Because all travel-related businesses are hurting for customers these days, now is the first time in years when you can find real bargains for your upcoming summer ventures. And the process is super fast. No longer do you have to wade through piles of brochures, study the Sunday newspaper travel sections and sit through lectures at your friendly neighborhood travel agency.

Now, when clicking your computer, within seconds you can find hundreds of bargains as summer competition heats up for your travel dollar. A good way to start is to check out the online agencies, including Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Sherman and many others, all now eager to sign you on as a customer. They offer new and newer deals all the time, often posting last-minute bargains that just beg to be snapped up by savvy senior travelers.

If cruising is your choice, also try going directly to the cruise line websites and see what they’re offering this summer. If you prefer all-inclusive resort experiences, check out the worldwide choices, including the Caribbean, Mexico, Shanghai, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Tokyo, Canada and hundreds of others.

Look into the websites of your favorite airlines and find out what package bargain deals they’re offering this season. If hiking, boating and camping is your preference, the websites of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and all the other national parks are waiting for you out there in the fresh air.

Are you one of those lucky people who can stuff a suitcase on a moment’s notice, and be on your way within hours of finding the best last-minute bargain ever? If so, you may be a “flash packer”. You don’t have to be as energetic as a flash dancer, but a flash packer must be ready to recognize a bargain and leap into it.

Also, there are hundreds of bargains out there if you’re not interested in the posh palaces of overpriced hotels or super suites aboard cruises, and can be just as comfy with a basic room or cabin, low-cost transportation and cheap eats. And even if your hair is grey, you may want to go for hostel and B&B deals like the young’uns. Here are just a couple of the many, many information resources: EuroCheapo.com and Bed&Breakfast.com.