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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 30, 2006 - 13 New airport opens more areas to Dominican Republic tourists Discovery World Cruises wins "Best Cruise Value: Specialty Cruises" Discovery World Cruises has won the 2006 "Best Cruise Value" award in the Specialty Cruises category from the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society. The award is based on feedback from the readers of Ocean & Cruise News, and is an indication of which cruise lines they believe are achieving the highest level of value for their passengers. Discovery World Cruises offers unique cruise vacations for seasoned travellers who yearn to visit some of the world's most unusual or out-of-they-way destinations. The line's `cruisetour' programs combine pre- and/or post-cruise hotel stays with the voyage to enhance the destination experience. In addition, top area experts, scientists and naturalists enrich the voyage by providing background and insights into the history, culture, flora and fauna of the destination. In summer 2007, Discovery World Cruises will visit the Baltic states, Greenland, Iceland, the North Cape and Spitsbergen. In winter 2007-2008, the mv Discovery will call at Antarctica, the Galapagos, Manaus and Easter Island, among other exotic destinations. Exclusive Tours is offering outstanding value pricing for all of the above itineraries with excellent Early Booking Savings and Free Air from Toronto. r Discovery, formerly the Island Princess, was refurbished in 2003 and features 351 staterooms and suites; three restaurants; five lounges; a movie theater; well-stocked library; casino; internet centre; full spa; exercise gym; two swimming pools, including one beneath a retractable roof; and two Jacuzzis. The ship is non-smoking except for designated areas on deck. For more information give us a call. I s your Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket? Take a holiday and flee to the sun. Prices are really low, simply because many people overspend at Christmas, and can't afford to go. This is the best time to find a sell-off. Need some ideas? Try Samana in the Dominican Republic. It is a new destination this year, slow to take off, because no one, including me, thought the airport would be open on time. And the airport is a real plus. This area hasn't been opened up until now as it is three hours from the airport in Puerto Plata , and five to six from Santo Domingo airport. Now there are a small number of new hotels ready to greet you. Where exactly is it? Separating the northeast coast from the country's southeast tourist areas is the peninsula of Samana, a favourite harbour for yachts and whales cruising the Caribbean. The southern coast of the peninsula was visited by Columbus in January 1493, but he met such fierce resistance from the native Indians that he called present day Samana Bay the Gulf of Arrows and sailed away. This is the perfect spot for nature lovers and adventurers. It boasts green mountains as a back drop for the long beaches. Think solitude with a lovely little town in between turquoise waters. Several offshore islands dot picturesque Samana Bay. The largest Cayo Leventado has the brand new, five-star Gran Bahia Principe, the only hotel on the Cayo. This is perfect for would-besnobs says a favourite sales representative -- without the price. It is 45 minutes from the new airport with a short boat ride to the hotel. Just 195 rooms, it will give you the feeling of intimacy, but with enough other guests that you'll have congenial company. There are four glorious beaches. In case of emergency there is a heliport with 24-hour service. Sunwing offers the first child (two to 12 years) a stay, play and eat-free program when sharing a room with two adults. The second child (two to 12) pays a special child price. There is one buffet and three a-la-carte restaurants, two pools with a swim-up bar, tennis courts and a fitness facility. It is a 24-hour facility, which means you can order from room service around the clock. And if you go fishing, and catch something, the chef will cook it up for you. The seafood in this area is fabulous. If you're looking for lively, the Viva Wyndham Samana is the place to be. This resort is priced at a little more than half of the Gran Bahia Principe and is on the mainland. There are 218 rooms. The four-star Casa Marina Bay, has long been a Canadian favourite partly because of its lovely white beach, and partly because Amhsa Marina does a great job of managing resorts. Kids two to six years, play and eat free when sharing a room with two adults, the seven to 12 year set pay a special child price. If you do nothing else on this holiday, you must go whale watching; over 1,000 humpback whales return every year between December and March to mate and give birth. The World Wildlife Fund rates Samana one of the best whalewatching sites in the world. Small boats get as close as 165 feet from the warm-blooded, air-breathing mammals that measure an average 50 feet in length and 40 tons in weight. Another adventure is the El Limon Cascade excursion, located halfway between Las Terrenas and Samana. The trail up takes about an hour by foot or horseback, but the nature is at its best, so it is well worth the effort. The 40-metre cascades of water are spectacular to see, and the deep pool of crystal clear water, makes for a spectacular swimming hole. Samana is a place where Europeans, who first came as tourists, have opened some wonderful small restaurants, where they specialize in fish in coconut sauce and local Dominican specialties. The feature of downtown is the Protestant church known as La Churcha. Samana's marina is the departure site for whale-watching excursions and boat trips to Cayo Levantado for a day at the beach. The city's nightlife caters to the young set who work in the industry. The beach restaurants and discos carry on all night long bringing together locals and tourists. You'll hear meringue, bachata, and salsa along the main street. As well as in the discos of course. Samana City by the south side, at the peninsula's midpoint, claims an unusual history. It was settled by two shiploads of freed American slaves around 1824. Las Terrenas, which is mostly a main street leading down to the beach, is the place for all the souvenir shops you could want, but the influence of local French settlers who sell their own designs of fashion and crafts makes for interesting shopping. Phone your travel agent, and have a Happy New Year. Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com Message Received? If you have ever tried to speak a foreign language but could not make yourself understood, you'll appreciate how hard it is to translate a message into English. Here are some notable examples: In a Bucharest Hotel lobby: This Lift is being fixed for the next day. During this time we regret that you will be unbearable. In a Belgrade Hotel elevator: To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order. Gina Cheng Outside a public wash room at one of the Beijing Park: This toilet is under reform. Please restrain yourself. In an Athens hotel lobby: Visitors are expected to complain at hours of 9:00am and 11:00am daily. On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: Our wines leave you nothing to hope for. In a Hong Kong Super Market: For your convenience, we recommend courteous efficient self-service. On the window of a tailor shop in Rhodes: Order your summer suit now. Because in big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation. On the desk of a hotel in Prague: If you consider our help impolite, you should see our manager. At the entrance of a dry clean shop in Rome: Ladies leave your clothes here and have a good time. In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid. In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery: You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursday. "All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." - Martin Buber " Wishing everyone peace, health, and happiness in 2007. Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Ont Reg No 2766538 TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS Your guide to local travel experts and the best deals to your perfect getaway! Oakville Location: Relax... you're with us 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca 221 Lakeshore Road E. Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville 905-337-2228 wwwhookedoncruising.com (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Ont Reg No 2766538