Value in vines

SONOMA, Calif. - With a wedding planned for California's wine country in the middle of the recession, my fiance and I worried not just about what we were spending, but also about our guests. After all, the July event is taking place in a region where US$400-a-night hotel rooms and $240 fixed price meals can intimidate even the most budget-savvy traveller.

But there are values in the vineyards, as we've found through multiple trips to Sonoma and Napa counties the past few months to plan the "Big Day." So whether it's a day trip or a longer escape, the luxury of the wine country doesn't have to sip you dry. Here are some tips.

PICK A PLACE AND AN ADVENTURE: Having a home base can save you money and time. Hotels give reduced rates on multiple night stays and sometimes even bundle experiences in that area. Book a room and you also get a spa package, gas card or other extras. There are also cottages that offer weekly stays, and with a kitchen and several bedrooms, that may end up being cheaper for families.

Centring yourself in one area also saves gas and having to pack and unpack, a situation that never lets you feel fully relaxed. While wine country is vast, you can experience a lot of it while still staying at one location and focusing your interests.

If back country roads and out-of-the-way wineries are your thing, the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys in northern Sonoma County will be your speed. Rent a bike at Spoke Folk Cyclery in Healdsburg - http://www.spokefolk.com/, $30 a day, $10 an hour - grab one of their maps and a sandwich from a deli on the square or the nearby Safeway grocery and pedal on largely flat, quiet roads to the picnic areas at Everett Ridge (great view) or Lambert Bridge (lovely garden - so lovely we're getting married in it) wineries.

The Silverado Trail in Napa is also a popular path for cyclists. The road stretches about 40 kilometres and takes pedallers from Napa through, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Wineries dot this route and there are plenty of places for a picnic.

If you prefer soaking more than cycling, head to Calistoga for a mineral or mud bath at Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa and Resort. The resort has affordable packages when compared to other spas in the area, including one night's lodging and mineral bath starting at less than $100 a person and a mud bath for $49 a person - http://www.goldenhaven.com/. While in Calistoga, visit Sterling Vineyards, where an aerial tram gives unbelievable views of the Napa Valley. The $20 fee includes tram, self-guided tour and tasting of five wines; under 21, $10 and under three is free, http://www.sterlingvineyards.com.

The Sonoma hamlet of Glen Ellen lets you walk in the footsteps of "Call of the Wild" writer Jack London, who attempted to build his dream home on this tree-studded property with gorgeous vineyard views, only to have it burn down before he could ever live in it - http://www.jacklondonpark.com/, $6 parking, $5 for seniors.

EAT FRESH: Sonoma and Napa counties are foodie paradises and the pricey restaurants prove it. But get the same fruits, vegetables and meats the chefs do with visits to the local farmers markets. You can find fresh baked bread to top off with slices of juicy tomatoes and fancy cheeses that will melt in your mouth. Oxbow Public Market in Napa even has a wine bar, jazz night and one merchant is even offering a cooking class, http://www.oxbowpublicmarket.com/.

There are deals to be had at the high-end restaurants, though. Cyrus in Healdsburg, for example, has an eye-popping - for budget travellers at least - $130-a-person eight-course menu, but you can eat a la carte at the bar to soak up the atmosphere and the gourmet food for around $10-$28, http://www.cyrusrestaurant.com/.

TASTE FREE: No reason to pay for your drinks - $5-$15 a winery adds up - if you can get them for free. Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guernville has free tours and complimentary tastings. The cellar tour is 50 minutes and gives you a peek into the antique vaults and history museum and shows how champagne is made, http://www.korbel.com/.

August Briggs on the southern edge of Calistoga also has free tastings of four to five wines. Frank Family Vineyards, also in Calistoga, offers free tastings Monday-Thursday. The website NapaValley.com has coupons for two-for-one tastings at some wineries and other freebies.

ENJOY AN OUTDOOR SHOW: There's more to wine country than wine. Several festivals going on throughout the summer in Napa and Sonoma counties offer free music and other performances outdoors. "Napa City Nights" is a free concert series at Veterans Memorial Park in Napa. The park also hosts movie nights, as does the Windsor Town Green. Shakespeare also comes to life in performances at the Windsor green, http://www.olddowntownwindsor.com/. Check the chambers of commerce or tourism websites for the town you'll base yourself in for more listings.

SHOP OUTLETS: It's fun to browse items in the cute shops that line many town squares throughout wine country and you can often find bargains at thrift stores and consignment shops. But for brand names, head to the Napa Premium Outlets and the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, http://www.premiumoutlets.com.

GETTING THERE: The Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa serves the area, but San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are only about 100 kilometres away from wine country and have more flights daily on more carriers.

STAYING THERE: The Holiday Inn Express - http://www.sonomahi.com/ - and Hampton Inn hotels in Windsor - http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/ - are modern, clean and have pools, free WiFi and free breakfasts. They're also right off the 101 freeway, making them a great base for exploring Sonoma County. The California Association of Bed and Breakfasts has a long list of options, http://www.cabbi.com/. Besides breakfast, many B&Bs also have complimentary evening wine and cheese tastings that will save you from spending money on appetizers at a restaurant.

World's ultra safe destinations

Given some Caribbean islands' reputation for violent crime and the high-profile Natalee Holloway case in Aruba, it may seem counterintuitive to include the Dutch ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) on a list of the world’s safest places to travel.

See our slideshow of the World's Ultra Safe Destinations.

But the stats don’t lie: Crime rates on the three islands are low, political unrest is virtually unknown, they’re too far south for hurricanes, and in 2008 the trio ranked lowest in the Caribbean in felonious incidents against visiting yachts. In fact, Aruba was the only place in the region to achieve a perfect score on the yacht crime survey.

To find the world’s ultra-safe places to travel we analyzed piles of data, from U.S. State Department warnings on crime against U.S. citizens abroad and the latest United Nations survey on global crime trends to the Mercer rankings of the world’s safest cities. We also looked at other fear factors: natural disasters, social or political unrest, warfare and terrorism. However, the criteria are too varied to make a definitive ranking credible and to rank the 10 safest countries. Some of our choices were obvious: bucolic New Zealand, neutral Switzerland and squeaky-clean Singapore.  As for omissions, the Scandinavian countries and some very small island nations would make a longer list of 20 or 25.

Some of our findings are surprising. Maybe it’s movies like Gangs of New York and guilt by association with the ongoing troubles across the border in Ulster, but the Irish have always had a rather gruff reputation. But you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. A recent World Health Organization study named the Emerald Isle the least violent country in Europe. And according to the latest Mercer rankings of the world’s safest urban areas, Dublin is less dangerous than major cities in Japan, Australia or Canada.

See our slideshow of the World's Ultra Safe Destinations.

The image of the rough, tough Irishman “is a media myth—the Hollywood version,” says retired Irish entrepreneur and diplomat Michael Mullally, who for many years had address his country’s persona abroad. “It’s about a realistic an image of the Irishman as the Marlboro Man is of Americans.”

Cyprus is another place that bucked its traditional image. The 1950s struggle for independence against the British and the Turkish invasion of 1974 and its contentious aftermath color perceptions of the eastern Mediterranean isle. But with the Orthodox church and the traditional Greek family as the twin pillars of society—and a booming economy since entering the European Union in 2004—the island has evolved into a haven of serenity. Recent moves toward rapprochement between independent Cyprus and Turkish-controlled North Cyprus have also contributed to the overall sense of calm.

Tasoula Manaridis of the Cyprus Tourism Organization feels that several factors contribute to the island being such a safe destination. “Cyprus is a country with very high per capita income, one of the highest in Europe. The poverty is at a very, very low level.” But she also points out that, “We never had a terrorist attack either. When they have troubles in the Middle East, they evacuate people out to Cyprus because it's the safest destination nearby.”

Our search for the safest places revealed several common denominators.

Almost all of them are relatively small in terms of both size and population (New Zealand was the largest in both categories). They are all fairly affluent, if not on a global basis then certainly when compared to other countries in their region. And for the most part they are free and open societies, with democratically elected governments and freedom of the press. Religious and family values also figure into the mix.

Many of them have homogenous populations, although the melting pots of Singapore, Switzerland and the Dutch southern Caribbean islands show that isn’t always the case.

According to Jacob Gelt Dekker, mastermind behind the award-winning Kura Hulanda restoration project and museum in Curacao, the keys to their own their tranquility are employment and education. “Unemployment on Curacao is about 3% of the adult work force... These numbers compare very favorably to the rest of the Caribbean, where unemployment of the adult work force is on average 15-25%.”

Local unemployment is low because the education is ingrained in the local culture and heavily backed by the government. “Education laws make schooling obligatory up to the age of 18 years, and soon to be extended to 21,” Dekker explains. “We expect crime to be even less in the near future, as the schooling laws come in to play.” Most Dangerous Places

For a rough comparison, we’ll note the United Nations Office rankings on Drugs & Crime, listing a few of the countries ranked solely on the basis of crime and drugs.

Obviously a country currently involved on a war (Iraq, Afghanistan) is going to be the most dangerous. Many large countries do not fare as well. For instance, Colombia, South Africa and Jamaica almost always rank among the world’s most dangerous. Reading from most dangerous to least, the U.S. is the least safe of the big Western nations. The U.N. study ranks the U.S. at No. 24 in per capita murder, well head of France (No. 40), Britain (No. 46), Germany (No. 49) and Japan (No. 60).

