TRAVEL

Barge pampers visitors to Champagne region

PARIS — Once upon a time last summer there were three Australians who arrived in Europe to do the grand tour with the brilliant idea of including a barge cruise.

David Wishart

TK: -VEL TIPS

They stepped aboard the good barge Linquenda at Soissons, near Paris, already having seen more of Europe than Napoleon, and like thé aforementioned gent on his retreat from Moscow, were a little tired.

But for the next week they, and the other eight passengers, were wined, dined, pampered with tailor-made excursions, but mostly sat on the deck as the Linquenda ambled her way through the Champagne region of France. It was, they said, pure magic.

The Linquenda is the perfect holiday vehicle. Built in Holland in 1912 to carry cargo and con- verted to a hotel barge in 1977, she has a sturdy, appealing hull and split-level superstructure with cabins below and forward, the saloon up and centre, and galley and bridge aft.

There is a long deck above the cabins with two tables, umbrellas, and parking for four bicycles, all of which provides a generous amount of space to stroll, read a book and watch France goa by.

More active passengers could get off at any of the frequent locks and walk or ride bikes. Each lock has distances indicated to the next ome, and the captain had handy advice on preferred walking and biking areas.

The route is well chosen, a good mix of farmland ripe with sunflowers and corn, vineyards, rolling hills, some busy canal sec- tions, and everywhere Frenchmen fishing for non-existent fish.

We had better luck on board, with epic servings of poisson and everything else. All meals are in- cluded, and very good they were too, as well as wines and drinks from the bar.

Our captain even went out of his way to provide a_ particular brand of whisky at a passenger’s request.

As we were in champagne coun- try, there was lots of it to drink. There was a champagne reception

night, and 2 liberal amount during the week,

Visits to the Ruinart and Moet & Chandon champagne houses were clearly a cut above any public tour, and passengers were also taken to the Benedictine ab- bey at Hautvillers.

There were also escorted outings to the First World War armistice clearing at the Forest of Com- piegne, the majestic medieval for- tress of Pierrefonds, the fortified hilltop town of Laon, and Soissons Cathedral.

At Reims we tied up close to the city centre, just 10 minutes’

walk from the Gothic cathedral,

PRINCESS CRUISES

14 UNFORGETTABLE G’DAYS TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC

PAPEETE TO SYDNEY @ ABOARD THE ISLAND PRINCESS ; DEC. 04 to 18/91

AT OUR VERY SPECIAL PRICE!

from US. $2990 PPfinside Cabin

Inclusive of airfare from Vancouver

| EXTEND YOUR STAY IN AUSTRALIA!

Take advantage of this sailing to extend your stay in Australia over

m™ Xmas and New Year's!

CRUISE QUIZ RULES must be submitted to our office by March ane erty The Graw will be held at our office on March 24th, 1991 at noon. The first correct entry drawn will be considerad the winner. This 7 contest is not open to employees (and their H immediate family mernbers) of Travel Agencies, Ss Airlines and Cruise Lines.

Enjoy

for a

We've spent a king’s ransom restoring

On the last day there was a visit to a First World War graveyard and a private tour of the beautiful Chateau Thierry. On this, and in- deed, all outings the captain proved to be an able tour guide.

Few of the passengers was amused, however, at the typewrit- ten notice in the saloon which said the ‘‘appropriate gratuity’? from each passenger should be U.S. $145.

The Linquenda, operated by Floating Through Europe, sails Sunday to Saturday from June to October with a maximum of 14 passengers. The champagne cruise costs U.S. $1,845 to $2,245. Floating Through Europe also of- fers cruises in Burgundy, Alsace- Lorraine, the south of France, Holland, Belgium and England.

"NORTH SHORE. VENTURE TRAVEL

110 East TahSt

(at Lonsdaie) 986-1377 CRUISE QUIZ WIN A DINNER FOR 2 AT THE

SALMON HOUSE ON THE HILL §

1. The Star Princess sails to Alaska every Saturday from May 18 to Sept. 14/91.

. The Jubitee sails to the : Mexican Riviera weekly TRUE year round. FALSE &

. The Norway, at 75,200 : tons is the biggest passenger cruise ship afloat.

. The Noordam and the Nieuw Amsterdam are “sister” ships.

TRUE FALSE

TRUE § FALSE

TRUE & FALSE 4

YOUR NAME, ADDRESS & PHONE NO. §

our

Sunday, February 24, 1991 - North Shore News - 35

= Bastion City

Presents

CHINA

DOCUMENTARY FILM

narrated live in person by: FRANK KLICAR

NORTH VAN. CENT. THEATRE

TUES. FEB. 26 - 6:00 & 8:30 $12.25, St. $7.75 & service charge {includes GST) TICKETMASTER OUTLETS Information & Charge line 280-4444

from Nanaimo

Wed. thru Sun. 1:30 PM

Aduits $20

Over 65 $18 Under 15 $11

Inc: coffee, goodies, GST, free shuttle from

Nanaimo Ferry

mromation 753-2852 |

The Bay * Lumberland

* Woolco * Sears

> friday

* Real Estate Weekly

> sunday

Shoppers Drug Mart Safeway * SuperValu

If you miss any of these flyers call North Shore News Distribution 986-1337

* delivered to selected areas only

ro val restoration

et modest sum.

The Empress—an impressive $45 million to be exact. And now, as part of our “Savings Plus” offer, you can stay at this

two children.) Cc. -«:

ve intoThe Empress’ new pa - and vealth club. Sip afterr.< on tea in her refurbished lobe . Jine in her handsomely red: corated restaurants. And

the first evening, a gala dinner with two champagnes the final

Thailand slide show offered

THE NORTH Shore Neighbour- hood House is hosting a one-even- ing slidie presentation on Thailand. A North Shore fitness instructor will show slides on his recent trip to Northern Thailand and Laos.

The stide show will be held on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The fee is $5 and interested par- ticipants are asked to pre-register at the Neighbourhoed House, 225 East 2nd St., North Vancouver.

For information call 987- 8138.

Gis: over all -»f Victoria's charm, right on her doorstep.

Just contact your travel agent or call the hotel directly at (604) 384-8111 cr 1-800-268-9471.

From per per room/ rn with be en

savings pilus

magnificent waterfront heritage hotel from only $79.00" per night, any night until March 31, 1991. (Children under 18 free

in parents’ room; maximum

Canadian Pacific BK4 Hotels & Resorts

The Empress

721 Government Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1W5 (604) 384-8111 or 1-800-268-9411.

“Single ar dauble occupancy. plus tax, based on availability and selected accommodation. Other standards af soams are available. including Business Class, for an additionat cost Discount cannot be applied to existing discounts {individual travel only) Offer subject to change without natice.