News & Views

PERIPATETIC PEREGRINATIONS - Volume 3
Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre
Summer 2003 Newsletter

DECEMBER'S "SUITE DREAMS" SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE HOSTED BY LESLIE & RICK COATES, MICHELLE VALBERG, OUR GUEST CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAPHER
Do you have a special occasion coming up - a milestone birthday or anniversary? Life is so short; it is the journey not the destination that is the real reward. This spectacular experience with these prices won't come along again for a long time. That's why Silversea Cruises is completely sold out of several categories of suites for this December 10th sailing of "Silver Whisper". We only have a few rooms left so if you are considering the best holiday of your lives, book it now.
Anyone who has been with us on our previous cruise groups knows the added value surprises we are noted for and this cruise is no exception. Michelle is going to take you on some island shore excursions and show you how to get the best pictures, regardless of what type of camera you possess (although she is in love with digital). As an added bonus, she'll take your portrait in some gorgeous location - a fabulous keepsake of this magical week. Call us for a brochure today.
Just $3864 Cdn plus airfare will give you an all-inclusive 6* experience for this ultra-luxury week.

HOSTING CRUISE GROUPS RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Richard Coates, Leslie & Rick's son, has put together a terrific cruise deal this winter for anyone 21 or over who can get away for winter break, which coincidently happens to be university reading week, February 14th - 21st, 2004.
For under $2000 including air fare from Ottawa or Toronto, taxes, transfers, gratuities and alcoholic beverages you can enjoy NCL's "Norwegian Sea" from Houston to Cozumel, Cancun, Belize and Roatan (Honduras). So grab your snorkel and take advantage of this fabulous offer!

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE EXOTIC THIS FALL?

Leslie & Rick are hosting a GIANTS Select Traveller group aboard the Radisson Seven Seas Mariner, the first all-suites, all balconies spectacular 6* vessel, sailing November 4th for 19 days from Lima, Peru around Cape Horn to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Penguins & gauchos, anyone?

Mona Schuller has just returned from shopping, sightseeing and elephant trekking in Thailand and was so impressed she has put together a fabulous excursion she will be hosting October 16th - 28th, 2003. Tour highlights feature visiting the "giraffe" (long necked) women and hill tribes of Chiang Mai, some beach time in Hua Hin and 4 nights in Bangkok visiting its glittering temples and the Emerald Buddha.

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE BARGAIN

If you're thinking of a holiday down south this winter, several tour charter companies have their systems open for booking and are offering an early booking bonus if booked by July 15th. The snow will be here before you know it so save money and plan ahead.

WELCOME HOME, CONNIE

Our Connie Drake is on her way back from a totally pampered two weeks in France, featuring a stay at the spectacular Negresco Hotel in Nice located on the famous "Promenade des Anglais", dinner at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo and a lovely Rhone River cruise through French wine country aboard Uniworld's "Rhone Princess". Oo, la, la, Connie.

CAROL-ANN DECKER SERENADES MANOTICK

The Kiwanis Club of Manotick featured our own Carol-Ann on their Dickinson Days parade float a week ago last Friday evening. Carol-Ann charmed everyone who was in attendance and wowed them with her versatility and talent. Moss Kent Dickinson was Manotick's founder and the first weekend in June is set aside for parties, a parade, a craft fair, entertainment and children's activities. Mark your calendar for next year and be sure to visit Watson's Mill, our 143-year-old working flour mill, for a look into the past.

LESLIE & RICK HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM TWO SUBLIME MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES

The first was from Lisbon to Barcelona aboard the majestic Wind Surf, the world's largest schooner! Nothing comes close to the experience of watching her unfurl her sails as we left port. Her friendly staff made the cruise really fun and the food was fabulous. Next was a week aboard Radisson Seven Seas' majestic Voyager, the second of Radisson's ships to be all-suites and all-balconies. We sailed from Barcelona to Rome and were treated like royalty on this sparkling new 6* ship which has terrific pricing for the rest of the season. That makes 95 ships Leslie has experienced so take advantage of Ottawa's most experienced cruise consultant - we know what ship would suit you best.

THANK YOU TO THE MANOTICK & DISTRICT BUSINESS WOMEN'S NETWORK from Leslie

Their last meeting was held this past Wednesday at Dianne Pritchard's beautiful "Just Imagine…" décor store on Main Street. Leslie was asked to speak about her recent Ottawa Women's Business Network Business Achievement Award and the award's process. In attendance were two other WBN BAA winners, Mary Ellen Morris and Neta Clarke, both Manotick residents. The MBWN also sadly bid farewell to Viv Mitchell, who has recently retired and sold Manotick's historic Main Street general store "Lindsay & McCaffrey".

