6 best summer vacations

THERE are at least 6 reasons to rid yourself of the winter blues: the 6 vacation destinations most highly rated by seasoned travelers--the Caribbean islands, the sunny South, the East Coast, the West Coast, the Midwest and a summer cruise. Several other locales, like Europe, Brazil and Canada, are gaining in popularity.

So pack the luggage, hit the Internet or call your travel agent for the top bargains. Early planners will get the cheapest rates.

Special vacation discount packages to popular destinations are available through American Airlines, offering discount packages that combine air travel and hotel accommodations.

So, shake off the winter doldrums and prepare for a super summer vacation to remember.

1 ISLAND FUN. Off-season summer rates at island destinations like the Bahamas, Caribbean, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands drop anywhere from 15 to 50 percent less than winter rates. From June to September, St. Maarten, Suriname, the Bahamas, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Guyana, St. Kitts and Barbados will all mark special Emancipation Day festivities to commemorate the abolition of slavery in their territories. The U.S. Virgin Islands offer a variety of packages for the savvy travelers at all three islands, St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. This summer is the 50th anniversary of the St. John Festival, which begins with a series of events in June, culminating on July 5 with a parade and fireworks at Cruz Bay Harbor on the island. Music fans will appreciate the combination of warm island breezes and cool jazz at St. Lucia's Jazz Festival May 7-16, which will feature Ashanti, Babyface, Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Kenny G, Joe and Floetry.

2 THE WEST COAST is synonymous with movie stars and swimming pools. So head for Los Angeles and check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, the Watts Museum of Art, History and Culture, the African-American Firefighter Museum, the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where Black stars like Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat (King) Cole are buried, the California African-American Museum and the many television and production studios where Black shows are taped. Also picture-perfect are other California hot spots like the DisneyLand Park in Anaheim, San Francisco and the Oakland Bay area, and San Diego. West Coast wanderers also won't want to miss the sites in Seattle, Washington.

3 THE SOUTH is the first vacation stop for many African-Americans because of the sun and ancestral roots. Popular Southern destinations for African-Americans include New Orleans, Texas and Atlanta, with its major Black historic sites and landmarks, and the Florida Coast with its beaches and one of the state's most popular attractions--Walt Disney World (left). The theme park's motto is "You're never too young for Disney" and the theme park is encouraging families to bring children ages 5 and under by offering many added conveniences for tots, like in-park rentals for baby gear and other kid-friendly options. Try Mobile, Ala., Jackson, Miss., Little Rock, Ark., San Antonio, Houston or Dallas for Southern-fried fun.

4 EAST COAST locales like Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia offer many galleries, shops, activities and attractions for African-American tourists, while Atlantic City and the New Jersey shores offer plenty of casino gaming action. Summer excitement also abounds in New York City (below). A few of the many attractions there include Broadway, the famed Apollo Theater, the Black Fashion Museum and Studio Museum in Harlem and the Schomburg Center far Research in African-American Culture.

5 THE MIDWEST. From Wisconsin's wonderland of scenic sites to Chicago's all-summer festival lineup to the pounding beats of the Motor City in Detroit, there's no place like home for Midwesterners who don't want to travel far for relaxation. There are major attractions in St. Louis (right), such as the St. Louis Black World History Museum and Portfolio Gallery or the Six Flags St. Louis Amusement Park. In Kansas City, Me., a popular site is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (above), located in the heart of Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. Summerfest is the hot ticket in Milwaukee, June 24-July 4; Detroit's riverfront venues, Hart Plaza and Chene Park, boast a full lineup of summer concerts and festivals. Bring your appetite to the famous Taste of Chicago, June 25-July 4, and other summer festivals in Grant Park.

6 LUXURY CRUISES. African-American groups are cruising with style, and the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line (with ships like the Adventure Of The Seas) is host to many large African-American summer cruises, including Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage cruise, sailing Memorial Day week, May 29-June 5. The National Professionals Network.com, Inc., has planned two cruises for this summer, a Leadership Summit & Spa at Sea Southern Caribbean cruise, sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 16-July 25 and includes, for the first time, an RCI Multicultural Group Cruise with four other groups. On Aug. 6-15, the NPN Alumni and Friends Alaska cruise sails from Vancouver, British Columbia, along Alaska's inside passage. Additionally, the 13th anniversary Celebration At Sea Summer Sizzler cruise sails to the Eastern Caribbean Aug. 15-22.