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32 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 16, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Take a look around you to discover your town O ut of town company is a hassle no matter how fond you are of them. And some company is much easier than others. Guests, like fish, start to smell after three days. I have a hundred stories about difficult house guests, and I'll bet you do, too. I also have some stories about difficult hosts, when I've been a guest. There's another point, too; many of us, me being one, live in homes without a guest room, and having a guest on the pullout couch with suitcases open in the dining room gets annoying quickly. My daughter taught me a solution, and I'm passing it on. Go check out the bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) in your neighbourhood and send the brochure to your visiting guests with a little note explaining you know they'll be more comfy in their own digs. Jayne and her husband Nick have a home business, and just one bedroom. There is no way they can work and have live-in guests. She even did this to her own mother last year, and after my visit, I'm doing it to my guests, it works so well. Face it, hosts have other things to do besides entertain, and guests want to do things that just aren't interesting to their hosts. I checked out the B&Bs in my hometown, which was a fun day all in itself, and discovered that my wonderful vibrant neighbourhood in the north end of Hamilton just opened the fabulous Mulberry House (www.mulberryhouse.ca). The guests in the beginning were friends and relatives of people who lived in the area, so my daughter's idea isn't unique. wind their way around Hamilton Harbour and in the summer, this area has festivals, parades, and a small rubber-wheeled train that takes people around the harbour. It stops here and there, and at the cruise dock at the Discovery Centre so you can take a scenic cruise of the working harbour. If you're really busy, your guests can get to the GO bus in less than five minutes, and be direct, nonstop to Toronto in less time than you can drive them. There is service to Niagara Falls as well. A perfect location, and value for dollar as well. When I visited Jayne's inlaws in Orange, Australia, they were startled that I wanted to see their city. "Oh, we take our visitors to the Blue Mountains, there's nothing to see in Orange." Well, since I last visited them five years ago, and didn't get a glimpse of this town, that used to be a place where farmers shopped, it has become a weekend get-a-way for foodies from Sydney. There are a number of good restaurants, some serious wineries, and a great private golf course. The clubhouse, dating back to 1876, has 13 pretty guest rooms, all with a great view over the course. And you can play for a very reasonable fee. There are now some trendy shops, pubs and Orange has been described as a cultivated, provincial city, with good food, good wine, and a thriving local culture well away from the polluted cities The in-laws are now looking at their town in a different way. So put on your glasses and take a look at your town. Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. BEAVER TRAILS TO FRANCE: William and Genevieve Zoratto took The Oakville Beaver to Versailles, France. 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. CLUB MED SAVINGS IN FRANCE Club Med is making travel to Europe easier with its Opio special ­ offering vacationers discounts of $200 off for adults and $100 for children at the Club Med Opio en Provence in France. The offer is valid for reservations through 31MAR08 for travel between 01JUN and 26JUL08. The newly renovated Club Med Opio en Provence offers guests spa treatments, golf and the latest fitness equipment at the gym. Children, ages four months to 17 years, can partake in Club Med's award-winning children's programs. Call us for details or check it out at www.clubmed.us. FLY TO PARIS FROM $490 Air France has launched a new promotion for travel from Toronto and Montreal to anywhere the airline flies in France, including Corsica, from $490 plus $250. taxes and fuel surcharges. Flights must be reserved by 02MAR08 and apply to departures scheduled from 11APR08 to 18JUN08. Air France is also offering promotional fares for departures during the high season from 19JUN08 to 06SEP08. Travellers can fly to any French metropolitan destination and Corsica from $860 plus $250 taxes and fuel surcharges. Space is limited, book early! CLUB MED IXTAPA PACIFIC ­ FAMILY PARADISE Following $20 million in renovations, Club Med Ixtapa Pacific re-opened in December with a complete makeover of all public areas and guest rooms, including new family suites. Situated on a pristine beach amid breathtaking natural surroundings and 3 swimming pools, Ixtapa Pacific boasts an Argentinean steakhouse and a children's restaurant among its four new gourmet dining options. With over 40 years in childcare, there is no better place for families than Club Med and the unparalleled children's programs at Ixtapa Pacific will keep kids, from infants to teens, happy and active. And if it's relaxation you're after, adults can enjoy the latest exotic treatments at the new spa. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com Now people book it for a wide variety of reasons, one being that Hamilton is the hub of the Niagara Peninsula, convenient to everything, but considerably less inexpensive than Toronto or Niagara Falls. The two, semi-detached houses were totally gutted and renovated in 2007 and beautifully furnished as well. Two rooms have ensuite bathrooms, and a fullyequipped kitchen, and there are two suites. Internet access, TV and breakfast are included. While you're looking at B&Bs, make a list of the attractions, stores and restaurants that are within walking distance. It probably has been a while since you saw your neighbourhood through a visitor's eyes. Check out the public transit, and pick up a schedule for your guests. A variety of interesting restaurants and bars are within walking distance of Mulberry House. On the second Friday of every month there is an Arts Crawl a few blocks away. The Art Gallery of Hamilton is a 15-minute walk, as is Hamilton Place, Copps Coliseum, and the Farmer's Market. Guests are steps away from walking trails, and parks that 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