Need a spring vacation to look forward to so you can make it through Chicago’s brutish winter? Then make your plans now for Philadelphia’s Flower Show Week, March 2-9, or Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, April 19-26.
Philadelphia’s show, one of the largest in the world, includes more than 2,000 horticultural and artistic entries, free lectures and demonstrations, plus a marketplace. Ten Philadelphia hotels are offering special flower-show packages priced from $139 to $245 per night for two (single rates available; check with individual hotels), including breakfast, parking, two-day SuperPasses to the flower show and “Phlash” transit passes. For more information on the participating hotels, call the Philadelphia Visitors Center at 800-611-5960.
Plus there are discounts:
– 20 percent off your second night’s stay at participating hotels by using your Visa card;
– A 10-percent discount on Amtrak from the best available fare on NortheastDirect Service and selected Metroliners for travel March 1-11 (call 800-USA-RAIL);
– 5 to 10 percent off on travel to Philadelphia on USAir between Feb. 27 and March 12 (call 800-334-8644 and refer to “Gold File No. 78930573”).
Farther south, Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, which is more than 60 years old, traces the evolution of gardens, architecture and interior design from the 16th Century to 20th Century America at more than 250 of Virginia’s finest properties. Among the areas highlighted: Winchester-Frederick County, with six properties dating from the 1760s to the 1840s (April 19-20), Colonial Williamsburg (April 22) and the Hampton and Newport News area (April 23).
The annual tours are sponsored by the Garden Clubs of Virginia to benefit the restoration of the state’s historic gardens and grounds. Area tour prices range from $10 to $20, and single house admissions vary from $3 to $5.
A detailed guidebook will be available in March for a $3 donation to cover postage and handling, but you can get a brochure now describing the regions and the dates they will be featured by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to 12 E. Franklin St., Richmond, Va. 23219. For other information, call 804-644-7776.
Maya meanderings
After eight years of guiding tourists through Central America, Sven Olof Lindblad knows its wonders, secrets and dangers. Through his tour company, Special Expeditions, Lindblad is leading four cruise expeditions this winter to explore the remnants of the Mayan culture in Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.
The seven-night “Treasures of the Maya World” includes five nights aboard the 80-passenger M/S Polaris. Two tours begin in Guatemala, with visits to the ancient ruins of the Mayan city of Tikal, and end in Honduras (Jan. 27 and Feb. 6); the other two (Feb. 3 and Feb. 13) operate in reverse. Aboard the Polaris, you’ll explore the rivers, reefs and islands along the coast of Belize, including Half Moon Cay National Park, and the north coast of Honduras and the Bay Islands, whose history of rum and sugar trade is now overshadowed by its pristine beaches and unspoiled coral reefs.
Prices range $2,650 to $4,700 per person double occupancy (singles from $3,975 to $4,410) from/to Flores, Guatemala, and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and include two hotel nights, cruise, all meals, shore excursions, sightseeing and use of snorkeling equipment. Call 800-762-0003.
Armchair traveling
Once again, the Geographic Society of Chicago has lined up a fall and winter’s worth of exotic travel–and you don’t have to leave town.
The travel film series schedule, which began this weekend with “The Adventures of the Vikings,” includes “The Samoas–Jewels of the Pacific” (Nov. 23-24), “Himalayan Odyssey” (Dec. 14-15), “Adventure Along the U.S./Canadian Border” (Jan. 11-12), “Amazing Australia” (Feb. 8-9), “The Eastern and Oriental Express” (Feb. 22-23), “Journey to the Everglades” (March 8-9) and “Egypt: Of Pharaohs and Fables” (March 22-23). All films will be shown at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays in the auditorium of the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $6.50. Call 312-726-5293.
L.A. calling
The Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau has released a colorful and informative full-size general guide, “Destination Los Angeles,” and six portable pocket guides that cover Downtown L.A., Beverly Hills, Hollywood, the Beach Cities, Dining and Nightlife, and Shopping. The pocket guides have self-guided tours, good maps and recommendations of offbeat places so that you make the most of your visit. The entire package (plus a booklet with $200 worth of coupons) is available for $5.50 postage and handling. Call 800-CATCH-LA.
