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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 24, 2007 - 19 Paris proves a charm Hey Single Moms! With lots of single mothers residing in Canada, Beaches Resorts hopes to encourage those who single-handedly serve as caretaker, chauffer, and chef day-in and day-out, to take a much-needed break and vacation of their own this Mother's Day. With Beaches Resorts popular Single Parent Fun (SPF) month starting in May, there is no better time or place for single mothers to celebrate their special day with their most beloved. From May 1-31, 2007 and August 17-October 31, 2007, Beaches will waive the single supplement (up to $190 per night) for parents travelling with children and implement its popular SPF activities at all four Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos. SPF activities include Single Parent Welcome Receptions, Single Parent Social Cocktail Receptions, Kids' Movie Nights and more, allowing parents to spend one-on-one time with their children during the day and engage in adult conversation and fellowship at night. The SPF offer is available at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa, Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Beaches Sandy Bay and Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club with a three-night minimum stay and is combinable with Beaches' current 25% off sale for 2007 travel. Martinair Amsterdam ­ Special Spring Fares These Special Spring Fares are valid only on the dates shown, subject to availability, no changes or refunds, taxes and fees $198.00 additional. Depart April 10 ­ Return April 17 $299.00 Depart April 10 ­ Return May 01 or 07 $359.00 Depart April 16 or 17 ­ Return April 30, May 01 or 07 $379.00 For more information, give us a call! McTavish Travel, celebrating 35 years of Service Excellence in 2007! Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com T he first time I went to Paris, I thought it was a charming city. All I'd read was true, including the Parisians, who I read were cold and rude. Well I was there last fall, and the Parisians have all been to charm school. They smiled and were so helpful, often without being asked. I couldn't believe it. Toronto should do so well. Were the circumstances different? No. Both times I wandered the city of lights alone, ate alone, and went sightseeing alone. Yes, it is the most romantic city on earth, but wandering the lovely tree lined boulevards only made me think back fondly to some of my own romantic moments. Everybody, I'm told, sees Paris in a different way. This time for me it was all about the Parisians, and how they enjoy their city. I watched them grocery shop, followed them onto the Metro, into Bistros to meet and chat with their friends, along the Seine, and even watched them caring for graves in the Cimetiere de Montmartre. This is the final resting place of famous composers, writers, and artists. Who knew who it was that I was watching care for the tombs and headstones with such loving care? The cemetery was handy just around the block from my hotel, the Hotel Mercure Paris Montparnasse. I was surprised to find the hotel only a three-plus, it deserves a four for the service, breakfast and the pleasant rooms. It was next to the lively Butte Montmartre area, and when you walked out the door you had many choices of restaurants, movie theatres and cafés. In fact this very nice hotel was in a great spot with buses and a subway really close. I could walk to the Seine and stare at the Eiffel Tower on the way back. A perfect base for exploring the city. And I'm not surprised. Air Transat's buyer does a great job of choosing the hotels for their Europe packages. I've talked to a hotelier who claims she is passionate about getting the best experience possible for Transat guests. Mercure Hotels have an excellent reputation, and certainly I've never been disappointed. This Mercure hotel is $1,199 plus taxes, each of two, for air, accommodations, the transfer, and great breakfast. The dates for this price are for departures between April 25 and June 5. It is also part of the two capitals concept that Air Transat has made so popular. You can stay one or two weeks in London and Edinburgh, London and Paris, and Nice or Paris and Amsterdam. I did the Nice-Paris trip. Staying a week in each city really gives you a chance to explore and experience a city in an intimate way. This year there are more than ever to choose from. I remember when the brochure was just 16 pages, now it is 106. New are Vienna and Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg and Vienna and Prague. It is spring here now, but in Europe the spring flowers are up, there are people sitting at tables that magically appear on the sidewalks outside restaurants, and of course there's often a dog sitting quietly under the table. The flea markets are jammed with Parisians looking for bargains just as I was. Yes, of course you must see the Louvre so you can tell everyone about the experience, but Paris has more beyond the `must-see' major museums, that won't require a whole day and line-ups to `do' them. The once famous artist's haunt of Montmartre brags the Musée Cognacq-Jay, and is around the corner from the popular Musée Picasso. These two gems can be done in an hour. And when I did explore, looking just like a tourist with the map in my hand, it was staggering how many Parisians stopped and asked if they could help. It was also amazing how much English they spoke. The first time I went, I came home saying "Don't want to see it again." After this trip, I'm planning my next one. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. TOP REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH US · Best Value Cheapest is not always best. We make sure you get top value for your dollar · Personal Service We are not an internet company. You know where and how to reach us when you need us. · Expert Advice We have invaluable, unbiased knowledge and expertise about travel products and destinations, providing you with the best value. Gina Cheng · Cruise Authority We are affiliated with Ensemble Travel Group, an international organization of 1200 Travel Agencies, and the #1 cruise seller in Canada. We specialize in recommending only our preferred cruise partners who we know thoroughly. · Convenience One stop shopping for car, air, hotel, tours, cruise and insurance. · Time Savings We source "the best deal" so you can spend your time on more important things. · Professional Advice We have access to all vital information, including visas, passports, medical requirements, currency and safety precautions. · Travel Insurance We provide you with the right travel insurance advice to suit your needs. · Peace of Mind We're available to assist you throughout your vacation. If you book on the internet, who will assist you? Be sure to visit our office to pick up your free copy of our latest issue of Ensemble Vacations magazine. BEAVER TRAILS TO TUSCANY: Beaver Trails headed to Tuscany with a stop in Arezzo to discover the sights where the famous movie Life is Beautiful was filmed. Mario and Teresa Comegna and Lynda and Bryon LaHaise enjoyed a week-long car trip through Italy, making this one of their many stops. 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. Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Ont Reg No 2766538 Ont Reg No 2766538 Oakville Location: 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905-842-4999 lakeshore@travelchoice.ca Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville Relax... you're with us 221 Lakeshore Road E. (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com 905-337-2228 wwwhookedoncruising.com