Staycations that feel like vacations

The thrill of a vacation isn't always where you are going, but the ability to relax and get away from your normal life. A staycation can not only accomplish those goals, but can enrich your life more than an actual vacation, as you can learn more about the area around where you live and can learn to appreciate it the whole year round.

Nine Ideas for the Perfect StaycationExplore your home base. Go through your local city magazine and pick things to do from the calendar section. You might find a new nightclub, a dance or cooking class to attend.

Go to a local winery. Where there's land, there's wine. Perform an internet search to find where your nearest winery is and go for a tour and a tasting.

Attend local concerts. Delve into your local music scene, and pick a few concerts to attend over a weekend.

Pamper yourself and be lazy. Get a limo on your night out, hire a maid service to come at the beginning and end of your vacation week, and/or order take out every night. It's important to do things differently during a staycation to make it feel like it's a real break.

Act like a tourist. Whether you live in Las Vegas, New York or Tulsa, someone else thinks you live in the perfect vacation spot. See what the fuss is about by taking a guided tour of your home town or follow tour guide pamphlets from your local tourism bureau.

Get a local suite with a fabulous view for the weekend. It may seem like a vacation to stay in a hotel, but you'll still manage to save on travel costs. Package deals for weekends filled with spa treatments, shopping, adventure or romance are available at the nicest hotels in your closest downtown area. Go to the website for the places that have caught your eye and made you wonder what it would like to be a hotel guest for the weekend.

Experience the nature around you. Take a trip just outside of town to go to the beach, mountain bike or have a picnic. No matter where you live, just around the corner there's an area that's just a little more rural.

Use your vacation budget to enrich your whole year. If you've saved up vacation money and then decided to stay home, you are sitting on a goldmine waiting to be spent on items that will better your life. Depending on your budget, you could buy a cappuccino machine, a foot massager, a monthly maid service, a gym membership, patio furniture, an outdoor grill, a mountain bike or a whirlpool tub. This way, instead of one week of relaxation and better living, you can make it last all year.

Sign up for a yoga retreat. Many yoga studios offer in-town yoga retreats at parks, gardens, in the mountains or on the beach. Weekend retreats also may bring in teachers from around the country or even combine yoga and chocolate.

A staycation doesn't have to be boring, and can even be more life-enriching than leaving town. Use your time off to get to know the area around you and take advantage of everything that it has to offer.

Between a rock & a fishy place

There's a lot to be said for Paskapoo Sandstone.

Probably more than any other rocks in the profuse and bountiful Western Sedimentary Basin, it brands us as Albertans -- not in how we act or behave, but in the way we appear and project to the outside world.

And there's nothing more solid as a rock than the Alberta legislature building (a.k.a. the Paskapoo Palace) or Calgary's McDougall Centre, and those historic buildings on Stephen Avenue.

They're all crafted with huge chunks of the buttery-yellow stuff, pried from the Bow River breaks at the old Glenbow Quarry, just downriver from Cochrane.

It also creates some pretty spectacular river bluffs that define the Bow east of Calgary.

The view from Antler Hill is always special, not only because of the panorama of the front range of the Rockies, but also what it stands for.

It was here -- so the legend goes -- that Anthony Henday had his cosmic Alberta moment in October 1754, when he took a gander out west and blurted "behold the shining mountains."

The mountains were shining profusely when I crested the summit and began the long QEII descent down the other side to Innisfail, still locked in its winter whites.

There's a lot of snowpack up there and it's a good bet that the mountain runoff will be a slow and frustrating affair.

When I arrived at the McKinnon's Flats access east of Indus, the lot was loaded with guide trucks and drift boat trailers.

One quick reconnaissance of the river and the reason for the parking lot gridlock became obvious.

Even though the view of the Bow from the Deerfoot Trail in town was low, clear and mint, down at Mac it was getting a little circumspect.

The Lower Bow Flotilla was making the run from Fish Creek to McKinnon's to avoid as much as possible the Highwood River snow melt, which was turning the river from murky to turbid as the afternoon progressed.

The bank anglers in the parking lot all appeared to be heading upstream, which was a clear signal for me to head down.

My destination was a high, creamy cliff of magic on the inside of a long, languid bend. Over the centuries the colliding forces of water and ice have been slowly winning the battle with the compacted sediments of the vast inland sea that was once Alberta. Large slabs of Paskapoo had broken loose and tumbled into the river.

It created one of those classic trout habitats known as a "rock garden."

May is our transition month. Frustrating, yet filled with potential all the same. So, on the Bow's sunny north side, the mourning doves were coo-cooing in the cottonwoods and the mosquitoes were making a statement. Under the south bank, where the sun doesn't shine, big blocks of shore ice still defied summer's inevitable arrival.

All this makes trying to figure out the trout all the more compelling.

I settled for a compromise, first knotting a Woolly Bugger-style fly called a Marilyn Monroe to hopefully imitate a mountain whitefish, but backing it up with a Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph attached as a dropper.

Then I began to work the tandem down-and-around through the seams, pockets, eddies and glides that the rock fall had created.

On one such swing my line stopped and when I set the hook, a rainbow hit the atmosphere and jumped three more times before submitting to the bend of my five-weight rod.

By Bow River standards a little guy, but most other places not a bad fish. It had eaten the nymph.

The next fish came off so I didn't know what it took. So did fish No. 3. But the fourth trout stayed hooked -- another "small" fish on the Hare's Ear.

I was debating changing flies until a hang-up settled it. After I broke off, I tied on a Black Cone-Head Woolly Bugger, then began working a slack off the main current, created by a submerged sandstone slab. Halfway down and halfway through the swing, the fly didn't stop. It was mugged.

Right away, I sensed a good fish. This was confirmed when it made a reel-singing downstream run.

When it didn't show I reckoned it was a brown trout. But it fooled me when it wallowed on the surface, revealing a crimson slash down its silver flank.

I'd like to say the rainbow gasping in my net was a 20-incher -- which is the Bow River standard of excellence. But the best I could stretch my tape was a tad over 19. The Woolly Bugger hung sullenly from its jaw.

History would repeat itself in the next pocket where the Bugger swung out of the heavy current and I found myself once more between a rock and a fishy place.

This time the 'bow got airborne and jumped seven more times before the fight was finished and I shook the Bugger loose.

Then I laid it on a boulder of mellow yellow Paskapoo to have its picture taken and my ego stroked.

Hop on board the Bike Train

Many cyclists have already hopped aboard the Bike Train for easy access to cycling routes in the Niagara Region. This year, new "pilot" routes will bring riders to more areas across Southwestern and Northern Ontario.

The Bike Train -- developed by Toronto cyclist Justin Lafontaine and launched in partnership with VIA Rail between Toronto and Niagara two years ago -- is a fun, economic and environmentally friendly way to enjoy a cycling getaway.

"Getting to the destination is made easy as passengers travel in comfort while their bicycles are safely secured in a baggage car with bike racks," explains Bike Train Initiative marketing manager Peter Lipscombe.

EASY ACCESS

On the train, Bike Train staff members provide cycling maps and other information.

This summer, the initiative connects Toronto with destinations across Ontario, providing cyclists of all abilities easy access to the Greenbelt, wine and culinary regions, and northern lakes and forests. As well, there are off-the-beaten-path villages, world-renowned natural and historical sites, and thousands of kilometres of recreational trails and on-road cycling routes.

The Toronto-Niagara Greenbelt Express, offered on eight weekends starting June 26 through to October, includes stops in Toronto, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. The Niagara Falls train station is just a block from the Niagara River Recreation Trail, a mainly off-road 56-km paved path. Cycle north on a scenic 20-km ride to the Niagara Gorge, wineries and Niagara-on-the-Lake. To the south, the trail passes the Falls and Fort Erie.

St. Catharines is the starting point to explore Port Dalhousie, the Welland Canal, 20 Valley wine routes and mountain biking trails around the Niagara Escarpment.

The Greater Niagara Circle Route covers 140 km and includes the Niagara River Recreational Trail. The Waterfront Trail runs 900 km from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border.

Cyclists can take a few days to explore with Cycle and Stay Niagara, which has a network of "cycle-friendly" B&Bs on the Greater Niagara Circle Route, which offer secure bike lockups and luggage transfers.

There are also hotels offering bike storage for cyclists and some giving Bike Train special rates. These include Best Western Fallsview Hotel, Lodge Inn and Suites, and Quality Fireside Hotel, all in Niagara Falls. Brock University in St. Catharines has rooms at "affordable" rates in a park-like setting through the summer.

New this year is the Ontario North Bike Train, a pilot project with Ontario Northland Railway from Toronto to North Bay on Aug. 7-10. These trails and roads take riders past lakes, bogs and Northen communities.

"As for new routes, we have proposed to VIA Rail to organize a Southwestern Ontario Bike Train pilot to Windsor," Lipscombe says. This test project would allow Bike Train passengers to get on the train in Toronto and get off in Windsor to explore Essex County, Point Pelee, Pelee Island and Windsor.

"In future years, we hope to be able to have passengers embark and disembark at any of the intermediate stations including London," he added.

"People are cycling more in all aspects of their lives and vacations are no exception," Lafontaine said.

A cycle tour from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Grimsby in 2006 left him impressed by the many trails, diverse landscapes, towns, cities and attractions. He began exploring opportunities for cycle tourism, which led to discussions with VIA Rail and other partners, and resulted in a pilot project by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism in 2007.

Now it has become a project of Transportation Options, a non-profit organization dedicated to stimulating sustainable systems of transportation. Funding comes from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Government and Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, with support by more than 30 organizations and businesses. To date, 1,000 passengers have climbed on board.

