Summer Study in Austria
The University of New Orleans' European Centre offers a summer educational program for adults at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, from June 29 - July 20, 1996.
The program offers both credit and noncredit classes. Among the scheduled courses is German Opera from Mozart to Wagner which takes advantage of the nearby Munich and Verona opera festivals. In addition to classroom lectures, participants will attend productions in both cities.
Credit earned is transferable to other universities. For more information and a detailed brochure, write The European Centre, University of New Orleans, Box 1097, New Orleans LA 70148 or call 504-286-7484 or 504-286-7116.
Walking Holidays
Wanderweg Holidays offers numerous guided and self-guided walking and hiking itineraries in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. Land costs range from $330 to $1398 per person, per week.
One of their programs headquarters at Kitzbühel's four-star Hotel Weisses Rossl.
The 1996 price for seven nights/eight days at the Rossl, with arrival any day of the week, is $599 per person, including breakfast and dinner, based on double occupancy ($739 for week of 17-24 August). The single traveler supplement is $100, and the extra charge for a suite is $80 per person.
Guests are invited to join English-speaking guides provided by the Kitzbühel Tourist Office who lead hikes and walks beginning at 9:00 a.m. each morning, Monday through Friday from mid-May to mid-October.
Contact: Wanderweg Holidays, phone 800-270-ALPS, fax 609-321-1040.
Michelin Notes Cheap Eats
One of the many handy features of MIchelin Red Guides is their notation of inexpensive restaurants. Using a black diamond symbol, this year's Germany guide notes more than 1,200 establishments as offering a full meal for less than 25 DM ($17). The Switzerland guide designates nearly 900 restaurants (or hotel with restaurant) with complete meals for less than 20 Sfr. ($17).The 1996 Germany Red Guide to Germany lists a total of 8,598 hotels and 2,018 restaurants. The new Switzerland Red Guide lists 1,233 hotels and 864 restaurants.
Michelin says don't be fooled by "Deutschland" or "Suisse" titles. Each guide's table of contents is in several languages, interpreting the many internationally recognized symbols that explain each entry. No matter what your language, these symbols provide a complete picture of what each establishment offers.
For Grandmas & Grandpas
Do you dream of showing the grandkids a real Swiss chocolate factory, the woodcarving school at Brienz, Lucerne's wonderful Swiss Museum of Transport or the Olympic Museum in Lausanne? Provided you're a well-heeled grandparent, a Maryland company called Grandtravel, which guides grandparents and their grandchildren on tours of Switzerland, may be what you're looking for.
The rather grandiose language of the Grandtravel press release says the tours "have been developed by a team of teachers, psychologists, leisure counselors and educators, giving special attention to current interests, historical sites and natural attractions. Pre-departure counseling is available from Grandtravel to help grandparents and grandchildren understand each others needs."
Cost per person, double occupancy, for the 13-day tour is $4,450 per adult, $4,415 per child but does not include airfare. Rates for a third person in a room are $4,320 and $4,285. Prices cover accommodations with private bath; breakfast, dinner and snacks daily, and a picnic lunch; transportation; the services of a professional tour guide; a Grandtravel escort throughout; and all service charges and hotel taxes. A July 22 departure has been scheduled for children seven to 11; August 5 for those from 12 to 17.
Contact Grandtravel, 6900 Wisconsin Av, # 706, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, phone, 800-247-7651, 301-986-0790.
Kids Cruise Free
KD River Cruises of Europe has introduced a new family policy whereby children under 14, accompanied by an adult, travel free on its Rhine, Danube and the Elbe cruises during July and August.
Contact: KD River Cruises of Europe, 2500 Westchester Ave., Purchase NY 10577, phone 914-696-3600 or 800-346-6525 from the eastern U.S.; and 323 Geary St., San Francisco CA 94102, telephone 415-392-8817 or 800-858-8587 from the west, including Texas, Alaska and Hawaii.
Lech Summer Packages
Lech, in Austria's Arlberg, offers summer theme packages. One package allows visitors to choose from a variety of guided walks and hikes. The per person price for seven nights hotel plus breakfast and dinner is 3,905 AS ($379); Seven nights bed and breakfast is 2,120 AS ($206). Substantial discounts are offered for children.
Tennis weeks with professional instruction begin on July 13, August 10 and August 31. The program includes five, 90-minute training sessions, choice of indoor or outdoor court and seven nights in a three-star hotel, including breakfast and dinner, for 5,705 AS ($554) per person.
Contact: Tourist Office Lech, A-6764 Lech, phone 05583/2161-0, fax 05583/3155.
German, Swiss Hotel Deals
In 1966, Germany's 150 Ring Hotels and Switzerland's 25 Idyll Hotels offer accommodations for guaranteed dollar rates of $85 single and $65 per person double, including all taxes, service and buffet breakfast.
To book a room or obtain a free brochure containing information about each hotel contact Boldt International, 3123 Deep Canyon Dr., Beverly Hills CA 90213, phone 800-558-6850, fax 414-241-6379.
March 1996