 
| | The Royal Suite at the Ritz in Montreal promises the ultimate experience. |
his must surely be one of the most frequently asked questions on recent record. Although it's only a couple of months away, you can still opt to splurge on celebrating the Millennium. After all, it's only a one-in-ten-lifetimes opportunity! The possibilities are endless... Party at the Ritz
If elegance is what you're after, the Ritz-Carlton in Montreal has what it takes, and then some! Each three-night Millennium package includes The Millennium Experience Gala on December 31. Party-goers will receive Tattinger champagne in Baccarat flutes, Bulgari bath amenities, Ritz-Carlton bathrobes, and personalized souvenir albums. Talented musicians and circus acrobats will entertain in the hotel's magical Jardin d'Hiver (or Winter Garden), while exquisite French cuisine with regional touches will delight gourmets, all weekend long. 
| | The tables are set. |
The Ultimate Experience for one lucky couple means occupying the Royal Suite, a helicopter ride to the Laurentians, 18K gold Bulgari watches, Tattinger champagne and caviar, plus a chef, a valet, and a chauffeur-driven Jaguar at their beck and call. For just $100,000! Other packages range from $3,500 to $7,500 (per couple). All include welcome cocktails, breakfasts, the Millennium Gala, a buffet dinner on January 1, and plenty of bubbly! For information, call (514) 842-4222, or (800) 363-0366.
Make a difference
| | Volunteers prepare a home for painting in the Mississippi Delta. |
Interested in ringing in Y2K while helping others? If so, Global Volunteers is looking for you. This American non-profit group will send volunteers to work with community groups throughout the United States from December 26 to January 1, 2000. Space is still available on home construction projects for migrant farm workers in California's San Joaquin Valley, and other construction projects in Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina's Appalachia, and on the island of St. Croix. Volunteers are also needed on Indian reservations in Arizona and South Dakota.
| | Children are at the heart of Global Volunteers service programs. |
You pay US$450 for accommodation, meals, local transportation, and project materials for continental U.S. programs, $1,200 for island U.S. programs. (This is tax-deductible for Americans.) At other times, volunteers are needed for education and health-care projects in Hawaii, Toyei (Arizona), Romania, the Cook Islands, Jamaica, Tanzania, Ghana, Ecuador, and India. Call (800) 487-1074, or check out www.globalvolunteers.org.
A double date with the Millennium
By crossing the International Dateline twice—westbound on December 31 and eastbound on January 1—Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas may well be both the first and last cruise ship to celebrate the Millennium! Passengers will celebrate with a lavish champagne breakfast, commemorative glasses and champagne delivered to their staterooms, and a formal Masked Ball and Banquet.
| | Elegant staterooms on board the Legend of the Seas. |
This 21-day cruise of Australia and New Zealand will also see some of Down Under's dreamiest destinations. Departing Sydney on December 19, the ship visits Melbourne, Hobart, New Zealand's Fjordland National Park, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington, followed by the two International Dateline crossings. It then continues to Napier, Bay of Islands and Tauranga, finishing in Auckland on January 9. Cruise-only prices start at US$6,659 including port charges. Go holistic in Hawaii
The Hawaiian island of Kauai is renowned for its sacred sites and lush tropical beauty. From December 28 to January 2, a six-day Millennium celebration will take place on Kauai's eastern shores, at a gathering place of ancient Hawaiian royalty known originally as the Great Sacred Wailua. A Hawaiian kahuna (a master spiritual practitioner) will guide participants throughout the celebrations. Highlights include a special opening ceremony; a New Year's Eve dinner, party, and celebration; workshops given by Hawaii's elders and healing practitioners; and nightly Hawaiian entertainment. There will also be excursions to ancient temple sites, a Hindu monastery, a flora and fauna trek, and a hike through spectacular Waimea Canyon. Millennium Celebration rates begin at US$1,639, including five nights' accommodation at the SunSpree Resort, all programs and entertainment, special meal plan, and choice of one land excursion. Call (888) 552-7375. Back to top |