"The Bike Train is helping both cyclists and drivers alike, getting cars off the roads and giving more options for vacations and staycations," Lipscombe said.

For more on Bike Train schedules, tickets and updates, contact biketrain.ca or 1-866-333-4491. Tickets for the Toronto-Niagara Greenbelt Express are $62 return or $31 one-way with no charge for children to age 11. The Ontario North Bike Train weekend, Toronto-North Bay, is $153 return and has a capacity of 56 passengers.

ONETANKTRIPS@HOTMAIL.COM

Transformers more than meets the eye

Everyone likes to use their electronics -- cellphones, games, blackberries and other devices but using the wrong type of power source overseas can ruin the device and lead to a fire.

The world uses different currencies, voltages and even frequency so travelers do need to know some basics.

Most countries use either 110 (110-120) Volts or 220(220-240) Volts.

- 110V is used in North, Central and some parts of South America, the Caribbean, and parts of the Pacific.

- 220V is used everywhere else. Some actually use both 110 and 220V.

Electric frequency is the cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz.) Canada uses 60 Hz. While Europe uses 50 Hz. Most devices are unaffected by the cycle changes but some, like analog clocks and some motorized appliances, will run slower or faster.

The plug on the appliance that you use in Canada won't fit into the outlets in most foreign countries. Therefore, you will need a plug adapter. Plug adapters do not convert electricity.

A "converter" or a "transformer" changes 220-volt to 110-volt electricity in order to use a 110-volt appliance.

Converters should be used only with "electric" appliances. Electric appliances are simple heating devices or have mechanical motors. Examples are hair dryers, steam irons, electric toothbrushes, incandescent lamps, and small fans. Converters should not be used for more than three hours at a time.

Transformers are used with "electronic" appliances. Electronic appliances have a chip or circuit. Examples are radios, CD players, shavers, battery rechargers, computer printers, fax machines, televisions, answering machines, and fluorescent lamps. Transformers can also be used with electric appliances and may be operated continually for many days.

Electronic items need a transformer. You will also want to use a transformer if you are stepping up from 110 to 220.

Where a converter would simply limit the amount of electrical output without really reducing it, a transformer actually reduces the voltage of the electricity going through it. Always use a transformer with electronics!

If your appliance is dual voltage, you don't have to worry about converters and transformers. You just need a plug adapter for the country you will be visiting.

If you plan to use expensive electronic equipment abroad (especially a laptop computer), it is advisable to use a surge protector. The surge protector that you use in Canada is for 110-volt and should NOT be used in 220-volt countries.

If you have any doubt visit electronics store before you leave. It can be harder to find the right transformer abroad.

Dr. Podolsky practises travel medicine in Winnipeg at the Skylark Medical Clinic (www.skylarkmedicalclinic.com).

Drawbacks of travel rewards

We've all gotten letters in the mail touting some new travel rewards program. Sometimes they come from a credit card company or directly from a major airline. But are these reward programs truly rewarding? Read on to find out.

The Program

Travel reward programs are often referred to as a loyalty rewards program, and they are generally a campaign devised to generate repeat customers for a particular company by offering a point gratification system for the customers' business. They are also meant to provide customers with a "thank you" for their loyalty to a company's product or service. That benefit is typically some sort of discount on certain items or services.

Some credit cards offer travel rewards as a means of thanking their existing customers and attracting new consumers to their card. For example, MasterCard offers a card that grants travel "miles" for each dollar the consumer charges. After the consumer earns a certain number of miles, he or she can redeem them for travel with major airlines or stays at major hotels. Visa and American Express have similar offerings.

Hotel chains love loyalty programs as well because it's a great way for them to generate repeat business. For example, Hilton offers its "H-Honors program", which allows consumers to earn travel points toward hotel stays or airline travel. One additional benefit of this program is that points can be transferred to family members who are part of the program. Similarly, Marriott offers Marriott Rewards, which allows consumers to rack up and redeem points at a variety of destinations around the world.

Airlines also use loyalty rewards programs as a means of getting a wing up on the competition. For example, American Airlines offers its A-Advantage frequent flyer program, Delta has SkyMiles, Continental Airlines has OnePass, and United Airlines has Mileage Plus. In fact, virtually every airline has a loyalty program, each with its own system for granting and redeeming points and rewards.

Other types of companies have begun to get in on the action as well. For example, Carnival Cruise Lines has a SeaMiles program, and Royal Caribbean offers the Crown & Anchor Society. Even Amtrak has a rewards program.

Travel Rewards Program Benefits

In many cases, travel rewards programs allow members to accumulate points and redeem them for flights, cruises or hotel rooms. In some cases, points may also be redeemed for items like movies, clothes or gas from certain vendors.

Travel rewards programs can be a great way to "save" for that big trip. Participation in the programs may take some of the thinking out of socking away the money needed to fund a trip, because rewards points can be redeemed to cover many trip costs. Racking up travel rewards points may also be a better way to pay for a trip than charging it to a credit card and racking up interest.

Drawbacks

Consumers should be aware that some travel rewards credit cards may charge an annual fee. That fee may essentially offset the value of the rewards earned. It's also a burden that might not be necessary because there are other travel rewards cards out there that don't charge an annual fee. Before signing up, consumers should consider whether the fee is worthwhile compared to the number of points they anticipate earning and compared to competitors' offerings.

Also, while some travel rewards users are particularly adept at charging all of their expenses to a credit card that offers travel reward points and then paying the full balance each month, for those who are prone to overspend, relying on a travel rewards card to pay for daily expenses could put them into debt. If this occurs, interest charges on the card are likely to outweigh any travel points earned.

The next big problem with rewards programs is that consumers sometimes have difficulty redeeming points. The airline industry has "blackout dates", which means that on certain days, flights do not offer any seats to rewards program members. Hotels and cruise lines have blackout dates as well. The difficulty consumers sometimes encounter in redeeming points is outlined in a 2006 survey by GMAC Mortgage. The survey found that while more than 50 per cent of respondents in a national survey of American consumers reported having at least one or two rewards credit cards, more than 41 per cent of these cardholders either rarely or never used their rewards. If these consumers are racking up interest charges as well, it's clear that these reward cards hold little benefit - particularly if these cards have annual fees and/or higher interest rates.

Yet another big problem with redeeming travel rewards points or miles is that individuals rarely travel alone. They often like to travel with a friend or family member, and trying to get that person on the same flight or in the same hotel at an advantageous rate can be a challenge.

Finally, some people use these cards with only the reward in mind and not the costs that they have to rack up to earn that reward. If a consumer is racking up huge bills, breaking their budget or paying finance costs on a credit card in the pursuit of earning travel rewards, they probably won't come out ahead.

Finding the Best Programs

Research is the key to finding the best travel rewards programs. One tip is to call these companies directly and speak with a representative to find out about their rewards programs. The alternative is to review the websites of the major hotels, airlines, cruise lines and other travel-related companies. In addition, Inside Flyer, a magazine devoted to covering the latest news on travel rewards programs, is an excellent source of information.

Finally, try to gravitate toward a program with rewards you might actually use. For example, if you drive a great deal when you travel, lean toward rewards programs tied to gas stations. If you frequently fly on a particular airline, signing up for that airline's credit card and loyalty program probably makes sense, especially if the credit card has no annual fee.

Bottom Line

Travel rewards programs can be great for both the company offering them and the consumer enrolled in them as long as the consumer participates in the program wisely.

Fishin' for a Father's Day surprise

Q: I'd like to surprise dad this Father's Day with a fishing trip not too far away. What do you think of places around Hwy. 400?

-- J. GARISTO, MARKHAM

A: Once you go north of Toronto or even south for that matter there are plenty of places to fish. As Hwy. 400 and Hwy. 11 criss-cross north of Barrie, tourism folks from these parts have created a website called 400eleven.com, which has details on fishing in the area.

"Some of the best fresh water fish can be found (near) Toronto on the many lakes and streams and rivers running into Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. Going further north into lakes such as Lake Nipissing-West Nippising, the French River, or Tomiko and Chebogan Lakes provides more species and colder fresh water," the website reports.

Q: We're going to be doing Europe by rail this summer and wish to buy the Eurail Select Pass. What happens if we decide to visit a country that's not included in this pass? Can we still use it?

-- A. HERNDORFF, HAMILTON

A: The folks at Rail Europe advise that passes are only valid for travel in the countries covered by that particular pass. If you have already purchased your pass but have not left North America, it is possible to upgrade your pass to include other countries.

"If you travel through a country not included on your pass, you'll need to purchase an additional ticket for that part of the trip," states the company website.

RailEurope.com has a country guide you can visit. Once there, select the country you would like to travel in and then the "How to get there" tab to view a map of the country.

For more on Eurail passes, contact your travel agent or call 1-800-361-RAIL (7245). Service representatives are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

ILONA@MYCOMPASS.CA

Father's Day Weekend Trips

Wine collecting dads this year might unwrap a coveted bottle of 2003 Silver Oak cabernet sauvignon this Father's Day.

A lucky few will visit the Silver Oak vineyard. Book him a special package at the Napa Valley wine estate Meadowood, and its resident master sommelier, Gilles de Chambure, will accompany Dad on appointments to this and other exclusive local wineries. He'll enjoy personal tours and tastings as well as a picnic lunch in one of the vineyards. In the evening, he'll sit down for a four-course dinner with wine pairings at the estate's Michelin-rated restaurant. Prices range from $2,420 to $3,070 for a one-night stay.

