British Airways' London offer
British Airways is offering its Canadian passengers the London Right Now package from $389 per person for four nights and $489 for six. London Right Now offers hotel accommodation in central London; a view of the city from the world's biggest observation wheel, The British Airways London Eye; and a visit to The Millennium Dome, the centrepiece of Britain's 2000 celebrations. The first 1,000 passengers to book and pay for the London Right Now package save an additional $50 ($100 per couple). There are seven Thistle Hotels from which to choose, all centrally located. Prices include continental breakfast daily, service charges and taxes as well as round-trip transportation on the Heathrow Express between the airport and London's Paddington Station. Reservations and payment are required 14 days prior to departure. Extra hotel nights can be booked and the package can be combined with any air fare on British Airways flights between Canada and London.

Sandals' gift to romantics
Guests who take advantage of Sandals and Beaches Resorts' extended free WeddingMoon promotion receive one free night when they book a return stay of six nights or longer at any Sandals or Beaches resort within five years. Basic WeddingMoon packages are free when a couple books a stay of five nights or longer in any room category. The free wedding includes the services of a professional wedding coordinator who arranges for a minister or justice of the peace, best man/maid of honour and/or witness (if needed), preparation of documentation, certified copies of marriage licence and legal fees. The wedding also includes champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception, flower bouquet and boutonniere, Caribbean wedding cake, honeymoon candlelight dinner and breakfast in bed the next day.

Florida attractions at par
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay launched a 'Canadian Resident Salute', offering single and multi-day tickets to the adventure parks with prices at par to the Canadian dollar. These at par prices are fixed through April 30 at the rate of 68 cents to the dollar. To purchase these tickets, clients must prove Canadian residency. Participating tour operators include Signature Vacations, Holiday Network, and World of Vacations.

Signature offers Hawaii upgrades
Guaranteed oceanview room upgrades are available to Signature Vacations guests staying at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider and Princess Kailuana in Honolulu and at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Aston Maui Islander (upgrade to kitchenette). Travel must be completed by May 15 to take advantage of the upgrade offer. Signature offers direct service to Hawaii from Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto.

Spring Break in tropical Texas
Undiscovered Brownsville, Texas presents a tropical option for Canadians seeking an escape from the chills of winter. The southern tip of Texas offers a two-nation vacation experience with Gulf beaches, nature, heritage and the wonders of Mexico. Four-day packages with hotel, attractions and rental car are affordably priced from US$186 per person, based on double occupancy. Call (800) 626-2639.

Marchmania in Nevis
The Mount Nevis Hotel & Beach Club, a 28-room hotel on the Caribbean island of Nevis, is extending a practical welcome to Canadians: a flat room rate of only C$200 a night, valid until April 30. For details, call (800) 75-NEVIS or visit their Web site at www.mountnevishotel.com.

Reduced rate airport parking
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority opened a 2000-space reduced-rate parking lot at 6135 Airport Road, across from Terminal 3 at Lester B. Pearson International Airport. The new lot is fully serviced by frequent, 24-hour shuttle buses and provides travellers with a less expensive alternative for long-term parking. The rates are $13 plus taxes per day and $59 plus taxes per week–30 per cent less than garage parking in the airport.

Toronto hotel goes digital Cayman posts Events 2000 calendar
Planning a trip to the Cayman Islands and wondering what to do? Check out the Cayman Islands' Events & Holidays 2000 Calendar at www.caymanislands.ky or call (800) 263-5805.

New Orleans' wine & food experience
The 9th annual New Orleans Wine & Food Experience will take place July 12-16, featuring over 500 fine wines and their creators from more than 100 wineries worldwide. Almost 100 of New Orleans' finest restaurants will be showcased as well. Last year's event attracted more than 3,500 oenophiles and gastronomes. The full registration cost is US$375 per person. Call (504) 529-WINE.

Air Canada expands check-in kiosks
Air Canada has expanded self-service Express Check-in kiosks to the transborder departure area at Toronto's Pearson Airport. A special baggage drop-off counter offers the added advantage of serving customers with checked baggage. Check-in kiosks are also available at Toronto's Rapidair area and at Ottawa airport.

Château Versailles gets royal makeover
Located on legendary Sherbrooke Street in Montreal, the Château Versailles joins the international chain Hampshire Hotels and Resorts Group LCC as one of the most desired places to stay in the city affectionately dubbed "the Paris of North America". The completely renovated Château features 65 bedrooms and suites. Call (800) 361-7199. Its sister property across the street, the Hôtel Versailles, features 107 spacious guest rooms. Call (888) 933-8111.

Out of the Mist packages
The Ocean Pointe Resort Hotel & Spa and the Harbour Towers Hotel are offering accommodation packages for the Royal British Columbia Museum's world premier exhibit on the culture and heritage of the Nuu-chah-nulth nations. Out of the Mist runs until April 30. Many of the 241 artifacts and 75 images dating from ancient times have never been displayed anywhere. Packages priced from $149 per night include accommodation, breakfast, museum passes, souvenir and taxes and gratuities. Call (800) 663-5896 for Harbour Towers and (800) 667-4677 for Ocean Pointe.

Bermuda welcomes tall ships race
This summer, Bermuda will serve as the final port to the westbound trans-Atlantic leg of Tall Ships 2000, an international race commemorating the new millennium and representing the largest ever international fleet of sail training ships. From June 9-12, over 25 majestic vessels will be heralded after navigating the high seas from Cadiz, Spain. Vessels will dock at three ports in Bermuda–the historic town of St. George's, the Royal Naval Dockyard, and the capital Hamilton. On June 9 and 10, select ships will host open houses from 12 to 4 p.m. Other island festivities are planned as well. For details, call (800) BERMUDA.

Canada 3000 expands summer service
Canada 3000 Airlines has added new international and domestic routes to its ever-expanding flight schedule, giving its customers more choice than ever! Same-plane service to Berlin from Vancouver via Calgary begins May 3 through October 26. Brisbane is added to CANADA 3000's South Pacific schedule, with flights from Toronto via Vancouver and Honolulu from April 30 through October 31.

Abbotsford, B.C. is the latest addition to the airline's domestic schedule, with weekly Thursday flights from June 29 to September 28. Canada's two coasts meet with Wednesday flights from Vancouver and Calgary to Moncton, N.B. beginning May 24.

Hilton opens new properties
Hilton Hotels Corporation recently announced the opening of the 170-room Hilton Montréal/Laval, located at the intersections of Autoroutes 15 and 440. The 207-room Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island also opened, only ten minutes from most major business centres and leisure attractions including Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town and Balboa Park.

Springtime in Banff/Lake Louise
While skiers enjoy the great mid-season snow at Lake Louise, Banff Mount Norquay and Sunshine Village, organizers are looking forward to one of the longest spring skiing seasons in the world. Most give up on skiing and snowboarding in late March, but in Banff and Lake Louise, the slopes are open until May.

For travel after April 1, a three-night package, including lift tickets and ski bus transfers, is priced from $195 per person based on double occupancy. Call (800) 661-1431.

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