BED DOWN IN MEXICO
Colourful Cancun is a travel deal of the week,
Grown-ups used to escape their parental duties by leaving the kids at home with the grandparents and heading to glamorous sun destinations for a little R&R. While that’s still an option, most all-inclusive resorts these days have great children’s clubs, where you can drop the kids off and enjoy at least a few quiet hours by the pool. Club Med, once known as the getaway of choice for the young and single, now offers one of the best programs around for young guests. Through Oct. 29, 2012 the resort company is offering Early Booking Rates for summer 2013 travel, plus a new promotion that offers free stays to kids under 4 years old, and special pricing for all children under the age of 16. Early bird rates start at $749 per person at resorts in Florida, Mexico, Guadeloupe, Martinique, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Turks & Caicos. Qualifying travel dates run April 27 to Oct. 26, 2013. See clubmed.ca.
LET’S GO TO THE EX
The waterfront Westin Harbour Castle has teamed up with the original Grand Old Lady by the Lake – the Canadian National Exhibition – for packages including accommodation and two adult tickets to the Ex. The package is available through Sept. 3 and leads in at $169 per room, per night, plus taxes and gratuities based on single or double occupancy. There’s also a special CNE room rate for guests who already have their tickets, from $129. This year the Ex is featuring highflying nostalgia with the Sky Ride, harkening back to the days when the Alpine Way took visitors on a panoramic trip across the fair grounds. Other highlights include the President’s Choice SuperDogs Show and the Air Show. Of course, the Food Building is still the big draw, and this year you’ll find Bacon Nation, offering everything from deep-friend bacon-covered hot dogs to bacon sundaes. See westin- toronto.com (promo code CNEPKG for packages with tickets, and CNESPEC for packages without tickets).
HALF-OFF SUMMER AT THE SHERATON MONTREAL
Time is running out on The Sheraton Montreal’s Half-Off Summer Experience, offering discounted rates from $129 plus a coupon book worth $200, for arrivals every day of the week through Sept. 2. The Montreal property also has a Sweet Deal package that includes half-off your third night, with rates for the first and second nights starting at $189. The Sweet Deal is available Thursdays through Sundays until Oct. 16. See sheraton.com/montreal.
BEST BUY OF THE WEEK
Kauai’s Hanalei Colony Resort has a ‘Rainbow of Savings’ for summer stays through Sept. 30, offering 20 per cent off room rates, 10 per cent off spa services and 10 to 15 per cent off dining purchases. A minimum two night stay is required. For week-long stays, the seventh night is free with six consecutive paid nights. See hcr.com.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Sunquest: Aruba, air & hotel, $1,150 (+$194 taxes & fees) (Sept. 2). sunquest.ca Air Canada Vacations: Brussels, air & hotel, $1,079 (+$575 taxes & fees) (Oct. 3). aircanadavacations.com Nolitours: Punta Cana, air & hotel, $327 (+$388 taxes & fees) (Sept. 7). nolitours.com Signature Vacations: Varadero, air & hotel, $545 (+$190 taxes & fees) (Oct. 15). signaturevacations.com Transat Holidays: Best of Bonnie Scotland, air, hotel & car, $779 (+$580 taxes & fees) (Sept. 10). transatholidays.com Hola Sun Holidays: Havana, air & hotel, $418 (+$274 taxes & fees) (Sept. 7). holasunholidays.ca Bel Air Travel: Paris, air & hotel, $899 (+$526 taxes & fees) (Oct. 16). belairtravel.com Sunwing Vacations: Santa Lucia, air & hotel, $365 (+$190 taxes & fees) (Oct. 10). sunwing.ca Sell Off Vacations: Sosua, air & hotel, $217 (+$388 taxes & fees) (Sept. 7). selloffvacations.com itravel2000: Riviera Maya, air & hotel, $535 (+$257 taxes & fees) (Sept. 21). itravel2000.com WestJet Vacations: Barbados, air & hotel, $749 (+$118 taxes) (Sept. 29). westjetvacations.com Tour East Holidays: Eight-night, Thailand, hotel, transfers, some meals, tours, $899 (until Oct. 31). toureast.com Kathryn Folliott is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Prices quoted are subject to change and availability.