C16 - Sunday, April 8, 1984 - North Shore News GE travel Don’‘t book small tours in advance WO IRATE readers with the same problem called me. Both were headed for Europe - one to London, the other to Holland and Denmark. Each wanted their travel agent to book a number of small 1-3 day tours out of various cities and the agents either ‘‘dragged their feet’’ ly refused’’. A little explanation is in order. First, it’s foolish to book small tours from here because so many things can go wrong. How do you know that you'll want to do that particular tour when the day finally arrives? You may be or ‘‘flat- sick or you may find that there is some other event that you'll miss on that day. Pay- track of. Many changes can occur and it could be months before the word leaks back to Canada from private httle tour companies. Some travellers are con- cerned that if they don't book well in advance they might be unable to get the tours they want. Don't worry! I’ve booked tours on every continent in the world travel-wise ment is non- refundable. Second, the variety that is offered out of every hotel overseas is much greater than any agent here could keep by Barbara McCreadie on one-day notice and have never been disappointed or turned down - even in the height of the tourist season. Just to double check, | PORT LUDLOW’S 588 GOLF-OR-GO-MAD, RING SPECIAL. called a local agent and ex- plained the situation. She said that her office had quite a large selection of material on London tours but it was generally used as reference material so that the traveller knew what to expect. She would explain to the cfient that she’d be doing them a disservice if she booked anything for them, giving all the reasons. Another agent said the same thing but added ‘'l guess I’d book London if they insisted. [f they asked for Amsterdam or Copenhagen, ! don’t know what I’d do. We haven’t a scrap of information on either.”’ ee . es 80 eo © @ @ DEAR BARBARA: Since the fares are cheaper in the off-season (June) to Australia, we’re thinking of going then. What can we ex- pect by way of weather in various cities from Adelaide right up to the Great Barrier Reef? Also, what is the story on those spiders that the local ‘daily wrote up a few months ago? ANSWER: First, about the weather. I was in Australia in June a couple of years ago. Adelaide and Sydney were about as warm as Vancouver in April. I needed a sweater and a raincoat on some days but got along with just a skirt and blouse on others. Melbourne had one rainy spell but on the day we visited the famous zoo | sunburned my nose. It was warm enough to sunbathe at Surfer’s Paradise, although the locals look at you kinda funny. It gets very warm during their summer (our winter) and weather we find delightful, they think a bit chilly. Spiders. Not my favorite creatures by a long shot. Australia has two varieties that I know of that are deadly poisonous - red-backs and funnel-webs. There is no anti-dote for the venom and they are quite a plague in some areas. They aren’t big - no larger than a quarter. The bigger ones, ugly as they are, are harmless. Unfortunately, variety stays Funnel-webs are con- centrated mainly in New South Wales while red-backs are all over the country. Australian children are cau- tioned never to pick up in- neither outdoors. Scandinavia sects and adults are careful to shake out shoes and clothing if any have been spotted in their area. If you’re concerned, ask the locals where you're stay- ing if any special precautions should be taken. Don’t go rooting around in gardens and keep unscreened win- dows closed. Just be aware and keep an eye open. Don’t pick up anything with eight legs for a closer look. ee eo @ 2 8 Se eH QUESTION: Do you know of any good medication to take for traveller's diarrhea? I’d like to bring something with me from home rather than rely on foreign medica- tions if the need arrives. ANSWER: | think this is a question that you = should discuss with your doctor. Many of the medications formerly touted as cure-alls have now been found to be more harmful than helpful. Health and Welfare Canada says: ‘‘Pepto-Bismol liquid, not tablets, 2 oz. four times a day, (equals 8 oz. a day) every day of trip will help to prevent diarrhea. It is available in most Mexican cities. ---- Kaopectate does not seem to help prevent diar- rhea. DO NOT TAKE ant- diarrhea pills (Lomotil, Im- odium, etc.) or antacids (Maalox, Tums, etc.) to pre- vent diarrhea - they can make you. more likely to get diarrhea."’ I can’t see anv traveller lugging enough Pepto-Bismol from home. A large suitcase just might handle it, provided you left) your clothes in Canada. 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