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WINTER’S BITE has already begun chasing sun-worshippers from Vancouver's nippy shores.
This swimming pool in Sparks, Nevada is a welcoming beacon at this time of year.

Enter the world of Charles Dickens

WHEN CHARLES Dickens
penned A’ Christmas Carol
in 1843, he hardly could
have foreseen that 150 years
later the novel, along with
its many stage and film ver-
sions, would work its way
into the hearts and
Christmas traditions of peo-
ple around the world.

This year, the descendants of
the great English writer are pres-
enting vacationers with a limited
number of tours focusing on
Dickens’ fife, times, novels and
inspirations.

The Charles Dickens Heritage
Foundation and Forte Heritage
Hotels have scheduled six
customized tours themed to a
specific Dickens novel between
December 1993 and December
1994,

The first tour will be a 12-day
program focusing on A Christmas
Caro! with sites and events not
normally available to the general
public, such as Gad's Hill Place
(the only house Dickens owned),
an evening champagne reception
at The Old Rectory in Spofforth
(home of Jeanne Marie Dickens),
and a luncheon at Broughton Hall
in North Skipton (a. stately
Dickens home since the 1950s).

Each tour will be hosted by a
representative from the Dickens
Fellowship and will provide in-
formation, anecdotes, sayings and
snippets about Dickens.

From sipping hot rum punch
from Dickens’ own recipe to
sampling meals and dishes refer-
enced in his writings, travellers
will share his experiences through
story-telling and readings, and
visit houses, pubs and villages
referenced in his writings.

From Portsmouth, where
Dickens was born, to Gad’s Hill
Place, where he died (and where
Smike and Nicholas Nickleby
joined the Crommies Theatre Co.
whose star was the [nfant Phe-
nomenon), participants will dive

into the world of Dickens and his
characters.

Participants — will
ford-Upon-Avon,
Portsmouth, Brighton,
Canterbury, Rochester, Kneb-
worth House, Oundle, Rock-
ingham Castle, Grantham, Spof-
forth, Harrogate, Haworth and
Skipton.

The program includes accom-
modations in historic country
inns, some of which date back to
1387, located in picturesque
villages and boasting oak beams,
log fires, cotton sheets, real ale
and a hot pudding of the day.

visit Strat-
Abingdon,
London,

During their two-night visit to
London, guests will stay at the
renowned Grosvenor House on
Park Lane.

The first tour is priced at
US$3,800 per person, which in-
cludes air transportation from
New York to London, hotel ac-
commodations, luxury coach
transportation, all entrance fees,
guides, service charges and all
meals on the itinerary.

For information and reserva-
lions, contact the Charles Dickens
Heritage Foundation at PO Box
11156, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin
Islands or call (809) 495-4705.

Sunday, November 21, 1993 ~ North Shore News - 43

POSIT Rr evsdaey as

Visitors to Germany can
catch exhibit of pictures

TO CELEBRATE the XVII
Winter Olympics to be held
in February in) Lilleshan-
mer, Norway, an exhibition
of pictures by some of that
country’s most famous
painters is now travelling
through Europe.

Admirers of Edward Munch can

view 85 of his works at Munich's
Act) Gallery of the Hypo-Bank
Cultural Foundation from Nov, (9
to Jan. 16,

For more information: German
National Tourist Office, 175 Bloor
St. £., North Tower, Ste. 604,
Toronto, Qnt. M4IW 38. Tele-
Phone: (416) 968-1570. Fax: (416)
968-1986, :

The new 101-ro0n Holiday tna Express is conveniently located neur restau:
rants, shopping malls, and theatres with easy access from 15 to the airport,

cruise terminal and historic districts.

BRAND NEW & WAITING
FOR YOU IN BELLINGHAM

: . . 7
Whether you are in town on business or pleasure, the beautifd new 101 -
roont Holiday Lan Express has the amenities you need for a relaxing and

enjoyable stay.

© Free In-Roum Movies ¢ Indoor Heated Poul & Spa © Free Shuttle to Abport
© Complimentary Breakfast Bar & USA Today © Free Local Phone

4160 Guide Meridian (1-5 Exit 256)

Bellingham, Washington

Call 1-800-HOLIDAY

or 206-671-4800

PLanned ume offer US Funds Some vesincnons apply.

AED . BLE

pollution levels a

Wh

re higher than
normal, help solve the problem by avoiding smog-
producing activities like painting and driving. ¢

Ft
gies

EXPRESS

Greater
Vancouver
Regional
District