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14 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 22, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Exploring the Grenadines St. Vincent and the Grenadines have always been a sailor's delight, but slowly landlubbers have come to discover the way the Caribbean used to be. There are more than 30 islands, many unoccupied in this part of the Windward Islands, and they're surrounded by coral reefs. If you're struggling to remember where they are, their closest neighbours are Grenada 120 km to the south, St. Lucia 40 km to the north and Barbados 160 km to the east. I've always wanted to go there and explore, but felt it would probably be too upscale for my budget, and maybe yours. And yes there are some very upscale properties, but there are others that are surprisingly reasonable. I found many things from meals to duty free alcohol much more inexpensive than I expected. We poked around for eight days and found properties I'd recommend, in a number of price ranges. I did the math pricing an all-inclusive stay in a large hotel somewhere else, with accommodation in this area that isn't all inclusive. And the prices are very comparable. And I found lovely Palm Island that is allinclusive. I loved the small properties, which had absolutely stunning beaches; I liked the feel of the accommodation. And I found the prices value for dollar. It is though, like comparing apples and oranges. If you want a lot of entertainment, kid's clubs and everything a large all-inclusive offers, this isn't a destination for you. If you can make your own fun, enjoy a quiet laid back atmosphere, with a small band some evenings, this is definitely worth some investigating. Young Island just 200 yards off St. Vincent was the chosen home of the stars and crew making Pirates of the Caribbean. They stayed six weeks when the first movie was filmed and three weeks for the second one. And yes Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp stayed there. same time every year, strictly because other guests are there. A seven night stay for two starts at $4,500 plus taxes. Visit www.eliteislandresorts.com. Petit St. Vincent is another small resort on a 113-acre Island. Dog lovers will adore this resort, when they meet the six golden labs who have the run of the island, and will join you for a swim or appear at your cottage for a visit. They'll be the only visitors who interfere with your privacy; this resort has a system of flags at the approach to each cottage. Red means stay away, yellow means we need something, such as a full ice bucket, breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack. You place your request in a little slot at the base of the bamboo flagpole, and a staffer picks it up. Staff outnumber guests two to one. On the south coast of St. Vincent is Grand View Beach Hotel, a renovated plantation house with a secluded beach, pool, great bar, phones, TVs and a nice dining room. Drinks were very reasonable. Prices start at $130 a night plus taxes. If you want to unpack, stay a week or six, and cook some of your own meals, Friendship Garden Apartments will appeal to you. It's about nine miles south of Vincent on the island of Bequia. You can take the ferry. The apartments are spacious, and spotless, with full kitchens, about a three minute walk to a glorious beach. There's a bar restaurant at one end of it, and you're sure to find other short stay guests to socialize with. Rates start at $560 a week. Raffles Resort on the Island of Canouan is the largest resort so far. Simple luxury describes this 165 single and double villa resort with an 18 hole golf club, state of the art spa, and the Villa Monte Carlo Europeanstyle gaming room. Each villa has its own golf cart to transport you to fine dining, beautiful pools, or the two beaches. Prices start at $480 a night. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca BEAVER TRAILS TO MEXICO: Rodney, Julie and Oakville Beaver carrier Emily Lobo took The Oakville Beaver with them on their vacation to the Mayan Riviera, Mexico. 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. roblems? p Training tty ? ugh DPA tting eno tudes? ith atti ens w g blues? astfeedin re allenge parent ch ingle ? rty ideas a irthday p school? t oblems a r g rivalry? iblin e issues? isciplin suppor t ? s cial need pe Now you can connect c with other parents sharing the same experiences 24/7 in the PARENT-TO PARENT FORUM @ City Parent and TVO recognize and reward children who have made a difference! Sponsored by Staff found Orlando Bloom really nice, and guests were speechless when Geoffrey Rush socialized at every weekly cocktail party. They found him "really really nice." And the resort's hospitality reflects manager Bianca Porter's charm, eye for detail, and motto which is "We under promise and over deliver." This lush resort that takes up the entire island has 29 luxurious cottages, dotted through lush landscaping, five of them with pools, and four suites with lap pools. You can choose a seaside cottage, or hillside with stunning views. The resort's two boats provide free transport back and forth to the dock in St. Vincent, and there are some great restaurants and bars right off the dock. Instead of a swim up pool bar, the Coconut Bar is a swim up bar just a quick wade off the beach. The Lovers Package of seven nights which includes three meals, round trip airport transfer, service charges and laundry starts at $3,280 for two. The food was excellent, so were the beds, in fact I loved it. Palm Island has a very different feel. Set on its own 135acre island this all-inclusive 37 guestroom resort is dwarfed by coconut palms and kissed by five white sand beaches. It is perfect for escapists wanting an elegant Caribbean retreat. Be as private as you like, or join the very social cocktail hour. It has a huge repeat factor. I met guests who come at the 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 To advertise in this section call 905-845-3824