The Saga of Making a Choice

One of the largest operators specializing in tours and cruises for seniors is Saga Holidays, which started in Great Britain 45 years ago arranging vacations for working-class families. It has been operating in the United States since 1980.

Saga Holidays Travel Planner catalogue for 1995 details trips to destinations worldwide. With each trip, Saga offers the following:

* Guaranteed prices if paid within 21 days of invoice date.

* Professional tour director.

* No-penalty cancellation policy; you may cancel for any reason up to 30 days before you travel. In the event of illness, you may cancel up to the day of travel.

* Medical insurance coverage while traveling.

* Flight and baggage insurance.

* Transportation and baggage handling between hotels and airports.

* Admission charges to museums, castles and attractions on scheduled excursions.

* Hotel taxes.

* Express delivery of airline and cruise tickets.

A separate catalogue for cruises lists 40 itineraries on 13 international cruise lines. The same benefits apply to cruises with the exception of cancellations, which vary with cruise lines.

Saga’s Road Scholar travel-study program offers 12 courses with scholars who help develop the programs. No previous education or experience is required to participate, and there are no homework or writing assignments. A choice of dates is available for each of the programs. Programs range from 11 to 21 days and include visits to museums, palaces and other institutions relating to the subject. A sampling with a range of prices based on double occupancy:

* Art in the South of France for 13 days to learn about the lives and works of Matisse, Chagall, Leger and other French masters; cost: $2,100-$2,600.

* A taste of southern France, a 12-day program on the history and preparation of French cuisine. Includes visits to vineyards, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and visits with chefs; $2,400-$2,499.

* Florence, Italy, 12 days to study the people, events, art and architecture of the Renaissance; $3,000-$3,400.

* Backstage London theater and music, a 12-day program to explore England’s theatrical and musical heritage. Behind-the-scenes looks at rehearsals, performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the London Symphony Orchestra, the English National Opera and a West End theater; $2,400-$2,800.

* Irish tradition and lore; $2,200-$2,600.

* The English mystery novel in Britain; $2,200-$2,500.

* Crossroads of civilization tour in Turkey for 21 nights. An in-depth coverage of various cities and regions of Asia Minor; $2,700-$3,100.

* Peru and Bolivia: the Inca trail; $2,500-$2,800.

For brochures and information, call Saga Road Scholar program at (800) 621-2151. For catalogues on land tours or cruises, call Saga Holidays at (800) 343-0273.