One-Tank Trip for
Nov. 11-17
(c) By Jim Fox
For Postmedia Network/Sun Media newspapers, websites
Get your motor runnin' and head out on the
highway.
That refrain by
Steppenwolf is a common one for thousands of Ontarians who are doing just that
en route to their winter playground in the sun.
The annual
migration of the so-called “Snowbirds” to the sun-drenched environs of the
“Sunshine State” is under way.
 |
| Another beautiful winter day in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Jim Fox photo) |
Writer Dave Hunter,
the authority on the I-75 expressway to the sun, is back with an
internet-updated guidebook for the 20-plus-hour, “one-tank-a-day” trip to
Florida.
As well, while expressing
his “love” for Canadians, Florida Governor Rick Scott was in Toronto recently to
launch a discount program for visitors from the north.
This is Florida’s
response to helping ease the pain of Canada’s colourful currency at 78 cents to
the U.S. greenback.
Adding in bank or credit
card exchange fees, it costs about $1.30 for each U.S. dollar spent.
 |
| Thick early-morning fog blankets downtown Atlanta in this photo taken from an I-75 hotel room. (Jim Fox photo) |
Florida’s new
Canadian Power Play Program features 20-per-cent discounts on airfare, rental
cars and lodging to counter the currency’s continued weakness.
This will “help
even out the dollar value,” Scott said.
“We love Canadians
– you’re a big part of our state and our biggest group of international
travelers,” he added.
The governor
stressed that Canadians are “so important to Florida’s tourism industry and the
1.4-million jobs it supports for families.”
 |
| We’ve arrived at the Florida Welcome Center along Interstate 75. (Barbara Fox photo) |
There were
3.3-million Canadians visiting Florida last year, accounting for 23 per cent of
the state’s international visitors and they spent $3.6 billion.
“We are doubling
down on our efforts to bring more Canadians to the Sunshine State with our new program,”
said Ken Lawson, Visit Florida president and ceo.
Let’s make a deal
Twenty-six Florida
businesses and tourism partners, including Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations,
are participating in the program.
Florida businesses
and tourism partners taking part are: An Owners Dream Management; Beachwalk
Resort; Beacon South Beach Hotel; Blue Heron Beach Resort; Caprice Resort; Coca-Cola
Orlando Eye; DoubleTree Orlando at SeaWorld; Emerald Grande; Florida Citrus
Sports; Hampton Inn Panama City Beach; HCV Orange Lake Resort; and Hertz/Dollar
Car Rental.
There’s also Madeira
Bay Resort by TRS; Magic Village Resort; Marenas Beach Resort; Residence Inn
Miami Aventura; ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals; Sailport Waterfront
Suites; Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort; Sundial Beach Resort & Spa; Suwannee
River Hideaway Campground; the Don Cesar Hotel; TreeUmph! Adventure Course; and
Xtreme Action Park. Details at LoveFlorida.ca
On the road again
Dave Hunter and wife
Kathy, who split their time between Mississauga and Lakeland, Fla., have
written the book on travel to Florida.
 |
| “Along Interstate 75,” an exit-by-exit guide to driving the expressway to the sun. |
Their preferred
route is I-75 that winds 1,542 kilometres between Detroit and the Florida
border.
They have been
making this trek for 48 years and writing about it the past 24 years in their “Along
I-75” guidebook and companion publication, “Along Florida’s Expressways.”
Each page is packed
with helpful information, covering 25 U.S. miles or 30 minutes of driving.
It reports on road
conditions, speed limits, construction zones, best routes around big cities,
radar enforcement hot spots and upcoming lane changes.
There are some 3,000
information listings telling what is within a mile of each exit including gas
stations, restaurants, lodging, rest areas and local attractions – with GPS
coordinates.
Dave, a history
buff, also tells of interesting geology, flora and fauna, historic and unusual
landmarks along with side trips to make the journey more entertaining.
The print edition
is supplemented by updates on the books’ websites so the information doesn’t “grow
stale.”
The current 19th edition
has 53 major page updates, including a “better detour” for Detroit’s closed
I-75, construction news and helpful travel notes.
The guidebooks from
Mile Oak Publishing Inc. cost $29.95. Details: i75online.com
They are available
at CAA travel offices, Chapters, Coles, Indigo and Amazon.ca, or call (519)
524-6901 (shipped the same day).
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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