The Migration Of The Snowbirds: Ideas On The Best Way To Travel

As temperatures drop and the leaves begin to change, most of us think of wool fabrics and storm windows. But for some wealthy people, it's time to pack up and hit the road in search of sunnier climates. Throughout the northern latitudes of North America, annual snowbird migration is expected to begin. The dictionaries define "Snowbird" as "the one that moves from a cold place to a warm place in winter."

For those who travel by car, the trip to the Sunbelt means exhausting driving on a busy highway, dotted with nights in hand-cut motels. Consider improving your trip, or at least your accommodation, by staying in bed and breakfast or in inns along the way.

"Bed and Breakfast Inns ONLINE offers a service designed for snowbirds looking for lovely places to rest on the road," says Randy Fought, founder and CEO of BBOnline. "Our unique Snowbird route mapping function makes it easy to find interesting and luxurious places for a long trip, so that people do not have to settle for ubiquitous hotel chains," he says. -HE.

The paths of the Snowbirds allow travelers to easily find bed and breakfasts and small inns near the main north-south highways. "Travelers traveling south can plan their route, explore nearby B & Bs and communicate with innkeepers from a single starting point," says Fought.

The system is simple to use. From the Bed and Breakfast Inns ONLINE homepage, click on "Locate a B & B" and then on the Snowbirds' Routes link, which lists 20 interstate highways. Click on your route and look for a scale in the list on the left side of the page. Click on "Draw a map", and your map will appear on the right, showing all hostels within 25 miles of the city you have chosen. Below the map there are links to photos, rates, addresses and contact information of the innkeeper, and often a form to reserve a room online.

The BBOnline Snowbird routes cover 20 north-south highways, including Interstate 35, from Duluth, Minn. In Laredo, Texas; Interstate 95, from Maine to South Florida; Interstate 75 from Sault St. Marie, Mich. South Florida; and Interstate 5 north of Washington on the border with Mexico.

Travelers can also find hostels with special amenities and features, such as those offering discounts for weekdays or extended stays, lodgings in the National Register of Historic Places and properties that offer extras such as flowers or gourmet cooking courses.

Whether you are a snowbird, a honeymoon newcomer or a family looking for an interesting vacation stop, BBOnline offers an easy-to-use and searchable directory of nearly 5,000 B & Bs and small inns in America. North, as well as special packages. innkeeper recipes