WHERE'S SUMMER?

Considering a family vacation at a lodge up north or a cottage rental? Why not consider an off-season Caribbean bargain instead? Long relaxing days, balmy nights, beach walks - and perfect weather! Conquest Vacations has arranged an eight week program from Toronto to Samana, Dominican Republic running from 07JUL08 to 25AUG08 with special ALL-INCLUSIVE rates from Bahia Principe Hotels.

For example, a Standard room at the 5-Star Gran Bahia Principe is offered at $639.00 per person double; Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo Standard Room at $669.00 while the deluxe 5-Star Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado Junior Suite is just $1159.00. Children under 13 years sharing the parent's room are just $249.00. Taxes are an additional $368.00 per person and the rates are the same for each of the eight departures.

Here's a sample costing for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children under 13 years) travelling to the Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo, Junior Suite on 11AUG08: 2 adults @ $749.00, 2 children @ $249.00, 4 Taxes @ $368.00, totalling just $3,857.00. Compare that to a One Room Cottage at Cleveland's House with meals, no drinks or activities: 2 adults @ $1,410.00, 2 children @ $705.00, plus 12% gratuities, PST, GST totalling $5,286.00.

You can visit the hotels at www.granbahiaprincipe.com and click on Hotels or call us for availability and rates.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN RETURNING TO SOUTH AMERICA

Royal Caribbean International is returning to South America in winter 2009/10 with nine cruises, ranging from 11- to 15-night itineraries aboard Radiance of the Seas. Also available are four-night pre- or post-cruise cruisetour programs giving guests the opportunity to explore the metropolitan charms of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Iguazu Falls along the Argentina and Brazil border. For the 2009-10 winter season, travellers can choose among six cruises which "round the horn" of South America and journey through the Straits of Magellan.

These 12- to 14-night itineraries feature a cruise through the glacier-filled Chilean fjordlands and a call at Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. On three particular sailings, guests enjoy an in-port overnight stay aboard Radiance in Buenos Aires at the beginning or end of the cruise.

A special 11-night itinerary, sailing on 10FEB10, features three days in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which coincides with the city's annual Carnival festivities. Cruisers also can select from among two Pacific equatorial crossings aboard Radiance, sailing from San Diego to Valparaiso on 21NOV09, and returning on 07MAR10.