Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.misc From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Headline Article Date: Sun, 22 Nov 92 17:26:45 EST Message-ID: \SE E;TRAVEL;DETAILS, DETAILS \SS (WS) CARNIVAL TIME A week after the new year begins, Aruba gets in the mood for its annual Carnival celebrations. While many of the celebrations begin Jan. 8, it's the Carnival Lighting Parade Feb. 13 that officially kicks off the season on the streets of Oranjestad. One of the early highlights is the election of symbolic leaders for the festivities - the prince and his aide, Pancho, who are selected from contestants who tell the best jokes. The prince and Pancho then lead all the Carnival parades. On Feb. 7, a Jeep parade is held through all districts of Aruba, then procedes to San Nicholas where the Children's Carnival Parade begins. On Feb. 18 Aruba's most beautiful and talented women compete for the title of Carnival queen in a parade through RCA Stadium before judges. The festivities for Jouvert Morning (Feb. 20) begin at 4 a.m. with the parade in pajamas through the streets of San Nicholas. At 2 p.m. the Grand Carnival Parade begins in San Nicholas, but the most exotic occasion is the Grand Carnival Parade Feb. 21 - a feast for the eyes and ears. The season closes Feb. 23, the day before Lent begins, when Momo, a large doll filled with fireworks, is carried through the streets before being torched at midnight. For more information, call a travel agent or write to the Aruba Tourism Authority, 1000 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken, N.J. 07047; or call 201/330-0800 or 800/TO ARUBA. SKIING SPECIAL Beaver Creek Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colo., has a special midweek "Family Fun" ski package Jan. 3 through April 12. The package includes accommodations for four nights in the all-suite hotel, three days of lift tickets for skiing at Vail/Beaver Creek, a full day at the Children's Ski School, popcorn and a free movie rental each night (every suite has a VCR) and use of all facilities. The price, based on four people per suite, is $1,640. The "Deep Powder" package includes seven nights' lodging, six days of skiing and full breakfast buffet each morning. The cost of the package is $1,199 per person, double occupancy. "Deep Powder" also will be available Jan. 3 through April 12. For information, call a travel agent or write to Beaver Creek Lodge, 26 Avondale Lane, Beaver Creek, Colo. 81620; telephone 303/845-9800. HOLIDAY RATES Just in from Marriott: More than 165 Marriott hotels in the United States and Canada are offering as much as 60 percent discounts on room rates Dec. 11 to Jan. 12. That means the rooms are going for either $49 or $59 per night, depending on the location. Some restrictions apply. The rates are: * Offered on a limited basis. * Available with 14-day advance purchase on a major credit card. * Nonrefundable. * Not applicable on some blackout dates, especially on New Year's Eve. * Not available at Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn hotels. Guests can reserve up to nine rooms per stay, but the rates are not available to groups. For information, call a travel agent or Marriott, 800/228-9290. LAND OR SEA Holland America Line has published a flier comparing the costs of its European cruises with those of a land tour. The cruise line says travelers can save as much as 45 percent over the cost of a comparable land-based tour by taking 13-day Baltic cruises or 12-day Mediterranean cruises on the line's newest luxury ship, the Statendam. Holland America also points out that travelers have to unpack once on a cruise - instead of as many as nine times on a comparable land tour. And the cruise line has a tipping-not-required policy. The flier is available from travel agents. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM