Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 73

TRAVEL Sunday, December 7, 1997 G5 TRAVEL TIPS Albuquerque Journal This Holiday, If You Stay With Relatives Lps Angeles Times (Japanese museum is underground hit An unusual, $215 million art muse-' um, built mostly underground by renowned architect I.M. Pei to mini-imize its environmental impact, (opened last month in Shigaraki, i Japan, about 20 miles outside Kyoto. You Could Find Yourself Bursting At The Seams. And That's Before The Holiday Dinner. OFFER VALID AT: Holiday lnnAlbuquerque Mountain View $49505-884-2511 Holiday Inn 'Austin Town Lake $49512-472-8211 Holiday lnnAmarillo 1-40 $49806-372-8741 Holiday Inn Beaumont Midtown 1-10 $49409-892-2222 Holiday lnnHouston Intercontinental Airport $69281449-2311 Holiday Inn Select Houston Near Creenway Plaza $59713-523-8448 Holiday lnnHouston Medical Center $59713-797-1110 Holiday Inn Select Houston 1-10 West $55281-558-5580 Holiday lnnPlano $49972-881-1881 Holiday Inn Select San Antonio International Airport $55210-349-9900 Holiday lnnSan Antonio Downtown $49210-225-3211 Holiday lnnSan Antonio Riverwalk $79210-224-2500 Holiday lnnTexarkana 1-30 $49870-774-3521 Holiday Inn Waco 1-35 $49254-753-0261 Per night, plus tax; based on availability at participating Holiday Inn hotels.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or special offer. Not available to groups. Advance reservations required. Limited number of rooms available at the special rate. Limit four (4) persons per room.

Rates good through January 31, 1998. table games, according to Brad Straub, vice president of finance for Showboat a U.S. casino company that manages the complex and holds a 24.6-percent interest in the consortium that built the casino. The complex on Sydney's inner harbor contains a casino with 200 gaming tables and 1,500 slot machines; more than 500 hotel rooms, suites and condominium apartments; seven restaurants; five' bars; a theater, a 900-seat showroom; and stores. For information or reservations, see a travel agent or call Star City: tel.

011-61-2-9777-9000. PROPELLER MISHAPS: The Island Princess cruise ship is expected to be back in action Dec. 16 for a 14-day Athens-to-Rome cruise after being dry-docked to repair a damaged propeller, the ship's Los Angeles-based owner, Princess Cruises, said last week. The Nov. 17 and this week's cruises were canceled after the propeller hit an "unmarked obstruction" in Rome's harbor.

The ship can hold 640 passengers; those booked on canceled sailings are being offered refunds or other arrangements. Also in the same boat, so to speak: Holland America's Noordam, whose propeller and shaft hit an unidentified object off Playa del Carmen near Cozumel, Mexico. It canceled Caribbean cruises for Nov. 22 and 29, affecting about 2,400 passengers. Refunds are being offered.

A spokeswoman said they're hoping to sail Dec. 6. Information: 800-577-1729. SILVER SPOON FOR KIDS: Spoiled. Spoiled.

Spoiled. If merely staying at a deluxe London hotel is not enough for your child, you can buy one-on-one attention. The $150 Mary Poppins Package at the Athenaeum Hotel Apartments provides a trained nanny to escort children, ages 5 to 10, on a London tour that includes the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Regent's Park a picnic lunch, tea at Fortnum and Mason and a visit to Madame Tus-sard's wax museum. The hotel's room rates start at about $459, including tax. Reservations: tel.

800-335-3300; fax This year, do yourself a favor and put your family up at a Holiday Inn hotel Use your American Express' Card and enjoy special ratesthat let you save up to 60 when you stay with us between November 12 and January 31. I The Miho Museum houses a varied collection of more than 1,000 objects from ancient Egyptian, Asian, Greco-Roman and Persian civilizations. A selection from it, I shown last year at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, was praised by Los Angeles Times critic William I Wilson as and a "symbolic new opening" of Japan to Western history and culture. The museum was built by the (Shinji Shumeikai, often called the Shumei Family, a religious group based on the principles of "truth, virtue and beauty" that claims ,300,000 adherents worldwide. The inuseum's generally secular art collection also was assembled by the "group.

