
DATE: Sunday, October 5, 1997               TAG: 9710030106

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E6   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: Travelwise 

SOURCE: Stephen Harriman 

                                            LENGTH:  143 lines

MEMORIAL TO MILITARY WOMEN TO ASSUME PLACE OF HONOR

SOON THERE WILL BE another new monument to visit in the the nation's capital. Many think it is a long time in coming. It is the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, located across the Potomac River in Arlington National Cemetery.

The dedication ceremony will be at noon Oct. 18. Related events include a black-tie gala Oct. 16, luncheons for each service branch Oct. 17, reunions, and a candlelight march from the Lincoln Memorial to the new memorial at dusk Oct. 18.

The 4-acre memorial, situated at the main gateway to the cemetery, includes 14 exhibit alcoves, a 196-seat theater, a hall of honor and a computerized database for finding photos and military histories of registered servicewomen.

Tickets are required for all events, including the free dedication ceremony. Info: (800) 222-2294. Web site: www.wimsa.org.

Wee bits of Scotland

Scottish Highland festivals are scheduled for Saturday at Kilmarnock on the Northern Neck and at Radford in the Roanoke Valley. The festival at Kilmarnock is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; info: (800) 393-6180. The Radford festival is also an all day affair; info: (540) 831-5324.

Your money's worth

Revolutionary Fun partners in Virginia's Historic Triangle offer special vacation packages through Oct. 29. From $299 for two adults, price includes two nights' accommodations at Colonial Williamsburg's Woodlands lodge and a combination ticket for unlimited visits to Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. Info: (800) 404-3318.

Hostel accommodations near major ski resorts range from $7 to $25 (this is NOT a typographical error) per person per night. Many have arranged special packages and a variety of discounts. For more info and listing, call (202) 783-6161.

Cowboys fans, Quality Suites of Dallas/Love Field has a Cowboys package: From $169.95 double occupancy, includes two nights' accommodations in fully loaded suite (one game night, one before or after), breakfast, snacks before game, evening Manager's Hour, use of swimming pool, Jacuzzi and exercise room. For info, dates, call (800) 228-5151.

St. Thomas Renaissance Grand Beach Resort's Sweet Indulgence package, from $1,660 double through Dec. 18, includes five nights' accommodations, breakfast, a choice of two spa services per person, $50/pp for beauty salon, half-day snorkel or sunset sail, more. Info: (800) HOTELS-1.

If you're looking for Caribbean cruise bargains, Radisson Diamond offers six two-for-one sailings in November and December. Starting fares for the four- to seven-night cruises range from $998 to $1,848 per person, reflecting two-for-one savings. Departures are scheduled Nov. 15, 19 and 24 (a Thanksgiving holiday cruise) and Dec. 1, 5 and 13. Itineraries include the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. Round-trip air fare is extra. Info: A local travel agent or (800) 333-3333.

British Airways has a Long Weekender fare of $289 round trip from New York to London. The fine print: Good for departures on Thursdays and Fridays from Oct. 23 through March 27, with returns on Monday and Tuesday. Not valid from Dec. 11 through Jan. 6; all travel must be completed by March 31. Travelers may not stay longer than five days, and reservations must be completed at least three days before departure. Tickets are nonrefundable, but changes may be made for a fee of $150. Info and reservations: A local travel agent or (800) 247-9297.

Legendary Prague package, from $599 per person/double through March 19, includes air from New York, transfers, six nights' accommodations, breakfast, hotel taxes. Blackout dates: Dec. 13-31. Info: Victor Travel Services, (800) 800-8891.

The Russian Travel Bureau is running tours of seven, eight and 11 days to Russia from November through mid-May, beginning at $789 a person, double occupancy, for departures from early November to mid-February on a seven-day Welcome to St. Petersburg program. (The longer tours also include Moscow.) The seven-day tour includes round-trip flights on Finnair from New York, hotel accommodations with breakfast daily, sightseeing, a cultural performance and English-speaking guides. Info and reservations: (800) 847-1800.

Freebies

``Revolutionary War: Discover the Carolinas Backcountry Trails'' describes 19 sites in North and South Carolina linked to the Revolutionary War. The brochure includes a map, photographs and a timeline of key events. To order, call (800) VISIT NC.

The state of Florida has a new toll-free number for tourism information: (888) 735-2872.

For a 328-page Caribbean Vacation Planner from the 31-member-nation Caribbean Tourism Organization, call (800) 356-9999, Ext. 450.

Mexico's Ministry of Tourism has published 32 brochures on the country's tourist regions and attractions. Among destinations in the series are Cancun, Los Cabos, Oaxaca, Merida and Puerto Vallarta. Themes include crafts, golf, ecotourism, beaches, hunting and the Mayan world. For free copies, call (800) 446-3942.

V&A to the U.S.A.

One of the most fascinating - not to say overwhelming - museums I have ever experienced is the Victoria and Albert in London. Part of it, albeit a small part, is coming to these shores.

The Baltimore Museum of Art has spent the last decade working with the V&A, as it is called, to organize ``A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum,'' an exhibition of 250 masterworks, many coming to North America for the first time.

After its stay in Baltimore from Oct. 12 to Jan. 18, 1998, the show will travel to Boston, Toronto, Houston, San Francisco and back to London.

The show is divided into six sections, including one dedicated to English art collected during a post World War I quest for ``Englishness,'' and another devoted to Asian and Islamic art acquired through British imperialism.

The Baltimore museum is open Wednesday-Friday, 11-5; Saturday-Sunday, 11-6. Admission is $8, seniors and students $6, and those 18 and under free. Info: (888) 262-4278.

Taking wing

Boeing has produced its first 777-300, a new version of the 777 that becomes the world's longest plane, almost 11 feet longer than the Boeing 747-400.

It's designed to replace the earliest versions of the Boeing 747, with about equal capacity - up to 550 passengers - but with two instead of four engines, less fuel consumption and requiring a smaller crew.

All of the 50 early orders for the plane are from Asian airlines, which expect to use the plane on regional routes.

Islands of delight

The top islands, as chosen by readers of Conde Nast Traveler (scores are percentage of respondents who rated each ``excellent'' or ``very good''):

1. Maui, Hawaii: 84.2

2. Bermuda: 80.8

3. Kauai, Hawaii: 80.0

4. Bali, Indonesia: 76.2

5. Bora Bora, Fr. Polynesia: 74.5

6. Moorea, French Polynesia: 73.4

7. Hawaii (Big Island): 72.2

8. Phuket, Thailand: 72.0

9. Lanai, Hawaii: 71.2