THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9410280095
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TRAVEL-WISE
SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN
LENGTH: Long : 108 lines
SMITHFIELD STATION - a complex on the Pagan River that includes an inn, restaurant and marina - soon will open a authentically constructed, Chesapeake Bay-style lighthouse where guests will be accommodated in two luxury suites.
Owner Ron Pack and his staff will host an open house from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 3-4 at the new structure. That coincides with the sixth annual Christmas Antique Show and Sale in Smithfield, one of this region's most delightful weekend destinations.
It's official name will be The Light at Smithfield, and it will serve an a Coast Guard-approved private aid to navigation where the Pagan and Cypress creeks flow together to form the Pagan River.
The lighthouse is modeled after three Chesapeake Bay lighthouses: The Cove Island light in Solomons, Md., the lighthouse at the Mariners Museum in St. Michael's, Md., and Thomas Point Light, whose remains stand outside Annapolis.
Pack is particularly proud of the historically accurate exterior details, including the copper roof, special board construction and an outdoor privy. That's just for show. The two suites inside will have luxury toilet facilities.
The downstairs suite, which is handicap accessible (as are most of the other facilities at Smithfield Station), will rent for $125 per night (or day for meetings) Sunday through Thursday and $175 per night on Friday and Saturday.
The honeymoon-style upstairs suite, with an even better view but not handicap accessible, rents for $175 and $225. The two suites can be rented together for $250 and $350. WHERE DOES TIME GO?
You picked up an extra hour of sleep last night when we switched back to standard time. Feel more rested?
I still don't fully understand how this time-switch thing works. For example . . . .
I was in Central Europe the last weekend of September when they changed from daylight time back to standard. I picked up an extra hour of sleep that Saturday-Sunday, regaining the hour I ``lost'' this spring in the shift to daylight time.
Now, here at home in the Eastern time zone, I've gained another hour. Do I get to keep it? I figure I'm somehow ahead of the game. Does it really work that way? Have I added another hour to my life forever? Or do I have to give it back on the day of reckoning? EUROPEAN CHOO-CHOOS
Chunnel-link: BritRail Travel began booking tickets more than a week ago for EuroStar trains linking London, Paris and Brussels. Lowest fare available is $75 per person; it requires a 14-day advance purchase and is nonrefundable and nonexchangeable. Regular one-way tickets without restrictions are $123 second class and $154 first class. Round-trip tickets are double. Best round-trip air fare between London and Paris during the second week of November is British Airways' $387.20. Officials say the Chunnel runs will begin Nov. 14. Or do you just want to wait and see? Info: (800) 677-8585.
Two-getherness counts: Rail Europe's new Europass package for people traveling in pairs next year costs half for the second passenger. It's valid for five, six or seven days of unlimited rail travel in up to three of five countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland). Info: (800) 4-EURAIL. BUDGET DEALS
That doesn't necessarily mean cheap. To my way of thinking, it's good value for the dollar. Here are some examples:
Enjoy San Francisco for a week at $199 per room - seven nights - at the Pacific Bay Inn, a restored turn-of-the-century hotel. Info: (800) 445-2631.
Until Dec. 20, you can stay at the ultra-elegant Grand Palazzo, set in 15 acres on the eastern tip of St. Thomas, for $240 a day. On Dec. 20, the Junior Suites with balconies overlooking the bay jump to $475. Info: (800) 545-0509.
For about the price of three nights on St. Thomas, Alitalia offers Italy: air fare, five nights' accommodation at three-star hotels, breakfasts and more for $679 to $699 from various East Coast cities. The packages are good Nov. 1 to March 25. Info: (800) 223-5730.
The deal that the Russian Travel Bureau calls a steal is an eight-day, all-inclusive tour through May with prices beginning at $794, which include round-trip air fare from New York on Finnair, two nights in Moscow, two in St. Petersburg and a night in Helsinki. The package includes meals, sightseeing, theater, overnight train to St. Petersburg and four-star hotels throughout. Info: (800) 847-1800. IT'S A GENDER THING
Women travelers prefer to sit next to another woman who's an understanding conversationalist - like Oprah Winfrey and Erma Bombeck - and a man who's a sensitive hunk - like Kevin Costner and Harrison Ford - according to an Amtrak survey of ideal traveling companions.
Men say they're looking for good conversation, too, and believe Cindy Crawford would be best at that, followed by Demi Moore. Men traveling with another guy would prefer it to be Charles Kuralt, David Letterman or Eddie Murphy.
Respondents of both genders said they'd also like to sit next to someone with an upbeat attitude, respect for privacy and good personal hygiene. MEMO: Travel-wise is compiled from wire-service reports, news releases, trade
journals, books, magazines and the deepest recesses of the writer's
mind. Send comments and questions to Travel-wise, The
Virginian-Pilot/The Ledger-Star, P.O. Box 449, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449.
ILLUSTRATION: Drawing
The Light at Smithfield will be a Coast Guard-approved navigational
aid.
by CNB