Pei, who designed the controversial glass pyramid outside the Louvre Museum in Paris, modeled much of the Miho's glass, steel concrete and limestone design on his ntrademark pyramid. Nearly 80 per-tetit of the structure is tunneled into the side of a mountain. Visitors travel by foot or electric car through a "mountain tunnel to a 400-foot-long bridge (over a valley) that leads to the museum. It is open 10 a.m.-5 Tuesday through Sunday; Monday. Adult admission is about $8.50.

Information: tel. 011-81-748-82-3411; fax 011-81-748-82-3414. -SYDNEY TRIES ITS LUCK: Star City, a huge $1 billion casino-hotel-entertainment complex with American managers, opened last week in Sydney, Australia. The splashy debut drew singers Diana Ross, Tom Jones and Natalie Cole and criticism from Sydney's Anglican Archbishop Harry Goodhew, who cited "the personal and social consequences of gambling." Although gambling is popular in Australia pubs commonly have slqt machines Star City is Sydney's only full-service casino with Call today for reservations, American 1-800-HOLIDAY oMay Ask for the KIN rate. Cards Brett's Vegas View new people.

The "meet and reet" afternoon sessions are held in the Caboose Lounge and run by a social director. Admission is free and cool drinks are served in an atmosphere conducive to chatting. The $70-million Star Trek: The Experience at the' Las Laughlin On Jan. 15, the Flamingo Hilton will Motown legend, Martha Reeves and Vendellas will make their very first Laughlin appearance at the Flamingo Hilton on Dec. 28 and 29.

They will perform two shows nightly at 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets for their shows are on sale at the Flamingo Magic Booth for $9.95 and may be ordered over the phone by calling 1(800) 435-8469. Vegas Hilton is finally scheduled to open at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4.

The 24th century world, attraction, a collaboration between Paramount Parks and the Las Vegas Hilton, will transport guests aboard the USS Enterprise and brave a shuttlecraft mission through space and time. The experience will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 1 p.m. Guests will also enjoy a complete re-creation of the promenade from officially announce the biggest concert event ever to come to Laughlin. Now through Jan.

12, anyone who correctly guesses the band that is scheduled to perform during the 1998 Annual Laughlin River Run, April 24-25, will be Speedwagon Dec. 26-27, and Harry Belafonte from New Year's Eve through Jan. 2. Popular comedian Chris Rock will perform Jan. 23-24.

"Country Fever" which opened at the Golden Nugget downtown in 1993 has closed. A new revue will open in its place the third week of January. The production show "Hurray America" which recently closed at the Westward Ho with comedian Marty Allen and his signing wife Karon Blackwell, will return Jan. 25 with a variety show featuring impressionists The Walkers. After 31 years in existence, the Aladdin is closed.

A February implosion is being planned to knock down the Aladdin's 17-story tower. The Aladdin Theatre for entered in to a drawine for front row tickets. For more information call 1 LASVFGASL AUGHLIN si; bbm a aaa a aw an a aar aai a (702) 298-5012. The Ramada Express has introduced a daily Social Club from p.m. to aid senior travelers in meeting Some vacations arjustmorefun lan ota.

the Performing Arts will be spared. I TRAVEL BARGAINS For up to the minute travel bargains, call anytime. Voice prompts will connect you to many destinations. IASVEGASSPECIALPKGS. Dial Ext.

300 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine where guests can dine in Quark's Bar and Restaurant, shop the largest selection of Star Trek merchandise, and even visit with Ferengi, Klingons and other interplanetary visitors. Original talks regarding the Los Angeles' House of Blues potential introduction to Las Vegas began with the Las Vegas Hilton and have now shifted to a possible deal with Circus Circus Enterprises. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Hilton will stay with a star policy after "Starlight Express" closed the showroom on Nov. 30. Future headliner bookings at the Las Vegas Hilton include REO Las Vegas, Nevada Riveria Hotel and Casino i I LAUGHLIN I 1 JAN.

