28 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 6, 2003 T ra v e l Cayman beaches are among the best in the world The Cayman Islands have a lot more going for them than offshore banking. The capital city Georgetown is still an international finan cial centre -- 47 of the top 50 banks are present among a total of 500 banks and trust companies -- but it's Grand C aym an's other attractions that make it a great place for a winter escape, especially now that " Air Canada is upping regular service to four flights per week. Grand Cayman is a very safe island and Sam Ion it's spotlessly clean. No vendors hassle you on the beaches and since it's English-speak ing, you can leave the phrase books at home and enjoy hassle-free holidays. Ask any visitor to the island, and those comments come up first. Only later do they tell you, the Cayman beaches are amongst the best in the world, the diving is superb, the dutyfree shopping in Georgetown is well worth maxing out your credit card and the restaurants are world class. This is a place to take local buses; they service eight routes and look like mini-vans, and while you're riding you'll find the locals very friendly. Just remem ber to look right when you get off; driving is on the left-hand side of the road. The same rule applies to taxis, o f which there are plen tyIf you're hoping to learn a bit o f the her itage o f the Cayman Islands you'd be wise to buy a heritage pass -- Admission to the Cayman Islands National Museum. Cayman Turtle Farm, Pedro St. James National Historic Site and Queen Elizabeth Botanic Park is offered for approxi mately $25 US. You should also make Pedro St. James Castle a must-see on your vacation-planning list. Built by Englishman William Eden in 1780, this great house is amaz ing. It has survived hurricanes, fires, vandalism and stories of it being jinxed. It has had many functions since it was sold in 1800 ... courthouse, jail, ani mal pound ... the list goes on and on. W hat fascinated me was how lovely and cool the rooms are. Because of the cross venti lation and wide verandahs, no air-conditioning is necessary. The ground floor is open on all sides and this is where the kitchen was. The upper floors were for dining or entertaining and the bedrooms are on the top floor. The great house is fur nished in that period, and the walls make for interesting read ing. The turtle farm is a big hit, with both kids and adults, and a visit leaves people anxious to learn about these mystical crea tures and hold them for pic tures. You'll want to see this; it's both a huge attraction and a working farm where turtles are both released into the wild pop ulation and raised to become soup. The Caymans have always been a top diving destination. There are more then 50 dive operators and you can choose a shore dive or wall dives and explore caves or a shipwreck. Snorkelers aren't left out either. I spent happy hours snorkeling, gawking at the fish and the ocean gardens. Stingray City is another salt water attraction. It started when a group o f fishermen used a sandbar to clean their fish and the guts went into the ocean. Soon they noticed the stingrays hanging around for handouts. The sandbar is waist deep, and you can feed the rays squid and touch them, after first learning the "stingray shuffle" to make sure you don't step on a tail where the stinger is locat ed. It's almost as much fun as visitors seem to have sending postcards from "Hell." Yes, J © M cTavish Travel i n f o r m a t i o n s e r v i c e FEBRUARY IN BERMUDA There are so many exciting reasons to visit Bermuda this February that we don't know where to begin! The turtle farm on Grand Cayman is a big hit with both kids and adults. that's the name o f a real village and the local post office does a thriving business. You w on't go wrong eating at the Reef Grill. Bacchus Wine and Bar or the P apigallo Restaurant, all places where you'll mingle with locals. The Crow's Nest on the beach at South Sound is another must. Owner Emest Foster is charac ter who visits every table and loves Canadians. There are also excellent golf courses. Safehaven is right across from popular SevenMile Beach and is an 18-hole championship course. And the Britannia, at the Hyatt, is the only C aribbean course designed by Jack Nicklaus. And a nine-hole, par-three course just opened a few miles east o f George Town. It's called the Sunrise Family G olf Centre. Cayman Islands has an "s" on it, because there is more than one island. Little Cayman has a population o f 120 and Cayman Brae has 1,600 locals. Cayman Airways and Island Air will get you to these "small islands" that beg the comment "The old Caribbean." Little Cayman is perfect for people w anting nature, with beautiful beaches, diving and snorkeling and birding. It's a place where if two cars meet each other they stop and chat. If you'd like to join them. Air Canada Vacations, Holiday House, Total Vacations, Alio Tours, Standard Tours and Merritt Vacations offer a vari ety o f Cayman Islands pack ages. Have your travel agent check them out. You can reach Sam by e-mail at sionlO@ cogeco.ca. COUPLES GOLF TOURNAMENT The Bermuda Department ot Tourism is hosting the 7th Annual Couples GoM Tournament from February 06 to 11,2003 at Port Royal a renowned Bermuda course that ranks among the top public courses in the world! The couple teams will stay at the quaint family owned and operated Pompano Beach Club adjacent to Port Royal This couples event actually consists ot 3 individual tournaments all played at Port Royal and a lun format - a two person scramble on day one. best ball format on day two and Stabieford scoring system on the last day But the best part is the fantastic tournament package and pricing they've put together Accommodation at Pompano in an oceanview room for 5 nights; full breakfast and 5 course dinner at Pompano daily; Occupancy Tax and Hotel Service Charges; 3 rounds of golf at Port Royal; transfers to/from course; club storage; airport transfers; opening night cocktail party and final night cocktail party and prize ceremony. A golfing couple's dream vacation tor just $955 to $1099 USD per person Airfare additional. GOLDEN RENDEZVOUS MONTH Every year. Bermuda dedicates the entire month ot February to visitors over the age of 50. These special guests can enjoy a variety of free bonuses, special events and activities created by the Bermuda Department of Tourism that include Ballroom Dancing, Bus Tours and a free " Certificate of Value" Coupon Book offering discounts at retail stores and sightseeing attractions throughout the island SLOW DOWN YOU MOVE TOO FAST! If your world seems like it's spinning out of control take bme out to relax and rejuvenate at one of Bermuda's best hotels. From February 15 tb March 15. The Reefs is offering a 5th night free promotion - pay for 4 nights and get a 5th night free! Prices start at as little as $522 USD per person double and include oceanview accommodation 6 days/5 nights; Full American Breakfast; Afternoon Tea daily and Gourmet Dinner daily. Bermuda has a remarkably mild climate during the winter with daily temperatures averaging 20C/70F. The pace is leisurely and the lifestyle sophisticated. 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