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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 26, 2008 - 29 From golfing to renting Dear Sam: Help. We're a group of guys who want to golf for a month, but somewhere a bit different as we take our spouses along, and they don't golf, but need things to do while we play with the white ball. We've done Myrtle Beach, Florida, the Azores, looked at the Caribbean and Mexico, but can't afford it so we're looking to you for an idea please. Golf nut Dear Nut: South Padre Island is the perfect playground for golf, not to forget sailing, fishing, windsurfing, and dolphin watching. Coupled with fine dining, shopping, and spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico makes South Padre Island the ultimate winter vacation spot. Merit Vacations, is now offering long stays at Sunchase IV Resort Condominiums, a first-class property overlooking the Gulf Coast. Rates start at $2,499 per person including return economy airfare, 29 nights' accommodation and 30-day compact car rental. meritvacations.com. Dear Sam: Sam, if you've written about rental cars, I've missed it. We're starting to rent cars on holidays, and I don't want to get gouged, or find I'm paying for things I don't need. Starting to travel, now that I'm retired, is very exciting, but I want to know what I'm doing. Senior Hi There: The Travel Media Association I belong to, had some good advice that I've kept, and will pass along, and I'll add a few of my own ideas. If you can, rent off airport. The airports charge huge rents to the rental car companies which (surprise) pass them on to renters. Regardless of where you pick up the car get clarification on what taxes and service charges you will be hit with. (Alamo charges a "Florida surcharge") You can't avoid them ... but you won't suffer as much sticker shock. Booking in advance very much depends where and when you are renting your car. Within North America, non-summer weekend rentals are a good deal because they rely on business travellers to fill the cars mid week, but need renters on weekends. In the Caribbean, all winter long is high season. How you choose to insure your car can make a huge difference (I've seen CDW and LDW packages almost double the cost rental company's, it'll cost the most, but in the event of an accident your personal premiums won't be affected, nor will you be out of pocket while the various parties decide how much money to pay you. In any case, check to see what the coverage is for windshields and tires, the two most common exclusions. Lastly, I, too, have heard that you get the best value if you call the depot directly. Also, car consolidators such as www.carrentals.com seem to have pretty good deals. I would add that you should rent the low-end cars, because they almost always upgrade you at no extra charge. If you are looking at renting cars in Europe look at the Canadian Wholesalers such as Holiday House, and Transat Holidays before you book. They often have prices that can't be beaten. Happy driving! Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. `Turf's Up' at Celebrity When Celebrity Solstice launches in December, the ship will present an industry first - real, growing grass, set in an innovative new country club environment known as "The Lawn Club" on the top deck. The half-acre Lawn Club will invite guests to enjoy bocce ball and croquet, practice their putting, picnic with a basket of wine and cheese, or simply feel the grass between their toes, while sailing the oceans of the world. The area will also feature the Patio on the Lawn; the Lawn Club Shop, and the Sunset Bar. "We want our guests to experience the unexpected" said Dan Hanrahan, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. "The experiences on and around the lawn exemplify what we aim to achieve -- to recognize, celebrate and indulge our guests in style." Celebrity worked with a team of landscape architects and irrigation specialists along with turf and soil scientists at the University of Florida. Together, they conducted extensive research and tested a variety of grasses to determine which can withstand the winds, sun, shade and temperature variations that will affect the grass and soil as the ship sails in the Caribbean this winter. The Lawn Club is the equivalent of 8 tennis courts. www.cruisecelebritysolstice.com Seabourn 2-for-1 Business Class Air The Yachts of Seabourn is offering travellers 2-for-1 international business class airfares to join 10 Europe cruises of 9 to 15 days aboard the all-suite Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend. The complimentary airfare, with a value of up to $5,800 per couple, may be combined with special savings of up to 40 per cent off the brochure fares for the cruises. The airfares are available round trip from 38 North American gateways to voyages embarking between March and July in Lisbon, Venice, London, Copenhagen, Rome, Nice and Barcelona and exploring itineraries in the Adriatic, the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Western Europe and Norwegian fjords. www.seabourn.com of the rental). You have three options: use your own car insurance from home...use your credit card ... or use the car rental company's. If you choose to use your home insurance -- which may be available only for North American rentals, if you are in an accident your premiums may soar. If you plan to use your credit card's, examine your policy carefully to see what coverage there is. It may vary hugely. And if you use the car Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com Halton Trafalgar Travel present The Best Barbados Has To Offer! When and Where When and Where SEADREAM fares include all meals, wine with lunch & dinner, open bar with selected premium brands, use of water toys, gratuities & more. Fares are in US dollars. Government, Port, Document Insurance, Fuel Surcharge, Handling and Service charges for all guests are an additional 185 per person based double in Yacht Accommodation Deck 2. For Reservations or Information Call 905-849-0333 Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Halton Trafalgar Travel 278 CHURCH ST. (TRAFALGAR & LAKESHORE) Ont Reg No 2766538 Ont Reg No 2766538 Relax... you're with us Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com 221 Lakeshore Road E. Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville 905-337-2228 www.hookedoncruising.com (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com