Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 181

12 As bury Park June 10, 1984 Tours put vacation costs, sightseeing objectives into focus. Trip Tips Marie Mattson IF YOl'R idea of a vacation is to have someone else tote your bags, do the driving, handle tipping, get you to important sights, provide history and background commentary and book your hotel rooms and meals, then take a tour. You'll know in advance exactly how much just about everything costs. More than 1,000 major wholesalers in the United States and Canada sell tours that cover every part of the globe, all interests and all age groups, with prices ranging from budget to luxury. While you can take a camel safari, ride in private rail cars of former mahara-jas, go ballooning or pursue other exotic adventures, the majority of tours concentrate on sightseeing by motorcoach.

I've just returned from such a trip, offered out of London by Globus Gateway, whose tour buses are said to carry more Americans and Canadians than any other operator. In six days of traveling 1,004 miles, our group walked on medieval city walls, viewed remains of prehistoric and Roman civilizations, photographed stained glass windows and much more. Perhaps the highlight of my experience was being escorted through Sir Walter Scott's turreted, gabled house Abbotsford by his great-great-great granddaughter. Mrs. Maxwell-Scott, a tall, middle-aged woman of obvious refinement, lives on the third floor of the ancestral home.

We stayed at three- and four-star hotels, including the Viking in York, which is operator is reputable and financially sound. Are departures and prices guaranteed? How much time Is spent "at Optional tours are sold to fill free time, so allow for such extra expenses. How strenuous is the pace? This is especially important for older travelers who will find many tours require, the stamina of a 25-year-old. Alternatives are to book a couple of short tours, with rest time in between, choose a tour that includes a cruise, or leave the tour for several days and join a later group (Globus Gateway permits splitting a tour at additional cost). Marie Mattson is a nationally syndicated columnist based in California.

Her ebluma appears Sundays. 100 percent more. Our group consisted of 46 persons: 36 American, 17 Canadian, two South African and one Filipino. The majority ranged between 30 and 60 years of age. A wide variety of occupations were represented, with educators preponderant 1 As with most motorcoach tours, seating was rotated dally.

Smoking was limited to sightseeing or rest stops, usually scheduled every couple of hours. The six-day, five-night tour cost $328 plus $55 single supplement Lunches and tips to escort and driver added another $30. Had I been traveling independently an a Britrail pass and staying at the same hotels, expenses would have run at least $100 more. Globus Gateway's volume purchasing power is passed on to you in lower costs both od tour and in" hotel rates before and after touts. They hold about 80 percent of rooms at the Novotel (formerly Cunard International Hotel) in London.

As a tour passenger you can stay there at $50 single, $72 twin, including continental service and tax, compared with regular rates of $60 single, $80 twin and $3.85 for continental breakfast. The Novotel ts a five-minute walk from Hammersmith subway station. In purchasing any tour, compare brochures of several operators for number of days, price, sightseeing, quality of hotels, number and type of meals and extra expenses (admissions, optional tours, Points to keep in mind: How reliable is the company? You pay in advapce, so make certain the tour used even by luxury tour operators. Most charming property was a castle in Wales now a hotel that provided modern bedrooms while public rooms retained the regal splendor of last century. The only shopping stops were at two woolen mill outlets in Scotland where Shetland sweaters sold for $15, cashmere pullovers for $42.

Prices in London are about 50 percent higher, at home almost astrai Gara, tUhe world 5 yewi. Without spending a fortune, you can now see places like Italy France and China. They're all represented at the World Showcase at Waif Disney World" EPCOT Center, And you can visit a Magic Kingdom" that's like another world. It's easy thanks to Eastern and the American Express8 Card. $276-557' packages to the Walt 4 Disney World Vacation Kingdom (includes airfare, hotel, car rental1 and more).

It's Donald Duck's 50th birthday And there are going to be some sensational celebrations, starting the moment you step off the plane. Donald or one of his friends, such as Goofy or Pluto, will be there to meet your Eastern flight at the Orlando airport with a giant musical cake, and birthday party" So what could be a better time to take your kids? To help you enjoy the fun, Eastern has put together some extremely affordable From $276557 per person based on double occupancy we're offering round-trip Coach airfare, a quality hotel for 4 days and 3 nights, a General Rent-a-Car or Hertz rental car, and a one-day ticket good for admission to either the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT And taking the trip is easy with the American Express Card. It's welcomed for your Eastern tickets and vacation package, and for almost everything in the Walt Disney World Resort. Including fine dining and shopping on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom and throughout EPCOT Center. So come celebrate with the people who know their way around this world better than anyone else: Eastern, the Official Airline, and American Express, the Official Card, of Walt Disney World.

Special fares for kids. Eastern offers reduced fares for kids, 2-11 years old. They can fly to Orlando for only $75 each way in Coach (ages 12-17, only $89 each way). Also, in most hotels, kids (2-17) stay free in their parents' room jPt -M't IX Lk f-4r V3. Mui mm- mi Mr- KTh' s.

1-800-E-A-S-T-E-R-N iii New Jersey And make reservations to seetheworld. 't Pric.es effective from New brJNewark until 121584 and arc good for travel on selected flights, originating Tuesday and Wednesday. Travelolher days fe slightly higher. Seats are limited and advance purchase and length of stay requirements ajjply. Prices pec person, double occupancy at selected hotels subject to availability; deposit requirements and cancellation penalties apply.

Meals, gratuities, taxes not included. Package prices Inay change without notice and are not available for some dates. Gas, Collision Damage Waiver of $6.95 daily insurance, and drop-off fces, if amicable, not included. Rental car is subcompact and is included for three 24-hour periods only ''Character greeting for flights arriving 10 a.m.-lO p.m., 517-83184. Character mav vary.

Maximum of two children per accompanying adult. $75 fare expires 121584; $89 fare expires 111584. Max. 3 per room. 'Available 7184.

Passengers on connecting flights receive gift bag at final connection. Tun Flight Meal must be requested at time of reservation. 1984 Walt Disney World Productions. 1984 Eastern Air Lines, Inc. And on their flight, they'll be given an exclusive Walt Disney World Fun Flight Bagt featuring puppets, puzzles and lots more.

Also, be sure to ask about our Fun Flight Meaf when you make your reservation. Other fantastic Florida packages. Eastern also has affordable 4-day3-night packages to other Florida vacation spots. And of course, special kid's fares are available The following examples include airfare, hotel and car rental: 4 TampaSt. Petersburg $264-327 Miami $312-426 Ft.

LauderdaleHollywood $314-380 So let Eastern and the American Express Card help you discover the different world of Florida. For complete details, call your Accredited Travel Agent, or Eastern Airlines at 212-986-5000 in New York or EASTERN We earn our wings every day Don't leave home without it.1".