nescorted tour package availal FROM THE solitude of Kyoto’s famed gardens and tem- ples to the unbelievable bustle of downtown Tokyo, Japan has much to captivate the visitor. But few travel outfits have done ~ much to make the country more accessible to North Americans who prefer to avoid group tours. Now a package that is well ¢.- tablished in the United States, Japan Unescorted, by Visitours, is available in Canada. Two weeks before they go, travellers are given a collection of books, maps and pamphlets to help in getting around Japan solo. On their .first. day in Tokyo, each visitor or. couple gets a “Japan. helper’ who answers questions on what to see, and who provides. basic information’. on such things as how to order. food and use public transit. From Day Two you’re on your own. An. eight-day package .. (three nights in Tokyo, three in Kyoto) is $1,795 during the low season (January to March, and -November-December). The price .,includes return airfare from Van- couver on Japan Airlines. For more information: Visitours, 11 W. 19th St., New York, N.Y.,. 10011. Call toll-free _ offers some additional THE ASTUTE TRAVELLER 1-800-367-4368. - Peter Waitt, public relations manager for JAL in Vancouver, who lived in’ Japan. for 14 years, pointers for novice Japan visitors: Wherever you are in Japan, Cruising: if you are not having any fun, It is your own fault From page 35 far away are shops: with designer / names and promotional ‘prices. If “you like the mall, you'll love Car- : nival, _ The disco was disappointing, too dark and too loud, with music chosen to repel most people who tried’ it. Cruise ships, with the ex- ‘ception of the Norway, ‘can’t seem to. understand that ‘the ‘disco should be more than a crew bar. : But on.a: ‘big ship like this if you're not having fun in one place you try another, like topside mid- “night Saturday; for a 1950s deck party, lip sync contest and Mex- ican buffet under the stars. All day Sunday the ship was at sea, the fun. starting at. 10 am. with a men’s knobby knees con- test, followed after Junch by the men’s hairy chest contest, the beer-drinking competition, a party for grandfathers, grandmothers and honeymooners, and | then (billed as ‘‘very funny’’) the New- ly Wed and Not So Newlywed Game. , - This still left time before dinner for the passenger talent show, and then the funship party. Whew. But.you can get away from it. I took a lounger to a corner of the promenade deck and sat watching a small yacht beating into the light breeze. And I concluded, if you’re not. having fun, it’s your own fault. . N ew Zealand, 2 Nights Free the Cook Islands, Tahiti or Australia. Enjoy two extra free nights in either New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Tahiti or Australia when you. purchase a ticket between February: 1st and March 15, 93, for air travel to New Zealand or Australia February through April, 1993. Certain conditions apply. ‘For more information call Air New Zealand or your South Pacific travel experts below. & air new zeacano the pride of the pacific 1-800-663-5494 avoid self-drive cars. ‘‘Daily rates are in exciss of $100,” says Waitt. “Gasoline is expensive, and only about five to 10% of signage is in English.” A rail pass is a good deal (seven days costs $280), and so is public transit ($2.50 will get you across Tokyo). Tokyo’s public transit is also accessible to the foreigner: “The system is color-coded and understandable,”’ says Waitt. In Kyoto, Waitt recommends taking the bus as, unlike in Tokyo, the street names are in English. Excellent maps of major Japa-’ nese cities are available from the Japan National Tourist office, 165 University: Ave., Toronto, Ont. MS5H 3B38. Tel: 1-416-366-7440, The architectural gems of Quito, Ecuador, a cloud forest in the eastern Andes, and the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands are some of the attractions of a 14-day ElderTrek trip to South America. Designed for travellers 55 years 44 Daily rates are in excess of $100. Gasoline is expensive, and only about five to 10% of signage is in English. 99 and older who have a yen for adventure, Eldertrek’s itineraries go well beyond the basic bus tour. “Our treks ... concentrate on the great experiences you can have without engaging in dangerous or over-exerting physical activity,” says Tov Mason, owners of the Toronto-based company. There are Ecuador/Galapagos trips in March and November, as well as February 1994. .ElderTreks also -has excursions to Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Costa Rica. For more information: E!}- derTreks, 597 Markham St., Toronto, Ont. M6G 2L7. Tel: 1- 416-588-5000. Both lodges: located i in Whistler Village proper. Ski in, ski out, near both lifts.’ RESERVATIONS: Blackcomb Lodge 669-0560 1-800-777-8146 Mountainside Lodge 681-6710 1-800-777-8135 The best value in Whistler! A full daily Buffet featuring: “* Hot & Cold Entrees * Big Assortment of Garden Fresh Salads * Pasta Bar: -* Assorted Breads & Homemade Soup * many other daily specials For only $17.95 Children 7-12 $8.85, under 6 free EVERGREENS RESTAURANT Located in the Delta Mountain Inn ‘call us at 932-7346 for reservations Buffet served from 5:30 p.m: - 10:00 p.m. | Complimentary child-minding service available Wednesday to Saturday _ — Peter Waitt France's calendar of © special events in 1993 ranges from. the celebrated (the Cannes film festi- val, May 13 to 24, and the Tour de France, July 3 to 15) to the unusual (an onion fair in. Cham- : pagne, Oct. 1 to 15). For more information, and a list of .more than 50 events: French Government Tourist of- fice, 30 St. Patrick St., Suite 700, Toronto, Ont. MST 3A3. Tel:. i- 416-593-4723. FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: SE EARS Departs FL, APE. SOO.) WED, JUN S-SEP PAREJEN Oct ‘tom BOQ™ . Reflects April 80 to May 14 departures 649" * Rellocts April 29 to May 13 Supt. 17-0ct, 28 ¢ Departs MON, MAY 17.SEP, AS SEPSLOCT. -- é aR UON SEPL SPOT TACT. i 3599" * Reflects May 17 to 24 departures — MAY 10JUN 2 & SUN. JUN, 6.007. 3 Returns WGN. MAY 24-0CT. 1 “1m G48 * Reflects May 19 & Oct, 24 depertures Departs Fil. JUL. 2-SEPT. 10 Returns SAT, JUL. 10-SEPT. 1 from om 849* . " Reflects Aug, 22 to Sept. 11 Departures ALL FLIGHTS VIANATIONAIR BOEING 7575 : & JUMBO BOEING 747'S VANCOUVER DEPARTURES. Advertised prices reflect selected departures and returns, other dates may be slightly higher, Not included: Airport leparcure taxes FiestaWest For terms,’conditions and restrictions, : call ScarsTravel Service SEARS é MICE: