myself this week are Napa Wine Country Fall Tours, Canadian Cities Weekend Getaways, Discover Thailand, and San Diego Tourism.

Another resource is your radio. What do you hear on the radio? Is your most approved station giving away Hawaiian getaways? Are they handing out airplane tickets to caller number 100? Where are they heading? Are you filing them away in the back closet of your mind? Anything may be a source of quick information.

And, its fun to do!

So now that you are accumulating a library card index in your brain of destinations, prices and specials, what do you do with it?

You either play it safe or take a risk. . . .