34 -~ Sunday, April 12, 1992 - North Shore News Tips on the well A FOOTNOTE to my recent column on Anacortes and La Conner — a reader called to praise La Petite Restaurant (3401 Commercial, Anacortes, (206) 293-4644). She told me that the food is simply wonderful and relatively inexpensive. Both soup and salad are included in the entree prices and with those you'll be wise to skip ordering the appetizer. They stayed at the islands Inn, the location of La Petite, and en- joyed it thoroughly. Their room was spotless and well-maintained, although the premises were not new. They had a king-sized bed and a fireplace in their room. The rate was $58 ($53 with a seniors’ dis- count) and included a ‘“‘marvellous’’? true continental breakfast. This in many places has been pared down to mean coffee and doughnuts. But at the Islands Inn guests (only) are served eggs, ham, cheeses, hot breads and all you can eat, Another reader has purchased a rail pass for Europe this summer. She wants tips on rail travel for a never-before traveller. The first thing I found was that the big city stations can be bewildering. This is even more of a problem outside of. the British Isles where you may. have to search for an interpreter. Give yourself lots of time before your train is scheduled to depart. Every hotel I’ve ever stayed in while travelling around by train has a railway schedule — Euro- peans really use their rail- system. Most. desk clerks will be glad to assist you in choosing the right train. You'll run into terms like “*Rapido’’ which may turn out to be so slow that it stops at the crossings to fet the cars go by. Locals know about these things! Seats can be reserved on trains (again get the desk clerk’s help), and I use the service occasionally. Beware of travelling without res- — ervations on local holidays unless you like standing up. A reserved seat is marked by a white card stuck somewhere on the seat or nearby. Do not at- tempt to sit in someone’s seat unless you don’t mind abusive in- terviews. BELLINGHAM . 7 EXPRESS! | TO RENO 2 nights Sunday to Tuesday B. airfare CON.°179.°° He Hotel package f = con $199.99] { TO DISNEYLAND ; : 7 nights Wednesday departures © Airfare cpn.°229, ae Hote! package (child rate con. 499.0% Barbara NecCreadie TRAVELWISE It- is essential to travel light. Baggage storage on trains can be minimal, often a small overhead rack. Take a good look at your bag and ask yourself if you would like to do a full arm raise with it on a lurching train. When we trave! by train, we often do it in a patchwork way. We choose several ‘‘hub’’ cities and move between these with our ordinary bags. We choose the newest and fastest trains, reserve seats and give ourselves lots of time. We find a hotel, stay a day or so and then re-pack what we'll need for a couple of days into one small satchel. The hotel is usually equipped with a left-luggage room and they will store bags for a small fee. This gives us the freedom to roam around the countryside on SPECTACULAR DEALS IN LUXURY CRUISES RENAISSANCE CRUISES Luxury Yacht-like Vessel All 50 cabins are outside suites E perience the world's most in- spiring destinations in the Mediter- ranean on these @ day cruises aboard the world’s most luxurious vessels of Renaissance Cruises. All cabins are outside suites, and the amenities are luxury beyond FULLY ESCORTED ae ail ER 00 From Cdn. $3609 ppisuperior suite Inctusive of airfare from Vancouver Alternate Saiting Dates May 23 Venice to Rome TRAVEL the milk trains virtually unen- cumbered. What about railway food? Some trains have dining facilities and some don’t. Some trains have good dining facilities and some don’t. Again, ask your local con- nection. If there’s any uncertainty, pack a lunch. We usually prefer to pack a lunch regardless. I have a string bag I bought in Chinatown. This, with a few paper cups, plastic bottle caps and a Swiss army knife, becomes our picnic basket. We buy fresh bread, cheese, mineral water, fruit and whatever else travels, and eat when we please. I am very hesitant about buying any food from vendors on plat- forms or on board, especially ‘a southern Europe. There is no drinking water available on any train I’ve ever taken in Europe. Bottled water may be sold, but never when you’re cesperate! Carry your own. The washrooms can be deplorable -— carry tissues and packets of toweletites. If you're lucky, you may never need to visit one. Wear sensible, comfortable clothes in dull colors. Some trains are spotless, but others are filthy. _Layer your clothing so that you to extreme can adjust Some windows temperatures. open, others don’t. You may want to go between cars for a bit of air. And now, a couple of never- nevers! Never stick your head out of a train window. Other trains pass so close that you can literally lose your head. Never leave your belongings unattended. If you must leave your bag in a rack at the end of a car, sit as close as you can and keep an eye on it, especially at stops. It is unsafe to fali asleep, especially in a public compartment and especially at night. If you must travel overnight, book a proper sleeping compartment. The Great Train Robbery in Europe isn’t a gold heist, it’s a slit-pocket manoeuvre done on a sleeping traveller. Sleep may be assisted by a blast of anesthetic through a compartment door. The thief waits a minute, robs the occupants and hops off at the next stop. We met with two Americans on a train in Italy who had just expe- rienced this — they had a com- partment to themselves, it was night and they were saving money by sleeping on the train. When they woke up, with thundering headaches, they were nearly naked. Their baggage, coats, wallets, ID and jewelry had left without them. They didn’t Advice on art investing CONSIDERING INVESTING in art? Before you do, you may want to attend a. free lecture on art ap- preciation April 15 at the West Vancouver YMCA. The talk is be- ing given by West Vancouver cor- Amsterdam Maceinlad see Euro The Throu porate art consultant Merla Beckerman. Beckerman will show you what to look for when purchasing art for long-term investment and how to display works of art effectively. - For more information, phone 926-5541. Copenhagen Bituiitinis 16 Eyes Of A Princess. The Majestic Beau Of The Northern Capitals 51670" Enjoy 12 days of Europe from your elegant, oceunview stateroom aboard the magnificant Royal Princess. Departures between May!5 and August 19, 1992. But Hurry, Spuce Is Limited. PRINCESS CRUISES fS= Sir trargettatin tt ietinkes Poey | Helsinki SAT pet peeret, baaseal ear sstork arial ates Salyer he change. Cort law RSTn Leningrad London ath k SLAY ap cogedieny Be eal it ites! n cruisesiiipcenters 1823 Capilano Road 985-SHIP (7447) -used European rail trail even have enough change to call the Embassy! Eventually the police got them in touch with the American Em- bassy who arranged a temporary loan and accommodation until money could be forwarded and replacement passports and tickets issued. I hope I haven’t scared you, but the cautious traveller is the safe traveller. We love train travel in Europe. With a rail pass, you can move at your own speed. You can get off the train, rent a car fora couple of days or take a bus tour. You’H meet every sort of fellow travellers and hear about places and events that you would probably miss go- ing by any other means. Remember now — string bag, mineral water, heads in, no sleep- ing, and get a good map! “Adventure Tours” presents ARGENTINA TRAVELOGUE FILM narrated live in person by Buddy Hatton NORTH VAN. CENTENNIAL THEATRE Tues. Apr. 14, — 6:00 & 8:30 p.m, Single: 12.25 Student 7.75 plus service charge, includes GST Ticketmaster info and charge line 260-4444 Win a trip to Argentina , Courtesy of Varig Airtines CRUISE NIGHT Featuring . Grand Hawaii Swing Nov. 27 on the “Royal Odyssey’’ Combine Hawaii’s tropical islands with pure, swinging big band festive fun! _ Swing along for. 8 days plus 2 free nights in Woikiki at 25% off! or, tetum trip for 16 days at 30% offf Prices start at $2339 Cdn. incl. air, gratuities, & other emenities. See how to sail, swing & save with Roseway at 7:30 pm Wednesday April 15,1992 at Canyon House 3590 Capilano Rd. North Vancouver RSVP - 926-4344