Columnist Muriel Stevens: Time to get vacation strategies on the drawing board

Tuesday, March 3, 1998 | 10:28 a.m.

Daylight is getting longer and the weather is warming, positive signs that it's time to make vacation plans.

It's not a minute too soon to pull out the passport, tie a colored ribbon around your favorite suitcase or carry-on so it can be distinguished from all the look-a-likes and head for your travel agent. The early travel planner gets the best deals.

Train appeal

If you're going abroad, consider train travel or a Rail 'n' Drive package from Rail Europe. There are many options, new this year. Just a few weeks ago the Belgian railways completed a short high-speed link near Brussels that brings passengers from Paris to Brussels in a record hour and 25 minutes. This new service is via a 186-mile-per-hour train service called Thalys. This same link cuts the Eurostar London-to-Brussels time through the Chunnel (the underground passageway connecting France and England) to two hours and 36 minutes.

In December '97, Thalys trains began running from Paris, through Brussels and Amsterdam all the way to Cologne, Germany. More high speed track is being added almost daily, to ensure faster times between cities.

Balkan service

I've not yet made my way to the Balkan countries; my favorite haunts are Switzerland, France, Italy and Great Britain. But, I'd consider this new territory with RailEurope's new Balkan Flexipas. It offers unlimited first-class train travel in Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Servia and Turkey (for additional information call Eurail -- 800-438-7245 or Eurostar --800-387-7827). Three options -- five, 10 or 15 days of travel to be used in one month -- are available.

Remember, first-class means different things in different countries. And, you might not always have first-class service to less traveled areas. Once, when I misread a map while on my way to Cognac, I spent hours on a mail train that stopped at every tiny town. The shortest distance between two points is not always the fastest way on French trains. The high speed trains go north and south; the milk and mail trains go east and west.

We learned lessons about French train travel during that endless train ride that have never been forgotten. We also ate a lot of regional specialities we probably wouldn't have encountered in bigger cities. My friend and I took turns jumping off the train at almost every stop to seek new food items.

Independent travel

If you like being independent while traveling, trains are an adventurous way to see new cities. Of course, when you're on your own there are bound to be more than a few unexpected experiences, but so far, I've never had a bad one.

There's a freedom to train travel that's unequaled (except for cars). And, you can get on and off at will, whenever something appeals. There's rarely a long wait at any station. Study the maps, have at least some information about the towns you'll pass through along the way to the final destination, and make certain that if you decide to get off at an unplanned stop that another train will come along reasonably soon.

Packing for trains

Pack properly, and one small carry-on and a tote bag can see you through a two- week trip. Yes it can. One dress and shoes that are appropriate for dinner in the better restaurants, a few trousers or a couple of skirts, enough tops to assure that you're not doing laundry every night and two pairs of comfortable shoes, are just about right. If you forgot something, buy it along the way.

Of course, there are some minor drawbacks when you've got just one bag. Shopping has to be limited, unless you're in a big city where stores will ship packages. You still have to pay duty if you go over the limit, but you're free as a bird, and rarely do packages go astray. Ship by air. It's the fastest and safest way. Make certain that mail service in the country you're visiting is reliable. Guide books usually include this information in the shopping section.

Also make sure that your traveling bag is light enough to easily pull on the train. Only the larger cities have trains and platforms that match. Most require pulling or lifting the bag up the few steps. The lighter the bag, the more pleasant the trip.

Call of the Wild

Pith helmets are not required for a spectacular wildlife adventure in Yellowstone National Park -- Bear and Wolf Safaris.

From mid-May to early June the Jackson Hole Bed and Breakfast Association has teamed up with a leading wildlife company to offer a safari spectacular -- predator viewing from the comfort and safety of a customized vehicle, complete with open roof hatches. These hunting grounds for black and grizzly bears are in the same region where the recently introduced gray wolves den. Sightings of Bison bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer and coyotes are also common.

Four night's accommodation start from $450 per person (double occupancy) and includes two exciting safari days. Don't forget the cameras and camcorders.

Would-be Hemingways, sans guns, should call 800-542-2632 for additional information.

Political adventure

Older Americans who consider a first-hand look into politics the greatest adventure of all might enjoy a safari into deepest Washington. No bears, but plenty of bull.

Seniors with an interest in the political process will have an opportunity to work side-by-side with those marvelous folks who develop national policy.

The Congressional Senior Citizen Intern Program, in conjunction with the Close- Up Foundation initiated the program being held May 16-23. Included in the $1,000 tuition price are seven nights lodging, all meals (except two lunches), in-town transportation, all seminars and other program activities and an evening at the theater. Deadline to participate is April 17.

Congressional honorary chairs of the program are Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, who chairs The Senate Special Committee on Aging, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula of Ohio and U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II of Massachusetts.

Call 800-363-4762 to learn more about this program and other Close-Up Programs for Older Americans.