Current Travel News
Winter Sunshine
Mosr of ,us . have seen, books written to prove how Europe can be explored at the cost of a proverbial ten-pound note or a round-the-world voyage on an equally incredible sum. While such volumes often provide entertainment, they 'rarely, if ever, induce us to put the challenge to the test because we realise that certain definite• hardships are bound to be' imposed upon anyone who dares to emulate the authors in question., The same thing applies to a great number of so-called inexpensive " inclusive tours " offered to the public by various travel interests. Many who suc- cumb to the temptation have cause to regret joining such tours almost from the start.
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It is with confidence based on a knowledge. of the tour in question as well as on the ability of Messrs. Thos. Cook and Son to, conduct it efficiently that one recommends the Tour of India which this agency is arranging for the winter season. It is reasonable to suppose that anyone having the ten weeks necessary to undertake this tour during the winter ' months will not complain at spending £182 5s. for a return sea passage to India and a month's tour of the sub-continent, during which ,several' thousands of miles on land will be covered. Messrs. Cook's Tour of India will include visits to most points of interest , lying betWeen Bombay and the Noith-West Frontier: More specifically they will bo as folleWs.: Mount Abu, the noted hill station of Rajputana ; the fairyland lakes and temples of that enchanting Rajput stronghold, Udaipur ; the beautiful palace at the deserted city of Amber, which miraculously escaped destruction at the hands of one of the Moghul Emperors ; the adjacent and progressive city of Jaipur • the picturesque old, and the much- criticised new, Delhi ; the modern wool- manufacturing town of Cawnporo close beside its Mutiny ruins ; the Lucknow Residency of Siege fame;; the conglomera- tion of temples and burning ghats along the Ganges river bank at Honoree ; the Golden Temple at Amritsar • Lahore fort and its exquisite Shalimar dardens, where the great Shah Jahan, builder of the famous 'Taj Mahal at Agra, found rare moments of peace ; the gory Khyber Pass and the cosmo- politan (and sometimes dangerous) Pesha- war city ; the Himalayan Range as viewed from .Darjeeling ; the ethereal " Taj " itself and the near-by dead city of Fatehpur Sikri, erected by Akbar the Great in thanksgiving for the birth of a son which happened there ; and finally those two fas- cinating cities of the Empire, Calcutta and Bombay. The fare quoted applies only when two people are travelling together and provides for tourist-class passage, first-class travel in India, first-class accom- modation, all meals, conveyance of luggage, sightseeing, guides and othe indispensable native servant. Further particulars will be found in the company's booklet entitled " Winter'Sunshine Overseas."
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Another holiday, ground which has alwayii been 'popular 'with the winter sunshine-seeker is South Africa, which offers both perfect climate and perfect scenery. A tour of this Doininion can be undertaken, if necessary, in loss time than one of India, and to some people this will be an advantage. Messrs. Dean and Dawson have published a booklet in con- junction with their South African agents detailing a special inclusive tour which will occupy only 53 days frore London back to London and out of which '17 days may be spent ashore,, This holiday need cost no more than £53 if one's pocket has to be taken into account. For that sum one Current Travel
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is offered return tourist-class passage, accommodation at good hotels, full meals, a 10-days' tour by motor coach, a motor drive to Cape-Point and transfers between steamer and hotel. Second-class sea pas- sage would increase the cost of the holiday to £84 and first-class to £117. The coach tour will cover 1,000 miles and visit Caledon, Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysa, Keurbooms River, Plettonburg Bay, Prince Alfred's Pass, Cango Caves, Oudts- hoorn, Ladismith (Cape Province), Tradouw Pass, Montagu Pass, and so on. Madeira will be called at en route. Visitors wishing to make a shorter or a longer stay in South Africa will find a whole range of alternative tours in the booklet referred to. It may be obtained from any of this agency's numerous offices, Jamaica is another claimant to the attention of the individual anxious to escape the British winter. It has every- thing to offer as a natural health resort ; namely, salubrious all-year-round climate, magnificent scenery, many miles of good motor roads, excellent sea bathing, mineral spring baths, facilities for most outdoor sports and a wealth of tropical fruit and flowers. It can be reached on a direct voyage of 14 days. Kingston, its capital, is a thoroughly up-to-date and pleasant city in which to live. Messrs. Fyffes' Line are again arranging " Round Voyages " to Jamaica by regular fortnightly sailinge from Avonmouth- at the inclusive cost of £55, which includee first-class fare and a 5-days' stay at the Myrtle Bank Hotel at Kingston. An illustrated booklet describ- ing the amenities offered by Jamaica is available from the company's address at 31 Bow Street, W.C.2.
* * As a fourth alternative—the final one which space this month will allow—why not a villa for the winter in Madeira ? The Madeira Travel Bureau in London, realising how inconvenient it is to choose winter quarters abroad suitable for renting, has now placed itself in a position to help inquirers. A list of houses on the island, for sale or to let, is now obtainable from its offices (14 Regent Street, W.I). An analysis of it shows that it is possible to hire a bungalow comprising two bed- rooms, sitting room, kitchen, bathroom; with hot and cold water, verandah and small garden for 10 guineas per month, including use of linen and plate. Servants are plentiful : a Portuguese man cook is paid usually £4 a month, a woman £2 a month, other servants costing about £2 a month, except gardeners who receive 2s. to 3s, per day. The voyage to the island occupies 3i days and mail steamships from this country call there several times weekly. The fares vary according to the vessel chOen and are as follows : let class return from £17 to £36 and 2nd class from £15 to £20.
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