News for the Traveler
Finland has long been a leader in textile design, and this year visitors to this country have a chance to combine a holiday trip with weaving instruction in a school in southern Finland. Two 12-day courses will be open to advanced weavers and to novices.' The first session will run from July 1 to 12; the other , July 17 to 28. Each student will be offered individual instruction. There will be morning and afternoon weaving sessions highlighting Finnish methods of weaving, including warping and tie-up, studying yarns and calculations, basic weaves and drafting, natural dyeing, braid weaving, carding, and spinning.
The weaving workshops will be sponsored by Toika Loom Company, the largest loommakers in Finland. Students will live in twib-bedded rooms (singles are available), and each will be assigned to a countermarch loom for weaving. Tuition for the course is approximately $770, which includes instruction and use of looms, accommodations for 12 days, three meals daily, and excursions connected with the course. Air fare from New York to Helsinki is not included. For more information contact Hanslin Travel Service, 1290 Avenue of the Americas , New York, N.Y. 10029.
A new Caribbean sailing vacation program is being offered by World Yaht Enterprises Ltd., the private yacht charter specialists. The program is specially geared to sailing enthusiasts who wish to crew their own yachts ("barer-boating," as it's called), instead of chartering a yacht with captain and crew, which would be much more expensive. The seven-day sailing itinerary included in the tours covers the islands of Guadeloupe, Marie Galante, Antigua, and the lle des Saintes, but alternative itineraries are also available. The yachts, all brand-new 32-foot Maxi 95s, will sail in flotillas of 10 at a time, departing from Guadeloupe each Wednesday and Sunday. There are 20 boats, all first-class and fully equipped. They will be accompanied by a mother ship furnishing supplies, fresh food daily, repairs, and any other assistance needed. The program features 11-day tours which include four nights at the Hotel Meridien in Guadeloupe, followed by six nights on board the yacht and separate seven-day tours which include the yacht itinerary only. Rates for the 11 day tours are $929 for groups of six, $960 for five, $1,051 for four, $1,200 for three, and $1,471 for two. These include four nights' accommodations at the hotel, MAP, and all provisions aboard for three meals daily. The seven-day tours with the entire time spent aboard the yacht are priced at $519 per person in a group of 6; $564 with 5; $630 with 4; $741 with 3; and $964 with 2.
For further information, write World Yacht Enterprises Ltd. 14 West 55th Street, New York, N.Y. 10019.
Travelers who prefer bed and breakfast spots can tour lreland in style. Many of the homes are spacious Georgian mansions with fine antiques, private salmon rivers, and a stable of horses. Most guests are treated to an enormous Irish country breakfast to start their day, which consists of cereal, fresh milk, eggs , sausages, bacon, and home-baked brown bread with homechurned butter. Bed and breakfast comes to aound $15 a night.
Ireland is its friendly people, and the best place to meet them is in their homes. For a listing of all bed-and-breakfast offerings, check "Farm Holidays in Ireland 1981 " and "Irish Town and Country Homes." Copies are available for $4. 95 each plus $1.50 postage, from Sue Unwin, Box 8878, Moscow, Idaho 838 43.