(MONEY Magazine) – EUROPE IN WINTER The season of our discount. European travel is on sale all winter even though museums, theaters and restaurants are largely immune to foul weather, as is much of Southern Europe. United Vacations (800-328-6877) is offering package trips to London or Paris at 30% off summer rates. Four nights in London between Jan. 9 and March 31, including air fare from New York City, hotel and breakfasts, run $454 a person, double occupancy. Act fast to catch the tail end of a Spanair (888-545-5757) deal that allows you to fly round trip from Washington-Dulles to Madrid, departing Thursday nights, for $329. You have to book by Nov. 30, however, for trips through Feb. 25. There's more time to take advantage of Northwest-KLM (800-447-4747) Europe fares, which can be booked until Dec. 8. L.A. to Madrid, round trip, is $605. From Jan. 4 to March 10, Alitalia (800-237-0517) has a five-night air and hotel package to Rome or Florence for $599 from New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami and Detroit, or $699 from L.A. and San Francisco.

TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN Don't schlep it. If the thought of lugging all that gear for Junior makes you want to stay home, call Baby's Away, which rents everything from car seats and cribs to high chairs and toys. The company will deliver to your hotel (or your in-laws' house) in 30 U.S. and Canadian cities. Prices vary by location, but cribs go for about $9 a day, strollers for $3 to $6 and high chairs for about $4. Baby's Away stocks popular brands like Cosco and Graco. All rentals meet industry safety standards and are sanitized before delivery. Call 800-571-0077, or click on www.babysaway.com.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE Having a currency crisis? You still get the best exchange rates abroad by using your ATM or credit cards, but having cash in your pocket when you land is often handy and, in some cases, essential. A new service from Chase lets you order any of 78 foreign currencies on the Web (www.currency-to-go.com) or by phone (800-242-7384) before you leave. The rates are good, and Chase will send you the currency overnight for $10 or, if your order is worth more than $500, for free.

SKI TRIP The Alps are alive. Tour operator DER (800-549-3737) has a one-week package to Salzburg, from Jan. 7 to March 15, for $896, including air fare from New York City, hotel, breakfasts and dinners. Swisspak (800-688-7947) offers a week in the Swiss Alps, in January or March, for $649, including air, hotel and breakfasts. Prices assume double occupancy and don't include lift tickets.

GRAND CANYON Lodging for less. Until mid-March, a double at the family-oriented Maswik Lodge or Yavapai lodge is only $63 a night. Both are near the canyon's southern rim, and after January, daytime temperatures inside the canyon reach the 60s. Stay two nights, and the deal gets better: $49.50 a night--or 30% off high-season rates. Call 303-297-2757 for details.

Travel websites

Still hoping to make Y2K travel plans? Our favorite all-around travel site remains www.travelocity.com. The nation's largest hotel consolidator is at www.hoteldiscount.com. Last-minute travel deals are compiled by www.bestfares.com. For a list of non-alcohol-soaked events, go to www.firstnight.org. And for reasons to stay home, check out www.y2knews.com.

Reported by Natasha Rafi