LOOK FOR OUR SELECT TRAVELLER MAGAZINE SUMMER ISSUE IN YOUR HOMES THIS WEEK

The added values and experiences offered by our preferred suppliers, exclusive to our agency's clients, continue to improve with each issue. Please let us know if you aren't on our Select Traveller mailing list and would like to be.
To be cost efficient, please advise us if you are receiving the magazine and would prefer not to.

Until next time, enjoy your summer…

Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre
The Mews of Manotick
1160 Beaverwood Road, P.O. Box 610
Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A6
Tel: (613) 692-2521
1-800-267-5400
Fax: (613) 692-0697
Email: info@manoticktravel.com
www.manoticktravel.com

 

Press Release - 31 March 2003

Leslie Coates, Ottawa Travel Agent, Wins Ottawa Women's Business Network/Ottawa Citizen
2002 Business Achievement Award

Leslie Coates, owner and president of Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre, was awarded the honour at the Ottawa Women's Business Network gala held at the Ottawa Congress Centre Thursday night, March 27th, 2003.

From 22 nominees 5 finalists were chosen in February and the winner was announced the night of the gala.

Leslie & her staff of 9, focus on supplying luxury trips and cruises to an upscale clientele. Corporate and incentive travel for executives and professionals are also major business components of this unique travel agency. Two years ago Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre won the Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce bronze Business Achievement Award for "Small Business of the Year".

An international travel specialist and Master Cruise Counsellor with personal experience of over 90 ships, Leslie is planning some exciting cruise groups, one later this year with nationally acclaimed photographer, Michelle Valberg, who will conduct on-board workshops.

To celebrate Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre's 25th anniversary in 2004, Leslie plans to escort a very special cruise group with Ottawa's 2002 "Chef of the Year", Marcus van der Pas, and 2000 "Businesswoman of the Year", Kristine van der Pas-Norenius.

Peripatetic Peregrinations - Spring 2003 Newsletter

Networking at its Best = Our "Suite Dreams" December Cruise!
One of the opportunities which arose from Leslie Coates' winning of the Ottawa Women's Business Network Business Achievement Award, was that she met Michelle Valberg, who photographed the five award finalists.
Michelle is the nationally acclaimed, awarding winning Ottawa photographer who recently staged the "Bathroom Talk" charity event in Ottawa, raising over $100,000 for cancer research by photographing 60 Canadian celebrities in a humourous bathroom motif. One of Michelle's companies is Dare to Dream, which was the title of her last book featuring 100 inspirational Canadian women.
What fascinated Leslie with Michelle's artistry was that Michelle works almost exclusively with a digital camera. Most people we know, now possess a digital camera, but like us, don't know much beyond how to point and click. So we've enlisted Michelle to co-host with Leslie, a cruise December 10th - 17th, 2003 aboard the magnificent "Silver Whisper". The newest member of Silversea Cruises' all-suites, all-inclusive fleet, sails from Barbados, visiting the exotic islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Lucia and Bequia, Grenadines. Michelle will conduct on-board workshops and, as with our previous cruise groups, there are lots of surprise added features. Silversea Cruises, voted the "Best of the Best" by Robb Report, is a 6* luxury experience and has offered us extraordinary pricing on this sailing. Better than 2-for-1, in fact. We only have 21 suites reserved and 7 are already presold so please contact us immediately if you are interested in coming with us. This is a terrific opportunity for singles as the supplement is only 10% approximately, where as most cruise lines charge 100%! Leslie's "Suites" and Michelle's "Dreams" make this a perfect combination to make your Suite Dreams wishes come true.

 

Congratulations to Ottawa "Chef of the Year" - Marcus van der Pas, owner of Tulips and Maple fine catering.
Mark won this prestigious award last month, selected by a committee of his peers - fellow chefs and bestowed by the Ottawa Hospitality Industry. Mark and his lovely wife, Kris van der Pas-Norenius, will be co-hosting our 25th anniversary cruise in the fall of 2004 (wow - next year already). 56 people joined us on our 20th anniversary cruise. This talented, charming, energetic couple with a wealth of business acumen and creativity mean the cruise promises to be our best ever. Let us know if you want to be first on our list to receive the details once they are finalized.

No Moss Growing Under our Feet
Our experienced staff are never happy to rest on their past peregrinations. Nancy Taylor hosted a group on an Insight tour of Italy. Connie Drake is on her way to Paris, Nice and a Rhone River cruise. Heather Hutt sampled a week in Cuba at the new Sandals Resort. Paul Moulton & Linda Williams had great times on Grand Princess and Infinity, respectively. Paul also spent several days as a "conch" in Key West. Mona Schuller has recently returned from a professional development trip to Costa Rica. This was Mona's second time to this beautiful country and she visited several new spots, which further increased her fascination with this spectacular destination.

Kelly Coates Comes Back to the Manotick Travel Family
After two-year absence, Kelly has rejoined us on a part time basis. She has accepted a full time position as a wedding & event co-ordinator at the lovely Strathmere Inn and will be available to help her former clients, friends and honeymooners book travel arrangements through Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre. Kelly is a Certified Sandals Specialist and an Accredited Cruise Counsellor.


 



Top 10 Reasons to Use Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre

  1. Bronze Winner of the Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce (Ottawa Board of Trade) "Small Business of the Year", Business Achievement Award
    To have been nominated was a great honour but to have won was a crowning achievement highlighting 21 years of business excellence. Over 100 businesses were nominated, with 8 reaching the finals, and 3 winners being declared.
  2. History
    Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre was established by Leslie & Rick Coates in 1979. These days, when small businesses barely last an average of three years and with takeovers and amalgamations, we are now one of the oldest travel agencies in Ottawa.
  3. Experience
    Leslie Coates, President, has over 35 years of travel industry experience. She is a Certified Travel Counsellor, specializing in international travel. Leslie serves on many advisory boards within the travel industry and consultants to other travel agencies. She is also a Master Cruise Counsellor; with personal experience of over 80 cruise ships, bringing more training and experience than any other travel consultant in Ottawa today. Her staff have over 70 year of combined years of travel training and experience.
  4. Membership in GIANTS, The Greater Independent Association of National Travel Services
    GIANTS is a consortium of over 2000 Canadian and American independently owned travel agencies, making it one of the largest agency groups in the world. This translates into greater clout when fighting suppliers for our customers' rights.
  5. Corporate Services Second to None
    With the large buying power as a GIANTS' member, Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre has some of the best corporate services in the industry. Our corporate car and hotel rates are offered to all of our clients, whether on business or vacation, adults and seniors.
  6. The Owners Are in the Store
    Unlike many chains, owned by large groups in the UK or the US, we are local. We are your friends and we consider you part of the family. We can make corporate decisions quickly, independently and you, not the bottom line, are our primary concern.
  7. Emergency Service
    Our toll-free telephone number is available for you to call us throughout North America. Care for you is especially true after office hours. You'll find our owners and managers home phone numbers available to you for emergencies so we can look after you personally in stressful times. Not like others who send you exclusively to a call centre in Nebraska.
    Our interactive website is open to you 24 hours a day for bookings on line, specials, general information, other interesting connected travel sites and our personal email addresses.
  8. The Select Traveller Magazine
    Our clients receive our complimentary travel magazine three times yearly. The Select Traveller is full of wonderful travel tidbits and tips but its main features include exclusive added value and experiences, negotiated by us, on your behalf, with our preferred travel suppliers. And, as an added bonus, it also offers you an opportunity to win a free cruise or holiday, with each issue.
  9. The Select Experience
    We offer great holiday pricing with our highlighted tours and cruises, and with our large buying volume. The Select Experiences are special cruise sailings with complimentary unique Select Traveller shore excursions and escorts.
  10. What Others Say About Us
    "The staff of Manotick Travel are among the crème de la crème when it comes to providing expert advice and follow-up service to their customers, both corporate and leisure." T.F. Ohman, Executive Director, ACTA (Assn. of Canadian Travel Agents)

    "I congratulate your entire organization for providing us with travel management services that go far beyond what one would expect from an agency." Val Belcher, President, Lone Star Café Corporation.

    "What a pleasure, in this increasingly impassive world, to have access to a company which delivers such quality and personal service. You are stars in the firmament of travel agencies!" Toni & Bob Young, Ottawa

    "Manotick Travel is a role model for others - a business where excellence, quality, service, innovation and caring owners truly make a difference for its clients." Carol Stephenson, CEO, Lucent Technologies

    "From long experience, we know that Manotick Travel always does a superb job of helping people get to wherever they want to go in the best possible way." Joan & Keith Bradley, Ottawa