This is one of a handful of weekend trips suitable for adventure-loving dads.

In Pictures: Great Getaways for Dad

Depending on his interests, other gift ideas might include whitewater rafting down the Colorado River, fly fishing in the remote wilderness or a weekend at an 18-hole resort and spa.

These trips can also include friends and family. The PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Fla., for example, offers the "family fun fore all" and "guys buddy trip" promotions. With the family package, two children and two adults stay for $99 a night and enjoy unlimited golf on three courses, discounted meals and spa services and access to golf clinics. The "guys buddy trip" promotion is $445 per person through October and includes 18 holes of golf each day and cart and caddie fees.

James M. Gelfand, the resort's vice president of sales, marketing and revenue development, says that while most book family packages for Father's Day weekend, buddy trips are also popular. The bottom line, he says, is that, "Dad gets to come and play golf and he doesn't have any guilt."

What People Buy

This year, consumers are expected to spend $95 each on Father's Day gifts, according to the National Retail Federation, a trade association. Common presents include clothing, books, CDs, computer accessories, gift certificates and greeting cards.

In Pictures: Great Getaways for Dad

There are also gifts that might exceed Dad's wildest expectations. The Scotch whisky distiller Chivas Regal is offering a $117,650 package that includes a five-day stay at a private mansion in Scotland, a round of golf at St. Andrew's Links, dinner with the Duke of Argyll at his castle, helicopter transportation and a bespoke kilt and family crest consultation.

For $49,000, you can transform him into a Vegas high roller. The "ultimate mancation" package offered by the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa includes the keys to a Ferrari 360 Spider, one day of racecar driving, golfing at TPC Las Vegas and cigars to end every dinner.

Even without the promise of a lifestyle makeover, Las Vegas is still a popular destination for Father's Day weekend. Lauren Volchef, director of marketing for the Web site lastminutetravel.com, says that Las Vegas bookings usually spike that weekend. This year, they account for 23% of the site's bookings; they usually comprise 8% to 10%. Volchef also says that golf meccas like Palm Springs and Myrtle Beach are common destinations.

What To Do

Gambling and golf, however, are not your only choices. Jennifer Gaines, contributing editor for lastminute.com, says that families spend more time in the outdoors during the holiday weekend. She recommends locations like Monterey, Calif., for the beach setting; Boise, Idaho, for the mountain backdrop; and, Charleston, S.C., for history buffs interested in the Civil War.

Brandon Lake, vice president of the guided tour company Western River Expeditions, says that hiking, rafting and camping excursions are a perfect fit for active dads. His company, which is based in Salt Lake City but conducts tours of the southwest, offers multi-day packages of whitewater rafting, off-road safaris in bio-diesel fueled Hummers and backcountry camping. A four-day "sampler" trip includes accommodations at $575 for each adult and $475 for children between 5 and 15.

Fishing is another excellent outdoors activity. Though guided fishing trips are often difficult to schedule at the last minute, they are worth the effort. Gail McCoy, owner of the Montana fishing lodge Spotted Bear Ranch, sells out for the holiday weekend months in advance because families enjoy the isolation.

"They can be fishing all day and not see another person," says McCoy. "There's a quiet comfort ... and a silent camaraderie that's absolutely a bonding experience."

Forty reasons to love Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the state's famous "Virginia is for Lovers" tourism slogan with discounts at 200 hotels, museums and attractions.

The "40 Off Program" includes deals worth $40 off and "buy three, get one free" deals for tickets and nightly stays, depending on the venue. Expiration dates for the deals vary so check details at Virginia.org/40Off.

Some sample offers: At George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, buy three tickets and the fourth person gets in free, through Aug. 31. In Chantilly, admission is always free to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, but tickets for movies at the Smithsonian Theater are buy three, get one free through Dec. 31.

Between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, Luray Caverns also has a buy three, get one free, admission deal. The Haunts of Richmond Walking Ghost Tour is offering a fourth ticket free when you buy three, valid through Sept. 30. In Alexandria, buy three "Key to the City" passes at 50% off and get a fourth free, through Aug. 31. The passes include 60 offers for shopping, dining and attractions.

For accommodations, rooms with a view are 40% off at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel. Stay three nights and get the fourth free at 70 places to stay in the Williamsburg area, including complimentary admission to Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown Battlefield and Yorktown Victory Center. If you like riding, a "horse-lover's escape" at Shangrila Retreat in South Boston is 40% off, with meals, lodging, riding and other on-site activities included. In Norfolk, take $40 off at the Quality Suites or the Sleep Inn at Lake Wright in Norfolk. At Holiday Inn Surfside in Virginia Beach, stay three nights and get one at 40% off.

Plan your Stampede Getaway

The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede has been the city's largest tourist attraction for years, so it only makes sense to include the self-proclaimed Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth in your staycation plans.

And this year there are a number of plans and packages available for people planning on spending their vacation dollars at home.

"Are we promoting stay-cations? Yes," said Stampede spokesman Doug Fraser.

"Of course we're worried about the recession -- we're working very, very hard to add value for the visitors ... there's no question we're creating a lot of value."

While adult admission to the grounds will rise $1 to $14, Fraser said recession-weary locals and visitors will see greater bang for their buck with a host of new, free attractions.

At the Midway Circus, fairgoers can watch diving acrobats and daredevil motorcycle jumpers.

At the Rocktagon, visitors will be digitally dazzled by banks of high-tech monitors and speakers.

"It'll be a sensory overload -- it's the first time it's being presented in Canada," said Fraser.

The Grandstand Show is being revamped into The Big Show, and a relaxation zone -- the Western Oasis -- will feature a wine bar overlooking presentations of cowboy art, music and poetry in the BMO Centre, formally known as the Roundup Centre.

"We're kicking it up a couple of notches" said Fraser.

Special deals are available in a bid to keep Calgarians coming to the grounds.

There are five new all-inclusive GetAway value packages, including the family GetAway, which includes two adult and two child admissions to Stampede Park, two adult and two child Silver Rodeo or Evening Show tickets, two children's whistle cowboy hats, four reserved seats for the Superdogs, $40 in food certificates for The Range, and eight Calgary Transit tickets.

Choose the rodeo package and pay $179 or choose the evening grandstand show package and pay $234 and you can adjust the number of adults and children in your package.

The Ladies GetAway package includes four admissions to Stampede Park, four Silver Rodeo or Evening Show tickets, four 15% discount cards for Lammle's Western Wear, four iPod shuffles, eight drink tickets, $40 in food certificates for The Range, and eight Calgary Transit tickets.

The rodeo option is $349 for four -- the evening grandstand show option is $384 for four.

If you're riding solo, there's the Complete GetAway.

It includes one admission to Stampede Park, one Gold Rodeo or Evening Show ticket, one cowboy hat, one WestJet Skyride pass, one large bag of mini-doughnuts, two drink tickets ($15.50 value); $10 in food certificates for The Range, and two Calgary Transit tickets.

The rodeo package is $99 while the evening show package is $119.

Visit www.calgarystampede.com for more information about other GetAway packages and to purchase.

Lots more to Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- Pink Jeep Tours is the perfect antidote to the glitz and bustle of the Strip.

We chose the Red Rock Canyon tour, a four-hour nature-lovers' extravaganza that includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.

Guide Jerry Seeler proved a knowledgeable and personable guide to the surprisingly gorgeous and austere desert country just moments away from the Las Vegas sprawl.

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is nearly 200,000 acres of landscape so varied and rugged, it functions as a geology lesson and is a mecca for hiking and rock climbing.

The area was also home to as many as six prehistoric Native cultures, the major remaining signs of which are roasting pits and petroglyphs on the rock.

Red Rock remains a jewel in the crown of the U.S. parks system and a great way to see it is in the air-conditioned comfort of a Pink Jeep Tours custom-built Tour Trekker featuring all leather chairs and huge windows.

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Most of us know the story of the Titanic, the hubris of the Victorian Age undone by a collision with an iceberg in the North Atlantic, the horrific loss of life, the dignity of those going to certain death as the few lifeboats pulled away. And how Leonardo diCaprio dies so Kate Winslet can live ... oops. Sorry. That's the movie.

But history buffs won't want to miss Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor -- a 25,000-sq.-ft. exhibit featuring numerous items recovered from the Titanic, 21/2 miles beneath the ocean's surface.

When entering, visitors are handed a boarding pass with the name and brief bio of a real Titanic passenger.

Only when you come to the end of the exhibit do you discover if your character lived.

Mine perished. Most did.

There is a terrible poignancy in ordinary items recovered from the deep. Spectacles, letters, shoes, tools, an unopened bottle of champagne, floor tiles, crockery.

These objects bring to life the events of the terrible night of April 15, 1912.

The highlight is a 13 by 30-ft. chunk of Titanic's actual hull, containing six portholes.

It looms over visitors, giving just a hint of the behemoth this vessel was.

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Also located in the Luxor is Bodies: The Exhibition. This is not for the faint of heart.

Preserved by replacing flesh with plastic, 13 whole flayed and skinned bodies are on display, revealing the inner workings of the human body -- in an in-your-face experience that stops just short of a field trip to the morgue.

More than 250 organs and partial body specimens are also on display.

Once you get over the shock of standing in a room with real corpses, it actually does become educational.

And Jake had a number of eureka moments, able to relate what he'd learned in school to actual physiology.

