a aha! RRB RES TH Tofino habitat given special protection THE Tofino mudflats, on Vancouver Island, are now protected as a wildlife man- agement area covering -1,650 hectares of intertidal “habitat, Environment, Lands and Parks Minister ~ Cathy McGregor announ- céd on Thursday. “The Tofino mudflats .-fepresents the most valu- able waterbird habitat “on ‘the =o west coast — oof Vancouver Island,” said ~ McGregor, “Ir canks among the top 10 most critical wetlands for migra- ory, — waterfowl — on ° Canada’s West Coast.” -: "The area supports over - 200,000 shorebird popu- lations, and is being con- “sidered as ‘a Western : Hemisphere Shorebird reserve. It is also com- pris rised of largely intertidal bitat with some uplands ‘which attract a variety of coastal fish and wildlife. It provides important feed- ing and rearing habitat for ‘salmon and supports com- ‘mercial ‘and_ recreational harvesting ~ of crabs and ROCKY Mountaineer Railtours has added a sec- ond train ro service its routes berween Vancouver and Jasper and Banft/Calgary, Alberta. The second train will pro- vide 54 new departures for the raitour operator’s 1997 sea- son, doubling the Rocky Mountaineer’s frequency from June through Seprember, In 1996, Rocky Mountaineer Railtours hosted 43% more travellers than in the previous year. While travellers from around the world are drawn to western Canada for its magnificent scenery, diverse geography and outstanding cuisine and wines, they are increasingly finding a greater appreciation for the combined comtort, service and romance that is unique to train travel. Rocky Mounraincer Railtours’ increased frequency wil] enable travellers to depart every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from: any of its depar- ture points from June through September. Eastbouad and westbound trains will meet in the historic ranching community of Kamloops, British Columbia where guests stay overnight in hotels and enjoy Two River Junction, a lecal dinner theatre musical revue, or dine in the many restaurants which cater to the train passengers. The following day, guests can cither rejoin the tain or enjoy one of several excursions made availabie by the railtour company and tour the award- winning wineries of the nearby Okanagan Valley or the semi- arid desert. surrounding Kamloops before continuing their train journey. Rocky Mountaineer has also commissioned the con- struction of three more GoldLeaf Service Dome Coaches. The three custom-built, bi- level coaches are scheduled to carry their first passengers in July, 1997 giving the company a total of four GoldLeaf Servize Dome Coaches. The plan is for each train travelling to and from Ranff/Calgary to have Highlights of — Europe TO A997 815 ‘days/13 nigtits Eastern Hosted Tour ineer adds sect two GoldLeaf Service Dome Coaches positioned at the rear of the trains aftording its guests a 360 degree panoramic view. While the privately-owned passenger traim operator took on tremendous risk in 1995 when it decided to build the initial $2.8 million GoldLeaf Service Dome Coach, the ser- vice and scenic viewing oppor- tunities have since received accolades and resounding approval fram those who have travelled onboard. Built by Rader Railcar in Denver, Colorado, the dome coaches epitomize the comforts of rail travel in contemporary. sur- roundings. Guests come from over 20 countries to experience the owo-day, all daylight train excursion and the Rocky Mountaineer’s increased fre- quency will assist more trav- ellers to incorporate this classic rail journey into their western Canadian travel plans. For 1997, Rocky VIENNA © BUDAPEST © KRAKOW © WARSAW $20 off Ist Frame (over $79.00) $20 off 2nd Frame {over $79 or $10 off orders over $39) Noc valid with any ~Loury ‘Barge Cruise ’ on the Loire 15 Days/13 Nights — October 13-27/97 plus Nice %& Cannes # Grasse * Paris Include AIR from Vancouver CAD $4500 p.p. oe Based on Double Occupancy & Minimum of 15 Passengers 9252677 saa 734 : ozebess . $3,399 on Per person, two sharing * BERLIN * DRESDEN ® PRAGUE Spend two nights each In six European cities. Marvel at magnifi- cently preserved treasures, stunning architecture and the medieval heart of Prague. It’s all here in the “new Europe”. APT [Qe 5 Uatr “Cruising with Crystal is everything you imagined cruising should be.”’ HELEN CANVIN 268-5653 Travel Agent ve just returned from a wonderful Panama cruise aboard the Crystal Syrrhony and would Jove te share my trip with you. I've got two specials! Crystal Symphony November 2% departure ‘Trans Canal Treasures’ 10 day Panama ctuise / prices from $2,539 USD - BCAA hosted. Crystal Symphony September 22 departure ‘Autumn Splendor’ 10 day New York to Montreal ‘prices from $3,482 USD. _ Both cruises offer $100.00 USD per persun shipboard Sa adit, Any Gystal cruise booked through Park Ruyal office receives a one year subscription to Conde Naste. CRYST. AL Both prices include airfare. Port taxes & airport taxesnot CR UT $a s included in either of the 2 cruises. BCAA Travel Agency Park Royal North Exterior location between Canada Trusi & the Bay Sunday, April 13, 1997 — North Shore News — 37 Mountaineer Railtours will offer 41 different packaged tours, giving guests more options than ever to explore the natural beauty and magnif- nd train icent sights of western Canada. Rocky Mountaineer Railrours’ seascn of operation runs from May Ist to October 16th, 1997. Travei Easier Travel Lighter How many times have you stood in line at an airport trying to carry and control all your luggage, while the person in front has only one carry-on bag? Have you ever wanted to learn how to travel organized and travel light? Now is your chance! Fraser MacDonald a true world traveller is teaching his . famous two part PACKING MAGIC COURSE on WED., April 23 and WED., April 30 between 7:30 and 9:30 at Carson Graham High School 2145 Jones Street, North Vancouver. If you would like co learn to travel and deduct it from your P.O. Box 31086 #82929 St. John St. Port Moody, B.C. V3H 2CO (604) 276-2208 income . contact NORTH SHORE CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM 986-8888; the cost is $20.00. He'll show you the - correct type of luggage for your travels, tell you how to stay safe inside and outside your room plus give you hundreds of other travel hints. On the final day of the course he’ll unpack his carry-on and fill two 26” suitcases with all the clothes, security items, toiletries, beach items and even a set of golf clubs!?! Attend if you can but if you can’t, go to Gulliver's in Park Royal North and borrow his video for a condensed version of tax, this course. HAPPY TRAVELLING eo