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16 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 24, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Dreams of sunshine brighten February blahs Aren't you starting to dream of a sunny beach? There is something about February that makes us long to put on a bathing suit and open the dream brochures. If you're dreaming of a beach, but have to wait for your tax rebate cheque to arrive, several travel companies can get you there on a go now/pay later plan. BelAir Travel. com. has just announced a Vacation Now, Pay Later, program where you can leave immediately and pay six months later, with no interest or payment. A word of caution here though, if you don't pay within six months, the interest rates are huge. But this plan is perfect for those who know they can budget or pay it within that time period, and Bel Air assures me that you'll hear a yeah or nay almost instantly. You can use this offer on sunny southern vacations, cruise packages, flights and hotel bookings from Sunquest Vacations, Holiday House, ALBA Tours, Network, Cruise Escapes, Encore Cruises and R.B.C travel insurance. The minimum is $999 per person including taxes, and there is a $30 administration fee, but it along with taxes can be deferred for the entire six months. Call 1-888-BELAIR for more information. Sears Travel also has a Don't Pay Right Away, program, which gives you several options, but you must have a Sears card. You must buy a package that is worth $1,200 each and pay an installment of $55 up front. Then your payments are divided into 12 equal payments. Their other program defers the payment until January 2008, after you've paid $70 up front. Their program requires you to buy a trip that is a minimum of $2,400 per couple before taxes, and you pay a $70 deferral fee at the time of booking. We're heading into the busiest time for sun destinations, and Sunwing Vacations spokesperson Martha Chapman has some sound advice. If you are going to go anywhere during March break, Sunwing Vacation offers suggestions that will make travelling easier. Before even heading to the airport, look into advance seating so the whole family can sit together. Leave extra time to get to the airport. Not only will the check-in line be lengthy, but also early March weather can gum up the roads. Travellers leaving from Toronto's Pearson Airport for the U.S. should leave additional time as they will actually be going through U.S. Custom's clearance before boarding their plane. And those leaving the newly expanded Terminal 1 might want to leave additional time for shopping -- the terminal has almost one square kilometer of duty-free shopping. Bring some snacks along to help avoid rumbling tummies in the departure lounge. Remember though that drinks will be confiscated at security, so save that juice or water purchase for when you're in the departure area. It is a great idea for each child to have a knapsack for hand luggage. Ensure they have one or two of their favourite toys (or hand-held games). Bring along some new treats and fresh books as a nice surprise during the flight. Most airlines have a pay-as-you-go system for buying food unless you are flying a charter aircraft like Sunwing Airlines, where meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included, so pack some snacks or even a lunch. Cranky kids and adults feel better with fuel in their tummies. Start deciding what to take now, even if your holiday is a month away. Find a spot and start putting things there, starting with all the documents you need. If you're going to an all-inclusive, pack an insulated mug for each member of the family -- you have no idea how useful you'll find it. Then leave it, with a tip in it for the maid. When the pile gets to fall off the chair or the dresser, then take half away, you really don't need all those clothes, and airlines are very strict about weight these days. Don't wear or pack jeans, they are too hot for southern climates. Leave your good jewelry at home, and anything else that you really care about; who needs to worry about it. And what would I recommend in a last minute sell-off? If you can leave March 3, Sunscape Adventura in Mexico's Mayan is on sale for $1,157 each of two, plus taxes. It is a property I love, partly because you can choose to wander into any of their a la carte restaurants without a reservation. If there isn't a table, they'll give you a beeper, and beep you when the table is ready. I'm thinking of going myself. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. BEAVER TRAILS TO BERLIN: Andrew and Michael Pearce in front of a portion of the Berlin Wall in Germany where they visited with their family for the World Cup final as guests of Mastercard International. 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. CAA MEMBERS Book a European Coach Tour and you'll get $200 per couple $100 Canadian funds per person CAA Visa TravelMoney* Card to spend while on your tour INSIGHT VACATIONS Re-discover the Golden Age of Touring Enjoy smaller groups of 40 guests maximum, first-class hotels in desirable locations, more legroom and inclusions. Unique Touring Itineraries Country Roads tours to travel off the beaten path; more leisurely Easy Pace tours; Discovery or Regional tours. Experience Ancient Civilizations First class Nile & Mediterranean cruising plus a host of tours to Egypt, Greece, Turkey and Israel. TRAFALGAR TOURS Vacations to Suit You From leisure and family oriented itineraries to river cruising and independent holiday styles. Choices Hundreds of itineraries and thousands of departure dates to choose from, book early to get the tour you want, when you want. New for 2007 Welcome dinners on all tours, Explore Hidden Treasures© sightseeing in all major cities and your very own personal headsets. Visit your local CAA Travel Store to book today! Book between January 20 ­ April 15, 2007 for travel in 2007 on a tour 10 days or longer. Some conditions apply, please ask us for full offer details. Not valid with any other promotion. *Visa Int'l/Citizens Bank of Canada and CAA, Licensed Users. Another travel money product may be substituted at time of purchase. Ont. Reg. #50014517 CAA South Central Ontario 60 Commerce Valley Dr. E., Thornhill ON L3T 7P9. ®CAA and CAA logo trademark owned by and use is grantd by the Canadian Automobile Association. PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Gran Ventana Beach Resort 7 Nights All Inclusive $1147 00 (plus applicable taxes) $284.00 per person departures from Toronto March 8th 1-800-992-8143 | www.caatravel.com 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca Oakville Location: Relax... you're with us 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca 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 wwwhookedoncruising.com (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Ont Reg No 2766538