And next to a pair of tobacco-blackened lungs, there's a bin full of cigarette packages recently discarded by horrified smokers.

It's an eye-opener.

Trip planning made easy

The open road is a magical place -- the sights and sounds whizzing by, the wildlife, the blue sky and winding blacktop.

Destinations, however, can get a little boring. Driving the RV from campsite to campsite doesn't do much to stimulate one's mind, and that's why many RV enthusiasts have begun looking for something a little different.

Whether it's a pre-planned driving tour that takes in a variety of exciting sights and attractions, a trip to a new and beautiful locale, or a family adventure with a wide range of activities, Alberta RVers can keep themselves occupied, educated and happy all summer long.

"Driving tours are pre-set travel itineraries that have been developed to assist travellers in exploring a region's attractions, sites, history and more," says Anastasia Martin-Stilwell of Travel Alberta.

"They provide a good foundation to developing your holiday trip as most of the groundwork in regards to what highway to take, sites to visit, stops to make and off-the-beaten track must-sees is already done, making trip planning that much easier. Some tour examples are the Canadian Badland's 'Homesteads, Bonebeds and Coalbeds' driving tour, or the David Thompson Explorer's Trail and Kalyna Country Circle Tour."

Not only do the tours highlight must-see attractions and sites, however, they keep trips on schedule and well-planned -- meaning even the most disorganized traveller can kick back and relax.

"Driving tours make trip planning that much easier, especially if there are multiple RVs travelling together," Martin-Stilwell says. "The in-depth tours are an easy reference for everyone on the trip, and the Canadian Badlands group has done a great job creating downloadable itineraries."

And there are a few trips that will appeal to RVers young and old.

Alberta's Lakelands are one such destination -- with fishing holes, swimming, beaches and more, this unexpected, lake-dotted landscape is a destination for Alberta travellers.

"The rest of the province may know there are many lakes in northeast Alberta, but they may not yet have experienced the beautifully unspoiled scenery and naturally treed campsites," says Sheila Faith Anderson, marketing co-ordinator of Alberta's Lakeland Destination Marketing Organization.

"We have white sand beaches and fishing enthusiasts will appreciate our clean, clear water, while birding and wildlife viewing opportunities abound."

But it's not just about the water, she says.

"Our attractions and events are spectacular -- Glendon's Derby Daze is the largest event of its kind in the province, and Smoky Lake's Pumpkin Fair is huge in every way. Elk Point boasts the only viewing deck on the North Saskatchewan River, while Alberta's Iron Horse Trail is 300 km of multi-use trails."

Of course, there are plenty of other places to visit -- and K-Country is one popular destination.

"Not only is it accessible for a long weekend getaway, but because of its vast size -- over 4,000 square kilometres -- and variety of places to explore, including five provincial parks, four wildland parks and several provincial recreation areas, you could easily spend a week-long vacation exploring all it has to offer," says Nancy Smith of Travel Alberta.

A new centralized campsite reservation service makes booking a stay at any of these locations simple, she says.

Visit www.travelalberta.com, www.canadianbadlands.com or reserve.albertaparks.ca for details.

World's largest carving

You could say Korczak Ziolkowski never finished what he started.

Then again, what he started was too big to complete in anyone's lifetime, as even the most industrious of dreamers run out of time before they run out of visions.

Ziolkowski, orphan, shipbuilder, assistant at the iconic Mount Rushmore, was the unlikely force behind what is now, 27 years after his death, shaping up to be an American icon to rival, even surpass, its more famous rock-face cousin 40 kilometres away.

When Ziolkowski died on the site in 1982 after 43 years of blasting and carving, the memorial still wasn't much of a temptation for tourists at least not compared to South Dakota's more famous Mount Rushmore or Badlands National Park.

That's about to change as Ziolkowski's dream, and the incredible tale of how it came to be, is literally set to dwarf all other sculptures.

Still working from Ziolkowski's 1948 design, the Crazy Horse Foundation -- it involves Ziolkowski's widow, Ruth, and seven of their 10 children -- is creating a landmark tourist attraction of immense proportions.

When completed, the sculpture will show legendary Lakota chief Crazy Horse, the native leader who was there when Gen. George Custer took his ill-fated ride at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, on his mount, galloping into the big Dakota sky, the sacred Black Hills at his feet.

Crazy Horse's face emerged from the mountainside in 1998.

To appreciate the scale of the project, consider that all four heads of the presidents of Mount Rushmore would fit inside the carving of Crazy Horse. When completed, the monument will be 172 metres high and 195 metres wide. It will be the world's largest mountain carving.

The Crazy Horse site now includes a sprawling visitors centre, Native American museum, artists workshop, a collection of early Americana a special wing dedicated to telling the story of the mountainside carving.

You can also take home a piece of rock blasted from the mountain for a small donation.

The interpretive centre, with the Crazy Horse memorial rising in the background, is the setting all summer long for a series of culture events.

Neither Ziolkowski nor the committee of chiefs who approached him at the Mount Rushmore worksite in the 1930s for the project were interested in accepting government money to help finance the project.

The project is financed by admission fees and donations. The site now attracts a million visitors annually.

Latest innovations in airport tech

NEW YORK - Welcome to the 21st century, passengers.

Self-serve ticket kiosks and other electronic screens and gadgets aren't exactly new at airports around the world, but some travellers are hesitant - maybe a little scared - about using them. They prefer the old-fashioned comfort of face-to-face contact with an agent, even if waiting in line slows them down.

But there are a growing number of ways to cut time and hassle out of a trip to the airport, from new kiosks to boarding passes scanned directly from your cellphone screen. There is, airports insist, no reason to be afraid.

Using electronic methods on your way to the gate can also save you money, as more airlines begin charging for contact with a living, breathing human.

Tania Ladic, a vice-president of industry marketing at technology developer NCR's travel and transportation unit, said there are a number of high-tech travel aids available at nearly every step of your trip that many people may not be aware of. Here are just a few examples:

Checking (And Paying for) Luggage:

Many travellers know they can check in online, or at the airport, using a kiosk. But many don't know they can check their bags the same way. Simply pay online or at a terminal with your credit card, then drop your bags off at the "Web Bag Drop" counters available through some airlines. Nearly all airlines have a representative that will check your boarding pass, grab your bag and send you on your way.

"Right now there's a lot of confusion on what to do with checked bags (when you check in electronically)," Ladic said. "Even some of the most savvy travellers don't know this."

NCR research says that it takes about one-quarter of the time to check in for a domestic flight with a kiosk instead of a ticket agent.

Upgrades

Want to score a bump up to business class from coach? No sweet talk or bribes required. Most major airlines now offer upgrade opportunities, if they are available, through the web or an airport kiosk. Payment, as with baggage, is just a swipe away. Another bonus: The kiosk never forgets to let you know when you're eligible for a promotion to more spacious seating.

Flight Changes

Mechanical problems, weather delays, oversold flights - eventually they all factor into the air travel experiences we won't soon forget. But all these problems can be made a little less troubling without ever having to wait in line for an agent. Many airlines already offer technology through their websites, kiosks or any phone that's web-enabled that will allow you to pick an alternate flight or cancel a reservation. Ladic said that passengers can even be notified if a delay will cause them to miss a connection so they can reschedule accordingly.

Ladic added that technology is now being developed that will send an email up to several days before a flight that will notify a passenger of bad weather or other potential hold ups. Travel websites such as Orbitz.com and some airlines already have similar alert services through text messaging and email if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

This is the point at which embracing technology can really help your wallet. Changing a reservation online or through a kiosk after your flight is cancelled or delayed is usually free. If you call the airline's customer service number, you will most likely be charged a fee ranging from $15 to $35 to speak to a live person. Changes for personal reasons generally cost much more, up to $150.

Some airlines are adding incentives to encourage the use of electronic services. In July, US Airways will start charging US$5 extra, if you pay their US$15 bag fee at the airport instead of online.

But not all carriers encourage online and electronic methods. Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines both charge fees to buy tickets on their websites - $4.90 each way for Spirit and $13.50 per passenger at Allegiant.

A Generational Thing?

Ladic said she thinks the gap is narrowing between younger and older folks when it comes to embracing technology. Kiosks and websites are designed to be simple and user-friendly, she said, and with a little encouragement from the airlines, everyone from grandma to junior is becoming more tech savvy.

The Next Frontier

Across the board, Ladic predicts that mobile phone scanning technology will be the fastest-growing platform in airport technology as more people switch from traditional paper boarding passes. The technology is now available in several major cities - including New York, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas and Boston - but it may be slow to spread because security personnel must be taught how to read and verify boarding passes on cellphones.

The next big leap on the airport technology front, Ladic predicts, will be touch-screen maps of airports that passengers can personalize and print out with food options, security lines, and gates. Ladic predicts they will appear in major airports in three to six months.

Sorry, there's still no electronic solution for taking your shoes off to get through security.

Barbados a year-round destination

All the fuss at the Barbados Airport is not because my wife and I have arrived for a holiday.

Rihanna , the pop star --who is the island's most famous export -- has just flown in too.

And she's brought with her singers Kelly Clarkson and new BFF (best friend forever) Katy Perry.

Clarkson and Perry will later play a concert in Barbados that my wife and I can't get tickets to.

However, we go on to enjoy an amazing Barbadian vacation. The timing of our vacation late in the season brings up the fact that Barbados is a year-round destination for Canadians.

Air Canada flies 365 days non-stop from Toronto to Bridgetown, Barbados, making the charismatic Caribbean island an anytime option.

