32 ~ Sunday, July 7, 1991 - North Shore News TRAVEL Air Canada offering domestic deals ITEM FOR the ‘‘No accounting for taste’? department: I held the elevator for a couple struggling with bags in the Lons- dale Quay underground lot. Up one floor, the rain streamed down the glass elevator. ‘*Look at that!’’ exclaimed the husband. i offered my apologies and ex- plained that ‘‘it’s not always like this.”” ‘Bur it's beautiful! Just what we came for!” All the way from Minnesota, dying to squelch through moss, paddle through puddles and get thoroughly cold and wet. Well, we sure came through for them. . Here’s the perfect combination for any of your summer visitors from far away — Greyhound and Air Canada have put together a “Ride and Fly’? package — Calgary and return. Cheap, too -— $165 return. Just wait until our Japanese visitors hear about this — I’m told that the two priority stops in Canada are Niagara Falls and the Rockies. It might also bea good choice for children whose horizons have been limited to the coast — perhaps escorted by a_ grand- parent? There are stopover op- tions, but travel must be com- pleted within 30 days. Check with a travel agent for details. Air Canada has also introduced a whole lot of cut-rate fares for visiting Western Canada and the Territories. There are the usual restrictions, but you can save up to 65% over regular fares. For example, you can get a return flight to Calgary for as lit- tle as $166 provided you fly midweek and stay over at least one Saturday night. Canadian Airlines has cut cross-Canada fares for night flights (any flight departing after 8 p.m.). They will take you to Calgary and back for $135, simi- lar booking conditions as Air Canada. I know it seems unseasonable — my house is 90°F today — but now’s the time to consider book- ing a Christmas vacation. In fact, my mailbox is crowded with suggestions from various cruise lines and tour operators who have your Christmas quan- dries all solved for you. There are many of us who don’t find the holiday season the hap- piest time to stay home. Others get excited about taking friends or family away, perhaps for a novel- ty. Ski resorts are very popular, especially those inland where the VANCOUVER/TEHRAN LOW FARES Return $2400 One Way $1400 : Mir rtris whet 3 ee cl er 293) XY = - “a layr- wo ) bw ~ sf Sire & Is) if. GILA AHMADI “FTP PRIME TRAVEL 925-1212 1681 Marine Drive, West Van potential for a really WHITE Christmas is excellent. We took our kids to Hawaii one Barbara NicCreadie TRAVELWISE Christmas and they've never forgiven me — it wasn’t the Grinch that stole Christmas, it was Mom, aided and abetted by Wardair. I loved it! No last-minute shop- ping, no ho-hum cocktail parties to host or attend, no tired decora- ticns to sort or replace — heaven. Cruise lines operate full-steam over the holidays. Be prepared for an avalanche of theme cruises — Dickens usually gets quite a workout and musical themes are often aitractive. Be especially careful if booking a cruise for your family —- some lines have all sorts of provisions for kids while others discourage family bookings. One of the most unusual Christmas destination packages this year comes from a company called Micato Safaris. You won’t find Rudolph, but they promise a good look at Africa’s wildlife from a luxury point of view. Lufthansa is the carrier —- they fly you to Nairobi (arrival Dec. 23) and Micato provides the ground arrangements. I’ve not been on a safari, but the accommodations for the next 12 days sound remarkable as do the touring arrangements. Unfortunately, the toll-free number doesn’t work from here, but if you’re interested, call your favorite travel agent and they can get through where we can’t. Ex- pect this vacation to be in the pricey department. eeu lt hope my postal carrier is suitably impressed with the fine, embossed envelopes I receive from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. ’'m not sure NORTH SHORE VENTURE TRAVEL & CRUISES XMAS FLIGHTS» VANCOUVER HONOLULU can. $749 