THERE'S certainly no denying that 2003 was a challenging year for Bermuda. The fury of Fabian left deep scars, not only on the landscape but emotionally, as well. You need a break.

But you also need a new terrace, replacement trees and plants, a garage roof and a long list of other items seriously damaged by wind and water. These indeed are the times that try men's soul.

The sometimes murky overcast and stormy days of winter have also settled in, definitely not mood enhancers. Medical experts will tell you a dose of sun, change of scenery and new enjoyable experience could be just what the doctor ordered.

And because you have so many other unexpected expenses, it shouldn't be an escape that taxes your budget. So we're taking you on a sample trip, one kind to your billfold, but uniquely appealing. With just a bit of searching, it can be duplicated in many locations across the United States.

You'll probably want it to be warm and sunny to get away from winter's chill. Research your choice ? Florida, Georgia, New Orleans, Texas' coast, Tucson, Phoenix . . . you get the picture.

As an example, we've chosen Arizona because we're personally very partial to it. But sharing details of a bargain-priced trip here applies just about anywhere when you look in the right places.

Obviously the first hurdle is airfare, so often a major cost from Bermuda. But be on the alert for airline sales and don't hesitate long before those few seats disappear. Once in the states, don't bypass some of the airlines noted for lower fares . . . Southwest, ATA, Jet Blue, Spirit and so on.

Next to airfare, accommodations in a choice property are what put a major dent into travel expenses. But they don't have to. There are some real buys out there offering a surprising comfort level at modest prices.

Start by looking into rates at some of your favourite all-suite properties . . . Marriott's Springhill, Extended Stay America, AmeriSuites, Residence Inn, Staybridge Suites, Hampton Inn and Suites. These are often geared to business travellers who settle in for a week at a time and want their space and creature comforts.

They're also widely used by those transferring to a new location so they can search for a permanent residence while living in comfort. They don't want to come back to just a room, but rather something that feels a bit more like home.

These comfortable suites usually consist of a bedroom, living room and desk work area, kitchenette with dishes, silverware, microwave, refrigerator and sink. Most include breakfast, at some properties a very large substantial one. Some have a manager's reception each evening offering complimentary drinks and snacks.

find out if it's your kind of place, start by checking their web site to see if a virtual tour is available. Last year we did just that when we wanted to be headquartered at the edge of Tucson near major routes heading east, west and south.

In the past, we'd often chosen Embassy Suites near the airport when driving in for an overnight from the casita near grandfather's mine interests in the Chiricahua Mountains. When there turned out to be no room at that inn, we searched web listings and discovered AmeriSuites, then turned to Map Quest to locate it. When we discovered AmeriSuite was only a block away, we virtually toured it on the Internet, deciding it actually looked better than Tucson's Airport Embassy Suites, which is getting a bit tired and needs gussying up. During a telephone call to reservations, I was asked: "Do you know about our extended stay rates?" which turned out to be $79 a day plus tax for those staying at least one week.

More recently, during late November we wanted to find headquarters near the airport and take off on a variety of side trips, maintaining our accommodations, but overnighting elsewhere on two-day adventures. When told extended stay rates then were only $49 nightly, plus tax, it was an easy decision.

No wonder the US Forest Service has been settled in for conferences during our two stays there. This time it involved planning for control of wilderness fires. The price is definitely right and in this instance, the US Department of Agriculture was watching its budget!

There's similarity among all-suite properties and ours was pretty typical . . . lots of space, generous breakfast (waffles with strawberries and whipped cream were a tasty way to start the day), perpetual complimentary coffee and tea available in a stylish lobby along with free newspaper and apples, oranges and bananas for snacking.

Daily maid service and helpful desk staff are included. Most suites have two queen beds, large outdoor pool and well-equipped gym.

Some go even further. Residence Inn, for example, where we've stayed in Reno, Louisville and elsewhere have full-size dining tables or long kitchen countertops with stools in suites. Others like Springhill and AmeriSuite feature large coffee tables and desks. Within each category, there are sometimes what they label "executive level" suites emphasising Internet, fax facilities, and so on, but not at our Tucson site.

properties combine large, oversize guest rooms, along with suites. They also offer free faxes, free 24-hour business centre Internet access on their computer and lots of extras which we found very impressive on a several-day stay in Winchester, West Virginia when we were researching General Philip Sheridan's march through the Shenandoah.

Such modern connections to today's electronic world are becoming added fringe benefits at more and more properties. But it's rare to find them at no charge like Wingate offers. One of many reasons why Wall Street Journal's magazine chose it as the top mid-priced hotel chain for in-room comfort.

Wingate has a long list of awards, ranging from Zagat to praise from Microsoft's Bill Gates, and a 94.9 "Intent to Return" rating. AmeriSuites also has its share of acclaim, including voted number one hotel chain in mid-priced range by readers of .

