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A Loonie 50% Love Letter from Virginia to Canadians Only

Our Canadian readers know quite well that a loonie is a Canadian dollar (the loon is shown in flight on the reverse of the coin), and it's for them that a new Virginia program is dedicated, offering "guaranteed 50% off" vacation savings, including twofers, valid from now through March 31, 2003. (The prices below are quoted in US dollars, since that is what anyone has to spend in this country.)

This is the fifth year in which Virginia has tried (successfully) to lure Canadians down with its Loonie Savers promotion, which covers some 48 places, including lodgings, restaurants, golf courses and attractions throughout the state. All this is done in consideration of the weak position of the Canadian dollar vis -a- vis that of the USA's (it takes about CDN $1.60 to buy one US dollar, roughly.)

New this year, Canadian Internet users can click on www.virginia.org/loonie to get information for trip planning and to download individual coupons. The latter are grouped by category (lodging, restaurants, etc.). The coupons are printed in both English and French versions.

Some examples of savings include the Best Inn Williamsburg, where the usual $119 room goes for half the price, or the $135 to $145 rooms at the Shenandoah River Inn B&B, the latter giving a 50% discount, too. You can also get a 50% off ticket for an adult admission when a second is purchased at the regular price of $17.95 at the Ocean Breeze Waterpark in Virginia Beach, for instance. At Hanging Rock Golf Course in Salem, you buy one green fee at regular price ($25 to $40), get the second one free. At the Fin & Hoof restaurant in Alexandria, you buy one dinner entree at regular price, get the second one free. And those are just five samples of the 48 offers on hand in the promotion.

It takes just over a day of driving to reach Virginia (12 hours from Quebec, 10 from Ontario.) The Loonie Savers program is endorsed by the Canadian Automobile Association's Quebec and Ontario offices, which are distributing the coupon booklets, also. But for more travel information, check out www.virginia.org/loonie or phone 800/675-3230. You MUST be a Canadian resident to obtain these coupons.


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