Air Canada has partnered with Almond Resorts to offer all-inclusive vacations.

We slept at the 280-room Almond Casuarina on Barbados' south coast and found it is a stay-at-one-play-at-all-three deal. You pay one price for your flight, hotel, meals, drinks and activities and can use the facilities and amenities of all three resorts from the powder white beaches and pools to the bars and restaurants.

Activities range from turtle feeding excursions and catamaran tours to water-skiing and sea kayaking.

Venture off the resorts and you'll find activities like surfing lessons, fresh catch and vendors at Ostins Fish Market, tours of the Mount Gay Rum plant and bar and shop hopping along the famous St. Lawrence Gap.

Remarkably pretty town

The "Thumb-Your-Nose-at-the-Recession" getaway doesn't, to my knowledge, exist. It's a name I dreamed up during a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

It was late April, but felt like late June. Encouraged after a long, hard winter by highs in the mid-20s, weekend visitors were pouring in.

They crowded the shops, fingering British woolens and eyeing bone china, boarded horse-drawn carriages, scanned menus, queued for ice-cream cones, sat at outdoor tables and sipped wine.

Credit cards emerged, as if from hibernation. Entering the Prince of Wales hotel, I overheard one couple ask if it was too late for afternoon tea, a sumptuous spread served there in elegant surroundings at $32 a head -- and up.

The Prince of Wales was full. So were two nearby sister properties, Queen's Landing, which gets a lot of corporate and convention business, and the Pillar and Post, which had four weddings scheduled that day.

Recession, I thought? What recession?

Should you be tempted to give the finger to the economists, financial advisers and media gloom-and-doomers and spring for a getaway, keep Niagara-on-the-Lake in mind.

It's a remarkably pretty town, with street after street of the sort of imposing houses and carefully tended gardens displayed in glossy magazines.

There are no high-rises, thanks, I was told, to a bylaw limiting building height to three floors.

Flower-stuffed planters brighten Queen Street, the main drag, and benches so you can give those shopping bags a rest.

There's an unmistakable air of prosperity -- no vacant storefronts, no litter, no panhandlers.

The many historic plaques and markers remind us of Niagara-on-the-Lake's special place in our history -- capital of Upper Canada in 1792, site of the first provincial parliament and of our first newspaper.

From Queen Street, stroll down King Street past the statue of John Graves Simcoe, first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada, that sits in a lovely park named for him.

Three blocks later and you're at the junction of Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. That's Fort Niagara across the way, on the American side. Hard to imagine that war was once waged where you're standing.

There's enough to see and do in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake to justify several getaways. Here are three of the most popular:

- Wineries. There are scores of them; watch for signs as you approach the town.

- The Niagara Parkway. Winston Churchill saw it in 1943 and called it "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world." You can also cycle or walk along the Niagara River Recreation Trail, which stretches 53 kilometres from Fort George National Historic Site, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, to Fort Erie.

- The Shaw Festival, dedicated to the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. There are three theatres and a season that runs April to October.

All this is 2 1/2 hours from London, making the town well suited to an overnight getaway.

I visited Vintage Hotels' three CAA/AAA four-diamond properties. Each has a new package, available until October, that includes one night's accommodation. Phone 1-888-669-5566 to reserve. Here are the packages:

- Queen for a Day, at Queen's Landing, an imposing, Georgian-style hotel on the river, offers a three-course dinner in Tiara Restaurant and a horse-drawn carriage ride.

- Wine-lovers' Getaway at the Pillar and Post features a pass for a winery tour and $100 credit to a vinotherapy spa treatment at 100 Fountain Spa, chosen North America's No. 1 spa in 2008 by Spas of America.

- Totally Tea, at the elegant Prince of Wales, includes afternoon tea and $100 credit towards spa treatments.

Dining tip: One of my best meals in a while was put together at Queen's Landing by young Trevor Ritchie, gold-medal winner in the 2009 Ontario Challenge Cooks competition for apprentice chefs.

10 dangerous countries for drivers

Think twice about planning your next road trip in Russia, Slovakia or Poland. Those countries top a newly released list of nations with the most road fatalities.

The list is included in a report by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), a Paris-based group of 30 countries with market economies. The group surveyed its members, tracking both deaths per million individuals and deaths per million drivers in 2007. For our list of 10 dangerous countries for drivers, we averaged a country's ranking on each data point for a composite result.

In Depth: 10 Dangerous Countries For Drivers

The worst performers are post-Soviet states in Eastern Europe where the political infrastructure is disorganized and weak. In Russia, the most dangerous country for drivers on our list (with 939 deaths per million cars), the government does a lousy job enforcing speed limits and laws against drunk driving across its expansive terrain.

One of the list's surprises: the U.S., which ranks eighth most dangerous, with 163 deaths per million cars in 2007. Though American law enforcement works efficiently compared with a place like Russia, the high American teen drinking rate makes it tough to bring down drunk driving deaths.

Another surprise: No. 10 on our list, Belgium. The western European nation makes a poor showing, says OECD statistician Mario Barreto, because it's so small, with a population of just 10.4 million. Belgium had 168 deaths per million cars and 100 deaths per million inhabitants in 2007 (Compare Belgium's population with Russia's, 140 million, and the U.S., 300 million.)

Belgium could improve if France is any indication. France made the top 10 most dangerous list back in 2002. Since then, it has cut its fatality rate by instituting stricter speed limits and new penalties for drunk driving. Get caught once and you will have your car confiscated; get caught twice and a special ignition test may be attached to your vehicle that monitors your blood alcohol level before letting you start the car. In the last four years, France's auto fatality rate has fallen by 38%, to just 75 per million inhabitants. It's now among the OECD's safest countries for drivers, ranking 11 out of 31.

Members of non-governmental organizations that track traffic safety around the globe caution that the most dangerous countries for drivers are not members of the OECD, and thus not covered by the report. Not surprisingly, developing nations like China, India and South Africa suffer the greatest number of traffic fatalities.

These economies are growing so rapidly that new vehicles appear on the roads too quickly (a 15% annual increase on average) for government to respond with enforced speed limits or traffic police. New superhighways bring culture shock, and added risk, when they are constructed in rural areas where residents might not know any better than to cross in front of a speeding car as though it were a slow-moving rickshaw. Indeed the casualties in these developing nations are probably worse than we think, since governments can be lax about registering drivers, while hospitals keep imperfect records of causes of death.

Meanwhile, in the wealthy nations that make up the OECD, vehicle registrations are mandatory; police, hospital and emergency staffs are trained professionals; and fatality statistics include all those who died up to 30 days after an accident from a related wound. As a result of this more expansive and robust data, says Peter van Meulen of the International Road Safety Academy (IRSA), first world countries often appear to have more fatalities than poor countries, where the true figures are not reported, but "which have much worse records."

IRSA is now working with the World Health Organization to develop a comprehensive worldwide study to fill the gap.

In Depth: 10 Dangerous Countries For Drivers

A Mardi Gras frame of mind

Most people associate one of the world's best known carnivals with New Orleans, but visiting this amazingly resilient city at other times of the year will allow the traveller to experience the city, its people, its sights and its cuisine without feeling like a salmon swimming upstream against huge crowds.

The party atmosphere of Mardi Gras prevails year round, so you won't miss out on anything there. Bourbon Street is always loud and proud with parties, bands and booze-to-go from mid-afternoon to middle of the night year round.

Beyond Bourbon Street is where you'll experience a rich history, wondrous foods and excellent drinks (New Orleans claims to be the birthplace of the cocktail.), a melange of cultures, nice people and gentle southern hospitality.

Post Katrina NOLA is a smaller city, with almost half of the population not yet returned from evacuation locations or now entrenched in new homes. Mike Osmond, a waiter at Wolf's, one of the Big Easy's many fabulous eateries, explains, "My girlfriend's family lived in St. Bernard Parish, (one of the hardest hit areas) and they evacuated to Baton Rouge. After three years, they've built new lives there, so they're not coming back."

Perhaps this makes those who still live in the Crescent City, called so because the first settlers of the area built on high ground ridging the Mississippi River, appreciate and cater to the tourist trade more than ever before. You can learn about any aspect of this area's culture, history or cuisine on a tour or 10.

Tour companies, with licensed guides, abound, offering ghost tours, cemetery tours, plantation tours, river tours, swamp tours, French Quarter tours, steam boat tours, vampire tours and Garden District tours.

You can tour on foot, by boat, carriage, limo or bus. Our favourites were the walking tours, as they are the least expensive, and you get an up-close perspective on all aspects of this fascinating place.

Some of the city's most beautiful homes and lush vegetation are the centre of attention during a Garden District tour. A native New Orleansian, Billy Murphy works for Historic New Orleans Tours. A former actor and college professor, Murphy weaves humour and history as he leads groups around this amazing set of homes. For instance, as a cousin of Anne Rice, he is happy to trade bits of trivia regarding his favourite author while showing off the houses that she's occupied in the Garden District.

Murphy is definitely a name dropper, showing us Trent Reznor's (of Nine Inch Nails) house (now owned by John Goodman), the house where scenes from Benjamin Button were filmed, Nicholas Cage's home, the famous Commander's Palace restaurant, where J. Edgar Hoover was known to enjoy drinking gin fizzes, and Archie Manning's house, complete with the yard where Eli and Peyton learned to play football.

Walk through the French Quarter with tour guide and former chef George Thomas and experience the city's history through your tastebuds. You'll learn the difference between Cajun and Creole food and get to taste offerings from several restaurants, including muffalettas at the Napolean House -- more on this later.

