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12 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 16, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com CONQUERING KILIMANJARO Crystal Cruises is taking passengers to the top with a new overland adventure to Mount Kilimanjaro. From an equatorial jungle through a dense cloud forest to the perpetually ice and snow-capped summit, thrill-seekers will get a rare chance to climb 5,820 metres to Uhuru Peak, the highest peak in Africa. The nine-night extended land program debuts in March 2007, and is available pre or post-cruise in conjunction with two Crystal Serenity itineraries beginning or ending in Cape Town, South Africa. The trek to the top of the highest free-standing mountain on earth is offered through the cruise line's partnership with Micato Safaris. According to officials, participants hike an average of four to six hours each day and overnight in some of the mountain's most comfortable huts. This new excursion is reserved for only the fittest adventure-seekers who have always dreamt of conquering Kilimanjaro. Under the expert guidance of Micato Safaris, a handful of Crystal guests will be able to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The "Conquering Kilimanjaro" excursion requires an extreme commitment in terms of advance training and planning. To accommodate the necessary preparation, the program must be reserved at least four months in advance, and participating guests will receive an extensive pre-climb package, including a recommended eight-week fitness conditioning program, personal equipment suggestions and medical requirements. The program includes flights between Cape Town and Nairobi/Arusha/Mombasa; transfers to Marangu where the climb begins; all accommodations and meals; and the services of expert guides and porters. Pricing is still being finalized. If you would like more information as it becomes available, give us a call. Fly to Europe from Hamilton There is great news for those of you planning on going to Europe next year, so mark your calendars for Oct. 1. That is the earliest you can book your flight to London Stansted, Glasgow and Manchester from the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. If you've read with envy the price of some of the discount flights in Europe, you'll love this news. UK carrier FlyGlobespan, announced last week that it will be flying three flights a day beginning May 1. You'll have stopover service to Dublin, Shannon and Belfast airports in Ireland, Edinburgh in Scotland as well as Newcastle, Exeter, Birmingham, Doncaster and Liverpool. The price is amazing starting at $199 each way and that includes taxes. And they use regional airports where all the other European discount airlines are, so the convenience is huge. You'll have direct access out of London Stansted to 160 destinations. Hamilton Airport is wonderful. Lots of parking, no long hikes to your car, not to mention cheaper rates. The airport is compact, again no long distances to the departure gate; it makes me think about wearing pretty shoes again instead of the track shoes necessary for Pearson International, and many other airports. ing taxes, and executive business prices start at $489 each way. Despite these prices, the company prides itself on service, and customers are pleased. The airline was named Airline of the Year in 2005 by airport operator BAA Scotland. The company has been selling Britain-Canada seats for Air Transat for 20 years, and decided to start its own routes. Canadian President Jim Whyte says there are already 1,000 bookings per week from the UK to Canada beginning in May. The big airport down the highway takes 20 minutes to get luggage, whereas regional airports take three minutes. During the crisis at Heathrow last month, "we had no disruptions in the regional airports," said Whyte. The non-stress way to start your trip is to stay over the night before. The brand new Marriott Courtyard Hamilton on Upper James close to the airport is offering two weeks of free parking, and free transfers to and from the airport. Come into my favourite city to have some fun. There are enough things to do to keep your busy a day or two or even more. And then when Aunt Betty and Uncle Richard arrive from Glasgow, you can point out that Hamilton hotels are a bargain, and the city is halfway between Niagara Falls and Toronto with public transportation to both. Most people know about popular Dundurn Castle and the Royal Botanical Gardens, but fewer know our "green side". Hamilton has a great outdoors, a world of water, woods and wildlife all within minutes of downtown. Last weekend was the Canadian Open, back for the second time as the golfers love this ancient course. Along to watch their son David MacDonald, were his parents from Melborne Australia. " We couldn't believe we could walk from our hotel the Staybridge Suites and in 15 minutes be on the water's edge of the harbour. We finished at a pub ( Williams Pub ) of course, wishing we had fishing rods. A perfect way to get over our jetlag." Artists have discovered the city and have opened galleries along James Street North in between some of the city's best ethnic restaurants. Visit them and then take in the Art Gallery of Hamilton. I'm excited, and can't wait to book a flight to test it out. This is good news for we travellers. You can reach Sam by e-mail at sion10@cogeco.ca. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com $300 SAVE AN EXTRA PER BOOKING BOOK before Sept.18 th Book your Sunquest vacation with CAA Travel before Oct. 6th & take advantage of 3 exciting offers for CAA Members, valued up to $ 1,329 per booking! It all adds up to a dream holiday come true! your next dream holiday with CAA Travel* Save up to $1,000 OFF For Toronto Departures Samana, D.R. STARS Viva Wyndham Samana All-Inclusive · Superior Room, Jan. 4-18, 7 nights $ Free Samsung Z51GB MP3 Player** valued at $179 1,259 + $274.90 tax Free CAA Vacations VIP Package $ valued at 150 per couple*** The best vacations begin at CAA! Punta Cana, D.R. Punta Cana Princess STARS $ Adults only All-Inclusive · Deluxe Suite, Jan. 9-23, 7 nights 1,399+ + $274.90 tax tax $20USD departure There is a lovely little restaurant, with decent food at reasonable prices to help pass the time before your flight. And yes, you can have a drink. "Drive a little to save a lot," says Bill Robson, a director of FlyGlobespan. "Really it isn't much further to drive to Hamilton to catch a flight." They won't operate out of Toronto any more he continues. "There are good slot times, commuter highways and good access to and from the Hamilton airport, so it is easily accessible to travellers." This is not a new airline that will disappear as many others have, it is a subsidiary of The Globespan Group Pic established in 1974, when it started as a travel agency, expanded into a tour operator, and began the airline in 2002. It has 11 757-300s with three classes of service, Full Business Class, Premier Service, and No Frills Economy. Premium class starts at $329 each way includ- Call or visit CAA Travel to book today! Varadero, Cuba RIU Turquesa STARS $ Getaway to 1- 800- 992- 8143 After-hours or Sundays 1-866-286-9323 All-Inclusive · Hotel Room, Jan. 4-11, 7 nights 1,459+ + $198.90 tax tax $25CUC departure Victoria, BC www.caatravel.com Liberia, Costa Rica *,**Offers are not valid with any other promotion other than those listed here and while STARS supplies last. Please see your CAA Travel Professional for complete details of restrictions All-Inclusive · Superior Room, Jan. 8-22, 7 nights and conditions. Offer applies to new bookings with a minimum value of $1,250 CAD per + $182.90 tax person based on double occupancy per room before taxes and insurance, based on avail- $ + $25USD departure tax ability. ***CAA Vacations VIP Package includes; a free headset, sightseeing tour discount, 4 free drink coupons per person, exclusive priority airport check-in, and Worry-free destination change option. Must be a valid CAA member. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy in Canadian dollars, available at press time, subject to change and apply to new bookings only. Based on availability at time of booking, some restrictions may apply. RIU Tequila Departure tax paid locally. $300 coupon is valid for new Sunquest bookings for depar- STARS tures December 19, 2006 - April 30, 2007, excluding Air only and Land only bookings. May be combined with offer above provided all other conditions are met; please inquire All-Inclusive · Hotel Room, Jan. 4-11, 7 nights + $262.90 tax with your CAA Travel Professional. Valid for minimum stays of 3 nights. Triples & quads $ save the same as doubles, singles save half. Coupons have no cash value and may be redeemed from September 8, 2006 until 11:59pm EST on September 18, 2006. Coupon must be submitted to Sunquest by September 30, 2006. ®CAA and CAA logo trade-marks owned by and use is granted by the Canadian Automobile Association. Ont. Reg. # 50014517 CAA South Central Ontario, 60 Commerce Valley Dr. E., Thornhill, ON L3T 7P9. Occidental Allegro Papagayo 1,559 Mayan Riviera, Mexico Learn what The Huntington Hotel & Suites has to offer for your winter get away. Join us at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 24 at the Holiday Inn 3063 South Service Road at Harvester Rd. Burlington 1,629 For more information call 1-800-663-7557 TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS Your guide to local travel experts and the best deals to your perfect getaway! Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville Glen Abbey Travel Inc. 2441 Lakeshore W. Bronte Village Mall Oakville, ON 1 Convenient Location in Oakville: Relax... you're with us (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com 905-827-7272 www.uniglobeglenabbey.com 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca 221 Lakeshore Road E. wwwhookedoncruising.com 905-337-2228