Given the popularity of these scenic locales, you might think you're out of luck if you've waited until spring to consider a flight to Paris, a dude ranch in Wyoming or a cruise from Vancouver, B.C. to Glacier Bay National Park. Certainly, the frustration of spending hours investigating your options online may leave you wondering how many compromises you'll have to make to get anywhere on your dream vacation list this summer.

In fact there are still lots of exciting travel opportunities available, and even a bargain or two; Caribbean luxury resorts offer deep discounts at this time of year, for example. And it's winter Down Under; off-season for the locals in Australia and New Zealand means cheaper rates for visitors from North America. Talk to your travel agent, who has all the deals and options at his or her fingertips (plus access to the ones you don't) and the ability to match them to your individual requirements. Here a few summer vacation planning tips from Uniglobe Travel's top leisure consultants:

Chances are you've already done a certain amount of research before you ever pick up the phone, send an e-mail or walk into your travel agent's office. You probably checked a few flights and hotel rates and figured out some of the basic costs involved in getting to your destination during peak season. This information provides a great starting point for your travel consultant regarding where and when you want to go and on what kind of budget. Armed with those details, agents can get to work immediately to fine-tune and coordinate all aspects of your summer vacation, saving you time and money in the process.

On the other hand, if you have a last-minute urge to get away, if only for a long weekend, a travel agent is still an excellent resource for local hotel packages, cruise specials and discounted airfares. Spur-of-the-moment vacations can be rewarding and affordable.

Some exclusive lodges in the Rocky Mountains sell out up to a year in advance for height-of-summer stays. Likewise, top hotels in tourist-magnet cities such as London and Rome book up quickly for July and August. You'll be disappointed if you try to reserve online with only a few weeks (or days) notice, but keep in mind that your travel agent is able to access the same accommodations through different channels, often finding rooms in supposedly sold-out properties at better rates than advertised on the websites. If the resort or hotel you originally wanted remains unavailable, an agent can suggest comparable alternatives. The same is true for airfares, car rentals, cruises and escorted tours. Don't assume that you're out of luck just because it's high season in your summer destination of choice and a website is turning you away. A travel professional knows how to put creative thinking and industry savvy to work for you to build a brilliant vacation no matter what the circumstances.

Every traveler is unique. Explain your specific needs and wants, and let your agent tailor a vacation to you. Extend your Alaska cruise with a few days exploring in and around Anchorage or Vancouver. Take advantage of new trans-Atlantic flight connections by making a stopover in Iceland.  Pinch pennies with an advance-purchase BritRail pass then indulge yourself with a romantic night at the Savoy in London and tickets to the stage adaptation of Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward theatre in the West End. Step out of the rat-race completely with a week in a cabin on the shores of Nova Scotia. Learn Italian cuisine at a villa in Tuscany. Your summer holiday can be as active or relaxing as you wish.

Remember that how you get there is as important as where you're going. Particularly in July and August when demand is high, travel agents can make sure you get the airline seat you need for maximum leg room; confirm that the appropriate car seats for your kids will be waiting for you at the rental counter when you arrive; ensure your hotel is pet-friendly; find adjoining cabins on a cruise ship; and take care of a dozen details so you don't have to.

Summer is a busy time in the travel industry, with the potential for oversold flights and overbooked hotels. Organizing your trip through a travel agent gives you instant back-up if something goes wrong, and allows you to benefit from such services as lost luggage retrieval and a 24-hour emergency line.

When it comes to the rules and regulations of modern travel, everything from identification at check-in to carry-on baggage allowances, ticket change fees and trip cancellation policies, there's no better resource than your travel agent. You may not understand the fine print, but they do. If you're entitled to an upgrade, your agent will get it for you. If the terms and conditions of your travel purchases change from supplier to supplier, your agent is there to explain each one. If you need clarification on what's really included in your all-inclusive resort holiday, your agent will deliver it.

A satisfying summer vacation should encourage you to lose track of time. Which is much easier to do knowing that your travel agent has already made sure that your travel plans run like clockwork.