Part of the mystique of NOLA is its cemeteries. Historic Tours provides a quality experience here, too. Greg Osborne shows off sections of the French Quarter and its architecture, including slave quarters, St. Louis Cemetery Number One (just off Rampart Street), the burial site of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau and the Voodoo Temple, complete with an explanation of this important part of the city's culture by Priestess Miriam.

If touring sounds like hungry work, try one of the French Quarter's most popular places for casual dining, Acme Oyster House. The near-constant lineup at the door moves quickly but, more importantly, tells you what a great place for local cuisine this place is. Grilled oysters (rich bites of local flavour), Cajun crawfish, and etouffee are a few of the array of fresh seafood choices here.

Across the way is Felix's and the raw oysters can't be beat, especially if you're too hungry to wait in line at Acme.

The Napoleon House is home to a delectable, large creation called the muffaletta, New Orleans' second most famous sandwich (after shrimp and oyster po' boys, which are seafood subs gone wild). This place was built as a home for that notorious French ruler while he was in exile, but later became an Italian grocery store and is now a sidewalk eatery with just one of the city's amazing patios, complete with palm trees and pond.

Away from the Quarter, the River Shack Tavern lives up to acclaim earned from its debut on Guy Fiere's Food Network show called Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The po' boys, alligator sausage and fried green tomatoes are excellent, and go down well with the local beer - Abita. Enjoy them all while perched atop one of this restaurant's unique bar stools, with legs crafted to resemble human legs in clothed in fun ways.

In Jackson Square, Cafe Du Monde is internationally famous for local favourites chicory coffee and beignets. Breakfast for two runs you around five bucks and can be topped off with a short climb up the stairs of the city's old retaining wall for a panoramic view of the Mississippi River and New Orleans Harbour -- hosting huge container ships and riverboat paddlers.

Staying in the French Quarter, at somewhere like the Hotel Monteleone -- famous for its lush roof-top pool, carousel bar, ghost sightings and its appearance in a movie with Ashley Judd called Double Jeopardy -- is a lot of fun but also demands the traveller be tolerant of late night noise and walking wet streets early each morning. Sometime after the quarter quiets down in the small hours of the night and businesses start taking deliveries at 6 or 6:30 a.m., all the streets are washed down to cleanse them of the previous night's revelry. So when out on a morning walk, beware the soggy sidewalks, but a walk around the Quarter is a thing of beauty and will ensure this city is enmeshed in your heart.

---

When the heat is on

Spring, summer and fall are great times to visit NOLA to maximize your tourist dollar.

While hurricane season officially lasts from May to October, August and September are the months most likely to be affected by this weather phenomenon.

To maximize your enjoyment of this southern city during hotter months:

- Use lots of sun screen

- Have all travellers in your party wear hats

- Be extra aware of hydration needs; drink lots of water

- Plan afternoon excursions to indoor, air conditioned venues, like museums or the aquarium

- Plan walks around the French

Quarter, Garden District and

cemeteries for cooler morning or evening hours

Tipping

In New Orleans, many people make their living depending on the kindness of strangers, but visitors to the city may be unfamiliar with local tipping customs.

Bellmen -- generally $1 a bag

Waiters -- 15% - 20% of bill

Oyster shuckers -- Just as you would drop a few bucks in the sushi chef's direction, don't forget to tip your oyster shuckers if you find yourself bellied up to an oyster bar.

Bartenders -- generally $1 per drink

Musicians -- If the club does not have a cover charge, look for a tip jar near the stage. Send the band home with a couple of dollars each.

Street musicians -- If you stick around for a song, or take a picture of the band, drop a couple of bucks in their tip bucket.

Street performers -- Mimes,

magicians, dancers, live statues -- if you stay for the show and especially if you take a picture. It's customary to throw them a couple of dollars.

Tour Guides -- If you are on a large group tour (20 or more people) $3 from each person is a good tip. If it is a personal tour, say you and the family, $15 - $20 is good.

Taxi -- generally 15% of fare.

(Information courtesy of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp.)

If you go:

www.neworleansonline.com

www.tourneworleans.com

www.noculinarytours.com

www.hotelmonteleone.com

Trip planning made easy

The open road is a magical place - the sights and sounds whizzing by, the wildlife, the blue sky and winding blacktop.

Destinations, however, can get a little boring. Driving the RV from campsite to campsite doesn't do much to stimulate one's mind, and that's why many RV enthusiasts have begun looking for something a little different.

Whether it's a pre-planned driving tour that takes in a variety of exciting sights and attractions, a trip to a new and beautiful locale, or a family adventure with a wide range of activities, Alberta RVers can keep themselves occupied, educated and happy all summer long.

"Driving tours are pre-set travel itineraries that have been developed to assist travellers in exploring a region's attractions, sites, history and more," says Anastasia Martin-Stilwell of Travel Alberta.

"They provide a good foundation to developing your holiday trip as most of the groundwork in regards to what highway to take, sites to visit, stops to make and off-the-beaten track must-sees is already done, making trip planning that much easier.

"Some tour examples are the Canadian Badland's 'Homesteads, Bonebeds and Coalbeds' driving tour, or the David Thompson Explorer's Trail and Kalyna Country Circle Tour."

Not only do the tours highlight must-see attractions and sites, however, they keep trips on schedule and well-planned - meaning even the most disorganized traveller can kick back and relax.

"Driving tours make trip planning that much easier, especially if there are multiple RVs travelling together," Martin-Stilwell says. "The in-depth tours are an easy reference for everyone on the trip, and the Canadian Badlands group has done a great job creating downloadable itineraries."

And there are a few trips that will appeal to RVers young and old. Alberta's Lakelands are one such destination - with fishing holes, swimming, beaches and more, this unexpected, lake-dotted landscape is a destination for Alberta travellers.

"The rest of the province may know there are many lakes in northeast Alberta, but they may not yet have experienced the beautifully unspoiled scenery and naturally treed campsites," says Sheila Faith Anderson, marketing co-ordinator of Alberta's Lakeland Destination Marketing Organization.

"We have white sand beaches and fishing enthusiasts will appreciate our clean, clear water, while birding and wildlife viewing opportunities abound."

But it's not just about the water, she says.

"Our attractions and events are spectacular - Glendon's Derby Daze is the largest event of its kind in the province, and Smoky Lake's Pumpkin Fair is huge in every way. Elk Point boasts the only viewing deck on the North Saskatchewan River, while Alberta's Iron Horse Trail is 300 km of multi-use trails."

Of course, there are plenty of other places to visit - and K-Country is one popular destination.

"Not only is it accessible for a long weekend getaway, but because of its vast size - over 4,000 square kilometres - and variety of places to explore, including five provincial parks, four wildland parks and several provincial recreation areas, you could easily spend a week-long vacation exploring all it has to offer," says Nancy Smith of Travel Alberta.

A new centralized campsite reservation service makes booking a stay at any of these locations simple, she says.

Visit www.travelalberta.com, www.canadianbadlands.com or reserve.albertaparks.ca for details.

Trip planning made easy

The open road is a magical place - the sights and sounds whizzing by, the wildlife, the blue sky and winding blacktop.

Destinations, however, can get a little boring. Driving the RV from campsite to campsite doesn't do much to stimulate one's mind, and that's why many RV enthusiasts have begun looking for something a little different.

Whether it's a pre-planned driving tour that takes in a variety of exciting sights and attractions, a trip to a new and beautiful locale, or a family adventure with a wide range of activities, Alberta RVers can keep themselves occupied, educated and happy all summer long.

"Driving tours are pre-set travel itineraries that have been developed to assist travellers in exploring a region's attractions, sites, history and more," says Anastasia Martin-Stilwell of Travel Alberta.

"They provide a good foundation to developing your holiday trip as most of the groundwork in regards to what highway to take, sites to visit, stops to make and off-the-beaten track must-sees is already done, making trip planning that much easier.

"Some tour examples are the Canadian Badland's 'Homesteads, Bonebeds and Coalbeds' driving tour, or the David Thompson Explorer's Trail and Kalyna Country Circle Tour."

Not only do the tours highlight must-see attractions and sites, however, they keep trips on schedule and well-planned - meaning even the most disorganized traveller can kick back and relax.

"Driving tours make trip planning that much easier, especially if there are multiple RVs travelling together," Martin-Stilwell says. "The in-depth tours are an easy reference for everyone on the trip, and the Canadian Badlands group has done a great job creating downloadable itineraries."

And there are a few trips that will appeal to RVers young and old. Alberta's Lakelands are one such destination - with fishing holes, swimming, beaches and more, this unexpected, lake-dotted landscape is a destination for Alberta travellers.

"The rest of the province may know there are many lakes in northeast Alberta, but they may not yet have experienced the beautifully unspoiled scenery and naturally treed campsites," says Sheila Faith Anderson, marketing co-ordinator of Alberta's Lakeland Destination Marketing Organization.

"We have white sand beaches and fishing enthusiasts will appreciate our clean, clear water, while birding and wildlife viewing opportunities abound."

But it's not just about the water, she says.

"Our attractions and events are spectacular - Glendon's Derby Daze is the largest event of its kind in the province, and Smoky Lake's Pumpkin Fair is huge in every way. Elk Point boasts the only viewing deck on the North Saskatchewan River, while Alberta's Iron Horse Trail is 300 km of multi-use trails."

