You can relive some of the most famous–and infamous–military campaigns in American history through the 1998 vacation packages offered by HistoryAmerica Tours. The tours have you walking in the footsteps of Washington during the American Revolution, marching with Sherman across Georgia and riding with Custer to the Little Big Horn.
– “The American Revolution From West Point to Yorktown,” April 13-20, explores the minds, personalities and strategies of the Revolutionary War generals and their troops. You’ll visit West Point, N.Y., and see where George Washington crossed the Delaware River on his way to surprise the British in Trenton, N.J. Other sites include Independence Hall in Philadelphia and Washington’s home at Mt. Vernon, Va. The tour ends in Yorktown, Va., where the British surrendered to end the war. The tour costs $1,195 per person double occupancy (single supplement $380) from the Meadowlands, N.J., to Norfolk, Va., or Newark International Airport, and includes seven breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners.
– Follow the trail of destruction left by three Union armies under Gen. William T. Sherman in “Marching Through Georgia: The Strategy of Total War,” Oct. 17-28. You’ll visit forts and battlefields, some virtually unchanged in more than 130 years. The Sherman tour costs $1,249 per person double (single supplement $330) from Marietta, Ga., and includes all admissions, eight breakfasts, three lunches and six dinners.
– The Crazy Horse and Custer tour, June 15-21, takes you to the sites of the great Sioux wars ranging from the Connor Fight (1865) to Dull Knife (1876). You’ll end the tour with a full day on the Little Big Horn battlefield followed by an evening lecture by noted Western historian Robert Utley. The tour costs $1,069 per person double (single supplement $180) from Billings, Mont., and includes six breakfasts, three lunches, four dinners and all admissions.
Seventeen of the 26 HistoryAmerica tours are new for 1998, and each is led by a specially selected historian/guide. Other tours include the “U.S.-Mexican War,” “Ulysses S. Grant: Early Victories,” “Civil War in the East,” “The War of 1812 From Niagara to Montreal” and “Mississippi River Cruise.” Call 800-628-8542.
Heading south
BCT Scenic Walking is offering a tour in New Zealand’s South Island, one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the world. You’ll trek 6 to 8 miles daily well away from the usual tourists destinations, experiencing the cool beauty of the lush, temperate rain forests, lakeside trails and pristine beaches as well as mountain vistas.
The 11-day, 12-night New Zealand tour departs Feb. 15 and March 9. The tour costs $2,895 per person double (single supplement $480) from Queenstown and includes all breakfasts and dinners. The tour is limited to 18 members. Call 800-473-1210.
– If you prefer warm-weather fun in the Caribbean, Blue Horizons Cottage Hotel has adventure packages on the island of Grenada that cover a variety of outdoor activities including hiking (from “ironman” treks through the rain forest to a gentle hike to a waterfall), tennis and water sports such as sunfish sailing, kayaking, pedal boating and snorkeling. The seven-night adventure package costs $818 per person. Scuba diving packages are also available.
Package rates are good through April 15, and accommodations include kitchenettes, television, radio, telephone, air conditioning, hair dryer and balcony or terrace. Call International Travel Resorts at 800-223-9815 or visit the Blue Horizons Web site (www.cpscaribnet.com/ads/blue/).
Swiss connections
Swissair is offering packages to Europe for long winter weekends. From Athens to Zurich with 11 cities in between, the packages include round-trip air fare from Chicago, three nights in the participating hotel of your choice and breakfast daily.
Depending upon your choice of hotel, the rates (per person double) start at $766 for Athens, $693 for Berlin, $714 for Brussels, $783 for Budapest, $590 for Geneva, $807 for Istanbul, $587 for Nice, $587 for Paris, $753 for Prague, $759 for Rome, $661 for Salzburg, $661 for Vienna and $590 for Zurich. The single supplement for all tour packages is $48.
If you’d rather not be limited to one destination and have more than four days, Swissair also offers “Fly + Drive” packages to various European destinations that include round-trip air fare, a car rental for seven days with unlimited mileage, a road atlas and a free telephone calling card. These rates are good through March 31. Call 800-688-7947.
Discount flying
Low air fares to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and other popular destinations are easily found through space-available companies. Air-Tech, a New York-based firm, locates unsold seats on major airlines every day and matches them with the needs of passengers who have registered with the firm. All you need to do is register with Air-Tech, state your destination and provide a three- or four-day window when you can fly. Then call the company on the Wednesday before your travel window opens to learn which direct flights and seats are available. Ditto the flight back. Keep in mind that the greatest success depends upon the greatest flexibility. Here’s a sample (tax is included): Chicago to Cancun, $250 round trip. Call 800-575-8324.
