Economical Travel – The Bed and Breakfast Route

June 5, 2009

Passionate travelers and adventure junkies will continue to need their travel fix despite all the gloomy economic reports. The question is where to go and what to do to get the most bang for your buck.

The most obvious starting point is to stay closer to home and explore your own backyard. For example, cycling the Niagara region if you live in Toronto or Buffalo OR the Gulf or San Juan Islands if you live in Vancouver or Seattle will set you back as little as $500 Canadian ($425 US) for four days and three nights and that is with overnight stays in well appointed bed and breakfasts. Enjoy picnic lunches, wine tastings and then splurge on a few good dinners.

Many people forgo the B&B route fearing awkward conversation with over eager hosts. Much of that has changed for the better though the personal touches and local advice can still be prevailed upon. Now many B&B’s are run more like an intimate inn with a great deal of privacy plus unusually good breakfasts and often late afternoon drinks and snacks thrown in.

In my research I am repeatedly finding that most B&B’s are willing to give you a healthy discount on a room with as little as a two night stay though sometimes you will need to book three nights. If there is a particular place that you are keen to visit sign up for their email specials – you will be one of the first to hear about any unadvertised last minute deals. Also, it never hurts to ask what other promotions might be available. The worst that can happen is nothing but perhaps you will end up with a free bottle of wine or a discounted meal.

Avoiding peak travel times is another way to take advantage of specials. Overnight stays on Sunday through Thursday are often reduced in even the busiest of months. Book just before or just after prime season and enjoy very significant savings without the crowds.

How many of you are familiar with the fact that many of the smaller B&B’s don’t even need to charge GST (5% tax for our foreign readers)? or room tax? And they almost always have free parking. In fact one time in Newfoundland, home to some of the friendliest people on the planet, the B&B owner gave us the keys to her car so we could drive to dinner. Now that is service and trust!

To find a B&B in North America and abroad try one of the links below. Many of the itineraries for sale on this website will include B&B’s, noteworthy and otherwise though you will be warned if any of them are on the sketchy side.

www.bedandbreakfast.com
www.bbonline.com
www.iloveinns.com
www.bnbfinder.com
www.lanierbb.com

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Accommodation Reviews and Tips 

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