No, don't expect an overabundance of luxury toiletry amenities . . . soap, basic shampoo and possibly body lotion are often it. But knowing that, I bring along a bar of fancy soap, containers of favourite shower gel and assorted lotions and potions, turning our AmeriSuite into more of what one finds at a luxury spa.

Another first stop usually caters to our fondness for flowers . . . this time, a super-size Safeway grocery store's flower section with source for three dramatic flowering bromeliads, a large multicoloured chrysanthemum and two moderate-sized variegated pink and white "Gloria" poinsettias . . . total cost $46. Once they're placed around the suite, it takes on a far more luxurious air. And staff enjoy them later.

Champagne and spumante from the liquor department, added to the breakfast buffet's orange juice, made refreshing mimosas for sipping around the large, palm-fringed pool. And, of course, every vacationer has to lay in a supply of cashews, chocolates and popcorn.

Three vintage posters of Pancho Villa and General Pershing and Emiliano Zapata bought in Mexico are leaned against the wall behind the desk for further decor enhancement.

You get the picture . . . the suite is like a painter's canvas you can decorate and enhance to your taste. My family's ship staterooms always got the same treatment and still do. Flowers, hand-carved statues purchased ashore, dramatic molas draped over dull paintings, even colourful parrots hung from any available hook.

With accommodations such good dollar value, food can easily be the same. America seems to specialise in all-you-can-eat buffets . . . this is especially true in destinations frequented by retirement-age travellers, with Florida leading the parade.

But we've found places like Old Country Buffet and Home Town Buffet from California's Palm Springs area to Tucson. We've tried them in both places, but limit ourselves to only a couple visits per trip because the temptation of being faced with endless helpings of meatloaf, fried chicken, tacos, roast beef and 50 other possibilities too challenging for our cholesterol count. Tab for two including endless desserts and beverages ranges from $12.76 for lunch to $18.49 for Sunday's even larger spread.

Those who have eaten their way around the Las Vegas casino scene will be familiar with the temptations at give-away prices. Ask your suite's reception staff for suggestions of their favourite restaurants . . . and the woman who prepares the buffet breakfast is another good source of local dining finds.

I have to confess a weakness for Wendy's chili and frozen dairy dessert and have to be restrained from being lured there too often. But it is a fun change when your life is filled with a lot of super gourmet dining. A lunch stop there usually costs around $7 for two when ordering the jumbo chili!

Bermuda doesn't have Dollar Stores, or that other phenomenon, 99-cent stores. But you'll see plenty of them in certain US neighbourhoods, usually economically challenged ones, especially on the US side of the Mexican border. Expect mainly plastic schlock from China . . . but we always seem to discover some exceptional rip-offs of Swiss knives in stainless steel, with more than a dozen blades ranging from small saws to miniature scissors.

time we depleted supplies of two different stores to add 72 of them to men's Christmas gift packages at Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly. A great bargain at $1 each plus tax.

Happily, we brought along an empty suitcase for just such purchases. We also bought all the sturdy glass cases, which included cord attachments for hanging your glasses . . . also $1 each.

We spent 12 days at the Tucson Airport AmeriSuite, living very comfortably surrounded by palm trees and property filled with blooming pink oleanders reminiscent of Bermuda. Total hotel cost was an unbelievably modest $667, and we went off on trips down to the Mexican border, over to New Mexico overnighting at Deming, roaming in all directions and using it as headquarters.

Other guests included affluent Mexican families who had driven north to do their Christmas shopping in Tucson, taking advantage of bargain rates. Obviously, that was a rock-bottom seasonal rate . . . right now the extended stay rate there is still a bargain at $79 daily.

Pick a prospective destination and check around for extended-stay rates. We dialled up a cross- section of properties at press time to get an idea of what prime winter destinations were charging.

We soon learned many suite hotel chains seem to have several properties each in the Orlando area near all major attractions. The bright young reservationist at Residence Inn volunteered: "Prices are always lower when there's lots of competition . . . like in Orlando."

How true. March's long-stay rates at Residence Orlando properties ranged from $99 per day at the convention centre location to $120 close by Disney World. Remember, that can cover not only parents, but children sharing the same room. And they offer complimentary full breakfast and often week-day manager receptions.

The downtown New Orleans long-term rate is $139, rather than the usual $169. Those lower rates apply on a five-day visit. Multiply that by seven days and you may have enough to pay for a car rental.

AmeriSuites Hotel three miles from Disney was asking $119 and a facility close to Universal Studios quoted at $99, but selling out fast. Opt for Atlanta downtown. The February-March extended stay rate is $89 rather than the usual $129. Like our Tucson suite, bedrooms have two queen beds, and a living room sofa-bed sleeping two.

A while back, I overnighted at Fort Lauderdale's Springhill Suites en route to the Bahamas. A call there told me extended stays in March would cost $118 daily on a suite normally $139 daily. It all depends on the season and economic factors at the time you book.