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North Carolina's major port, Wilmington, fascinates historians with its rich Civil War history, tempts beach lovers with miles of white sand beaches, and attracts movie/TV fans with its sound stages and filming sites.
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You can drive from one end to the other in just an hour, yet this compact area offers endless activities, a rich Colonial history, and a long list of first-rate B&B inns and restaurants.
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Since everyone loves a good bargain, we're going to tell you how to save 50 percent and more off the cost of your room by traveling off-season.
In November and early December, the best deals are found at such popular seasonal destinations as New England and the Colorado Rockies. Fly or ferry to Nantucket in summer, and you'll pay $150-250 for a double room with continental breakfast; visit in November or April and you'll pay half that amount. Go to Lenox in the Berkshires for an August Tanglewood concert, and you'll spend about $200 a night with a two or three night minimum at many B&Bs; come back between November and April, and the same amount will get you two nights accommodation, plus a dinner for two.
The in-crowd may not visit chic Aspen, Colorado in November (it's after the foliage and before the snow), but you can check out the posh Hotel Jerome, and check in for rates starting at $95, not $345. If you don't mind the Arizona summer heat, stay at Tucson's Arizona Inn, a wonderful old-fashioned resort. In-season room rates run around $200; from late May to early September, the regular off-season price typically starts at $100, including both breakfast and free ice cream. At the modest but pleasant Casa Cody in Palm Springs California, the summer double rate is $59, half the usual cost.
Shop around when looking for off-season deals, since both discounts and off-season dates vary widely, and check the Internet for on-line specials. If you don't mind waiting until the last minute to know where you're going to sleep, ask if there's a walk-in rate, sometimes called the local's rate. Contact the innkeeper, and mention politely that you're looking for an affordable room. Generally the innkeeper will quote you a reasonable rate--usually much lower than the published price. We recommend this only in areas with lots of inns and plenty of vacancies. Don't ever attempt this in season, or on weekends.
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