THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501140030
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TRAVEL-WISE
SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
TOURS OF MONTICELLO, Thomas Jefferson's home near Charlottesville, are always something special. The man's achievements, many of which manifest themselves in his home, are awesome. Through the end of February, the tours will offer something extra special.
The focus will be on Jefferson's interest in what he termed ``the feast of reason'' that accompanied an era historians refer to as the American Enlightenment.
Daily tours will highlight intellectual development during the Enlightenment and explore the limitations that kept women and African-American slaves from sharing fully in the ``feast.''
The tours will be more leisurely and the groups smaller. A visit to the recently restored North Square Room will be included. It was often called, by Jefferson's family, the ``Abbe's Room'' after the Portuguese scientist-cleric-diplomat Abbe Jose Correia da Serra, who stayed there on his annual pilgrimages to Jefferson's mountaintop home. This room is not normally open to view.
General admission for adults is $8 (pay with a $10 or $20 and you get a $2 bill, which carries Jefferson's portrait, in change); $7 for over 60, $4 for children 6-11, under 6 free. Info: (804) 984-9822. KUDOS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The exclusive American Automobile Association (AAA) five-diamond rating has been given to the Inn at Little Washington at Washington, Va., for the sixth consecutive year, and to the 100-year-old Jefferson Hotel in Richmond for the second consecutive year. They are two of only 53 lodgings in North America to achieve such recognition. The restaurant at the Inn at Little Washington was recognized for the fourth consecutive year.
The Williamsburg Sampler Bed and Breakfast has been selected as 1995 Inn of the Year by readers of the Complete Guide to Bed & Breakfast Inns and Guest Houses in the United States and Canada. Helen and Ike Sisane are the owners. The Colonial plantation-style home is located at 922 Jamestown Road; phone (800) 722-1169.
The Tranquil House Inn at Manteo, N.C., has been rated as one of the five best country inns in the United States by INNovations, a New Jersey inspection and rating service that gives special consideration to facilities with service for business markets. Innkeepers are Don and Lauri Just. Info: (919) 473-1404. SKI DEAL IS A STEAL
If you can drop what you're doing on short notice - like sometime in the next month - for some serious skiing, here's a Colorado Rockies bargain for you. Through Feb. 16, Keystone Resort is offering a three-day, four-night package that includes round-trip air between Norfolk and Denver, full-size Avis rental car and condo lodging for $713 per person, based on four people sharing a condo. How much of a bargain? I got two quotes for airfare alone, without any advance purchase discount. One was $804, the other $1,070. Info: (800) 222-0188. NORTH TO ALASKA
Alaska State Parks is looking for volunteers for the summer season. Positions include campground host, ranger assistant, college intern and trail crew. Catalogs listing various positions, their descriptions, applications and additional information are available from Volunteer Coordinator, Alaska State Parks, 3601 C St. Suite 1200, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5921; (907) 762-2612. SPRINGTIME DOWN SOUTH
The 48th annual Charleston Festival of Houses and Gardens takes place March 16-April 15. For a brochure contact Historic Charleston Foundation, P.O. Box 1120, Charleston, S.C.; (803) 722-3405 or 723-1623.
The 60th annual Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens takes place March 23-26. For a brochure, contact Savannah Tour, 18 Abercorn St., Savannah, Ga. 31401; (912) 234-8054.
Closer to home, the 62nd Historic Garden Week in Virginia takes place at various locations throughout the state April 22-29. For a guidebook (available in March for a $2 donation) or schedule of events contact the Garden Club of Virginia, 12 East Franklin St., Richmond, Va. 23219; (804) 644-7776. MORE HOSTEL TERRITORY
Hostelling International has opened several new far-flung hostels, including one in St. Petersburg, Russia, and one on Isla San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. Info: HI, 733 15th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005; (202) 783-6161. 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, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449; phone (804)
446-2904. by CNB