Who says an African safari absolutely, positively must test the limits of physical endurance?
Certainly not Mountain Travel, which, beginning in 1988, is introducing a 26-day, 4,700-mile safari in the Dark Continent by Catalina aircraft, the flying boats-PBYs-of World War II fame.
The plane has been luxuriously modified to carry 16 passengers. It has the distinctive bubble observations windows, a reading room and library and a bar. On-board meals are served with French wines and liquors, and nightly accommodations are in first-class hotels and game lodges, with five nights in tent camps.
The itinerary includes Zimbabwe; Victoria Falls; Malawi; Zanzibar Island; Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania; Nairobi; the Chalbi Desert; Khartoum, Sudan;
Abu Simbel, Egypt; Luxor, Egypt; and Cairo.
Tours leave Oct. 2 and Nov. 27, 1988, and the price tag is $13,750, which includes air transportation within Africa, all meals, accommodations, and the services of two pilots and two tour leaders.
For details, write to Mountain Travel, 1398 Solana Ave., Albany, Calif. Outside California call 800-227-2384.
MARVELOUS MOBILE
Founded in 1702, Mobile is Alabama`s oldest city and only seaport. It is a city rich with old homes of diverse architectural styles. On March 9-13, the annual Historic Homes Tour will be held. Visitors can tour creole cottages, Federal-style townhouses, Greek Revival mansions and turn-of-the-century Victorian and Neo-Classic homes.
Tours are scheduled mornings, afternoons and evenings. Four homes are open on each tour.
For more information, write to Mobile Historic Homes Tour, P.O. Box 66247, Mobile, Ala. 3660. For hotel, motel and visitor information, contact the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 2187, 451 Government St., Mobile, Ala. 36602, or call 800-MOB-1984 or 205-433-6951.
SKI INN BOOK
Steamboat`s Scandinavian Lodge is there. So are Gasthof Gramshammer and Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail as well as the Squaw Valley Hotel, St. Bernard in Taos, the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Edson Hill Manor in Stowe and Gray Rocks in Jovite, Quebec, Canada.
These top spots are among more than 60 inns and hotels in 34 major ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada that are featured in a glossy new book, Great Ski Inns and Hotels of America.
Ski locations include Aspen, Vail and Keystone in Colorado, Alta/Snowbird and Park City in Utah, Heavenly Valley and Squaw Valley in California, Stowe and Killington in Vermont and Hunter Mountain in New York.
Besides describing (with color pictures) selected lodgings in each area, the authors have evaluated the ski areas for type of terrain (novice, intermediate, expert) as well as lift lines, snow conditions and nonskiing activities.
The book was written and photographed by four members of the staff of the Ski the Best newsletter. The book is available for $14.95 plus $2 for postage and handling through Brick House Productions, 3 Main St., Andover, Mass. 01810, or call 617-475-9568.
MARATHON MATCH
For runners interested in participating in marathons abroad, there`s an organization that will take care of details such as air transportation, hotel accommodations and insure participants of race entry.
Marathon Tours of Boston currently is organizing trips for individuals and groups for 1988 marathons and other running races in Bermuda, Shanghai, London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Reykjavik, Montreal, Berlin, Melbourne, Athens, Dublin and Barbados.
For example, for the London marathon in April, participants can choose three or six-night programs with stays at the Park Lane or the Park Court. From Chicago, the price range (depending on hotel choice) is $943 to $1,056 for three nights or $1,101 to $1,339 for six nights. The rate includes roundtrip air fare and race entry fee.
The company also will handle arrangements for the Bermuda International Triathlon and summer bicycle touring of European wine valleys.
The company handles arrangements for domestic marathons, too, and offers a roommate matching service for single travelers.
If you book a trip outside of North America and make a full payment 45 days before departure, you`ll receive a free pair of Reeboks.
For more information and a brochure listing upcoming trips, contact Marathon Tours, Inc., 108 Main St., Boston, Mass. 02129, or call 617-242-7845. SUPER BOWL BOUND
Contemplating a trip to San Diego for the Super Bowl? If you want to learn more about the city, the recently released ”San Diego Scenic Driving Tour” might fill your needs. Narrated by San Diego Zoo`s goodwill ambassador, Joan Embery, the audio cassette leads visitors to more than 65 sights and attractions along the city`s 52-mile scenic drive.
To order a copy-and to receive a vacation planning kit containing maps and information about special events-send a check or money order for $14.95 plus $2 for postage and handling to Audio Adventures, San Diego Vacation Planning Dept., P.O. Box 1177, Lakeside, Calif. 92040, or call 619-223-9376.
SAS TO POLAND
After more than six years, Scandinavian Airlines will resume service from Chicago to Warsaw, starting Jan. 16.
The weekly flight will leave Chicago`s O`Hare International Airport at 5:10 p.m. on Fridays and arrive at 8:25 a.m. the next morning in Copenhagen for a connecting flight at 10:05 a.m. to Warsaw with arrival scheduled for 11:20 a.m.
For more information, contact a travel agent.
`EXPERIENCE` ISRAEL
Over the years the Israeli kibbutz has come to symbolize Israel with its rugged, communal concept of living. But the ”rugged” part turns many visitors off. That has changed.
It is possible to stay in the lap of luxury in an Israeli kibbutz. There are 26 guest houses with 2,200 rooms being operated by kibbutzim in Israel. They`re primarily family-type holiday villages and three- and four-star luxury hotels, complete with restaurants, coffee shop, bar, newsstand, gift shop, and facilities for groups and conventions. If you prefer the rugged experience, that, too, is available.
They`re all over the country at all points of scenic and historic interest-the Judean Hills, the Dead Sea, the Galilee area and along the Mediterranean.
For details, write to Kibbutz Hotels, c/o TOAM U.S.A., 60 E. 42d St., New York, N.Y. 10165 or call 212-697-5116.
FREE FOR THE WRITING
For a copy of the 1988 Eurailpass brochure and other Eurail information, write to Eurailpass, Box 325, Old Greenwich, Conn. 06870-0325. . . . For a copy of New York in Winter calendar of events, write to the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc., Two Columbus Circle, New York, N.Y. 10019.
A CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE MIDWEST
ILLINOIS
Winter Carnival, Galena, Jan. 8-9. At Chestnut Mountain Resort, skiing, tobogganing; 800-892-9299 (Illinois) or 800-874-9377 (nearby states).
Mid-America Antique Show and Sale, Peoria, Jan. 8-10. 309-691-6332.
INDIANA
Winter Festival, Mitchell, Dec. 26-Jan. 31. At Spring Mill State Park, weaving, blacksmithing and other craft demonstrations; 812-849-4129.
Porter Co. Winter Carnival, Valparaiso, Jan. 15-17. Dog sled races, cross-country ski races, sleigh rides; 219-462-8667.
MICHIGAN
Great Lakes Invitational College Hockey Tournament, Detroit, Dec. 29-30. Annual college hockey competition; 313-567-6000.
WISCONSIN
All-Night Ski Party, Portage, Dec. 31. Ski all night at Cascade Mountain; 608-742-5588.
