Seabourn cruise line offering major savings
FARE DEALS
Seabourn is offering special pricing on arecently added Oct. 16 Mediterranean voyage onboard Seabourn Legend. New Orleans’ National D-Day Museum had originally chartered Seabourn Legend for a commemorative voyage to Italy but had to cancel the sailing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Faced with the prospect of an empty ship in the very popular Mediterranean, Seabourn decided to open bookings to the general public with savings of up to 59 per cent off seasonal brochure fares, starting from $ 2,495 ( U. S.) per person, double. The newly- created itinerary starts in Monte Carlo and ends in Rome and includes full- day calls at Cannes, Nice and Ajaccio ( Corsica), Portofino, Livorno ( Florence) and Portoferraio ( Elba). The cruise line expects the ship’s 104 suites to fill quickly. Call 1- 800- 9299391 or see www. seabourn. com
Off- season London
Sure, off- season travel to Europe can sometimes mean cloudy skies and rainy weather. But it sure beats a woolly week of winter in the GTA. Plus, you get the added benefit of lower prices and fewer crowds. Transat Holidays is offering U.K. destinations throughout the winter including London, Manchester and Gatwick. Another destination, Belfast, will be available over the holiday season. Book before Oct. 15 and save up to $200 per couple. Hertz car rentals in the U. K. start at $64 per day and you get a free upgrade now through March 31.
See www. transatholidays. com
British Airways cuts fares
Speaking of Britain, British Airways is offering Canadians an incredible deal this fall and winter with round- trip airfares to London for just $448 from Toronto. As well as low fares, the airline is also offering accommodation at a dozen three- and four- star centrally- located hotels in Britain’s capital city for rates starting at $49 a night. From now through to Sept. 22, travellers can book these low fares for travel Sept. 29, 2005 through Dec. 16, 2005 and from Dec. 24, 2005 to March 8, 2006. The fares quoted are based on mid-week travel, Monday through Wednesday. For more on the offer, go to www. ba. com
At par offer in Vermont
Through Oct. 10, Smugglers’ Notch Resort is offering Canadian dollars at par on its lowest rates of the year. Prices for a family of four staying two nights in a one-bedroom mountainside condo start at $ 420. Call 1- 800- 451- 8752.
Best Buy of the Week
Not only can you save up to $200 per couple by booking your winter getaway with Air Canada Vacations by Oct. 15, many resorts are offering additional combinable early booking bonuses for select winter travel. See www. aircanadavacations. com for details. Kathryn Folliott is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Prices quoted are subject to change and availability.