Of course, there are plenty of other places to visit - and K-Country is one popular destination.

"Not only is it accessible for a long weekend getaway, but because of its vast size - over 4,000 square kilometres - and variety of places to explore, including five provincial parks, four wildland parks and several provincial recreation areas, you could easily spend a week-long vacation exploring all it has to offer," says Nancy Smith of Travel Alberta.

A new centralized campsite reservation service makes booking a stay at any of these locations simple, she says.

Visit www.travelalberta.com, www.canadianbadlands.com or reserve.albertaparks.ca for details.

The music lives on

CALGARY -- The upright piano once used by Elton John is white and weathered. Above the keys, in fading letters, a message has been scrawled by his songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin: "Within this piano lays the ghost of a hundred songs. Take care of them, they love you."

The instrument, on display at the Cantos Music Foundation, is almost close enough for visitors to reach out and test for lingering vibrations.

John's piano, which he used to create the hit single Your Song, is among 200 instruments, some hundreds of years old, that have been donated to the foundation or purchased by it.

The organization aims to bring people face-to-face with the music and instruments in its collection, so they can see Supertramp's synthesizer, test out a hurdy-gurdy or pluck and plunk their way through centuries of history.

In most cases, except for items such as John's piano and some pieces so frail they need to be protected, people can actually sit down and try the instruments.

"A big part of our mandate is to have a living collection," said Cantos spokesperson Camie Leard. "It's not just going to see a bunch of instruments. You can put your hands on them, touch, feel, hear them."

The six-year-old non-profit foundation, tucked away in a grey and red stone building near Calgary's downtown, was created by the merger of the TriumphEnt Foundation, which focused on organs, and the Cantos Music Museum, which aimed to develop a collection of musical instruments.

Open the doors and you're drawn into a series of rooms where you might meet a group of teenagers trading hip-hop rhymes, or a seven-year-old boy in a flipped up fedora, strumming a pint-sized guitar and trying his hand at singing the blues. Kids can see a show at Cantos and even take a turn themselves, Leard said. The experience helps teach them that music doesn't come only in the slick clips presented on radio and TV.

"They don't realize that Beyonce has actually spent years and years perfecting her craft. That k-os and all these other guys, they didn't just start from nothing, it's not something you plug in a nickel and it comes up."

Cantos is growing and has a contract to redevelop the King Eddie, a former blues bar and hotel in the city. It will move there around 2012, complete with an expanded collection focusing on Canadian music memorabilia and with a home for one piece too big to show in their current digs - a mobile recording studio once owned by the Rolling Stones. It was given to the foundation by an anonymous donor.

Songs including Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple and Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry were recorded in the studio, which will also be used by the musicians who come to Cantos from across the country to record.

"(The collection) is one of those things that just doesn't exist anywhere else. It's unique in Canada," said Leard. "If you're a musician of any sort, you're going to want to stop here, there's so many interesting, neat things to see."

As a gathering place for musicians, Cantos is slowly helping to transform Calgary's music scene, which for many people across Canada might bring to mind dusty boots and country twang, Sahlen said.

"They think it's all country. And I play country during the Stampede ... But there's so much more that Calgary has that people don't realize," he said. "And we're still a young city, we're still kids. We're still learning what it is to be cosmopolitan."

If you go ...

Tours: Thursdays at 6 p.m., Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Admission: $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and students.

On the web: http://www.cantos.ca/

Cheers to the thirsty traveller

MONTREAL -- For the thirsty traveller with a hankering for hops and a soft spot for the little guy, there may be no better place to visit than Montreal.

Brew pubs and microbreweries abound and most are within stumbling distance of major hotels, B&Bs and hostels.

The city is also home to one of the biggest beer festivals in North America.

The June 3-7 Mondial de la biere will showcase some 300 different brands of beer made by upwards of 100 brew pubs as well as large and small-scale breweries -- the majority of them from Quebec.

Festival spokeswoman Marie-Josee Lefebvre said there are more than 70 brew pubs and microbreweries in the province with three or four new ones opening every year.

"They call us little Belgium because of the growing (number) of microbreweries," she said.

"I think Quebec people love and enjoy tasting and discovering beer because it's in our roots to share good moments with friends around a good beer."

The festival, which will mark its 16th year, is free and visitors need only buy beer tickets at $1 to begin sampling. Lineups, however, could be long, and a four-ounce sampler could cost five tickets.

Lefebvre said the festival, which last year attracted some 80,000 people, is becoming increasingly popular among tourists.

"We have a lot of people coming up from the U.S. and Europe," she said.

"I receive many e-mails during the year from people who say, 'I want to plan my vacation in Montreal and I want to attend the Mondial de la biere.'"

For those seeking a more low-key brew experience any time of the year, Montreal has more than a dozen pubs featuring a variety of craftbrews.

Among the most revered for its innovation is Dieu du Ciel in the city's trendy Plateau-Mont-Royal area. The 10-year-old pub doesn't look like much with its hand-scribbled chalkboard signs and run-of-the-mill finger foods but that's just because at Dieu du Ciel, it's all about the beer.

"The goal here is always to brew the best beer possible and to also brew a lot of different beers," says co-owner Stephane Ostiguy.

"We like to play with spices and stuff like this. We always like to bring something new to the beer scene."

The pub, which has nine fermenters, offers a large rotation of beers. Ostiguy said there are between 14 and 17 beers on tap at any given time including favourites like Imperial coffee stout.

All are made with quality ingredients, be it coffee, peppercorns or hibiscus flowers and, as such, prices may be higher than they are for the average pint. Students and young professionals between 25 and 35 make up the bulk of its clientele but American beer enthusiasts have been known to stop by for a pint.

Another popular spot is Brutopia -- a three-floor downtown hangout where regulars mingle with tourists and live music and tapas are always on special. In business since March 1997, the brew pub offers a variety of seasonal beers as well as tried and true staples that are all brewed on site by its brewmaster.

While the bar has some 50 different recipes, its staples include a traditional, hoppy pale ale, a light blond, a honey ale, a nutty brown malt and a raspberry beer. It also has such seasonal beers as a maple cream, a chocolate stout and a Scotch ale.

"We try to stay faithful to a lot and then we keep a certain amount of production space for seasonal recipes," said manager Jeffery Picard, who describes Brutopia's beer as "delicious" and "affordable."

While he once knew every competitor personally, he says there's been a proliferation of brew pubs in the city.

"Maybe it's part of the slightly anti-establishment culture, the alternative culture," he said.

Acclaimed beer writer Stephen Beaumont, who has penned a half-dozen books and countless articles about the bubbly elixir, said Quebec has shown more innovation in brewing than any other province.

He calls Quebecers "artisanally inclined when it comes to food and drink," and that it was a major market for niche Belgian and French beers long before craft brewing really took off.

Blanche de Chambly, he said, was the first Belgian white brewed in North America, while Les Brasseurs du Nord invented the "rousse."

Still, he said, many Quebec microbreweries remain unknown outside of the province and he encourages beer lovers visiting the province's most populous city to get acquainted with them.

"I would strongly recommend a Montreal brew pub crawl to anyone with an interest in beer," he said.

"Begin the evening with a Czech-style Pilsner on the terrace at L'amere a boire, then head around the corner to Cheval Blanc for their seasonal specialties before finishing the night at Dieu du Ciel trying almost everything they have on tap. That would be a night well spent."

Another chance at Olympics tickets

VANCOUVER: Organizers of the 2010 Winter Olympics say June 6 will be the best, but not last, chance for Canadians to buy tickets.

Tickets for all events, including the opening and closing ceremonies and gold medal hockey and curling games, go on sale at 1 p.m. Eastern/10 a.m. Pacific via vancouver2010.com. Prices range from $25 for women’s hockey preliminaries and cross-country skiing to $1,118 for best seats at the Feb. 12, 2010 opening ceremony in B.C. Place Stadium. Service charges and delivery fees are extra.

VANOC vice-president of ticketing and marketing Caley Denton said there would be 5,000 tickets available for each of the opening and closing pageants and 140,000 throughout the entire schedule of sport events, including hockey and curling preliminaries. He said there would be another ticket sale on a day to be determined in the fall, although with a smaller quantity.

Sales will be first-come, first-served after users are randomly selected to enter the ordering website from a virtual waiting room. Orders are limited to four or eight tickets, depending on the event. Each transaction is limited to four events.

Denton would not comment on specific inventories, but said there would be “hundreds” available for the Feb. 28, 2010 gold medal men’s hockey game at General Motors Place. The arena will be known as Canada Hockey Place at Games-time.

An undisclosed amount of tickets will be available for the nightly B.C. Place Stadium medals awards concerts, but VANOC is not ready to reveal the featured entertainers. Similar nightly events at the Whistler celebration plaza will go on sale at a later date.

Denton advised those who applied for last fall’s ticket lottery to ensure their account is active. New customers should set-up an account before late June 5 when the ticketing website goes offline to prevent pre-sale “camp outs.”

“People do need to be patient,” Denton said.

Visa is the only payment card accepted, though cheques and money orders will be allowed.

VANOC sold $94.7 million to the Canadian market last fall and forecasts $262 million in overall ticket revenue, including sale of Paralympics tickets and luxury suites.

Denton wouldn’t say how many tickets were returned by recession-weary Olympic family clients,

“We are seeing lots of demand from sponsors,” he said. “It’s been pretty smooth.”

The graphic design of tickets will be revealed next week. Tickets will be printed and sent to purchasers this fall after precise seat locations have been determined.