August 2004

Through Nov. 30, 2004, those booking Mount Nevis Hotel’s “Match Made in Nevis” family package at $375 a night for four nights get four more nights for free. Families who stay and pay for five nights get an additional five nights for free.

That’s in a 2-bedroom superior suite, with kitchen, that accommodates a family of four. Babysitting services are available. The 28-room property in the Leeward Islands of the eastern West Indies recently completed a million-dollar renovation. Call 800/756-3847.

To celebrate the opening of the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti on June 1, 2004, the 5-star resort is offering a special package with rates from CFP27,350 (approx. $273.50) per person, double occupancy, until Dec. 31, 2004. The “Exotic East Package” includes two nights’ accommodation, a boat excursion and a half-day morning excursion (including visits to Taharaa, Venus Point and the Blow Hole).

Ritz Tours’ “Tokyo In A Week” program includes round-trip airfare on American Airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose or San Diego; round-trip airport/hotel transfers; five nights’ 5-star hotel (Akasaka Prince); daily breakfast; a half-day sightseeing tour of Tokyo, and the services of tour guides.

Through December 2004, the 7-day package is priced from $1,099 per person, double occupancy, plus taxes, depending on departure date and gateway city. The single supplement costs an additional $350.

Royal Caribbean International has a new ship, Jewel of the Seas, the fourth and final ship in the line’s Radiance class.

Silversea Cruises’ guests (or their travel agents) now can reserve shore excursions online, starting with this year’s Mediterranean and Alaska itineraries. The feature is available 60 days prior to sailing.

Guests can visit www.silversea.com and find their cruise. If a “Reserve Now” button appears above “Shore Excursions” on the right, then the online booking option is available.

The hotel group Best Western has a website that features hotels around Britain with excellent golfing facilities. Tee times can be arranged online. Visit www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotelsforgolf or phone 0845 6340 559.

Africa CAN be affordable, from Egypt to the Cape. Here are some travel selections on Egypt, Uganda, Botswana and South Africa.

Egypt

Santiago de Compostela, the Spanish cathedral housing the relics of St. James, has long exerted a powerful pull on travelers. For over a thousand years, pilgrims from all walks of life and all corners of the globe have trod the rugged trail from France across northern Spain in a spiritual quest for forgiveness and healing.

Arriving at the cathedral square, millions of tired sojourners have taken a deep breath and thought, “I made it!” The city has a festive, hippie-like atmosphere as travelers celebrate the end of a long journey.

More than 60 restaurants, hotels and cafés throughout the Channel Island of Guernsey will compete in a “gastronomic grand-prix,” Oct. 1-Nov. 12, 2004, to serve the best menu for £10 (near $18.40). The 6-week event will feature cuisine from Thai to Italian, including seafood as well as cassoulet, the local Guernsey bean jar. Visit www.tennerfest.com.