Q: Please provide us with some Internet sites for checking shows in Las Vegas. We'd also like to see what kind of hotel deals are on. Our trip is scheduled for the end of August.

-- F. Jenkins, Toronto

A: Las Vegas, America's gambling capital, is always bustling with extravagant shows and seems to be adding new hotels all the time. For the latest information on what you can see and do, the Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority has a website with a long list of events and accommodation information. Log onto visitlasvegas.com or lvcva.com.

Here are some of the Vegas acts scheduled during the last week of August: Comedian George Carlin will appear at the Stardust Casino, tickets $54.50 US. Call 702-732-6111. Fifties heartthrob Frankie Valli will be at the Flamingo Las Vegas, tickets $60- $70 US. Call 702-733-3111. Magician David Copperfield will perform at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, call 702-891-1111 for ticket prices. And old smoothie, Engelbert Humperdinck will perform at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, tickets $45-$65 US. Call 702-365-7111.

You'll also find this desert city is celebrating its centennial birthday so there will be much fanfare around Las Vegas' special year. For more details, there is a website devoted especially to its centennial celebrations, which you can access at lasvegas2005.org.

Q: Our family is flying next month to Europe for three weeks. We plan to visit Slovakia and Bulgaria. I'll be calling my mother to update her on our trip as we stop at new cities. Do you know of a phone service I can use?

-- T. Zwolinski,

Scarborough

A: Consular Affairs Canada recommends Canada Direct, which is an automated international access service that allows you to reach a bilingual Canadian operator 24/7. You can obtain this service by contacting any of Canada's major telecommunications companies in association with Teleglobe Canada. The only charge you pay for is the Canadian international long distance rate associated with the calling card of the Canadian company you are using.When you place your call, you will use Canadian international long-distance rates and you will be billed in Canadian dollars.

The international network is available from more than 130 countries. Be sure to clarify your calling location and destination countries when you speak to the Canada Direct operator.

For a free Canada Direct Wallet Guide call 1-800-561-8868 or see your travel agent. For more information, visit infocanadadirect.com.