The first, published on May 22, talked about how "record" gas prices of $3.80 a gallon were affecting travel. Let's see what happens in the third installment right before Labor Day.

The American Automobile Association projects the number of Americans traveling during this long holiday weekend will drop 1.3 percent from last year's 41 million. But travel agencies in the South Hills say that is not necessarily true.

Some travelers are still shelling out big bucks, especially if they are parents.

At Century Worldview Travel, of West Mifflin, cruises to the Caribbean are the most popular vacations this season. A Caribbean cruise can last as little as three days and cost $400, not counting airfare.

They are followed in descending order by trips to Disney World in Orlando, Fla.; Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; Cancun, Mexico; and everybody's favorite Sin City, Las Vegas.

"Orlando is always a top destination, and Vegas remains strong," said Marc Zelenski of the agency's Mt. Lebanon office.

That agency's top destinations for vacationers this summer are Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, followed by Las Vegas, Hawaii and the California wine country of Napa and Sonoma.

So far, said Mr. Zelenski, it has been a good season, with business slightly ahead of the same time last year.

Of course, he notes that most bookings are made months in advance, so the current gas prices are not included in those plans. So, things could change.

"Given the continual rise in gas prices, the rise in fuel surcharges by carriers and the cutbacks in flights, we will have to wait and see if this travel trend holds," he said.

According to AAA, the national average for self-serve regular gasoline yesterday was $4.09 a gallon. That is about 16 cents more than last month, and around $1.11 a gallon more than a year ago. Locally, yesterday a gallon of self-serve regular averaged $4.03.

At Mac Travel, in Green Tree, Phyllis Bertenthal feels high fuel costs have already had a "very big impact."

"I think people are thinking twice about going on vacation this year," she said.

Still, while overall bookings are down, the agency's high-end clients are continuing to visit inclusive resorts, such as Punta Cana and Cancun.

"I think people who have the means and do it every year will continue to do so," she said.

"But, for people who are worried about gas to get to work, fuel and food come first. If they are struggling with that, they won't do a $3,000 vacation," Mrs. Bertenthal said.

Still, when it comes to kids, out comes mom and dad's credit card.

"Disney is still very popular no matter how much,'' she said.

She also noted that she has had no inquires this year for the usually popular Amtrak's Auto Train, which takes travelers and their vehicles nonstop from the Washington, D.C. area to Florida.

Ruth Nagy, managing director of travel operations for AAA East Central, which includes an Upper St. Clair office, said the most popular driving destinations for her clients this summer are Ocean City, Md.; Niagara Falls; Gettysburg; Myrtle Beach, S.C; Virginia Beach, Va.; Outer Banks of North Carolina, and the amusement parks in Sandusky, Ohio.

This year, she said, vacationers are not venturing as far from home.

"They'll do a shorter drive, or if they have large gas-guzzler vehicles, they might rent smaller ones, which are better on gas," she said.

As with Mac Travel, high-end traveling seems little affected by gas prices, with bookings up 2.5 percent at AAA for international travel compared to last summer.

The favorite sites are Cancun, Punta Cana, Italy and China, the latter probably because of this summer's Olympic Games.

"They are not willing to give up their hard-earned vacation. They might change the distance, or switch the time they go to a less expensive season, but they still go," Mrs. Nagy said.