Spring Break: Close to Home

I cannot believe that it is already the first week in February – where did January go? As much as I don’t love winter, you really can’t beat those beautiful crisp days where you can spend hours building forts and snow “people”. 

And with February comes the last minute plans for Spring Break. If you haven’t already booked your week (or two, in some cases, as some school breaks tie in nicely with Easter this year), you are probably hanging out close to home, which is what I am doing.

Unlike January and February, you can’t always count on the weather locally in March. I think it is a good idea to have some thoughts on indoor and outdoor possibilities so that you are prepared. 

Indoor

Hotel

How about an escape for everyone and spend a night at a local hotel?  It is amazing how you can feel after just one day away from routine.  Staying at a hotel gives everyone a break — no cooking, no cleaning — just time hanging out.

The Delta chain has some great deals and they have great locations so that you can take advantage of things going on downtown.

Here are some of Delta Hotels’ great features and packages to choose from for the March break season. All Delta Hotels offer:

Kids 17 and under stay for free.  Two kids 6 and under eat free off the kids menu, and kids 7-12 eat for half price off the regular menu.

Delta Chelsea (Toronto) – overall good availability – has a family package called “Family Blast” which starts at $149 per night and includes: Parking, $25 food credit per day and two 2 hour child care sessions for ages between 5-12 in the Creative Centre which features video games, books, crafts and other interactive activities. This is for a maximum of 3 adults and 2 children. They also have a 4 story indoor waterslide called the “Corkscrew” – the only one downtown.

Delta Vancouver Suites – Limited availability starting at $189/night for a regular room. They also offer a family package of 1 night accommodation, continental breakfast in the Manhattan restaurant, and 1 in-room movie per day with snacks, such as cookies. These start at $229/night for a family of 2 adults and 2 children.

Delta Bow Valley (Calgary) – Good availability starting at $299.00 per night (premier rooms) but lesser priced rooms (Delta rooms) are sold out already. They do have a Zoo package called YOU "OTTER" BE AT THE ZOO for 2 adults and 2 children which includes admission to the Calgary Zoo, $20 zoo bucks to spend at the Zoo and Parking. The packages start at $379 night based on the available rooms left now.

For more information or to book any of these packages please visit www.deltahotels.com. AIR MILES reward miles redemptions offer accommodation only, so please call 1-888-AIRMILES for more information on those.

Local Attractions

You could add this to your “NIGHT OUT”:

Toronto

City Pass – Visit six famous Toronto attractions for one amazing low price!  Includes tickets to CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto Zoo. See more and avoid most ticket lines! City Pass is good for nine days beginning date of first use – it’s perfect for a weekend or a week!

CN Tower – The Total Tower Experience package includes the Look Out, Glass Floor (a view 1,122′ straight down), Sky Pod, a film, and the motion theatre ride HIMALAMAZOM.

Mirvish Productions – We Will Rock You at the Canon Theatre.

Vancouver

Zone Bowling -The bowling centre offers both traditional and cosmic bowling located in the heart of Richmond’s Entertainment Blvd. at Steveston Hwy.

Science World
HR MacMillan Space Center – state-of-the-art, interactive exhibits, shows, and demonstrations. You can touch a real moon rock, morph yourself into an alien, fly and dock the Space Shuttle to the International Space Station at Cosmic Courtyard. The full-motion simulator “virtual voyage “combines science and drama animating the excitement of space travel!

Calgary

Telus World of Science – Friday Night Stargazing
Take in a Calgary Hitmen Hockey Game or Calgary Roughnecks Lacrosse Game.

Outdoor

Toronto

Toronto Zoo Friday, March 7th to Sunday, March 16th:  FROGZIBITZ 2008 Year of the Frog Special Event for March Break 10am to 4pm daily.

Things will be HOPPING this March Break.  Check out the fun and interactive stations throughout the zoo including our Frog Dome, learn how to do an authentic Frog Call, find out what type of food frogs enjoy and experience one of our many FROGZIBITZ Habitats.

Horseshoe Resort in Barrie has a new Tube Park called Thunder Valley.

Skiing also at Blue Mountain, Mt St Louis Moonstone and Talisman.

Vancouver

Vancouver Zoo – JUNIOR ZOOLOGIST SPRING BREAK DAY CAMPS-Come discover at our Jr. Zoologist Springbreak Camps. Have fun making crafts, playing games and getting to know some of our animal friends at the Zoo!

Skiing is available at Whistler (N. America’s #1 Ski Resort) or Mount Seymour (30 minutes away in North Vancouver)

Calgary

Calgary Zoo -Easter Eggstravaganza runs Friday and Saturday March 21 and 22nd.  Hop on down for some winter Easter fun with the Cadbury Bunny.

Skiing at Lake Louise (1 1/2 hours west of Calgary) or Nakiska (1 hour south)

AIR MILES reward miles can be redeemed for all of these events and activities. So make sure you check everything out at www.airmiles.ca!

Here a few additional sites that provide some great ideas to keep everyone busy and happy during the break.

Toronto Life

The Globe and Mail

CalgaryPlus.ca

Enjoy your upcoming Family Day, and I will be back next month to talk about the most popular Travel destination for spring and summer – Europe!

Sandy is responsible for Package Vacations and Cruises at AIR MILES Travel. Check out Sandy’s advice in our Women’s Intuition Video: Travel Expert. Join her here regularly for tips, tricks and exclusive vacation deals!