THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240072
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Stephen Harriman
LENGTH: 175 lines
IF YOU'RE GETTING that wanderlust feeling, but are unsure where to head, check out the travelogue offerings at the Virginia Beach Public Schools' Adult Learning Center.
For instance, there's a short course called Design Your Own England Vacation, taught by native Brit Catherine Kehrig. There are two three-hour sessions scheduled for Feb. 11 and 18 at 6:30 p.m., at the Center, 4160 Virginia Beach Blvd. Tuition is $22 plus $9 for materials.
Other courses offered between now and May include: Paris: The City of Lights; The Treasures of the Aegean: Greece; Grand Tour of Germany; Bonjour Canada; Understanding Egyptian Art; Windsor Castle; and a Touch of the Tropics: Costa Rica.
Kehrig also teaches the Egyptian Art class, scheduled for April. She says, ``I've been told that this course helps not only those planning a trip to Egypt to appreciate the sites they visit, but it is also of value for those who have taken pictures of `interesting-looking scenes' on a previous trip to Egypt and have brought them to my class for interpretation.''
For times, dates, and fees, call (757) 473-5091.
Sorry 'bout that
Last week I mentioned Hyatt's winter promotion at 15 resorts in U.S. and Caribbean, through March 31, offers savings up to 40 percent per person and select bonus features. The correct number for info is (800) 233-1234.
Swiss rail gala
Switzerland celebrates its railways' 150th anniversary this year, with hundreds of exhibits and events from March to October commemorating the scenic rail system.
If you like choo-choos, this is a don't-miss event. The Swiss do trains as well as they do cheese and watches.
Among the biggest observances will be a parade of 70 trains in Lausanne on June 14 and 15; tours of the steam train depot in Jura from June 21 to July 20, and the official national celebration in Zurich Aug. 8-10.
The Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne will display original and replica trains from all over Europe and will take passengers on nostalgic rides, Aug. 22 to Oct. 25. Info: (212) 757-5944.
Turkish adventure
Turkey is trendy now that John Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy honeymooned there. There's an even better reason, though, to consider a trip. Virginia Beach-based World of Oz is offering a five-night stay in Istanbul, with round-trip air from New York via Helsinki on Finnair, for $799 a person double occupancy. That price is good through Feb. 22, and rises by $100 in March. It includes a day's sightseeing in Istanbul, and rooms in Helsinki in transit. Travelers spend most of a day in Helsinki on the way to Istanbul, and overnight there on the return. Departures are on Saturday. Info: (757) 496-8108.
Your money's worth
Seniors' Decade Discounts are available throughout 1997 at two Disney-area Holiday Inns: Guests over 50 get $10 off for every decade; 100-year-olds stay free up to seven nights. At SunSpree Resort Lake Buena Vista (800-366-6299): age 50-59, $70/room/night; 60-69, $60, etc. At Hotel & Suites Main Gate East (800-366-5437): age 50-59, $65/room/night; 60-69, $55, etc. Rate includes breakfast, coffee mug and refills, transport to three Disney theme parks, use of pools and whirlpools.
Apple Core Hotels' Shop Till You Drop package in New York, through March 31, includes ``1997 Savvy Shoppers' Survey'' book, bus and subway maps, and a chance to win two nights' lodgings and two tickets from/to hometown (U.S. and Canada) and New York. From $89/night (two-night minimum), single or double, at one of three midtown properties: Best Western Manhattan, Hotel Wentworth, Americana Hotel. Info: (800) 567-7720.
Don't want to shop? How about this: Novotel New York is giving guests free tickets to some of TV's most popular talk shows in a ``Can We Talk?'' package. It's $179 daily for a room, a full buffet breakfast for two and two tickets to see your choice of ``Geraldo,'' ``Montel Williams,'' ``Maury Povich,'' ``Ricki Lake,'' ``Sally Jesse Raphael'' or ``Rolonda.'' Reservations: (212) 315-0100.
The Las Vegas Advisor 1997 Pocketbook of Values - available to one-year subscribers of Las Vegas Advisor newsletter, $50 (sample issue, $5) - offers freebies, discounts at hotels, casinos, restaurants, car rentals, entertainment and more. Info: (800) 244-2224.
