Pick a Soft Adventure Waiting to Be Discovered

Four low-cost soft adventure tours, two in the United States and two in Europe, both sponsored by American Youth Hotels, are being offered to mature travelers this fall.

Called “Discovery Tours” by the AYH and limited to adults 50 years and over, the trips are for those active people who like to hike and cycle and who are willing to stay in dormitory-style hostels.

--”Enchanted New Mexico,” covering the northern part of the state, is a nine-day van and hiking tour that will depart Sept. 7 from Albuquerque. Highlights will be present day and ancient American Indian pueblos. Stops include Santa Fe and Taos. Cost is $575 per person.

--”Cape Cod” is a 14-day cycling tour of Cape Cod National Seashore with side trips to Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard. From Sept. 6-19, with a Boston departure and return, for $700 per person.

--”West of Ireland,” a 14-day tour operated and led by the Irish Youth Hostels Assn., will visit megalithic tombs to castles and abbeys, using public and private transportation. Set for Sept. 6-20, it leaves from and returns to Dublin. Cost is $700 per person.

--”Scotland’s West Highlands” is the more demanding of the four. It’s a nine-day backpacking tour that covers Loch Lomond and Glencoe, Sept. 7-15. Cost is $425 for the land portion, which begins and ends in Glasgow.

Transportation to the departure points, domestic or overseas, is extra. Tour participants can either make their own travel arrangements or can get help from AYH’s travel department.

Hostels usually provide separate quarters for men and women. Tour members will also be expected to help prepare and serve group meals. Also, membership in AYH is required: $15 for those 55 years and older.

For a free copy of the latest AYH tour catalogue, contact American Youth Hostels, P.O. Box 37613, Washington, D.C. 20013-7613, (202) 783-6161.

Travelodge has revised its Classic Travel Club for those 50 and over. The club offers a 15% discount on rooms at more than 500 Travelodge hotels. Membership is free. No blackout periods and no subject-to-availability rules. If there’s a room available, the mature traveler gets the discount.

Classic Travel Club members also get a 5% to 10% discount at Avis Rent A Car and a free newsletter offering travel tips and special promotions. For more information, call (800) 545-6343.

La Mirada Gadabouts, a nonprofit travel club for seniors, is sponsoring a 15-day, four-island Hawaiian tour for $1,199 per person, double occupancy, including air fare. If you’re 62 years or older, you get $50 off. It will take place Nov. 26 to Dec. 10 out of Los Angeles. For more information, call tour director Lee Jordan at (213) 947-9323.

San Francisco’s Hotel Union Square has reduced its regular rate 30% to $69 per night, double occupancy, through this year. A complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon tea and coffee are part of the price. Also, there is free limousine service on weekday mornings, excluding holidays, to the financial district. One of the two people must be at least 65 years old or a member of American Assn. of Retired Persons. For a brochure or more information, contact the Hotel Union Square, 114 Powell St., San Francisco 94102, (800) 553-1900.

Also in San Francisco, the charming York Hotel, near the top of Nob Hill, is offering several extras throughout this year in addition to its modest rate of $59 per night (reduced from $95 to $110), double occupancy, for those 55 and over. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served every day and a gratis wine reception is held each evening. On weekdays there is free limousine service to Fisherman’s Wharf and to the downtown shopping area. For reservations and information, write to York Hotel, 940 Sutter St., San Francisco 94109, or call (800) 227-3608.