www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 2, 2007 - 27 HALF MOON, MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA Lengthy Downunder trip made easy by Goway Travel es, you can book travel on the web, but complicated itineraries are best done with an agent you trust, because they will know the best wholesale tour operator to book your trip. A Canadian company with an excellent reputation for the South Pacific, and Downunder, Goway Travel Ltd., was my agent's choice and mine too for that matter, for my six-week trip. This is my fifth trip to Australia, and I've used Goway three times. They are licensed in Ontario which gives me protection, they know the product inside out and they have an office in Sydney, in case I have problems. A colleague was stranded in Sydney once during 9/11, and Goway rescued her. Established in 1970 Goway can put together a whole package for you, with a coach tour or just pieces like we've done. You can rent a car, a camper, book hotels and resorts, air, even a cruise. Part of my job is to check prices, and everything I've checked was cheaper through them. I wanted to visit Fiji, after the travel warnings were lifted, to see if it was safe again to visit this beautiful region. The December coup, according to one hotelier, had to be postponed due to a soccer match, and everybody knew which day the bloodless coup would happen, and it happened a long way from where tourists are. Goway suggested a brand new five-star resort Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Malolo island, where legend has it, Fijians believed the sun comes to rest. It is a fabulous place to rest. To get to the furthest island in the Mamanuca islands group, Goway suggested a We are pleased to announce that effective immediately Air Canada Vacations now offers package holidays to Half Moon, Jamaica. Half Moon features 398 beautifully appointed rooms and suites. Guests can enjoy an exclusive dolphin lagoon, championship golf on one of the Caribbean's best walking courses, an equestrian centre, first-class tennis, and a variety of water sports including diving as well as delectable specialty restaurants. 10 REASONS WHY HALF MOON IS GREAT FOR FAMILIES 10. Well-trained nannies and coordinators certified by Penn State University's Better Kid Care programme. 9. One-of-a-kind cultural activity centre with full, exciting activities for children 3 to 12. 8. 400-acres of safe family playground 7. Activities galore exclusive dolphin lagoon, pony ride and equestrian centre, 13 lit tennis courts and the services of USTA-trained tennis pros, 18-hole championship golf course along with the only David Leadbetter Golf Academy in the Caribbean, 18-hole putting green, 2 miles of private beach, 51 wonderful swimming pools and much more 6. 800 charming, attentive staff to take care of your every need 5. Location, location, location direct flight from Toronto and just minutes from the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. 4. 32 five -,six- and seven-bedroom villas fully staffed with cook, butler, housekeeper and gardener; several spacious two-bedroom Hibiscus Suites and Royal Suites; a wide selection of rooms and suites to accommodate families large and small. 3. A pre-arrival Concierge to help pre-arrange unique experiences so your vacation begins the moment you arrive 2. Delectable cuisine to tempt every palate, from the young to the young at heart. 1. Great rates and packages designed with families in mind. For more information, give us a call! Y South Sea Island cruise, and then a seaplane back to connect with our onward flight to Sydney. This meant, when our overnight flight arrived, we could have a leisurely breakfast in the garden of the Mecure Nadi Hotel, before the transfer to the Denarau dock, for our two-hour cruise to Likiliku Lagoon Resort. Cruising amongst the breathtaking islands became part of the holiday. People got off and on at each stop, raving about their holiday, right after drying their tears because it was over. I wondered if we had enough time to fly from the island and make our connection to Sydney, when our four days were up, but again there was no need to worry. The seaplane arrived sharp at 7 a.m., flew into Nadi Airport after a 15-minute scenic flight, and we had enough time to really do up duty-free before flying at 9 a.m. I've been to Fiji before, but never using Goway's services and I had no idea of the day cruises available. The next time I come, I won't have as long to spend in Fiji, so what I'll do is fly in in the morning, then take one of South Sea Island's day trips, choose one of 10 islands in the Mamanuca Island group to spend the day, head back by ship to Nagi, stay overnight at the Mecure Nadi Hotel, then fly out the next morning. They have a number of options aside from their two fast ferries, a Catamaran, and a schooner. This is a great way to break up a long trip. So far the trip was perfect, but when I started booking on the web, it fell apart. In Sydney, I wanted to explore the idea of B&Bs, so I could recommend some to you. I booked two on the web, and although they looked gorgeous, and were in the neighbourhoods I wanted, I couldn't possibly recommend either. The first (at $145) had lumpy beds, a visiting cockroach, uninteresting breakfast, and a somewhat surly innkeeper. The second (at $142), had a kitchen that made mine seem spotless, the B&B owner wanted cash in spite of advertising that she took credit cards, the place was freezing, and there weren't any heaters. The hot breakfast we paid $10 extra for never materialized, and we made our own coffee. I spent hours and hours pouring over web sites, only to be disappointed in my choices. I could have booked a hotel with an indoor pool through Goway for the same price. We needed a car for a couple of days, we would have saved money booking it in Canada. At the resort we ran into several American travel agents who specialize in Fiji. "We use Goway for Fiji, they do a great job at a great price," they said. I don't think I've ever before heard our neighbours brag about a Canadian product. -- You can contact Sam Ion at sion10@cogecos.ca Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com A JOURNEY THROUGH CHINA 2007 What better way to see China than to have someone originally from the area who knows the country intimately to travel with you to make this journey an experience of a life time. . It has always been my desire to introduce and share my Chinese heritage and culture with my fellow Canadian travelers. To that end, last year my husband and I led a group of friends and clients on a trip through China. Everyone had such a wonderful time & it was such a great success that we have decided to do it all over again this fall. Gina Cheng Our special escorted tour will be a 17 day, 16 night adventure; departing Toronto on October 13th, 2007 and returning on October 29th, 2007. We will be visiting Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Kunming, Lijiang & Hong Kong. This carefully crafted itinerary includes the ever popular attractions such as Yu Garden, The Forbidden City, Tian An Men Square, The Great Wall & the Terracotta Warriors. We also travel a little off the traditional "China Tour" path into Kunming, well known for its breathtaking and unique natural landscape, as well as Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, possibly the best preserved "old town" in China. Lijiang is one of the last places in this country where a visitor can witness and experience a historic, traditional urban culture. "A Journey through China 2007" For more trip details please contact me at 905-849-0333 or visit www.totaltravel-oakville.com/groups/china2007/journey.html Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Ont Reg No 2766538 Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville Oakville Location: Relax... you're with us 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca 221 Lakeshore Road E. (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com 905-337-2228 wwwhookedoncruising.com