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From page 8B

landscape; cach valley that opens around
a turn in the road reveals storybook
scenes of geeen meadows and slumber-
ing, isolated hamlets. The area offers a
variety of water sports — officials chim
there are 300 days of sunshine a year —
and a wide choice of delights jor skiers,
hik ers, fishers and mountain bikers.
There is ample comfortable lodging and
good food.

Our hostellerie at Pra-Loup, Le Pricuré
de Molanés, was once a priory, now
restored to offer mountain Jodging and
meals, A dauble room with breaktast is
about $90.

Outside our windows, birds welcomed
a cautious spring. A few metres away lambs
frolicked and bleated in an alpine pasture
which shone jn the sun like polished emer-
ald. A shepherd with a wooden staff and
two dogs the colour of his black, broad-
brimmed hat drove his flock through cob-
bled streets of the village.

Across the vast valley swetching before
us, inhospitable gray slabs of rock thrust
skyward through blankets of snow and
evergreens cloaking their shoulders. A
late-afternoon stillness made the moun-
tains unusually majestic.

Earlier, our little car meandered rortu-
ously around the top of deep gorges
through which swollen rivers roared hun-
dred’s of metres below. In mountain pass-
es — one nearly 3,000 metres above sea
level — melting snow and sweating carth
formed a piebald pattern on the land.

north shore news

22" TRAVEL

ee

Waterfalls, lakes, oak and pine forests,
mountain sheepfolds and ancient, lonely
shrines highlighted the stunning,
unspoiled scenery.

The dav before we visited the E5th cen-
tury village of Moustiers -Ste,-Mari¢ at the
lower end of the Verden Canyon. The
Canvon was carved in an immense fime-
stone plateau by the Verdon river, on its
wavy trom othe high Alps co the
Mediterranean.

The canyon, 21 kilometres long, is up
to 1300 metres across and as much as 700
metres -- seven football ficlds — deep.
Roads blasted from rock run along cach
side. Both offer stunning, and — because
of blind hairpin’ curves — occasionally
scary views of the gorge and the churning
river far below.

At the medieval townler of Colmars,
still surrounded by a protective stone wall
and flanked by nwo forts, we threaded
through narrow streets, past empty, flow-
ered squares and quaint fountains.
Washing hung out of upstairs windows
bedecked with orange, pink and scarlet
geraniums.

Below, cafe patrons lounged in the sun
at clean, white tables, sipping espresso or
pastis — licorice-flavoured aperitif —
scarcely an arm’s length trom mopeds or a
Citroen deux chevaux sputtering past.

In the dining room of Le Prcure, dee-
orated with cow bells, cross-cut saws,
pitchtorks and other worn farm artifacts,
dinner for owo with a vin dit pays — local
wine — is about $50. The menu features
regional specialties such as leg of lamb

ck face

with creamed garlic, game pates, mush-
rooms and fish.

Our hostess told us that despite the
Mtitude of 2,500 metres —- higher than
Whistler or Blackcomb —- at the top of the
highest of 48 ski litts ar Pra-Loup, skiers
do not need to endure severe cold.

“The hot Mediterranean sun shines on
us here.” she smiled. Over coffee by the
hearth, we reflected on our travels
through one of the countless colortul
Mosaics that make up the diverse hexagon
of Franee.

Getting There: Nice, Marscille and
Avignon are major centres south of the
Alpes-de Haure-Provence. The first: wo
have international airports. Grenoble and
Lyons are to the north. All have a choice
of car rentals. (Tip: Get the smallest you
are comfortable with for casier handling
on scenic minor roads). If you will be
using a car for more than 17 days, the buy-
and-sell-back deal available in Canada
through Renault and other French car
makers or travel agents usually means con-
siderable savings over renting. The
“Brianconnais” train links Paris with the
area, There are also fast trains from
Grenoble and Geneva.

Further information: Maison de la
France, 198] McGill College Avenue,
#490, Montreal, P.Q., H3A 2W9, (514)
288-4264, Fax: (514) 845-4868; Comite
Departemental du Tourisme, 19 rue du
Docteur Honnorat, B.P. 170—42 Bd.
Victor Hugo, 04005 Digne-les-Bains
Cedex, France, 011-33-492-31-57-29,
Fax: 011 -33-492-32-24-94,

Roseway Travel hosis special cruise night

WEST Vancouver’s
Roseway Travel is host-
ing a special evening on
Wednesday, April 28, 7
to 9 p.m., to acquaint
travellers with the great
rivers of Europe.

Exclusive Tours offers the
option of cruising with a difter-
ence on the company’s luxury

Thames

Better Business Bureau member
Gout Inspection Facility 53897
AirCare Certified 50619

barges through the Upper

Shannon River in Ireland, all
parts of France, the canals of
Holland and Eastern Europe’s
historical waterways.

This year they are also ofter-
ing a new itinerary through
Portugal and into Spain.

River barges accommodaic
berween six and fifty passengers
while cruise ships operating on

national
arras

in England, the

the larger waterways can take
from 60 to 250 people.
The event will be held at

Roseway’s Park Royal South
offices, For more info call 926-
4344, RSVP by April 26.

Early summer is the perfect time

to experience the beaucy of a day cruise

through che Inside Passage with BC Ferries.
And when you book your passage today,

for travel beoween May 14% and June 14°,

you'll save money on ferry travel and

accommodations along your route.

You'll receive a 20% discount on travel

aboard the ferry-liner Queen of the North

MAY

as well as special rates at a number of

participating horeis and Bed & Breakfasts.

fon

Call taday because these early season

value packages are only available for a

limited time.

akeeriy comprehensive dagnostic equipment
aaast warts dagnoste took SIMUTECH, by Edga Diagnostics. ee AS

Sy diagnostic computer és the only one on the North Shore capable of handling ali your

engine management & ABS brake needs.

| 834 West 1st St. N.Van, 8.C. V7P 1Ai §
For an appointment call

984-0077

Sunday, April 25, 1999 ~ North Shore News —

FREE EUROPE FILM NIGHT
WED APR 28TH AT 7?M.
ROBSON SQUARE CONFERENCE CENTRE.

1365 lLonsdaie Ave.,
North Vancouver

986-5655

Ali locations are registered with the BC Tavei &
Condihons apply, prices par person ex Vortouver

39

from > SO Q9np.
from *44.7 Ope,
from *SGQee.
from *O9One.

a

GHT CENTRE

SCOUNT. FLIGHT SPECIALIST

ADVENTURE & EXOTIC

CHINA on the
ORIENT EXPRESS

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY — 19 DAY ESCORTED TOUR
AUGUST 21 — SEPTEMBER 8, 1999

Mengone

See China and the Silk
Route -— Beijing, Xian and
the Terracotta Army, 8 days
aboard the China Orient
Express with many stops en
route to Urumgi. 3 nights
Kashgar.

Slide Presentation — Mon. April 26, 7:00 pm
LIMITED SEATING — PLEASE RESERVE

Edgemont Office
986-2262

Queen \
Charlotte
Islands

INSIDE PASSAGE DAY CRUISE &
TWO NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION

T4TH-JUNE

14TH, 1999

{erfenon

Other
extended
packages
available

Includes one-way ferry travel fur car and ewo adults as well as wo
mughts accomnmndation. Plus appbcable caus, subject to avalahiliry.
eS

FOR RESERVATIONS CALL

1-800-663-6000

E22 BCFERRICS

www. beferrics.be.ca

Ambleside Office
926-8515