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36 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 3, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Swimming in the cenotes Just a three-and-a-half hour flight from Toronto, the Mayan Riviera offers not just sunshine, gorgeous turquoise water and white sand beaches, it has more to keep you busy and off that lovely beach than any other destination I've been to. "What did you like best?" I asked my partner when Sunwing Airlines flew us home. "I loved Chichen Itza (after practicing not to call it Chicken Pizza), I loved Tulum, it was fun wandering the streets of Tulum town and choosing a little restaurant with wonderful Italian food, but I guess if I had to choose I'd spend a second day snorkeling the cenotes. I had no idea that these underground rivers existed. You really need two weeks to enjoy the Grand Oasis Riviera Maya and do everything the area has to offer." I agree the history of the Yucatan is amazing. Yes, there are beautiful beaches, but swimming in the cenotes is an experience not to be missed. The region is limestone, and the cenotes are sort of gigantic wells, that give access to these rivers and the caves through which they run. Because this area is so new to tourists, the cenotes are still being explored by divers who have so far chartvery addictive, and we had to resist the temptation to see them all. An Aquatic expedition tour ($85) takes you to three different hidden snorkeling spots, and includes lunch, equipment, and drinks. It is a great beginning to learn more about the extraordinary Mayans and their culture. Chichen Itza was declared one of the seventh wonders of world last July, and has become a "must see." And no you can't climb the mysterious pyramid of Kukulcan, anymore. News to me, is that if you're staying in one of the resorts past Playa del Carmen, you can now take the highway that used to only go to Coba and cut lots of time off your trip. Along with the improved road, the artisan shops are opening, with interesting crafts to buy. I confess, I lugged home a hand painted bathroom sink. You can though discover the Mayan site of Coba way in the jungle and climb the Nohoch Mull temple pyramid. It is the highest ancient construction in all of the Yucatan. The Mayan marine city of Tulum has to be the most beautiful site on the Riviera Maya. It was constructed all those centuries ago, and it is simple to imagine the Mayan canoes landing on the beach to offload their cargo. A day tour includes XEL HA, a large natural aquarium, where you can swim and snorkel accompanied by fish ($100). We could easily have been busy daily, but it was hard to leave the all- inclusive Grand Oasis Riviera Maya, rated a Gold by Sunwing Vacations.. The resort is not too big at 376 rooms, has excellent food which is maybe why so many of the Italian guests walked around with a smile, as did everyone else. If you have kids but don't need a kids' club, kids two to six, and seven to 12 stay, play and eat free, except for certain periods. The animation director and his team are great. It was a must to do the water aquatics every day, simply because you learned a little Spanish, and had a lot of laughs during the hour. And yes, there is a tennis court, a spa, with a Temazcal (Mayan sauna), and golf is close by if you want more than the free pitch and putt course. Flying home, my partner spent the time looking at the more than 1,000 pictures he took, while enjoying the extra leg room that $25 each way gets you. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. BEAVER TRAILS TO PANAMA: Kaye Goold and lorraine Begg took The Oakville Beaver on a 10-day cruise to the Panama Canal. 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. Hook a great deal including FREE Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More Ticket Upgrades! Hurry! You must book by December 15, 2007! Now you can come live out more Disney dreams because The Year of a Million Dreams celebration is continuing for one final year. And with this special package you can do it all with FREE upgrades to Park Hopper Option and Water Park Fun & More Option**. Enjoy enchanting new entertainment, fantastic new attractions and the dream-making magic Disney Cast Members create for Guests every day. It's the best way to experience all the magic the world has to offer. ed 160 km of connecting caves, naming them as they explore. It makes for some interesting names such as the cenotes called "Where Are We?". In pre-Columbian times, the Mayans used them for water supplies, and built their towns near them. They were sacred places, where, like at Chichen Itza, the Mayan priests officiated at ceremonial offerings. Each cenote is a bit, or even a lot, different. Some look like a small lake, others are partially covered. It becomes 4 Night/5 Day Package US $ 385 * PER ADULT Based on adult double occupancy at Select Disney Value Resort hotels in a standard room. Offer available most nights 1/1/08 ­ 1/17/08 and 1/21/08 ­ 2/13/08. For more information call 1-800-992-8143, click www.caasco.com/travel or visit your local CAA Travel Store today! Ask for package code ZWJ. Air Canada has launched a special Flight Pass promotion offering travellers savings and the freedom of unlimited travel this winter to destinations across Canada and between Canada and the US. On sale now until 02DEC07, Air Canada's "Winter Getaway Pass" is offered as a single traveller or two traveller pass, for unlimited flying on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays with choices of three North American geographic travel zones, and a choice of either a one-month (08JAN08-05FEB08) or two-month (08JAN08-04MAR08) travel period this winter season. The single traveller Eastern Pass (valid from/to all AC cities in Canada east of Saskatchewan, trans-border to/from AC cities from Minneapolis to the Eastern Seaboard including Texas and Florida) one-month pass, includes all applicable airport fees and charges, complimentary seat selection and 2,000 Aeroplan non status miles. The one month single traveller Eastern pass is just $529.00 while the single traveller 2-month Eastern Pass is just $499.00 per month. The North America Winter Getaway Pass (valid to all cities in continental North America served by Air Canada and AC Jazz) is $829.00 for one month or $799 per month for two months. The two-traveller "Winter Getaway Pass" offers even further value with a 10 per cent discount compared to purchasing two single travel passes. Call us for details! AIR CANADA LAUNCHES "WINTER GETAWAY PASS" GLOBUS EARLY BOOKING BONUS You can save up to $300.00 per couple on Globus & Cosmos 2008 Europe tours with the Globus Early Booking Bonus. Save $150.00 per person on air-inclusive Globus Europe coach tours, $100.00 per person on land only Globus Europe coach tours, $100.00 per person on air-inclusive or land only Cosmos Europe coach tours or $100.00 per person on air-inclusive Monograms Europe tours. Tours must be booked and under deposit by 30NOV07 and travel must commence between 01JAN08-31OCT08. This discount is not applicable to groups, River Cruises or other discounts and is subject to space availability. We have 2008 Globus brochures in stock ­ Globus Europe & Britain 2008, Italy 2008, Worldwide Religious Travel 2008, Sount America, Asia & South Pacific 2008, Africa 2008, United States & Canada 2008 and European Winter Vacations 2007/2008. Call us! *The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. **Water Parks subject to seasonal and weather closure. Excludes events/activities separately priced. Ask your CAA travel professional about packages for other lengths of stay, or other rates for stays most nights 2/14/08 ­ 3/15/08. As to Disney artwork/properties: ©Disney ®CAA and CAA logo trade-marks owned by and use is granted by the Canadian Automobile Association. Ontario Registration #50014517 CAA Travel South Central Ontario Inc., 60 Commerce Valley Dr. E., Thornhill ON L3T 7P9 Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com Relax... you're with us 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 www.hookedoncruising.com (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com