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36 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 27, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Extend your stay at Honduras Shores es, Honduras Shores Plantation is open and ready for long-stay Canadians as usual. Hurricane Felix was supposed to hit dead on, but turned left at the last minute. The wind and rain blew down a few palm leaves, and that was it. And the best news is the season for hurricanes is over for this year. So, I will be going on my holidays there as usual, and all of you who were worried can uncross your fingers. Honduras Shores has become a secret gem for those looking for long-stay holidays, at very reasonable prices. The property is gated and in the middle of privately-owned villas, there is a group of 12 rental casitas (little cottages) near a huge ecological lagoon (think fishing and birding) and a short 80-metre walk through the property to the quiet stretch of sandy Caribbean beach. A covered boardwalk with Muskoka chairs has become the place to sip a drink and watch the sun go down. You can walk for hours on the hard-packed beach. Another meeting place is the Y BEAVER TRAILS TO MEXICO: Ralph Gardner and Josie Cosme took The Oakville Beaver to the Iberostar Paraiso Beach resort in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, where they were guests at a beautiful wedding in the tropics.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. pool beside the casitas. Built two years ago, the trees and flowers surrounding it now look like they've been there forever. The casitas are just four years old. There are eight, one-bedroom units and four with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. They have air conditioning and ceiling fans, a living and dining room, fullyequipped kitchen and satellite TV. Isobel, Alba, Elbe or one of the other maids comes in daily and does everything, including the dishes, while she practices her English and helps you with Spanish. On the beachfront is a huge pool, and a restaurant still operated by Gabriel, for those times when we're too lazy to cook, or feel the pressing need for a margarita. It is just 15 minutes out of Tela, an old banana town with as many bicycles as cars. It is changing rapidly though, there are now nine banks, the supermarkets are carrying more selection, there are ATM machines, the boardwalk is all spiffed up with cute little bistros and bars open along it, and the stores are carrying much more interesting merchandise. This property is special because you're staying at a Canadian-operated property, where you'll feel safe, but be able to venture through the area to explore and meet the locals. Take the bus into Tela, and shop, finishing up with a drink and a meal, go to church on Sundays, see a movie, and chat with people who aren't tired of tourists, even play golf. Long stay vacations are different and we have different requirements. It is nice to shop for food in See Surrounded page 10 · Canadian Management · Travel writer Sam Ion holidays at this little gem every year · Fully equipped modern bungalows · Daily maid service · Snowbird haven for long term vacations · Low season rates from $175 per week per bungalow "Best Do It All Outfitter On Earth" National Geographic Adventure magazine has rated G.A.P Adventures in the top of its class. In an international competition of travel operators to assess the best adventure travel companies in the world, G.A.P Adventures was ranked #1 as the "Best Do It All Outfitter On Earth". The comprehensive rating awarded G.A.P Adventures an impressive top score of 95.9%. G.A.P Adventures ­ 10% Off New 2008 Trips G.A.P Adventures has scoured the earth to find the most exciting and innovative travel experiences available, and is thrilled to unveil its 2008 lineup with more than 250 new trips, spanning all seven continents. To celebrate the launch of these brand new adventures, you can enjoy savings of 10% off all new trips booked by 31DEC07 for travel by 31MAR08. Whether your interests take you to authentic teahouses in China, remote jungles in Brazil, incredible wildlife locations in Namibia, or the dramatic landscapes of Antarctica, G.A.P Adventures will deliver an unforgettable journey there and to most locations in between. Here's a taste of the new trips G.A.P Adventures has released for 2008: Northern Brazil Discovery; Absolute Namibia; Asia Backroads ­ Beijing to Bangkok; Greek Island Sailing ­ Santorini to Santorini; Ancient Peru Adventure; The Best of Turkey; Beyond the Arctic Circle; Spirit of the Rockies and Golden Ring of Russia. You can see a full list at www.gapadventures.com/new. "G.A.P Adventures' 2008 line-up successfully blends new and exciting destinations with our sustainable style of grassroots travel", says G.A.P Adventures CEO Bruce Poon Tip, "We've gone further than ever before to take our travellers to every corner of the world, provide the most innovative and authentic travel experiences available". Demonstrating the ongoing cultural, social and economic commitment to responsible tourism, G.A.P Adventures established the Planeterra Foundation, as a way the company and its passengers can give back to the communities visited. Details are on the G.A.P Adventures website. pools · lagoon · eco lodge · club Oshawa, Canada 905.728.0806 lbsales@sympatico.ca Tela Honduras 504.448.0342/3 resort@hondshores.com Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com www.hondshores.com Ont Reg No 2766538 Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville Relax... you're with us (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 221 Lakeshore Road E. 905-337-2228 www.hookedoncruising.com TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPOT CALL 905-845-3824