Scientific adrenaline in TO
The Ontario Science Centre is now offering 14 different hotel packages that provide accommodation and admission to the centre for travellers visiting the Greater Toronto Area. Packages start at $105 (plus taxes) and are available directly through participating hotels listed on www.ontariosciencecentre.ca.
Vacationers can purchase up to four Ontario Science Centre general admission passes, valid for two adults aged 18 to 64 and two children aged 4 to 17, with their hotel package. Hotel patrons also receive a 20-per-cent discount on IMAX films at the Shoppers Drug Mart OMNIMAX Theatre. Packages are valid until March 31, 2006, with the exception of Christmas Day and March Break.
There is also a Summer of Thrills Hotel Package in conjunction with the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel that includes an IMAX film, a full breakfast and parking for $199 (plus taxes) for a family of four. The Summer of Thrills experience includes Scream Machines: The Science of Roller Coasters, an exhibition for thrill-seekers that is highlighted by G-Force, a modified bicycle designed to pedal up and around a five-metre loop.
Also included are the two IMAX films Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk, which brings together extreme sports, the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and the risk-taking found in everyday life, and Ocean Men: Extreme Dive, about two men attempting to set world records in free diving; the extreme sport of diving without any breathing aids.
For more information, visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca.
Experiment in Ottawa
The Embassy West Hotel & Conference Centre in Ottawa is offering Summer Getaway Packages for families of up to five.
The Family One-Night package for five starts at $159 and includes guest room, full buffet breakfast and a choice of attractions such as museums, a boat cruise, Canada's Experimental Farm or Karter's Korners Go Carts. A two-night package is $299 and a three-night package, $349.
For more information, visit www.embassywesthotel.com or call 1-800-267-8696.
Play and drive in B.C.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with adventure travel partners and Subaru to offer a Play-Vroom Adventure package on the West Coast this summer.
Running through the end of August, the package includes accommodation at any of six Fairmont hotels in the region, a daily food and beverage credit of $75, parking and a Play in the Pacific Northwest adventure card, featuring a list of activities and a comprehensive guide to each of Fairmont's destinations — Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and Seattle.
In British Columbia, the Play-Vroom Adventure includes the use of a brand-new seven-passenger 2006 B9 Subaru Tribeca. With this package, you can be in Victoria one day and Vancouver the next and then head to Whistler. A five-day package is priced from $1,999, a three-day package from $1,299 and a two-day option from $899. Up to four people can share one room.
The adventure card provides access for two to a full range of activities: whale watching, all terrain vehicle touring, horseback riding, paddle rafting, cycling and kayaking (including whitewater kayaking for the more adventurous). Individual admissions can also be purchased for additional guests, with prices varying depending on the adventure.
The Play-Vroom Adventure package minus the Subaru represents a savings of about 40 per cent.
For more information or reservations, call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.
Family-friendly Nawlins
Known for its raucous and exuberant nightlife, New Orleans may not immediately come to mind when a family is thinking about a vacation getaway. But the city does have a number attractions that appeal to children.
The Hyatt Regency New Orleans has teamed up with the Audubon Nature Institute to offer an affordable weekend getaway aimed at families.
The institute, including the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, and the Hyatt have packaged the three-night Get Wild Getaway vacation for $225 a night, including accommodations for four at Hyatt Regency New Orleans; tickets for four to the zoo, aquarium and nature centre; breakfast buffet every morning for four; one in-room movie per stay; a $40 Hyatt food and beverage credit; 50 per cent off hotel parking; and shuttle service to the aquarium and the historic French Quarter.
One- and two-night vacation packages are also available for $225 a night.
The Get Wild Getaway package is valid for arrivals through Dec. 29.
For more information or to book, call 1-800-233-1234 or visit www.hyatt.com and ask for or enter offer code “WILD.”
Patrick Dineen
