Friday, April 12, 1985
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
cording to Rotenberg. Most people
travel the well-worn paths, but there
are those who are more adventurous.
Terry and her husband Milt took a
local group on an Adventure Safari in
Kenya. They were escorted by
naturalist Lynne Leakey, well-known
anthropologist Louis Leakey's
daughter-in-law. The group also stop-
ped in Amsterdam.
Cruises continue to be popular
with families as well as singles. There
are many specials available and they
provide an excellent opportunity to see
many places without having to pack
and unpack. A nice feature is the one-
price-includes-all arrangement (room,
meals, activities) and more and more
people are taking advantage of this
way to travel.
During the winter, cruises to the
Caribbean, the Panama Canal and
Mexico are very popular and the sum-
mer season lures many people to
Alaska.
A new favorite with many people,
according to Rotenberg, is the dude
ranch. "It's a great way for the family
to get away together and have an in-
teresting time. The Tanque Verde
ranch in Tucson offers a complete
package. Horseback riding and
swimming are combined with trips
into the desert to study Indian lore. It's
a fascinating way to see that part of
the country."
Disney World is still a favorite va-
cation spot for many families, but now
most people add the Epcot Center to
their itinerary.
Skiing continues to be a favorite
pastime for both families and singles.
Aspen, Vail and Steamboat Springs
are three of the most popular locales,
the West Bloomfield travel agent said,
adding that Key Tours offers a good ski
package to Reno.
One new way to travel involves
split vacations. Some families will ar-
range for one parent to take a child
skiing while another parent-child
tandem opts for a warm beach spot.
Although many people still choose
Israel for a vacation, Egypt is often
added to their itinerary. A trip to the
Western Wall can be followed by a
cruise down the Nile and a visit to the
pyramids.
Europe is still a favorite destina-
tion and the rise of the U.S. dollar is
making it more of a bargain than ever.
England has become big with travel-
ers looking for an exciting vacation
and a good value.
According to Sid Pianin, of Travel
Unlimited in Southfield, many opt for
the unusual when planning a trip.
"I booked a trip for a 45-year-old
man and his father to go white-water
rafting in Colorado."
People are also choosing to rent a
yacht with other couples and sail-
around the Caribbean privately.
"A popular and very deluxe trip is
a ride on the Orient Express. The train
trip is from Paris to Istanbul and it's a
very exciting one," Pianin said.
"Cruises on the Rhine River as
well as around the Orient have become.
popular. Many people choose to see
China in this way because tourist ac-
commodations (in the People's Repub-
lic) are not up to American standards.
For this reason many cruise lines are
including China in their itinerary."
Charters are bringing the price of
traveling down and now many can af-
ford to travel around the United States
or to Israel, or to visit relatives and
friends around the world.
But Pianin warns that the so-
called terrific deals airlines are offer-
ing may not be good for everyone.
"The reservations must be made
in advance and carry many restric-
tions. There is also a substantial pen-
alty for cancellation so it may not be
beneficial for everyone. If a business
person needs a flight in a matter of
days he can't get the special rate.
These fare deals must be examined
carefully."
Pianin feels Acapulco is a good
value for a family vacation. The low
rates and high value of the U.S. dollar
make it a reasonable place to go.
"Fears about the food are exag-
gerated," he said. You have to be care-
ful. If you peel the fruit before you eat
41
it and only eat at the hotels you have a
good chance of escaping health prob-
lems. After all,, many people go there
each year and don't get sick, so if
you're careful you should be okay."
Have Detroiters deserted Las
Vegas in favor of Atlantic City? Pianin
doesn't think so. "The population
growth on the East Coast favors At-
lantic City but Detroit is still a Vegas
town."
The Club Med packages are popu-
lar with many people. They have great
appeal because of their rates and most
are built on beautiful sites.
Spas continue to be a favorite vac-
ation getaway, especially for couples.
A few of the most popular ones are La
Costa in San Diego and Harbor Island
in Florida. There is also The Canyon
Ranch in Tucson. These spas offer a
nice way to spend a vacation as well as
many health and diet benefits.
Although many still choose to
rent condos in Boca Raton, Fla., and
visit relatives in California when the
cold weather sets in, the low cost of
travel has turned some 'of the most
timid travelers into world adventur-
ers. From Rio to Israel the world is
filled with tourists seeing and enjoy-
ing for the first time. Travel bargains
allow families to share together what
may have once been reserved for only
Mom and Dad in their retirement
years.
A quick-check of the travel agents
in the area however, showed no inter-
est in a booking on the space shuttle.
Yet, one day this conversation may be
overheard.
Yetta: We just got back from the
moon."
Sadie: "Where is that?"
Yetta: "I don't know.We fiew."0
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