Some holiday offers may seem too good to be true.

AT this moment in time sipping a cocktail on a deserted beach would be a most welcome idea. Instead I'm stuck in the office gazing out of the window at the approaching winter and wishing I were elsewhere.

Ten years ago it would be unheard of to turn the tables and be whisked away for a week of rest and recuperation.

But, with the internet revolution and the increasing number of holiday destinations, last-minute holidays are a godsend.

If you want to go away but don't know where or when then a travel agent will have the answer.

If you want to go away this weekend and still don't know where, then the internet may be able to help.

The rise of lastminute.com, ebookers.com and many others, as well as the increase in budget travel means that a weekend in Venice or Athens is only a click or phone call away.

But would-be travellers are being asked to be on their guard.

Internet sites - many of them foreign are luring customers by advertising cut-price holidays, which in reality are not available.

Trading Standards officers have been investigating the so-called bait and trap process of advertising low prices to attract potential customers who were then told that the lower price was no longer available and offered the same holiday at a higher cost.

The practice is spreading on the internet, where it is known as virtual pricing, says Institute of Trading Standards spokesman Bruce Treloar.

Internet sites offering cheap holidays have really taken off since the beginning of the year and we are trying to keep them up with the law," he said.

We are concerned about virtual pricing and we are looking particularly into last-minute holidays which are not available at the price advertised."

But he stressed that no specific investigations were being conducted into either of the two big online travel agents, Lastminute.com or Bargainoffers.com, and added: "We have had no specific complaints about these sites.

The institute was also very concerned that many sites offering cheap holidays were not UK companies as they have no jurisdiction over many of those sites.

Lastminute.com boss Brent Hoberman said his company's site did not use the "bait and trap" process.

That is not the way we run our business," he said. "It is in our interests only to show offers that are available."

If you're looking to escape at short notice, then lucky you, there are plenty of options available.

By heading down to the high street you can find all sorts of holidays on offer.

Independent travel agents Atlas Travel, which is based in St John's, Worcester, says that although early bookings have risen this year the number of last minute holidays has exploded in the last 18 months.

In May and September there are some really good prices," said manager Catherine Thorburn.

awful lot of people book late, especially childless couples who want to avoid the summer holiday madness.

There are some good holidays that go last minute. Greece has been very popular this year."

A few of the holidays on offer at travel agents in Worcester include a week in Zante, Greece, for just £199, or 15 nights in Jamaica, all-inclusive for £888.

Sounds tempting doesn't it?

How about a week in Turkey, self-catering for £249, or a week in Tunisia, half-board, for £299?

Some holiday offers may sound too good to be true. Shopping around may take time, but it might also save you some money.

This is lways good news as extra spending cash can make a week away more enjoyable.

The problem with internet offers is that the price they quote might not be the price you end up paying, as trading standards officers noted the lowest price might not be available.

I logged on to the Ebookers.com site to book a weeks holiday to Los Angeles, leaving an unspecified London airport on Saturday, September 23, and arriving back on Saturday, September 30.

The site led me to believe that I could get an air ticket at £227, return, flying economy with Aer Lingus.

But, after completing all the sections of the e-form the prices had risen to £546, flying Virgin, due to lack of availability at the cheapest price.

Booking ahead may be the answer, defeating the object of a last-minute holiday.

I decided to try booking for April 2001. Sure enough, I found tickets for £223 flying Air New Zealand.

That's one offer I might be taking up.

Internet sites offer a range of options, from flight-only to all-inclusive trips.

Lastminute.com could offer a seven-night holiday in Gambia for £409, for two people, or 12 nights in Kenya for £709.

If short haul is more your style then how about a fortnight on the Costa Brava for £199, or even three nights in Iceland for £379 to experience the IcelandAirWaves 2000 music festival.

Whatever you choose, have a good time.

Ten years ago it would be unheard of to turn the tables and be whisked away for a week of rest and recuperation.

But, with the internet revolution and the increasing number of holiday destinations, last-minute holidays are a godsend.

If you want to go away but don't know where or when then a travel agent will have the answer.

If you want to go away this weekend and still don't know where, then the internet may be able to help.

The rise of lastminute.com, ebookers.com and many others, as well as the increase in budget travel means that a weekend in Venice or Athens is only a click or phone call away.

But would-be travellers are being asked to be on their guard.

Internet sites - many of them foreign - are luring customers by advertising cut-price holidays, which in reality are not available.

Trading Standards officers have been investigating the so-called "bait and trap" process of advertising low prices to attract potential customers - who were then told that the lower price was no longer available and offered the same holiday at a higher cost.

The practice is spreading on the internet, where it is known as "virtual pricing", says Institute of Trading Standards spokesman Bruce Treloar.

"Internet sites offering cheap holidays have really taken off since the beginning of the year and we are trying to keep them up with the law," he said.

"We are concerned about virtual pricing and we are looking particularly into last-minute holidays which are not available at the price advertised."

The institute was also very concerned that many sites offering cheap holidays were not UK companies as they have no jurisdiction over many of those sites.

Lastminute.com boss Brent Hoberman said his company's site did not use the "bait and trap" process.

"That is not the way we run our business," he said. "It is in our interests only to show offers that are available."

If you're looking to escape at short notice, then lucky you, there are plenty of options available.

By heading down to the high street you can find all sorts of holidays on offer.

"In May and September there are some really good prices," said manager Catherine Thorburn.

"An awful lot of people book late, especially childless couples who want to avoid the summer holiday madness.

"There are some good holidays that go last minute. Greece has been very popular this year."