Before you ask
When is Mardi Gras? This year, pre-carnival merriment begins with a parade today, the same day as Super Bowl XXXI - being held at the Superdome for the eighth time. The city that's home to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street goes all out at this time: Parties, masquerade balls, costumes and parades have turned it into a great tourist attraction. And the most popular traditions are the throws - trinkets tossed from floats. It all ends with parades on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 11. 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, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449; phone (757) 446-2904. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The cogwheel steam engine No. 7, which began transporting tourists
up Switzerland's Mount Rigi in 1871, will be dusted off and taken
out of a museum for runs June 5 to Sept. 28.
Graphic
TRAVELER'S ADVISORY
There are actually two towns that together form this ski resort:
Historic Telluride, down in the valley floor at 8,750 feet, and
Mountain Village, founded as a resort community catering to the
well-heeled in 1987 on a mesa at the 9,450-foot level, where the
main industry is selling real estate. The Peaks at Telluride Resort
and Spa is actually located at Mountain Village.
Getting there: Some commuter service flies into Telluride
Regional Airport, at 9,080 feet the highest commercial airport in
North America. Most jet service lands at Montrose, 67 miles to the
north, from which there is regular van service ($25 one way) to
Telluride. Continental offers daily jet service from Norfolk to
Montrose, with one stop and a plane change in Houston. Continental
also offers Telluride Ski Packages of three and seven nights that
include various hotel accommodations and an economy rental car. For
info, contact a local travel agent.
Getting around: A free gondola public transportation system,
opened last November, links Telluride, Mountain Village and most of
the ski lifts; 25 enclosed cars each carry eight passengers. The
gondola runs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Quite a spectacular trip in
either direction. Dropping down into Telluride is not unlike
descending from Mont Blanc into Chamonix in the French Alps.
Getting a bed: The Peaks is a high-end (about $300 a day),
177-room chateau sort of place, centered on a four-story atrium
Great Room with enormous fireplace and incredible mountain views.
Highly recommended for a splurge. The sumptuous rooms are done in
subdued and tasteful Southwestern decor, with king-size beds, TV
minibar, two phones and very large bathrooms with tub and separate
shower stall, twin marble sinks and hair dryers. Congenial staff,
remarkable service; many spa facilities included. Info: (800)
789-2220.
Ski free in March: At the Peaks, with the purchase of a luxury
room ($355 nightly, plus tax and gratuity), guests receive two free
adult lift tickets, plus a 20 percent discount on all spa
treatments.
The Peaks at Telluride is part of Carefree Resorts, a collection
of exclusive, one-of-a-kind destination resorts defined by their
spectacular natural settings. The other Carefree properties are The
Boulders in the High Sonoran Desert north of Scottsdale, Ariz.;
Carmel Valley Ranch on California's Monterey Peninsula; and the
Lodge at Ventana Canyon in the Santa Catalina foothills of Tucson,
Ariz.
There are numerous other accommodations in Telluride - hotels
from about $99-$605, B&Bs from $115-$225, condos from $111-$1,500
and houses from $290-$2,000. Info: Telluride Central Reservations
(800) 525-3455.
Getting fed: Nearly 50 places listed in one directory I saw. Just
cruise, look and listen. Downtown I strongly recommend Harmon's
Depot Restaurant in the old Rio Grande Southern Railway station;
they also operate an eight-beer microbrewery. Locals suggest
Garfinkel's for the young, the New Sheridan for the older crowd (the
young call this ``the wrinkle''), the Eagle for the in-betweens.
Also, Fly Me to the Moon Saloon for a rowdy crowd and loud, live
music (``don't wear anything you don't want to get beer spilled
on''), and Leingruber's for potent German beer and meeting the ski
patroller or ski instructor of your dreams.
Is a spa for you? A couple of reference guides may help you
decide. Check out ``The Spa Finder'' catalog published by
Spa-Finders (212-924-6800) and ``Fodor's Healthy Escapes'' (look for
it in your bookstore's travel section or ask them to order it). The
Peaks has a brochure titled ``How to Spa Like a Pro'' which you can
obtain by calling (800) 979-2999.
Other activities: Skyline Guest Range, a few miles outside town,
offers a wintertime sleigh ride and delicious dinner for $55,
including pickup and dropoff in town. The ranch also offers
year-round accommodations and offers many outdoor activities. Great
people, great location. Info: (970) 728-3757 . . . Telluride Outside
can hook you up with a snowmobile ($109 for a half-day) or a dogsled
(if the lone musher is available). In the summertime they do
four-wheel drive touring, Jeep rentals, fly fishing, mountain
biking, river rafting and more. Info: (800) 831-6230.