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22 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 16, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Readers seek sunshine T his must be the summer that didn't happen. My mail is full of questions on how to get out of here and find the sun. Here are just a few of them. Dear Sam: I'm getting a group of relatives together for an all-inclusive get-together. I'm looking at the prices and the Mayan Riviera seems really expensive for early next March. Should we all wait until the last minute to see if prices come down? I'm wondering, too, about the gas charges, will they go up or down? The other thing is that we have a relative coming from Vancouver and he needs to know how to get there at the same time. Does he need to fly to Toronto? Confused Dear Confused: I know some of the sell-off prices sound quite wonderful, but you may find the property you want sold out, or find they haven't enough rooms left for a large group. You need a travel agent who can help you put a group together at group prices, soon. You'll save money by getting a group together. Sunwing considers a group as few as 10 people, and they offer big savings along with other perks, such as your own block of seats on the plane, your own group check-in at the airport in Canada and lots of other specials depending on the size of your group. and several file drawers while I hunted for the column. Thank-you, it was a chore long overdue. Several other readers have asked the same question. It wasn't Costa Rica actually it was Honduras and the Honduras Shores Plantation. For information, visit www.hondshores.com. It has individual little cottages called casitas, where you can cook all your own meals if you wish and the maid comes in every day to clean and do the dishes. A one bedroom is $500 U.S. for two for the week. Dear Sam: You often write about long stays and have suggested some in Portugal in the past. Have you heard of any in France? I'd like to really explore the area I'm based in and don't want a bus tour or any kind. I have this dream of buying local food at markets, wandering streets, and visiting tiny bars. Looking Dear Looking: Ask a travel agent to look at Intair's Long Stay program in the French Riviera. They have some excellent buys in glamorous Cannes, the port of Nice or famous Provence. For instance, 21 nights in a studio, which has a small kitchen, starts at $1,658 each of two. You can also use air points and just buy the land package. BEAVER TRAILS ON A MAGICAL CRUISE: The Pearson and Scarlett families took The Oakville Beaver on a Disney Magic Cruise. 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. VISIT VEGAS RIGHT NOW! Whether it's the hottest new headliner, a chic restaurant opening or a VIP event at a trendy nightclub, there is always something exciting happening in Vegas. Here are the top 10 reasons to head to Vegas Right Now. Party at a different pool and nightlife spot everyday. Kick things off at Ditch Fridays at the Palms then head to LAX inside Luxor for late night dancing. On Saturday, head to WET Republic at MGM Grand or the Bank at Bellagio, Rehab at Hard Rock or Jay Z's 40/40 Club at The Palazzo. Be styled like a celebrity. Visit the hair stylists to the stars at Caesar's Palace Color, a salon by Michael Boychuck or visit Kim Vo at The Mirage. Dining alfresco at top-notch restaurants with unmatched views. Enjoy a beautiful poolside setting at Bouchon at The Venetian or dine by a shimmering lagoon at Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at Wynn The biggest shows and brightest stars within walking distance. Elton John, Bette Midler and Cher have taken over The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace and Barry Manilow packs the house at the Las Vegas Hilton. The curtain rises on Mamma Mia! at Mandaly Bay and Jersey Bays at The Palazzo, while five Cirque du Soleil shows entice guests to enjoy a different world. The hottest poolside entertainment. Friday Night Live at Hard Rock offers entertainers like Lit, Wyclef Jean and Collective Soul while the Sandbar Backyard at Red Rock Resort hosts UB40 and Daughtry. A stunning collection of designer shops. Sin City is home to more than 700 different retail outlets including ultimate savings on top designers at The Las Vegas Premium Outlets. Rooms to suit every taste, desire and budget. Whether you need a basketball court in your room like the Hardwood Suite at The Palms or an extravagant suite fit for a mogul like those at the new Trump International Hotel, Vegas has you covered. Vegas is a golfer's paradise. More than 60 courses boast challenging play, beautiful landscaping, flowing waterfalls, rolling greens and amazing mountain views. Have fun without spending. The Fountains at Bellagio and Sirens of TI are shows playing nightly on The Strip. Head indoors at Rio for the all-new Show in the Sky or watch the Gondoliers at The Venetian. Catch the Fremont Street Experience and the newest downtown hotspot, Gold Diggers at Golden Nugget. Travel the world without a passport. Where else but Vegas can you take in some of the world's most iconic landmarks all in the course of a day? The Venetian, Caesar's Palace and Bellagio provide a whirlwind tour of Italy. Take a photo at the Eiffel Tower at romantic Paris Las Vegas or get a taste of the tropics in the desert at Flamingo and Mandalay Bay. Call us to book Vegas Right Now! Bringing people together from different cities can be a problem, although Cancun has more air flights in to the destination, which makes it much easier. WestJet has just announced they'll be flying direct, nonstop from Vancouver to Cancun, so get your agent to look into that. That would be easier for him than having to fly into Toronto first. My crystal ball seems to be dusty right now, so I can't predict fuel surcharges I'm afraid. Dear Sam: About a year ago you wrote a column about a little resort in Costa Rica, I carefully clipped it and put it away in a safe place. Now I can't find the safe place. Could you send me the name of the resort and the email address please? My husband and I want to stay somewhere for a month this winter and it sounded reasonable. Faithful reader Dear Faithful: It didn't ring a bell with me, and I cleaned out my computer See Autumn page 23 Antique car show at Post Inn Village The Post Inn Village will once again host an Antique and Classic Car Show this year. The show will take place Aug. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Post Inn parking lot, 203 Georgian Dr. The event will feature live entertainment by Go Freddie Go, an Elvis rock and roll show, a barbecue sponsored by the Willow Foundation, awards, '50s and '60s trivia, refreshments, a 50/50 draw, as well as a raffle and face painting. Last year, the show attracted more than 300 people and it turned out to be an international one as 15 cars were entered from the United States. Like last year, the show will conclude with the Halton Regional Police escorting the antique cars through the nearby community. 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. To advertise here call 905-845-3824 (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com 905-337-2228 www.hookedoncruising.com