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36 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 27, 2006 Sam Ion answers her readers' travel questions Your letters are piling up again and many of you are thinking about great trips but are unsure what to book. Here are some tips, ranging from where to take the kids, to whether or not to book a Caribbean holiday during hurricane season. Dear Sam: Is June a good time to take kids to Mexico? The prices seem much more affordable than they were a month or two ago. We have two children, ages eight and 10. Can you suggest a resort that has a great children's program, but also has some sophisticated dining for adults? We're taking our nanny along to cover off the evenings. Value for dollar reader Dear Value for dollar: It is a great time to go actually. Have a look at Dreams Tulum Resort and Both of these resorts are AM resorts, which is a brand I like a lot. For instance you don't need reservations for the a-la-carte dining rooms, and there are four of them at Sunscapes and five at Dreams Tulum. Simply turn up when you feel like dinner, and if there isn't a table ready they'll give you a beeper and you can go have a drink. And if you don't feel like going out, there is 24-hour room service. Dreams Tulum Resort is a replica of a Mexican Hacienda, just gorgeous, with art that just came back from being on loan to the Metropolitan in New York. If you choose Dreams, keep an eye out for Wilma the cat who literally washed up during Hurricane Wilma. She has landed on her paws, the spoiled pet of the entire resort. Dear Sam: We want to have a very relaxing honeymoon starting from the time we leave the house. We are having this honeymoon after three kids, and 10 years of marriage. We don't like the idea of having to get up in the middle of the night to drive to the airport for our early morning flight. Any suggestions? Excited Dear Excited: Think about staying at the Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport. The 204-room hotel opened earlier this year. The property features De Maple Restaurant, a 120-seat restaurant and 60-seat lounge. The hotel boasts a large refurbished lobby, an indoor pool, free airport shuttle service, fitness facilities, sauna and whirlpool. The hotel also features the new Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort Bed, a multi-layered, cozy ensemble designed to pamper guests. In addition to a duvet in a rich palette of colours matching each room's decor, the bed features a plush mattress and a welcoming quartet of pillows that includes two feather/down sleeping pillows and two oversized lounging pillows. I love these lounging pillows, perfect for TV watching or reading a book. In celebration of the grand opening, the property is offering a superb `Stopover' package priced from $109 per room on the weekend, per night, shuttle service to/from the airport and up to two weeks of complimentary parking. Dear Sam: After last year's hurricane season, I'm really worried about booking a holiday. The problem is that July is the only time we can go, and I would like to go to the Carribean. Any thoughts on this? Worried Dear Worried: Sunwing Vacations is trying to calm fears of hurricane season travellers with a no charge hurricane threat guarantee for customers. The 'No Charge Hurricane Threat Guarantee' runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 and is applied automatically free of charge to all Sunwing travellers and allows for various options should their holiday be threatened by a hurricane. Check with your travel agent for more information. Dear Sam: We would like to see Canada this year, but have no idea where we'd like to go, where to find the best prices, and whether or not to fly and rent a car, or drive. Canuck Dear Canuck: This is such a vast country it does seem a bit bewildering doesn't it? Planning is fun though, so get out a map, establish a budget, and start writing your thoughts down. First think of all the things and places you don't want to see. Perhaps rural areas bore you silly, and the very idea of bugs that bite send you to the doctor. Then look at cities and what is happening. Then again, if you hate shopping and the theatre is not your idea of fun, a camping trip through Algonquin Park would be the perfect holiday. You need to make some decisions before you see an agent, and when you do, leave him/her some options so that you can get the best price. For instance, a friend of mine called her agent and asked for the best Air Canada fare to Vancouver. She got the price, then booked online, bragging that she saved $1,000 by flying Westjet, and then taking a coach to her final destination. Her agent could have done that too, but her instructions were the best Air Canada flight. -- You can reach Sam by email at sion10@cogeco.ca. Spa, or Sunscapes Puerto Aventuras. I like them both; it is simply a matter of price and taste. Their kids' programs are excellent -- in fact at Dreams the kids camp out one night. You pick them up at midnight actually. Sunscapes is in a great location, and almost all of the restaurants overlook the water, either the calm beach cove, or the somewhat wild sea. Do Something Extraordinary in January 2007! Antarctica Cruise - Canadian Dollars at Par Looking for something truly different? Look no further... Exclusive Tours has a 10-night Antarctica adventure on Polar Star Expeditions sailing December 10, 2006. This is not just another cruise - it is a life-affirming, inspirational experience! The Polar Star leaves from Ushaia, Argentina and sails through the Drake Passage before entering the Antarctic Peninsula. After its sojourn in the Peninsula, the ship then explores the South Shetland Islands before commencing its return journey to Ushaia. The wildlife is astonishing, given the frozen, unforgiving landscape that harbors it, millions of penguins, thousands of seals, whales, and countless seabirds. Antarctica's ethereal landscape shimmers with a savage beauty and raw power that will exceed the expectations of even the most jaded traveller. The Polar Star is a fast, extremely stable vessel, with a touch of "Old World Class"... polished wood, brass and leather sofas in the public areas, and of course, it meets all international safety and environmental standards. The ship is comfortable, but not a luxury liner. Cabins are spacious and the chefs prepare a sumptuous and international variety of dishes. All shore excursions and ship lectures are lead by the ship's own experienced guides and lecturers. The ship's zodiacs allow guests to explore the nooks and coves of this magical continent first-hand. At press time, Exclusive Tours is offering a Canadian Dollars at Par rate for this sailing - the r lead in price is $5,915 per person double, cruise only, including all taxes and fuel surcharge 5 - the Antarctic experience is always hugely popular and tends to sell-out early - call us today for more information! South American and Antarctica Experience -A Journey to the White Continent During this 25-day cruise and land tour you will experience a unique diversity of history, culture, art, architecture, wildlife, mesmerizing beauty and colourful landscapes. One Departure Only, Limited to 20 Passengers! Tour Available EXCLUSIVELY At: TOTA L W O R L D Travel and Cruises Inc. 1·800·323·3446 519·650·4640 www.totalworldtravel.com #04101762 Specializing In Unique Travel Experiences! Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS Your guide to local travel experts and the best deals to your perfect getaway! Glen Abbey Travel Inc. 2441 Lakeshore W. Bronte Village Mall Oakville, ON Voted Best Travel Agency 1 Convenient Location in Oakville: Relax... you're with us 905-827-7272 www.uniglobeglenabbey.com 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca 221 Lakeshore Road E. Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville 905-337-2228 wwwhookedoncruising.com (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com