www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 29, 2008 - 19 ALBATours ITALY SALE Making honeymoon choices R eaders, your mail is fascinating, there is much too much to answer in one column and picking and choosing is difficult. Here are this month's picks. Hi Sam: In your March 21 article you talked about saving a little on your trip to the airport. My wife and I often stay at one of the airport hotels that allow you to leave your car in their lot while you are away (usually for two weeks.) We arrange this through our travel agent. It usually costs from $110 to $130, considerably less than the airport shuttle from Peterborough with two travellers. Our son lives in Bermuda and we fly Air Canada to visit him. The flight leaves about 8:30 a.m., which means we should be at the airport before 6 a.m. We are more relaxed when we don't have to make the journey from Peterborough in the middle of the night, worrying about weather or accident delays. Reader Dear Reader: Thanks for reminding me, it is a great way to start a trip. That panic over whether there might be an accident resulting in a missed flight often starts your holiday with a whole lot of stress you don't need. Hi Sam: I am a faithful reader of yours in The Oakville Beaver. My daughter is getting married and is spending her honeymoon in Italy. She is leaving Sept. 20 and I was wondering if you have any suggestions for hotels. They are going to Rome, Florence and a coastal town (starts with a P). They would like to stay in nice, but reasonably priced, places so if you have any you recommend or can get good pricing on I would appreciate it. Happy Mom Dear Mom: My daughter is having a special birthday in June, and she and 10 couples have rented a villa in Tuscany. Jayne and her husband Nick have three nights in Rome, and we decided to give her the hotel nights. I wanted something very special, and central for her, but within my budget so I went to the expert Adrianna Borghese from Arts & Leisure Tours.1-800-3874110. I ended up choosing the Hotel Regno for them, a lovely property that I've seen. Here are Adrianna's suggestions for you. I haven't given you prices as they often run specials: · Coast Hotel California, Positano -- Formerly the residence of a noble Neapolitan family, this is a welcoming and attractive hotel with a spacious terrace, where guests can enjoy breakfast while gazing at the splendid scenery of the Amalfi Coast. The rooms all feature terraces with a view of the sea. · Hotel Villa Maria, Sorrento -- This charming three-star hotel is located in the heart of Sorrento and close to the beach. Recentlyrenovated rooms with all facilities and balcony. Swimming pool, solarium and Jacuzzi. The restaurant offers typical local cuisine. Parking available. · La Tonnarella, Sorrento -- Set on a spur of rock in one of the most panoramic settings of Sorrento, this charming three star hotel offers a quiet location and unbeatable views. There is a restaurant at the hotel and a private beach. · Hotel Zi Teresa -- A charming little three-star hotel located in the centre of the town of Sorrento. Excellent value in a central location. Garden with large terrace. Parking on site. · Rome: Hotel Cesari, Rome -- If you like to walk everywhere, this hotel is in the perfect location, steps from the Pantheon. A warm welcome and careful attention to guests is a hallmark of this charming three-star hotel. Rooms are well sized and offer all conveniences. · Hotel Alexandra, Rome -- Excellent value in a Via Veneto hotel. Public rooms and the restaurant reflect the `Liberty' style. Recently refurbished guestrooms offer air-conditioning and soundproof windows, furnished in clean, classic style. · Hotel Regno, Rome -- The Hotel Regno is situated in a 16th century palace in the heart of Rome on the Via del Corso. Guestrooms are recently renovated and completely soundproofed. Satellite TV and Internet connection in room. Breakfast served on the terrace. · Florence: Hotel Cellai, Florence -- A charming, intimate hotel in a quiet corner of the city close to the San Lorenzo market. Terracotta flooring, stone arches and period furniture set the tone with contemporary art exhibitions in the public areas. Guestrooms furnished with lovely details. · Hotel Silla, Florence -- A delightful three-star hotel situated on the medieval left bank of the Arno known for craftsmen's studios. Spotless rooms are pleasantly decorated with simple dark wood furniture. The internal courtyard ensures quiet and the lime-scented, riverside terrace is a lovely place for breakfast and to relax at the end of the day. · Il Guelfo Bianco, Florence -- Charming small three-star hotel situated in the heart of Renaissance Florence. Bedrooms are large, bright and completely soundproof, overlooking the traditional courtyards and a quiet side street. Decorations and frescos on the ceilings together with antique furniture are cleverly contrasted with all modern comforts. These hotels sound wonderful don't they? And they are. It almost makes you want to join the honeymooners. Effective immediately, ALBATours is offering some very competitive prices to Rome, Venice, Pescara and Lamezia, as well as a number of Early Booking Bonuses on many of its packages. Valid on all bookings for a limited time, fly non-stop to Rome from $499.00 return for departures on 02 or 03MAY08 (return by 11MAY08) or to Venice for $739.00 (same dates). Passengers can also fly to Pescara for $749.00 or to Lamezia for $899.00 (for travel between 21MAY08 and 05JUN08). For added comfort, upgrades to Premier Class are offered for $299.00 each way. Air taxes are additional at $259.20 per person and flights are subject to availability. As for packages, clients booking by 15APR08 can save $200.00 on all five-, eight-, nine- and thirteen-day Escorted Tours. These tours include flight, hotel and most meals. Click on www.albatours.com or call us for details and reservations. B.L.T. WITH CONQUEST Conquest Tours has introduced a program to communicate very late, last minute availability called B.L.T. Book & Leave Tomorrow. Every morning around 10:00 AM our office receives a B.L.T. offer with 2 or 3 properties with departures on the FOLLOWING DAY! The B.L.T. properties offer huge savings. For instance, on Thursday 27MAR08 we were offered Friday 28MAR08 departures to the 4-Star, All-Inclusive Henry Morgan Resort in Roatan, Honduras for just $639.00 plus $213.00 taxes per person double; the 4-Star, All-Inclusive NH Krystal, Cayo Coco, Cuba for just $679.00 plus $229.00 taxes per person double and 3-Star, All-Inclusive Costa Club Punta Arena, Puerto Vallarta for just $479.00 plus $297.00 taxes per person double. On Friday 28MAR08 we were offered departures for Saturday 29MAR08 to 3+-Star Holiday Inn, Cancun, Mexico, Standard Room at just $599.00 plus $297.00 taxes per person double, 3-Star, All-Inclusive Club Karey, Varadero, Cuba for $399.00 plus $299.00 taxes per person double and 5Star, All-Inclusive Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda, Mayan Riviera, Mexico for just $829.00 plus $297.00 taxes per person double. If you need to get away in a hurry B.L.T. could be just the ticket! Space is limited and the offers are only made 1 day in advance of departure. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.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 www.hookedoncruising.com TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION CALL 905-845-3824