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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday July 26, 2008 - 67 Sandals a great option for weddings I t is yet another dark rainy July day, which may be the reason I'm dreaming of weddings. No, not the kind of wedding that takes a year in the planning and costs the earth, an event that leaves the principals exhausted. No this is heaven on a beach. Someone else does the planning, arranges the flowers and the cake and everything is just perfect. Of course aside from the weather, I may be dreaming because I have the new Sandals brochure on my desk. Sandals Resorts are owned by The Honourable Gordon `Butch' Stewart, who grew up on a beach and says he'll hang out of a helicopter to find the perfect beach. There are 12 luxury romantic Sandals resorts on four exotic islands, within his 20-resort properties. Sandals is very innovative, it was the first to offer Jacuzzis, satellite TV, swimup pool bars and to guarantee king-size beds and this brochure yet again has raised the bar. I know most of the resorts intimately having walked the beaches, swum in the calm turquoise waters, and slept in the four-poster beds. That makes a decision very hard. Negril's seven-mile beach in Jamaica is considered one of the best in the world, and because there are no high ning Dickenson Bay Beach. I once watched a rainbow in awe, and said to one of the staff "Isn't this magnificent?" We have them so often we don't notice, was the response. I haven't been to Pirate's Beach in Whitehouse, Jamaica, but I hear rumours that it has yet to be discovered and boasts an amazing kilometre-long beach. This is the home of Sandals Whitehouse European Village and Spa, and the brochure brags that two coves form a point and then diverge -- with both sides seeming to go on forever. Choose your view; one side offers a view of the sunrise over the mountains; the other faces west, providing a sunset into the sea. But then again maybe I'd like to go all out and try the new Luxury-Included Vacation. Sandals offers many different room and suite categories and this is the newest. It includes services and amenities such as privateplunge pools and Jacuzzis, and exclusive dining options. For instance, The Royal Windsor suites in the Bahamas sound wonderful. The experience starts with a VIP Rolls Royce transfer, pity the airport isn't further away. A butler trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers will attend to every need, and does the check-in right in the suite. Imagine having the butler unpack, draw a scented bubble bath and have coffee and newspapers ready as soon as desired. People like me who can't make up their minds can talk to The Bridal Concierge Service. These are consultants who are experts in matching couples with the perfect suite at the perfect resort. They can customize the entire wedding or honeymoon stay. You don't even have to shop for a wedding gown. Vivian Diamond of the Dessy Collection has been working with Sandals and created a line of 10 gowns exclusively for Sandals Resorts. These are simple and airy dresses perfect for weddings in a warm climate. The dresses cost $499 U.S. each. Soon, I hope, she will add to the lineup with gowns for the more mature bride. Good friends say so much about who you are, and Luxury Included Sandals Resorts has taken this to heart. California's Beringer Vineyards provides the house wines, famous wedding planner Preston Bailey has helped design five wedding packages, and newlyweds traveling to any Sandals resort from September to Nov. 23 receive a 16-piece set of Marquis by Waterford Vintage crystal. I'm in good company when I immediately think of Sandals for wedding and honeymoons or any other romantic occasions as far as that goes. Baxter Travel Media started its Travel Agents' Choice awards in 2000, and for the ninth year in a row, Sandals was voted "Favourite Allinclusive" and for the second year in a row Favourite Hotel chain. This year for the first time they won a new award Favourite Environmentally-Friendly Award. Canadian travel agents are asked to choose their three favourite travel suppliers in different categories, and 3,500 travel agents returned ballots for the survey. To top it off, anybody who books before Sept. 2, 2008, will be entitled to an air credit of up to $550 per person. Ask your travel agent. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca tides, the entire beachfront is on a level with the calm waters. Sandals Negril is right on the water and one of my very favourite resorts, simply because the water is so close. I once attended a wedding at this lovely spot and it was very special. Most of the guests turned up for the wedding and stayed to share the bride and groom's special day. But then Sandals Royal Bahamian in the Bahamas is spectacular, too. It has two beaches: one for high energy sports, and the other for simply chilling. Both gorgeous. I've been treated like royalty here and have fond memories of spending an afternoon in the hot tub with dear friends. Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa in Antigua is another favourite, again because the older section of the resort is steps from stun- "GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!" Active Journeys has on offer women-only, escorted tours to Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, Jordan and Thailand. Cooking and Hiking in Umbria runs from 28SEP08 to 05OCT08. This trip will satisfy anyone with a taste for adventure. Enjoy a week in Italy walking through beautiful, unknown Umbrain countryside. Here you will have two half-day cooking classes, enjoying the meals you create under the guidance of your Italian chef. Starting in the charming town of Spoleto, you will hike around the area and spend the afternoon learning about local produce and cuisine. Spend three nights here, exploring the rolling hills and the nooks and streets of this amazing walled medieval town, before heading on to Norcia for the second part of the adventure. Spend the rest of your time discovering the region, or simply relaxing by the pool and reading a good book. This tour is classed as "moderate" difficulty (4 to 5 hours hiking per day) and includes twin accommodations in 3-star hotels, most meals, guide, luggage transfers and support at $1,895 per person twin including taxes. The Copper Canyon Hike is from 04DEC08 to 14DEC08. Explore the fabulous Copper Canyon and see some of the most beautiful mountains in North America ­ the rugged Sierra is a world forgotten by time. Hike to the caves, visit the Ranchos, enjoy the Recohuata Thermal Springs and view some of the most spectacular canyon vistas. Explore the caves of the Tamahumaras, many of which are still inhabited by native peoples. This trip starts in Chihuahua, with two nights in Divisadero and three nights in Creel. There is also a two-night extension to Batopilas to hike to the "Lost Cathedral" and explore the many sights of this unique mining town. Satisfy your thirst for adventure! This tour is $1,995 per person twin, taxes included and includes three-star accommodations, guide, most meals, luggage transfers and support. The Copper Canyon Hike is considered "moderate" difficulty with 3 to 6 hours of hiking daily. Call us for details and availability or visit www.activejourneys.com African tour company hosts travel presentation Wednesday ATOURZ is hosting a presentation about safaris in East Africa at the Oakville Central Library on Wednesday, July 30. The `real' Africa consists of locations made famous by the likes of Roosevelt, Hemingway and Out Of Africa, and you can find out how ATOURZ creates unique holidays featuring these destinations. The presentation will also include information about ATOURZ's professionally guided photo safari groups in February and September 2009, as well as advice on individual travel to East Africa. Wolfgang Bell, ATOURZ's safari consultant, will share his personal safari stories that span more than 53 years. He will also talk about his experiences climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and Mount Meru, scuba diving in East Africa, and travelling around Zanzibar and Ethiopia. The presentation is scheduled is from 6 to 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the Oakville Public Library, Central Branch, 120 Navy St. A question and answer session will follow. For more information or to reserve your space at the presentation, call 416-485-6375 or e-mail info@atourz.ca. 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 place an ad in this section call 905-845-3824