Comparison Shopping for Tours

Young travelers staying in North America this summer can take tours that offer the opportunity of making friends from foreign lands. Then, when able to travel abroad, they’ll have pals to visit.

A variety of companies market tours that offer this opportunity, don’t charge single supplements and cater specifically to the 18-to-35-year-old age group.

Here’s a selection of what they have to offer. Keep in mind that to compare tours you need detailed information on meals, entrance fees and activities covered by the tour price. Watch for the word “option” in brochures. It usually means that an activity will cost extra.

The first three companies concentrate on camping holidays for small groups. Your guide will also be your driver, and participants will have to pitch in and help with cooking and washing-up chores.

Trek America offers 36 itineraries through North America, Europe, North Africa and England. Their North American tours, which range from three to nine weeks, are limited to 14 passengers. They say they offer lots of freedom and flexibility on programs that can take you across Canada, the United States and as far north as Alaska.

Trek America Tour

A 21-day Trek America tour between Los Angeles and New York, including visits to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, the Alamo, Houston Space Center, New Orleans, Washington’s Capitol Hill area, Disneyland and the Staten Island Ferry would cost between $559 and $735, depending on departure date.

In addition, you’ll need your own sleeping bag and about $30 a week to contribute to the food kitty. Suggested pocket money is $20 a day.

Further details on all programs are available from travel agents or Trek Alternative Holidays, Box 127, Staten Island, N.Y. 10309.

Goway Travel operates camping programs in North, Central and South America. Most tours are restricted to those 18-to-35 but there are some open-age departure dates. You would travel in a 13-passenger vehicle and sleep two to a tent.

Trips vary from one to 10 weeks and, because many originate or terminate in Vancouver, the company can help you arrange a visit to Expo 86. The routes cover Canada, the United States and north to the Yukon and Alaska.

Canadian Canoe Trips

Goway’s weekly eight-day Algonquin wilderness canoe trips, originating in Toronto and including meals and all equipment except a sleeping bag, cost $249. A seven-day Rocky Mountain Safari from Calgary or Vancouver starts at $249 plus a $5-a-day food kitty. A 27-day camping tour from Vancouver north to the Yukon and Alaska starts at $749, plus $100 for the food kitty and $245 for Inside Passage cruise cost. Suggested spending money is $15 a day.

For further details write Goway Travel Ltd., 2nd Floor, 40 Wellington St. S.E., Toronto, Ont. M5E 1C7, Canada.

Intratours generally uses 11- to 20-passenger touring vans but will sometimes step up to a 49-passenger coach with both a driver and a guide. Tours range from 13 to 48 days and start from New York and Los Angeles. The 25-day Transouth Discoverer between Los Angeles and New York starts at $845 plus $150 for the food kitty. Suggested spending money is $10 to $20 a day.

Further details from travel agents or Intratours, P.O. Box 720, New York 10116.

The Contiki Alternative

If you don’t want to camp or cook, the alternative is Contiki. This company has been around for 25 years and offers programs in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America. North American trips range from 10 days to two months and begin in New York, New Orleans or Los Angeles. Vehicles carry from 20 to 48 passengers.

Lodging ranges from hotels and motels to special stops at a mansion in New Orleans and log cabins in the Canadian Rockies. With this company the food fund covers breakfasts and dinners in restaurants.

A 23-day tour between Los Angeles and New York starts at $846 plus $264 for the food fund. Suggested spending money is $30 a day.

Further details on Contiki programs are available from travel agents or write to Contiki Travel, 1432 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, Calif. 92805.