Dec. 19 to Jan. 02 VANCOUVER To FT. LAUDERDALE an. 599° _Dec. 21 to Jan. 05 986-1377 | how [I came to be on_ their members’ list but since they haven't asked for any donations or dues... The Smithsonian sponsors a lot of travel. They do it first class, prices to match, but work out itineraries that appeal to the trav- ellers (not tourists!) among us. Every expedition is guided by scholars and unlikely to appeal to bubbie-gum cracking souvenir hunters with Instamatics. The latest one is a couple of weeks exploring the Black Sea on their ship: of choice, the Argonaut. Billed as the world’s largest private yacht, it transports a max- imum of 125 well-heeled visitors in luxurious comfort. Prices are in the $7,000 (U.S.) range — per person — including airfare in and out of New York (Istanbul) by TWA. You depart from New York on Sept. 12, returning the afternoon of the 25th. Children pay fuil price and must be accompanied by an adult if under 18. For more information, write Barbara Tuceling (Program Man- ager) at Smithsonian Study Tours and Seminars, 1100 Jefferson Dr., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20560 (202) 357-4700. (ve mentioned Smithsonian tours several times in Travelwise. Has anyone ever followed up or, more important, taken one? I'd like to hear. I received an invitation to at- tend the opening of a new ‘‘con- temporary guesthouse’? on Whidbey Island (WA) over the “ORUTUNN IN THE fe AUSTRIAN ALPS” October 02-16, 09-23, 16-30 fi 14 Days from $1890.00 (ine. air from Vancouver)’ Kitzbiihel, Vienna, Innsbruck, Saizburg B ... and many special events! § For detailed brochure call SPECIAL TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL 872-3368 Canada Day weekend. ! gave my regrets, explaining that anyone who attempted crossing the border that day was a full nine cents short of a dime. However, the brochure I was given is interesting — this looks like a great getaway spot with all the comforts we like — king beds, jacuzzi and fattening food. The inn is called Galitroire and is located near Langley, WA, at the south end of Whidbey Is. You can drive down !-5 and cut off at Mount Vernon or else go further south and take the little ferry from Mukilteo. It runs every 25 minutes and costs $4.50 for car and driver, $2.15 for passengers. The guesthouse has only two suites — $135 and $190 per night — and the larger one sounds like a perfect honeymoon retreat with two levels, private sauna and jacuzzi and all the extras such as dressing room and_ oversized shower. Phone them at (206) 32)-0548 or write 5444 So. Coles Rd., Langley, WA 98260. 14 DAY CRUISE AND STAY! Mexican Riviera Including airfare ? Day — 2 FOR I Select Summer Sailings NO GST! SUMMER SPECIAL 2-Bedroom Suites $139.00 Sleeps 4, full kitchen, dining, living room, 2 baths, 2 entrances, patio or baicony, wood-burning fireplace, whirlpool, heated pool, tennis, on the water at Yellow Point. 22 SG RESORT A full service resort horel Effective until October 1/91 * Offer limited to units set aside for this Purpose. 3600 Yellowpoint Road Ladysmith, B.C. Canada VOR 2HO (0%) 245-2211 in the heart of Everett, just 20 miles north of Seattle, vou'll find the WestCoast Everett Pacific Hotel. Conveniently located just 10 minutes from more than 400 stores and specialty shops at both Everett and Alderwood malls. We offer 250 guestrooms and Limited Edition Suites complete with a passel of amenities to satisfy all of your traveling needs. And to help you relax and unwind, we have a fully equipped exercise room, indoor swinming pool, sauna, whirlpool & outdoor sun deck. For your dining pleasure, visit Hardy's Northwest Bar & Grill which serves JSresh Northwest cuisine, or enjoy nightly entertainment & cocktails in the lounge. Special $59 Canadian at par. * WestCoast ¢ Everett Pacific Hotel and Convention Center 3105 Pine Street, Everett, Washington 98201 (206) 339-3333 or (800) 426-0670 “Offer expires August 31, 1991, subjvct to rom availabilty and may not be used with other offers or discounts