Someone once told me that you can just show up to the airport with your bag packed and book a last minute vacation package going anywhere and leave the same day as you booked. (Note: I would be leaving from Pearson International -- Toronto)

Is this possible? I have talked to some people who say it isn't. I just thought it would be a cheap and exciting way to go somewhere literally last minute.

Do airports even offer this service? And if so, does it work out to be cheaper? Or is booking last minute cheapest a few days in advance?

If anyone has any great travel sites, please let me know!

Airports are generally not in the business of acting as travel agents. If you want to book a vacation package, you can either do it yourself or else take advantage of travel agencies.

I would like to visit a friend in Ghana sometime in September, but i've never done anything like this before & it is pretty confusing for someone who's not a seasoned international traveler. Any/all info would probaby help me out. At this point I'm mostly interested in the flight:

What airline should I go with?

Any air travel websites you recommend or advise I stay away from?

How can I get the best deal on my tickets? *My dates are flexible and I would also be comfortable doing a last-minute or a stand-by flight if I am likely to get a significant savings.* (I just don't really know how to look into the feasability of those kind of options.) I assume I'll need to fly out of DFW, but Love Field would be wonderful.

Does a flight with more stops mean more savings? It looks like most flights from Dallas to Accra stop in Amsterdam, London or Frankfurt-are any of those airports especially easy/friendly or especially confusing?

Will I need a "real ID" or is a passport ok?

I went to Ghana 2 years ago. I had a layover in Amsterdam. That airport is wonderful! There is plenty to look at and buy. I really don't remember much about the booking information for the flight. I don't remember there being much of a savings for the layover which was 5 hours long. What I can tell you is that the flight from Amsterdam to Ghana was the pits! I sat next to a Ghanaian lady that ate stinky corn nuts the whole way. Of course there were a lot of Africans traveling, and I was not prepared for the difference in cultural norms. Closeness does not bother them. Don't be surprised if they are right in your face. In addition, body oder was rampant! So be prepared for your nose to get a shock! I would take an ID and a passport. Getting through security off the plane was not nearly as difficult as it is here, but they did try to give us a little bit of a hard time. Also, be sure to send off for your visa WELL in advance! The Ghananian embassy was very slow in processing mine, and it did not arrive until the day I left!
Definately try to get to the open air market near Black Star Square! You will find any and everything you want there. Try to get to Elmina as well, the slave castles are a must see/visit. I don't know how much traveling you can do, but Nigeria, Togo, and Benin are driving distance as well.

Overall, it was a good trip. I stayed for a month and was definately ready to come home. It seemed like there was not fresh air there. They burn their garbage and/or just leave it on the sides of the road. In addition to the above ground sewage and free roaming goats and chickens your nose is definately going to be on overload!

I met a lot of wonderful people I am still friends with to this day! Great trip and culture shock all in one.
Hope this helps
Good luck!
ps, dont drink the water! I was sick for half my stay (

i need to fet from europe to australia in the next few days but am having trouble finding a flight online.is there any site that has last minute international bookings for people who need to get home due to family illnesses

cheaptickets.com, cheapotickets.com deals with unsold last minute tickets.
Surprisingly check the airline sites. I book direct all the time and fly the same day, with decent prices. Be flexable airports and flight times