Changes in Mexicana Airlines’ Senior Package

Mexicana Airlines’ Senior Citizen Discount program has had several ups and downs over the past year--and was even dropped for a brief spell.

It is back again, but with a few important modifications. The program provides a 10% discount on any published fare for passengers 65 or older.

No longer available is the companion’s discount, unless the companion is also 65 or older. And the blackout periods now include July and August and the Christmas holidays, from Dec. 15 to next Jan. 10. All other conditions of the senior discount, as applied to any Mexicana fares, remain the same.

“It is important that seniors note that the discount is available on any Mexicana fare or flight,” said Greg Custer, district sales manager. “This includes groups or air/sea packages. If the senior purchases a tour or cruise package through a travel agent, the senior should ask the agent to make sure the discount is included.”

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Interhostel, the study/travel program for travelers 50 and older, has added four destinations to its 1988 overseas agenda. Holland, Denmark, Spain and Thailand are included in the summer and fall program, which numbers about 20 overseas destinations.

Historic Delft will be the center for Interhostel’s Holland trip Aug. 16-30, with field trips to Rotterdam and the Zuidersee.

For Denmark the Aug. 17-31 program includes a stop at a folkshogskole , a Danish adult school, which was the prototype for Interhostel’s learning programs. Side trips include the island of Funen, Odense (home of Hans Christian Andersen), Ribo and Kronborg Castle, plus Copenhagen.

Although Interhostel has had programs to Spain before, this year’s Sept. 13-27 visit will be the Lodging and meals are usually at a college or university campus.

first to include the Moorish cities of Granada and Cordoba.

From Oct. 31 to Nov. 15, Interhostel will visit Bangkok and its lush hinterlands, with many side trips, including a national park for an illuminated safari to view elephants, deer and other animals.

Like all Interhostel programs the prices, which vary from $1,095 to $1,500, include all land expenses such as rooms and meals, a full program of study trips and lectures, excursions and admission charges. Air fare is extra but can be arranged through Interhostel’s agent, Garber Travel.

Lodging and meals and much of the program are usually offered at a college or university campus. Occasionally, modest hotels are used. Meals are typically cafeteria-style, featuring food and dining customs of the country.

Other programs for late summer and fall include Stirling, Scotland (Aug. 8-22); Galway, Ireland (Sept. 7-21); London (Sept. 7-21); Trier, West Germany (Sept. 7-21); Hangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing, China (Oct. 6-25), and Melbourne and Sydney, Australia (Oct. 6-25).

For more information and a full catalogue of Interhostel trips, contact Interhostel, University of New Hampshire, Department of Continuing Education, 24 Rosemary Lane, Durham, N.H. 03824, or call toll-free (800) 862-1147, Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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In Las Vegas the Mini Price Inn, 4415 Koval Lane, offers a 15% discount for travelers 55 and older. The 360-unit inn has a slot casino and 24-hour restaurant. For more information, call toll-free (800) 634-6541. Ask about the prime-time senior rate, which provides a third night free with two nights at the senior rate.

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You might want to write for a free copy of “How to Select a Package Tour,” offered by the United States Tour Operators Assn., Suite 1213, 211 East 52nd St., New York 10022.

The helpful booklet explains what to look for in a well-planned tour and also defines travel terms and conditions found in tour brochures, plus much more.

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Anglo California Travel Service of San Jose offers a two-week European tour designed for the disabled, less active or less mobile senior travelers, Aug. 1-15.

The trip includes travel via special accessible private coach through parts of Holland, Germany, Switzerland, France and Belgium. The all-inclusive trip price is $3,448. For more information, call (408) 257-2257.