Warm winter destinations found nearer home than usual sunspots
If you want to get away to a warmer climate this winter but don’t want to go to the usual sun destinations, there are other options. Travel in the United States is becoming a bargain for Canadians because of the strength of the Canadian dollar, and the southern part of the U.S. is generally inexpensive to begin with. Savannah, Georgia, is one possibility for a winter visit. This slow- paced city preserves the character of the Old South to a remarkable degree in its antebellum houses, horse-drawn carriages and some of its restaurants.
It also has a wide choice of low-cost places to stay. Unfortunately most of the inns in the downtown historic district are not within budget range, but there are a lot of cheaper places to stay in the suburbs. For example, the Budget Inn is just a five-minute drive from downtown and all its rooms, which have kitchenettes, rent for a low $26.95 U.S. per night. EconoLodge, Budgetel, Knights Inn and La Quinta are among the budget chains that are represented in the suburbs.
If you don’t have access to a car, there are some relatively inexpensive places to stay in the historic district. The Quality Inn Downtown, Howard Johnson Downtown and the Savannah Travelodge all offer rooms for less than $46 U.S. per night. It is also possible to stay in private homes in the Savannah area – the telephone number of an agency called RSVP Savannah, which handles bed and breakfast reservations, is (912) 232-7787.
Savannah has the usual variety of restaurants, plus some unusual ones. One you should not miss is Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House in the historic district, which serves authentic Southern fare, family-style and at reasonable prices. It is open only for breakfast and lunch on weekdays, and is worth the wait to get in. Morrison’s, the good southern cafeteria chain, also has a branch in the historic district.
While Savannah does not escape winter, even in January its average temperatures are mild by Canadian standards. The average low is above freezing, and the average high about 15C. In March, the average high is already above 20C.
For more information on Savannah, or to obtain the Historic Savannah Visitor Guide, contact the Savannah Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah, GA 31499, telephone (912) 944-0456.
Alexandria, Virginia, across the river from Washington, D.C., is another colonial town that is worth a visit. Its old town section has many well-restored federal houses and attractions such as the church George Washington attended and one of the restaurants where he used to dine.
Alexandria considers itself George Washington’s home town and therefore celebrates his birthday with particular fervor. There are a number of special events planned around that date this winter, and several hotels are offering reduced rates on the weekend of February 16 to 19.
There is a parade scheduled for Feb. 19, and a Revolutionary War skirmish re-enactment on Feb. 18. Both are free. Walking tours of the historic district will be offered on Feb. 19 at a charge of $3 U.S. per person.
Hotels offering specials that weekend include Days Inn Alexandria, where a rate of $42 U.S. will buy a room for up to four persons. The Comfort Inn has a special rate of $48 U.S. which includes breakfast for one or two persons. The Holiday Inn Eisenhower Metro offers rooms for single or double occupancy for $45 U.S., and kids under 18 stay free in the same room with their parents. It also includes complimentary shuttle service to the Metro and to Old Town.
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