Get More for Your Vacation or Retirement Money in Argentina

Southern World Inc., a new Encino-based travel company, hopes to acquaint mature travelers with where they can travel, or even retire, at 50% less than they could in the United States. Bienvenidos , Argentina.

“Through free seminars and low-cost vacations to Argentina,” says Adolfo Atenza, Southern World’s managing director, “we intend to provide visitors an opportunity of living in Argentina at minimal costs while enjoying a varied, fun-filled life style.”

Atenza maintains that Southern World is a travel company, not a real estate or development firm. But it does represent Buenos Aires and Mar de Plata condominiums where a couple can live comfortably on $450 U.S. a month.

To get a firsthand look, Southern World has set up familiarization tours to Argentina for September, October and November. Each 11-day tour will be fully escorted from Los Angeles and include visits to Buenos Aires, Mar de Plata and Iguacu Falls. First-class hotels, continental breakfasts, five dinners, wine parties, sightseeing, entertainment and round-trip air fare is included.

The basic price is $1,330 per person double occupancy, with a single supplement of an additional $200. For $200 more the same tour converts to a golfing tour, where instead of some sightseeing trips, tour members play in five golf tournaments, meeting and playing with local golfers. The fee includes greens fees, caddies, tournament entries and prizes.

“We feel our tour is a well-priced vacation in itself,” says Atenza, “and for those who wish to learn more about the possibilities of a very economical long-term stay or even retirement, it offers a fine opportunity.”

The tour prices are based on round-trip direct flights from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires on Aerolineas Argentinas, a flight that Atenza describes as overnight, but is a good 16 hours. Optional stops in other South America cities can be arranged, but for a higher fare.

For more information on Southern World, the tours or more details about long-term stays and/or retirement possibilities, contact Southern World, 15840 Ventura Blvd., Suite 301, Encino 91436, (818) 783-0710.

Seniors Abroad, the only international home-stay program limited to mature travelers (50 years plus), has two programs this year, to Scandinavia and Japan.

Seniors Abroad to Denmark, Sweden and Norway leaves Aug. 16 and costs $2,150, including air fare and two days of orientation, with hotel stays in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, meeting with the American ambassador in each country, plus a five-day home stay as a guest in each country. A four-day optional visit to Bergen and the Norwegian fiords is available for $325 extra.

The trip to Japan is scheduled for Oct. 3 and includes three days of orientation in Tokyo, including hotels and a meeting with the ambassador, then a home stay in the Tokyo area followed by two other weeklong home stays in various parts of Japan. The trip is priced at $1,975 per person.

Seniors Abroad was started five years ago by Evelyn Zivetz of San Diego, whose husband Herman is a retired U.S. Embassy cultural attache.

“It is important for people to understand,” Zivetz says, “that these are not ordinary sightseeing tours, although there is a lot of that. You are guests in homes and it is a wonderful opportunity to learn the family, cultural and community life styles in another country, especially from a senior viewpoint.”

For more information, contact Seniors Abroad, 12533 Pacato Circle North, San Diego 92128.

Similar in concept although not specifically aimed at mature travelers, are home-stay visits sponsored by the Friendship Force, an organization active in 44 countries.

The Los Angeles chapter is sponsoring a two-week exchange program to Britain set for Oct. 9. The price is $630 per person, including round-trip air from Los Angeles, ground transportation, home stays in Britain and all meals.

While Friendship Force exchange programs are open to all, retired people make up more than half of the participants, says Craig Snow, local director.

For more information, contact Snow at P.O. Box 93, Manhattan Beach 90266, (213) 545-2607; or Barbara Bragonier, (213) 379-0176.

It’s a bit early, but as tickets are on a first-come basis and are limited, mature travelers and especially cost-minded senior tour groups will want to know about “55 or Better Days” at the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose.

Set for Sept. 10-25 and Dec. 3-13, the special dates provide mature travelers 55 and older with an admission rate of $18 for adults and $6 for children, providing they accompany the seniors. This compares to the normal admission of $14.50 adults, $8.50 children.

Tickets must be bought by writing to Specialized Marketing Services, P.O. Box 1416, La Mirada 90637. There is a $1 handling fee. For more information, call (213) 947-1208 or (213) 435-3511.