I thought I'd heard it all when I learned that more than one out of every two travelers will give up their morning coffee to save for B&B travel. In a study of 45,000 B&B travelers in September 2009, BedandBreakfast.com found that the majority said they would give up their morning take-out coffee to save money for travel. Going out for ice cream, giving up massages and manicures, and even cigarettes, were also mentioned as ways to save money for B&B getaways. There's no question that B&Bs are better for the body, mind and soul than cigarettes!

BedandBreakfast.com asked travelers “How important is B&B travel to you? Would give up or curtail any of the following to bolster your travel budget?” The majority (52.7%) said they would give up their morning coffee to save money for travel. Going out for ice cream followed (47.7%), then massages and manicures (45%), then cigarettes (40.1%). Interesting that B&B travel is more important than coffee, calories, or cigarettes to over 50% of respondents!

B&B travelers are dedicated travelers, and the same study showed that the recession is loosening its grip on spending faster for B&B travelers. Yet, studies show that only about 5% of travelers have ever tried a B&B. Now's the time. Prices are affordable, and fall foliage throughout most of the country offers a gorgeous patina, at no additional cost!

For more information: Read all the results from the BedandBreakfast.com survey.

Fuel-conscious holiday shoppers will let their fingers do the driving this holiday season, making gift cards more popular than ever this year. According to Deloitte's 23rd Annual Holiday Survey of retail spending and trends recently announced, for the fifth straight year, gift cards are expected to be the top gift purchase.  66% of consumers surveyed in 2008 plan to buy them, just slightly below last year’s 69% of consumers. Businesses will be giving employees gift cards more than any other category of gift this year, according a recent American Express Business Gifting survey. From the employee perspective, gift cards rival a day off as a desirable gift, and are bested only by cash and vacation time.

This holiday season, join savvy gift card shoppers who are turning to The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, welcome at nearly 4,000 B&Bs across the United States and Canada.Everyone loves that that there are no fees, no taxes, no expiration or blackout dates, and unlike other online gift purchases, free shipping is always available. Online buying in minutes means that shoppers can give a no-strings gift that offers complete flexibility. It’s the perfect holiday gift for adult kids to give their parents and grandparents, and equally appropriate for parents to give their grown children, along with a promise to babysit the grandkids! Add a customized photo of the whole family, and you have a gift that’s perfect for those who have everything but time to relax.