Palm Springs Hotels Offer Bargains Again

Some hotels and motels in the desert city of Palm Springs have banded together again this year to offer their program for mature travelers that they call “Sunsational Savings for Seniors.”

The participating hotels offer various inducements to lure travelers to Palm Springs during the off-season, which runs from about the beginning of June through the end of September. Add-on features for seniors include extra days free, complimentary breakfasts or percentage discounts on already-low off-season rates.

For a free list of participating hotels and what they are offering, write to Palm Springs Visitors Bureau, 255 N. El Cielo Road, Suite 315, Palm Springs 92262.

They will also send you a complimentary copy of “Things to Do and Places to Go for Senior Citizens,” which lists all sorts of activities such as sightseeing attractions, dances, tours, bridge games and sports, including daytime and evening happenings. Prime discounts for seniors are listed where applicable.

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Here’s a way to combine an interesting foreign tour and get firsthand information about retirement possibilities in Europe and Central America. A firm named Retirement Explorations handles packages for these tours, which include in-depth seminars about living in the country you will visit.

For example, a 10-day tour of Costa Rica includes the usual schedule of sightseeing, shopping, and relaxation, but also includes a “Living in Costa Rica” seminar where you will be addressed by legal, immigration, housing, business and medical authorities about living in Costa Rica.

At another stop you’ll attend a seminar where you’ll learn about investment opportunities, with question-and-answer sessions. Finally you’ll get a firsthand look at living in Costa Rica by visiting the homes of Americans living there and discussing budget matters.

The tour includes a good look at forests and farms, villages and cities, theaters and museums, shopping and dining, and plenty of free time. The price of the tour from Los Angeles or San Francisco, including round-trip air fare, is $1,255 per person on a double occupancy basis.

The Retirement Explorations European tour includes the Algarve in Portugal and the Costa del Sol in Spain on a 15-day sojourn that includes retirement seminars in both countries, and allows plenty of time to see the tourist attractions. The price, including round-trip air fare from New York, is $1,988 per person. The firm will assist in arranging connecting bookings from the Los Angeles area.

For itineraries, prices and conditions, write to Retirement Explorations, Dept. MT, 19414 Vineyard Lane, Saratoga, Calif. 95070.

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Three leisurely paced tours are scheduled during the remainder of 1987 by Canada West Tours (these tours sold out last year). A Pacific Northwest tour of seven days (six nights) begins in Seattle and includes Victoria and Vancouver.

Sightseeing in both cities is included along with ample free time to explore on your own. Meals, which are not included, may be taken at your own pace.

Two departures of this tour in May are priced at $499 per person, and a dozen summer and fall dates are $599. For round-trip air fare from Los Angeles or San Francisco add $100 per person.

A Western Canada tour, in addition to Victoria and Vancouver, includes the magnificent scenery of Jasper and Banff in the Canadian Rockies by comfortable motor coach, with views of mountains, streams, lakes, wildlife and the Columbia Icefield.

Tours of all cities are included, with plenty of free time for leisure activities. This 13-day trip is priced at $899 per person in May and June, and $999 throughout the remaining summer months. Meals are not included. For round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, add $100 per person.

Canada West tours also offers a trip to the East, 14 days, starting in Maine and going through St. John, Newfoundland; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Montreal and Quebec City. Lots of side trips and points of interest, some meals included.

Prices are $999 and $1,099 depending on departure dates. Special round-trip air fare from Los Angeles to Bangor, Me., where the tour begins, is $299 per person.

Details, itineraries, departure dates, conditions and brochures are available from your travel agent, or phone (213) 216-4435. Or write to Canada West Tours, 9800 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 310, Los Angeles 90045.