For Some, There Is An Escape Hatch From The Cold

(CBS) -- Can you get away from frigid Chicago this weekend -- without breaking the bank?

Travel expert Kendra Thornton, who's vacationing with her family in nice, warm Mexico, has this advice about finding a quick getaway at a good price, where temperatures are near or above 70 degrees.

"Be as flexible as possible in your travel dates. Be open to layovers. ... at least you can get to some place warmer than Chicago," she tells CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker.

At the top of this list: Miami, where the forecast calls for a high of 78 degrees this weekend.

Travel Saturday through Tuesday and you'll only pay $69 roundtrip. We found a hotel for just $80 a night.

Phoenix is almost as warm, with a high of 77. You can travel Friday through Monday for $103 round trip and a hotel for just $55.

And Las Vegas? A Friday-through-Monday jaunt would set you back $177. Hotel is as cheap as $27.

For San Diego, fly Sunday through Tuesday for $195, get a hotel as low as $55.

Apple Vacation is offering a deal to Cancun worth celebrating. Travel next weekend, where it'll be 80 degrees, get a four night stay at the Grand Bahia that includes airfare, meals and drinks for $497.

If you're ready to book, do it today.

Our travel expert says you'll find the most competitive prices on a Tuesday.

Here is why: If one airline offers a deal on Monday, all the others have matched that price by Tuesday.  Thus, Tuesdays are the best day to shop.