4-7 79 00 1 I 4 JAN. 18-19 79 I I FEB. 1-4 8900 I $109, CarlsonWagonlit" per person (doubt occupancy In I room) LH3PtrJ kSffiJ December 14-17, 1997 1 Give Your Loved One A Travel Gft Certificate For The Holidays! x- 1 mmmmmmmm1 HYX LJ ijll A i r.wr -a GOING PLACES TRAVEL 883-6500 1-800-224-2133 1 1:1 Rediscover I CI LAS VEGAS JAN. 11 14,1998 FITZGERALDS HOtEUCASINO Include Prim Rib Dlnnerl HERRERA COACHES 242-1108 EXT 16 meiAis 294-6017 3 2A HR TAPED JNFOJ the Magic Rooms From Only The fun of Vegas. The sun of Mexico.

When you're in our friendly casino or showroom, you'd swear you were in Las Vegas. But step on deck, and you'll see the big, blue Pacific Ocean, the coastline of Mexico and sunsets that you can't get in the desert. On a Carnival "Fun Ship" vacation from LA, you'll enjoy fabulous meals, fun activities, our complete Nautica Spas program, a spacious stateroom, and all the pampering service Carnival is famous for. And everything is included for one low price. Take a 3 or 4 day cruise aboard the HOLIDAY to Catalina and Ensenada, Mexico.

Or sail for 7 days on the JUBILEE to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas on the Mexican Riviera. A Carnival "Fun Ship" offers tons more fun than any other vacation. It even comes with a Vacation Guarantee. Palace Station mm 204 Call For Winter Specials! Harrab's M6M Brand Las Vegas Brand Tower from lie 3 4 day cruises from Los Angeles 7 day cruises from Los Angeles, San Juan, Miami.Tampa or New Orleans from from All Packages Include Roundtrip Air Nights Hotel Hotel Taxes Ground Transportation Options Double Rapid Rewards" flight credit FunBook Discount Coupon Booklet 24-Hour Traveler Assistance is Additional DatesHotels Available Nonstop packages also available to: i200 i244 i209 Per person. Per night.

Double Occupancy Sunday Thursday. Offer good through 12-25-97. Package Includes: Lunch Buffet (limit 2 per room, per stay) $3 off All Day Unlimited Ride Pass in Circus Circus Theme Park Midway Play Join the Ringmaster Players Club and after you earn your first 100 points, receive 100 Free Bonus Points Gall 1-S00-444-GIRGES 1-800-444-2472 Visit us at www.circuscircus-lasvegas.com at the iMALL 5w5 CARNIVAL PRICES INCLUBI PORT CHARGES. 1-800-235-7172 881-1198 Saa Diego SMnhd Pass included a Los Angeles Optional Attraction Passes Available Optional Attracton Passes Available i Rates include 2-day economy rental car BOLACK TOTAL TRAVEL Se Habla Espanol SOUTmYcSTl'RLINES 691 6 Montgomery NE rr rK imi PI'S HOTEL CASINO THEME PARK LAS VEGAS Also featuring 384 full-service RV hookups. Per person, per night.

Double occupanq. Two-night minimum stay. Plus tax. Suites, weekends, holiday and convention periods higher. Subject to availability.

Offer good through 122597. Points must be earned on current trip. Must be 2 1 to play. New members only. A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM' Call your professional travel agent or 1 000-423 5683 www5wavacations.com Prices quoted arc oimples and ate pt person based on double occupancy lor a tm night package based on Tuesday departure.

Thursday return valid 121697-12298 for all packers from Albuquerque unless otherwise noted. Rates may be slightly higher for other days of the week. Surcharges apply to weekend, holiday and convention periods. Other destinations available. Packages must be booked no later than 4 business days prior ti departure date.

Rates are subject to change until purchased Restrictions apply. Airport taxes of up to $12 roundtrip are not included. Double Rapid Revaids (light credit applies only through December 1991. The Mark Travel Corporation Tour Operator feoMthmst Airlines Vocations. MICarnival.

'Of, The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World! Raw an ptr futtt double occupancy, crviit only plus fitsaxei Reraictkxu apply. Rt(ittrl In Ltbtrfa and Panama. 4 i.