How far are you willing to go for a chocolate fix? You can get a super fix if you don`t mind driving for three hours. The American Club in Kohler, Wis., is hosting its fifth annual In Celebration of Chocolate festival at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17. That`s a Thursday, and it could be the start of an entire weekend at the luxurious hotel just north of Milwaukee.
Ten chefs and pastry cooks will prepare goodies for the first 500 chocolate aficionados to reserve. As if chocolate mousse, eclairs, tortes and cheesecakes aren`t enough, guests will get a chance to sample more than 20 varieties of gourmet chocolates from Godiva, Perugina and Neuhaus as well as treats from Wisconsin chocolatiers.
The two-hour fest costs $25 plus tax per person. Reservations are necessary.
During the holiday season, the American Club will feature another kind of indulgence: a four-day, three-night package for six people for $12,000. Guests will stay in three of the resort`s best rooms and receive Dom Perignon champagne, gourmet chocolates and have a concierge and chauffeur at their disposal. There also will be special holiday feasts and dinners and a horsedrawn-sleigh ride.
For more information, contact the American Club, Highland Drive, Kohler, Wis. 53044, or call 414-457-8000, 800-458-2562 (Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa) or 800-472-8414 (Wisconsin).
YULE SHOPPING
Some of Europe`s best holiday markets are destinations for two eight-day Christmastime in Germany and Austria tours from Lufthansa. The tours depart Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 for the gateway city of Munich. Other stops via bus from Munich include Salzburg, Augsburg, Rothenburg and Nuremberg, toy capital of Germany and the home of one of the most famous Christmas fairs in Europe.
Visitors to the holiday market stalls in the cities will find handmade Christmas ornaments, holiday candles, embroidery, wreaths and creches as well as food.
Land package price is $699 (double occupancy) and includes daily breakfasts and a dinner in Munich. The tour package includes sightseeing in Munich, Salzburg and Rothenburg.
A special holiday fare from Chicago to Munich for the Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 trips is $575. It requires a 21-day advance purchase.
For more information about this tour and other holiday tours from Lufthansa, contact a travel agent or Lufthansa Airlines at 800-645-3880.
AUSTRALIAN WINES
The first fly/drive Australia Wine Tours now are available in conjunction with Qantas Airways and the Australian Wine and Brandy Corp.
There is a growing interest in Australian wines, and the country boasts more than 5,000 vineyards and 500 wineries. Wine areas are Sydney and the wine regions of New South Wales; Melbourne and the wine regions of Victoria;
Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory; Adelaide and the wine regions of South Australia; Perth and the wine regions of western Australia; Tasmania and its wine regions; Brisbane and the Queensland wine regions and the Alice Springs wine region.
Tour costs include a rental car, accommodations and an Australian Wine Tours information kit with sightseeing suggestions. Air fare, meals and gas are not included in the price. Prices depend on the type of car and accommodations. Economy, compact and family-size cars are available. Accommodations range from self-contained units to deluxe country inns, old-fashioned country pubs and grand country house hotels.
Packages start at $185 (a person, double occupancy) for two days and one night. For a three-day/two-night package, it`s $250; for four days and three nights, it`s $380 and for five days and four nights, the cost is $455.
For more information, contact a travel agent or Australia/New Zealand Tours, Ltd., 612 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611, or call 312-943-6798. NEWSLETTERS
A couple of interesting travel newsletters passed by our desk that deserve mention: Travel China Newsletter and the International Railway Traveler.
The editor behind the eight-page China newsletter is Ruth Lor Malloy, author of the annual guidebook, ”Fielding`s People`s Republic of China.”
Monthly issues may cover new air routes, hotel packages and discounts, sightseeing and shopping tips.
A one-year subscription costs $87. For six months, it`s $47. Sample copies are available for $5. For more information, write to Blendon Information Services, 210 Sheppard Avenue East, Willowdale, Ont. M2N 3A9, Canada, or call 416-223-5397.
For anyone interested in trains, the International Railway Traveler seems to be a good bet. The publication has been around since 1983.
The 16-page September/October edition of the bimonthly publication features information about Eurail`s Flexipass, new Brit Rail train service between London and Dover and the highest rail station restaurant in Europe
(near Interlaken in Switzerland`s Jungfrau region). The issue also had a story about one passenger`s experience aboard a EuroCity train from Paris to Zurich.
A one-year`s subscription to the railway newsletter is $15. Single issues cost $3.50. For more information, contact the International Railway Traveler, Hardy Publishing Co., Suite 820, the Heyburn Building, 332 W. Broadway, Louisville, Ky. 40202, or call 502-589-3659.
B&B AND SKI
Breakfast in bed, hot tubs and hot air balloon champagne rides are a few of the amenities available at some of the host homes listed with B&B Vail/Ski Areas.
The service represents about 40 properties-rooms start at $55, double occupancy-in Vail Valley, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Summit County, A-Basin, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs and Telluride.
For Vail only, the service is offering lodging and discounted lift ticket packages.
A directory of the rooms is available for $2. For more information, write to B&B Vail/Ski Areas, P.O. Box 491, Vail, Colo. 81658, or call 303-949-1212. FREE FOR THE WRITING
For a copy of the Door County Winter Guide, write to the Door County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 346, Station A, Dept. WG, Sturgeon Bay, Wis. 54235, or call 414-743-4456. . . . For a copy of the Minnesota Explorer on winter travel, contact the Minnesota Travel Information Center, 375 Jackson St., 250 Skyway Level, St. Paul, Minn. 55101, or call 800-228-5400.Travel-nov8 A CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE MIDWEST
Illinois
Victorian Christmas Walk, Rockford, Nov. 12-15. 60 shops within 17 restored Victorian homes, period decorations and strolling madrigal singers;
815-965-7222.
World of Speed Custom Hot Rod Auto Show, Rockford, Nov. 13-15. Street cars, vans, trucks and drag boats; 815-968-5600.
Autumnfest `87, Carterville, Nov. 14-15. 13th annual holiday arts and crafts show with more than 100 exhibitors; 618-985-3741.
Indiana
8th Midwest Art Craft and Gift Show, Lapaz, Nov. 12-14. Crafts, food;
219-784-2744.
Iowa
Southern Iowa Craft Festival, Decatur, Nov. 14. 515-446-7166.
Arts and Crafts Show, Louisa, Nov. 14. 319-728-2904.
Michigan
Hollymarket, St. Joseph, Nov. 10-15. Original arts and crafts from local artists; 616-983-0271.
Bands of America National Championship, Pontiac, Nov. 13-14. 50 top high school marching bands compete in the 12th Annual Grand Championship;
313-644-1229.
Christmas Hobby and Craft Market, Cadillac, Nov. 14-15. 616-775-2772.
Holiday Creations Arts and Craft Show, Mt. Clemens, Nov. 14-15. 313-286-2098.
Wisconsin
Fall Arts and Crafts Fair, Wisconsin Dells, Nov. 14-15. 608-254-8088.
Calico Christmas Show, Milwaukee, Nov. 13-15. 414-968-5176.
17th Annual Arts and Crafts Show, Superior, Nov. 13-15. 800-826-6966 or 715-924-2970.
Viking Rosemalers` Show, Manitowoc, Nov. 14-15. 414-684-8050.
Watercolor Wisconsin `87, Racine, Nov. 15-20. More than 150 artists from Wisconsin; 414-636-9177.
