, PACKAGE TOUR TO RENO A GOOD DEAL 29 - Sunday, September [4, 1986 - North Shore News September is the month for gambling THERE’S SOMETHING about this time of year that arouses gambling fever. Every September, right after the Labor Day weekend, | begin get- ting calls from readers wanting suggestions on tours, hints on gambling and general tips on food, drink and night life. Reno is the most popular destination. First, 1 must disappoint anyone under 21 who has a yen to try his luck in the ‘'Green Felt Jungle.” Brent: isan travel wise Hi by Barbara McCreadie The casinos are facing heavy penalties for admitting under-aged gamblers so they patrol carefully. Kids are admitted to the dining areas in clubs and to reach these must often walk through the gam- ing areas. Often, slot machines line the waiting area. I’ve seen atten- dants prevent kids from even wat- ching Dad as he plunks in his quarters. By far the cheapest way for a traveller to get to Reno is by a package tour, either by bus or by plane. The variety of these available is amazing. I'm not going to bore you with a recital of all the combinations (every travel agent has a complete list) but generally: By Air: The most popular com- binations are: (1) The three-day ‘‘weekender’’, departing Thursday night, return- ing Sunday night, (2) The ‘tmid-week’’, four-day package, departing Sunday, arriv- ing home Thursday. In addition, full-week packages are offered and Silver Wing has just come up with a real ““veekender’’, departing about 8 p.m. on a Friday and returning in the early hours of Monday morn- ing. The fares vary, depending on the time of year and the type of ac- commicdation selected. If you think of $230-$250 for the short package and in the $270-$300 range for the longer ones you won’t be far wrong. Also, watch for special offers and discounts. I prefer the mid-week package as the casinos are less crowded. Since i'm neither rich nor particularly lucky, J jike to start at a table where the minimum bet is $2 in- stead of $5. There are more of these mid-week. By Bus: Most of these packages (excluding private tours) are eight-day junkets. The major dif- ference is that some buses are “express”? meaning that they don’t break the journey with an over- night stop. Others stop about half-way and the motel is included in the package price. These are a bit more expensive. Costs vary, as with air tours, for the same reasons. If you use a ballpark figure of about $160 you Saturday November 01/86 at Santa Anita Race Track California Feature Race $3,000,000 won't be too far out. If for some reason you don't want the motel included in the price, you can buy fare-only packages at a reduced price — which is much cheaper than buying a regular plane or bus ticket. One drawback with a tour is that you're stuck in Reno untif your ticket says you can come home. | can’t think of any place in the world I'd like iess to be stranded for days with no money. FE fa Lin fatten Careers in Travel § 4 We can open the door tothe g exciting world of travel for YOU \ DAY AND EVENING COURSES & a conducted by industry professionals ii TRAVEL COUNSELLING SALES & MARKETING &§ RESERVEC COMPUTERS § with on-site installations H TRAVEL TRAINING CENTRE Ste. 2-1583 Pemberton Ave. North Vancouver 986-2221 F between 01 Oct travel to Hawaii Dec 12-28 and from Hawaii Dec 20- Jan 10. 30 day advance purchase. Minimum stay Saturday night. Maximum stay 30 days. Ticket must be purchased at time of booking. Other restrictions apply. Intra Canada flights via Pacific Western/Time Many casinos extend cheque cashing privileges to out-of-town visitors, after a set of forms is filled-our. Having done this on several occasions | can recommend one thing: Don't do it! Budget your money carefully. Set aside a certain amount for food and drink that can’t be touched — no matter bow close you feel to the next jackpot. Allow yourseif a fixed amount of money per day to donate to the Nevada economy. If you’re lucky enough to make this donation in the hour following breakfast, find something else to do for the rest of the day. Tours are available to places like Virginia City, Lake Tahoe and even Carson City. You might con- sider visiting ‘‘Rent-a-Wreck” and doing some exploring on your own. See Tips Page 30 HASTINGS TRAVEL YOUR TRAVEL CENTRE WITH “SWISS EFFICIENCY” TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS - WORLDWIDE FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE 744 W. HASTINGS VANCOUVER, B.C. VEC 1A5 to commence 86 and 31 Mar 87 No Air Continental Express Honolulu/Maui operated Promp! — Personalized — Multilingual Service catt: 689-0461 VERENA FURRER — Owner — (ROUND TRIP) (ROUND TRIP) CONTINENTAL EXCLUSIVE ‘Add-on’s from Honolulu to Kona! Maui/Kauai available on Mid‘facific Airlines at $80.00 round trip. Call your travel agent or Continental at 5649 PD psx. 3 night/4 day package from Vancouver including air fare, hotel accommodation. Reserved seating in the ‘‘clockers corner’’ area, all transfers, hotel taxes. Call us for details Open 7 days a week 984-4545 922-9301 by Mid Pacific Airlines. (BIP fare.) Fare subject to government approval. & CONTINENTAL AIRLINES Proof that man was meant to fly. SUES Gitte Mexico Canadses South Pacite + Micronesnts tLawane The Far Est 800-525-0280/800-231-0856 Lynn Valley Centre Park Royal South