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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 22, 2008 - 15 Save in shoulder season N ext week is the beginning of the "shoulder season," and you can save big time. Many of you tell me how shocked you are at the prices of sun holidays before Easter. Well, they're high because that's when most people want to go. Look at the prices to the same places in the next few weeks, and you'll see some real bargains. The shopping moral to this story: You can save by heading south in the next month. If you're looking toward Europe, remember that fares peak during the summer and spring and fall can really offer bargains. Lawrence Elliot, an executive with Sunwing Vacations, says, "With the Canadian dollar standing so strong against the U.S. dollar, prices have never been better." The lovely little bronze Marea Del Portilo in Manzanillo De Cuba is $445, plus $210 each of two. Honduras Shores Plantations has casitas at $350 per week plus air -- a real bargain. The weather is often more comfortable, sightseeing and airfares are cheaper. A number of people were surprised that I was around last week; I was surprised that anyone would consider traveling during spring break unless they absolutely had to. You can also save by doing the little things right, starting with your trip to the airport. Do you really want to pay for airport parking if someone you know can drive you there and pick you up? Is there a shuttle available? In Toronto you can even TTC it for $275, thanks to a Red Rocket service operating out of the Kipling subway station. Outside Toronto, you can take the GO to Union, walk across the street to York Street, and take the airport shuttle from the Royal York. Invest in a small, insulated bag and pack a lunch for the airport and the plane. Remember though you can't The connection fees can add up very quickly. And if you leave a number for the folks at home, they can call you in your room for much less than you calling them. If you're traveling in the U.S., get a U.S. credit card, you'll save on the charges. You never, ever want to use the mini bar. Stock up on snacks and juice at the store down the street and buy a bottle of your favourite liquor. Check out the local supermarket, you can often buy all kinds of deli dishes, hot and cold, and they are cheaper than a burger. You can buy ready to eat salads and fruit plates, and all kinds of other goodies that are also good for you. If you're sightseeing, have at least one picnic a day, by picking up the ingredients from a deli. Make use of that insulated bag I mentioned. I even pack a green garbage bag to use as a tablecloth or rain cover. It also pays to "be a local." When you're eating out, look for the low-cost, tasty restaurants that are often found around, or even inside, the permanent markets in many cities. Buy your theatre tickets the day of the performance. Time your visits to pay off. Many museums and galleries have a free day or no charge after a certain hour. European churches usually charge now, so go to a service to see inside free. Don't buy first-class rail tickets in Europe; they aren't worth the extra money. Do buy your tickets in Canada to save. Go to a bank or ATM machine to change money. Those handy kiosks that change money are very expensive. Finally, no matter where you're going, do a little homework before you leave home. You just might turn up something worth money. For information visit www.hondshores.com or ask your travel agent about Sunwing's Manzanillo. Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. SPRINGTIME SAVINGS ON RIVER CRUISES Enjoy savings of $350 to $700 per stateroom on two of Exclusive Tours' 2008 European river cruises. PROVENCE & SPAIN: Paris to Barcelona on Amadeus Waterways' MS Swiss Pearl is only US$2,923 per person double plus $91 port taxes on the 11-24JUN08 cruise-tour or the reverse itinerary 07-20MAY08 or US$2,896 plus $91 port taxes on the 06-19AUG08 cruise-tour. From the magic of Paris to the romance of Barcelona, this itinerary will be one of the most captivating yet. Start your vacation with three glorious days in Paris. Then travel in style by high speed TGV train to Lyon, France's gastronomical capital, to cruise through beautiful regions where famous wines like Beaujolais and Chateauneufdu-Pape are produced. Explore marvelous Avignon and visit Mediterranean Arles, the town seen in many Van Gogh masterpieces. Disembark and continue to medieval Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grand finale or your vacation is three fascinating days in magnificent Barcelona. PORTUGAL & SPAIN: Lisbon and the Douro River on on Amadeus Waterways' MS Amadouro is just US$2,196 per person double plus $91 port taxes on the 14-24MAY08 and 04-14JUN08 cruise tour. Start your journey in Lisbon, one of Europe's most beautiful cities built on several hills on the River Tagus. Explore the banks of the Douro River Valley, beginning with Porto, source of one of the world's finest wines ­ Port Wine. Continue inland and on to the countryside of the Trás-os-Montes Region where you can delight in the picturesque villages nestled amidst steep mountain terraces. Enter Spain and visit Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and centre of the "Castilla y León" region, before returning to Portugal. Visit the ancient city of Lemego, before continuing your vacation in historic Porto. Prices are based on Category D cabins, upgrades are available to a higher category at additional cost, subject to availability. Contact us for more details and reservations. take liquids through security. Airport food is expensive, and so is airplane food and not always delicious. If you're planning a big investment at the duty free, check your prices first. When I asked a flight attendant if she bought cosmetics at the duty free, she said they were cheaper at the wholesale outlets, even with the tax. And look into public transportation when you get where you're going. It can often be faster and cost a fraction of cab fare. See if the area offers special fares for buying a week's worth, or a daily pass. Toronto for instance has a $9 family day pass, a huge savings. When you're ordering a rental car, don't book the upgrade in advance. Often you'll get to the counter and receive a free upgrade. I'm told it is cheaper to order it online as well. Look at your credit card and consider buying collision damage waiver insurance. Often when you buy it from the rental agency it costs more than the car rental. Fill the gas tank before returning it, and make sure the rental company fills it before you drive off the lot. Try beating any drop-off charges by asking if the agency has a car on the lot that needs to go back to the city you're heading for. Either buy a phone card, or pretend the phone in your hotel room doesn't exist and make all your calls from the lobby or the street. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com alaska 7 DAY VOYAGE OF THE GLACIERS CRUISE · MAY 19 & SEP 1, 2008 So incredibly beautiful, you'll think you stepped into a painting. This is Alaska as seen from the panoramic perspective of Island Princess. Monumental glaciers are nature's draw and Alaska's waterways reveal more of these thrilling Ice Age giants than anywhere else on earth. Alaska's Inside Passage is one of the most scenic Gina Cheng sea-lanes in the world, home to bald eagles, whales, sea lions, otters, brown bears, mountain goats and flocks of seabirds. Plus you'll visit a variety of flavoutful ports of call full of rich history and native culture. Cat. JJ Call 905-849-0333 for complete itinerary and details From price reflects May 19 sailing, Cat JJ. To price reflects Sep 1 sailing. Price includes taxes, a $37.45 supplement & fees per person, cruise only. Shipboard credit is $50 per person or $100 per cabin. Cdn $ to $828 700 Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.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 221 Lakeshore Road E. (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com 905-337-2228 www.hookedoncruising.com Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Ont Reg No 2766538