- TRAVEL

‘Travelling companions hook up
through U.S. club for elderly

GOLDEN COMPANIONS, an in-
ternational travel companion net-
work for the mature (45-plus)
traveller, is offering Canadians
two bonuses this summer.

To compensate for the exchange
rate difference, this U.S. company
is reducing its annual membership
fee by 25% and adding four free
extra months to Canadian annual
memberships,

“We are eager to have more
Canadian travellers join our
organization," says Joanne R.
Buteau, president of Golden
Companions.

‘‘With the current U.S./
Canadian exchange rate, it makes
it more difficult for our Canadian
neighbors to participate in our

Rail myth

THE SECOND annual Canada
Train Week will be held May 23
through 30.

Its purpose is to raise awareness
of passenger rail travel in Canada,
to draw attention to rail travel as
an extraordinary way to experi-
ence Canada from coast to coast,
and to encourage Canadians to be
more aware of international pas-
senger rail travel opportunities.

Passenger rail travel has recent-
ly enjoyed a renaissance
worldwide, and Canadian trains
compare well with others around
the. world when measured by
standards of scenery and service.

The first Canada Train Week
was held in 1991 as an effort to
overcome the persistent rumor
that there are no more passenger
trains in Canada. This rumor
started when VIA's train service
was cut in half in 1990.

The widespread publicity of the
Canadian’s last run across Canada
and a widely broadcast PBS tele-
vision show entitled Last Train
Across Canada left people with
the impression that they could no
longer enjoy a train ride anywhere

_ in Canada.

travel network, and we want to
extend a helping hand.”’

Golden Companions specializes
in finding travel companions for
the mature set.

It’s a network of solo travellers
from across the United States and
Canada (and several from abroad)
who are looking for others to join
them on their journcys.

Since 1987, this club has helped
2,500 people aged 46 to 89 find
trip companions, and is now the
oldest and largest travel compa-
nion network for the mature per-
son in America. .

To become a club member, you
complete a membership form that
describes your personal and travel
interests, as well as the travel
companion you're seeking.

busted by

This, however, is not true.

VIA operates three times a week
eastbound and westbound between
Vancouver and Toronto, and BC
Rail operates at least three times a
week between Vancouver and
Prince George, and daily with the
Royal Hudson during summer
months.

Rocky Mountaineer Railtours
runs a two-day, all!-daylight rai!
tour between Vancouver and
Jasper or Banff in the Canadian
Rockies, or on to Calgary, Alber-
ta. ;

A brief description of each
member is then listed in the
membership directory and bimon-
thly newsletter.

lt is a discreet service that iden-
tifies each member only by a code
number and not by name.

To contact others, you write to
them through the company's free
mail exchange service (the club
never divulges names and ad-
dresses; that’s up to the discretion
of each member),

If you are looking for an alter-
native to solo travelling, you may
want to give this club a try.

Write for their free brochure
($2. for sample newsletter) to
Golden Companions, P.O. Box
754, Pullman, WA, U.S.A, 99163,
or phone (208) 858-2183.

train week

The Rocky Mountaineer is a

seasonal train, available from May

to October each year. ‘

All of the major rail companies
in Canada are invited to par-
ticipate in Canada Train Week.

Present support includes: BC
Rail, Rocky .Mountaincer
Railtours, and VIA Rail.

For further information, . call
669-4546 or write Canada Train
Week, Suite 300, 1534 West 2nd
Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1H2.

ett

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The Front Door

To Seattle.

to Market!

Already tops in quality, selection and consistently

. friendly service, now the farm-fresh goodness of

Granville island Public Market is first in :
convenience, too. Beginning Monday, May 24th,
until Thanksgiving, SHOP DAILY, 9 am to 6 pm,
for the plumpest fresh strawberries, delicious
cheese bagels served piping hot, and all the *
ingredients of an exotic springtime feast. | ,
If you come by car, watch closely for temporary
traffic signs during our spurt of Island growth.

We apologize for the inconvenience. But why not
take this opportunity to consider a “green” .
transportation alternative - walk, cycle, ride the

_bus, take a ferry or catch a ride with friends. -

You'll be more relaxed, and ready to enjoy our
Island at Work.

Mondays at the Public Market... It's a sure sign ;
summer is just around the corner.

even pamper you with a very special room price.
No wonder Seattle's smartest shopping begins at
our front door. 1900 Fifth Avenue. For reserva-

tions, call (206)728-1000 or (800) 736-0246. .

THE WESTIN Hore. —
Granville island
Public Market

Reservations required in advance based on avalabitity