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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 29, 2008 - 13 Virginia Beach for lovers, whale watching, good food and fun T he whales are on the move and it is the thrill of a lifetime to watch them on their long seasonal migrations. They mate and calve in tropical waters during the winter and then travel to cold polar waters during the summer to feed. During the summer in the warm waters, adults do not eat, but live off their layer of blubber (fat); the young calves feed on mother's milk. However, it is a long way to the Azores, New Zealand, Samana in the Dominican Republic, Victoria or the east coast in Canada, to see them. It is, though, just a 10hour drive to the Virginia Beach coast. Every winter, thanks to the food-rich mouth of the waters near Virginia Beach, these marine mammals can be seen spyhopping (their head is out of the water), lobtailing (their tail is out of the water), and breacshing (their entire body is airborne). This year, Virginia Beach's whale watching hotel packages offer great value. The packages start at $140 each. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center starts its boat trips on Dec. 27 and they run until March 15. Beyond the beach, you can play golf, so pack your clubs in the trunk. There are 18 courses to choose from. Virginia Beach also boasts more than 300 restaurants, many that are all about seafood. Catch 31 on Atlantic Avenue offers an extensive menu and there are outdoor terraces with fire pits, as well, for cooler weather and you'll be able to see the boardwalk and Neptune's Park. Be sure to check out the washroom, the restaurant was recognized as having the second best washroom in America in 2007. To eat with the locals, head to Doc Taylor's, at 207 23rd Street, a beacon for casual dining. If it's busy, you receive a beeper and you can window shop until your table is ready. The Town Center, a 17block area of upscale retail, nightlife and great restaurants, is a very different setting. Virginia Beach Restaurant Week is Jan. 18-Jan. 25. Some restaurants will offer prix-fixe lunches and dinners. Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay, avid fishing anglers find a winter paradise in Virginia Beach. The resort city boasts two inlets and landlubbers can cast their lines off the piers, without a fishing licence. For entertainment, the new Sandler Center for the Performing Arts at Virginia Beach Town Center hosts artists in dance, music, and theatre. The 1,300-seat centre -- showcasing an exquisite grand lobby and outdoor performance plaza -- will feature acts this winter such as jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, musical great Jonny Lang and 100 Years of Broadway, recreating the finest shows of the century. For more information on whale watching, call the Virginia Beach Whale Hotline toll-free at 1-866-59WHALE (866-599-4253) or visit www.vbfun.com. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. HOLIDAY MIRACLES "Yes Virginia, there is still space at Christmas!" If you REALLY NEED to get away over Christmas but can't decide if a family vacation is in the budget - here are some amazing Christmas Holiday Deals that can make all your Christmas wishes come true!! Get Your Wheels in Motion out Ask AbParties Birthday u outt A Ask ab o y ty t ar our Par s o e rates Pass at P Conquest Vacations; 5-Star MELIA LAS AMERICAS, Varadero, Cuba; 20-27DEC08; Air Canada; All-inclusive; Ocean-view; Unlimited Free Golf plus cart at extra charge; $1,739.00 per person double plus $199.00 taxes and fees. Join the Fun Public Skating Bowling Gifts Billiards Video Games Snack Bar Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford Sunwing Vacations; 5-Star DREAMS PALM BEACH, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; 25DEC08-01JAN09; Sunwing Airlines; All-inclusive; Deluxe Tropical View Room; $1,325.00 per person double plus $298.00 taxes and fees. Sunquest Vacations; 5-Star RIU SANTA FE, Los Cabos, Mexico; 22-28DEC08; SkyService; All-inclusive; Standard hotel room; $1,197.00 per person double plus $266.50 taxes and fees. Air Canada Vacations; Sandals Grand St. Lucia, St. Lucia; 22-29DEC08; Air Canada; Allinclusive; Grand Premium Room; $2,488.00 per person double plus $277.85 taxes and fees. Rates valid to Nov 30, 2008 (fuel surcharge is applicable) ce ter's Roller Pala Scoo rive Windsor D 2105 tRoyal Southdown Road) west of (jus er www.scoot s.on.ca Jetways offers daily one-way and round-trip airport shuttle transfers from/to, Burlington, Hamilton and now Brantford to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Signature Vacations; Ocean Sand by H10, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; 21-28DEC08; SkyService; All-inclusive; Standard hotel room; $1,318.00 per person double plus $308.00 taxes and fees. Call us for more information and availability. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com (1-866-953-8929) (905) 823-4001