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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 17, 2007 - 29 San Francisco is a treat I lost my heart in San Francisco, but kept my credit cards from maxing out. Bet you never thought of this fabulous city as an affordable get-a-way spot. I wouldn't have either until I checked air prices off season and discovered I could fly from Buffalo for less than $400 including taxes. And when I checked other prices, I was surprised that my budget would allow this getaway. Off season, hotel rates are very reasonable, and this is a city of hotels; one for every budget and taste. The Bart as they call it is a quick convenient reasonable ($5.50) way to get to downtown, from the airport. It links San Francisco with the East Bay, and stops right where you want to be. Wish we had something similar, and at that price. We chose a number of hotels, so we could tell you about each one of them. One we absolutely loved was the Queen Anne (prices start at $99/night); May to October is the high season, with prices and crowds to match. This elegant Painted Lady dates back to 1890 when it was Miss Mary Lake's finishing school for young ladies. It boasts a resident ghost, and is the location where the Ghost Walk starts. Book #410, known as the haunted room for the chance to see Miss Mary Lake. The 48 room guesthouse has been completely restored and is full of antiques. The large lounges beg for guests to stay a while, and we did. We entertained, took our drinks down to sip in front of the fire, and frankly used it as a living room. Some guests even ordered in and ate there. It is a little ways away from Union Square, closer in fact to Nob Hill, and all the other "Must see" areas, but we could still walk everywhere, and if you didn't want to they provided a morning free limo service, and a very nice continental breakfast and afternoon tea and sherry. Visit www.queenanne.com. Because it was in a neighbourhood, we discovered things we wouldn't have on the tourist track. One of the surprises was the Elite Restaurant 1535 Franklin St. We had the best club sandwiches we've ever eaten, and the price was a mere $5.25 each. We were looking for value for dollar so the first thing we did was to buy a CITYPASS for $49, (saving us $55). This got us seven days of transportation including the cable cars, and an hour long cruise which sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, past Angel Island, and around Alcatraz. It also included the Museum of Modern Downtown was a regular stopping stop. I was constantly amazed at how friendly the locals were, from the wait staff, to retail staff, to just people on the street. Obviously they were used to tourists, but not tired of us. Mark Twain summed up the San Francisco climate 100 years ago: "the coldest winter I ever spent was in summer." It can get surprisingly cold, but the shoulder season; late fall, winter, and early spring can be lovely. Even though mid-week they had the coldest weather they'd had in years, and the radio kept telling people to keep their dogs inside, by noon every day, it was warm enough to peel off layers of clothes. By 5 pm., we were putting them all back on. While we were in the Pacific Heights area, it was a short walk to pick up a walking tour called Local Tastes of the City, www.localtastesofthecitytours.com. We ate our way through North Beach/Little Italy with owner Tom Medin and learned a tremendous amount through his passionate three hour tour. We learned about coffee, bread, pastries, chocolate, and of course got to meet the owners, chefs and bakers. If you're a foody you'll want to do this tour, quite a different way to see an interesting neighborhood. And this city has to be one of the world's best places to eat. San Francisco lives up to its reputation as the world's favorite North American city to visit. We'll be back. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca Art, the Aquarium of the Bay, deYoung/Legion of Honor, the Exploratorium, and either the California Academy of Sciences and Steinhart Aquarium or the Asian Art Museum. To experience this famed city, you have to slow down and savor the neighborhoods, talk to the locals, and pause for a dish or a drink. And that we did, by the hour. The photographer who accompanied me took 1,400 pictures, many of them of the "Painted Ladies." We had no idea of the different styles of Victorian Homes. One that I'd never seen is the simple Italianate style of the 1870s. We're all familiar with the Queen Anne style, with balconies, towers, turrets and bay windows, but the Stick Style named for its vertical stick ­ like patterning, was new to me. Walking is wonderful, with a photo opportunity or treasure to be found around every corner, but eventually it is nice to rest your feet and hop on one of the famed cable cars. We did so much walking up and down hills, we didn't have to worry about counting calories, and so fun Perry's BEAVER TRAILS TO MONTE CARLO: Lois and Bill Nixon took The Oakville Beaver on a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. They are pictured here in front of the Prince's Palace in Monte Carlo. Take along a copy of The Oakville Beaver on your next vacation and send it in for publication to Beaver Trails, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4 or e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. Springtime in Provence! Barge cruising is a magnificent way to see Europe. Following the gentle curves of centuries old canals, you glide by medieval villages, royal chateaux and storybook towers, and the countryside takes your breath away. Cruising the waterways of Europe is a feast for the senses. This is a Europe you may have never seen before. Stopping to interact with the people of the region, you cease to be a tourist and become a true traveller. Lend a hand with the lock-keeper, tag along with the chef to the local fish market, or stroll or ride a bicycle along the tow-paths. And this spring, you can discover the delights of luxury barge cruising in beautiful Provence aboard L'Impressionniste. The 12 passenger L'Impressionniste began life as a cargo barge in Holland before undergoing a complete transformation into the powerful canal and river cruiser she is today. Her light and airy interior features picture windows and selections of prints, fabrics and wall colorings reminiscent of the turn of the century era after which she has been named. She is crewed by a knowledgeable Captain, Master Chef and crew of three. L'Impressionniste's classic route offers some fine rural cruising with plenty of opportunity to cycle and stroll along the tow-paths and wander into nearby villages. The 7 day Provence itinerary is fantastic between Avignon and Agde (reverse direction on alternate weeks). Cruise highlights include ­ Avignon, The Pope's Palace, Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting; walking tour of Van Gogh's Arles; medieval city of Aigues Mortes; the wild horses, bulls and flamingos of the Camargue National Park; oyster and mussel exhibition at Bouzigues; Marseillan's distillery and tasting of Noilly Prat Vermouth. This fabulous cruise includes gourmet food, fine wine, open bar, excursions, transfers and the use of barge facilities such as touring bicycles and spa pool. We have a $240 per person "Book Now and Save" limited space offer for April and May sailings based on double occupancy and space available. Give us a call for more information! PUERTO PLATA Fun Royale/Tropicale Beach Resort 7 Nights All Inclusive $ 667 00 (plus applicable taxes) $284.00 per person departures from Toronto March 4th 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca Relax... you're with us 221 Lakeshore Road E. Oakville Location: 905-337-2228 wwwhookedoncruising.com 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville This spot could be YOURS! 905-845-3824 (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com