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Page 10 HERALD Wednesday July 12 IMS Plan your own outdoor European holiday To most travellers perhaps summer holiday is a time to rest relax and be entertained But to a growing number its an opportuni ty for an active outdoor adven ture The choice of specialized holidays for such travellers is ex ponding season by season hiking tours dude ranch vacations bicycling or rafting trips and so on And while travel packagers are eager to sell you one of then- many pre planned itineraries complete with reserved ac commodation at the end of each day s adventure it is of course possible to plan and carry out your own independent outdoor holiday In the Alpine regions of Europe for example the highly developed railway network makes it easy to get to the shores of a mountain lake or to a village in a valley At most railway stations in such countries as Switzerland and Austria bicycles are available for rent and in some cases they can be returned at another station Its easier still to use legs rather than two wheels Well main tained paths are clearly marked ir most of the Alpine regions maps are readily obtainable and it s often possible to have luggage sent ahead from one village to the next IN BRITAIN Britain too has a multitude of footpaths some of them once used by Roman legions and medieval traders passing through such pic turesque regions as the Lake District the the West Country and the Cornish coasts The independently minded can travel alone at their own pace On the other hand walkers can sign up with one of several commercial tour organizers British Coastal Tours is one example and prepay the cost of overnight ac commodation in a country inn meals and the services of a guide British Tourist Authority Cumberland St Toronto 9618124 can supply full details on walking holidays both independent and group Each person selection must be governed by decisions as to the degree of roughing it Old hands might choose Co sleep under can vas while first time trekkers may well prefer inns or hotels and the sense of security that group membership imparts Whatever the choice a pre vacation medical checkup is ad as is common sense If you are accustomed to the seden tary life don plan a strenuous adventure in a remote area without plenty of preparation GET A HORSE The popularity of holidays on horseback has been rising steadily in recent years although riding trips are one of the oldest forms of sport and recreation For the 67th consecutive year such holidays are being offered by Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies Box Station Calgary 2638963 Different itineraries are available for various levels of riding ex perience and skills participants might for example be ac commodated In tepees in the Pan ther River Valley a remote section of Banff National Park The West abounds in vacation For Ml Your Fine China Sliver Crystal QIHware MAIN ST MILTON spots specializing in horseoriented holidays One well known resort group is called Old West Dude Ranch Vacations represented by American Wilderness Expenence PO Box Boulder Col Most of the 29 ranches are in Colorado with a few in Montana Wyoming and Arizona But the West doesnt have a monopoly on dude ranches A pie of years ago touring Quebecs Temiscouata Valley on the south shore of the St Lawrence not far from Quebec City I was surprised to come across the Western style Ranch des Despite its name there are no mountains nearby just rolling hills fragrant forests and a sparkl uig lake Visiting dudes can sign up for wilderness rides ranging from halfday to five days while riders staying at the ranch can en joy such activities as swimming canoeing fishing and the lute Details from Thibault at FARAWAY PLACES More and more adventure holidays combine healthy outdoor activity with a closeup look at ex otic destinations One example is an equestrian holiday in Australia scheduled for late November and early December by Adventure Trails of the West o Box Wickenshurg Ariz 85358 6843106 The down under itinerary takes in a guest ranch wildlife preserve tropical rain forest and an optional whitewater raft trip Tokyo Tours Richmond St Suite Toronto 3636363 is operating two 14- day cycling tours of rural Japan departing Oct and Nov Cost is including airfare from Toronto to Osaka and return accommodation in village inns which usually means sleeping on mats on the floor most meats use of a mountain bike and the services of two guides Groups range from seven to 16 participants Bicycle Touring O Box San Leandro Calif 1783 organizes cycling tours for beginners termediate and advanced riders in scenic regions from Alaska to New Zealand Throughout July and August it is offering fivenight itineraries of the Canadian Rockies using Banff as the base with accommodations in either tents or hotels and cabins The company describes Alber tas 230km Highway 93 Icefields Parkway as one of the finest bicycling roads in the world MOUNTAIN BIKING Also based in are the Icefield tours organized by Bicycle Tours 3261 South Oneida Way Denver Col 80224 Its tours covering many of the popular points in the Canadian Rockies depart July 9 and Aug 6 and 20 Still other companies that co ordinate such cycling tours arc Ride the Rockies Bicycle Touring Ltd Box Station D Calgary 2789823 and Rocky Mountain Cycle Tours Ltd Box 1978 Canmorc Alta TOL 678 6770 GEORGETOWNS GENERAL MY GENERATION Fashions For The Young At Heart 115 MAIN ST GEORGETOWN Across from Kiwi 8732851 COMPLETE CAR CARE PACKAGES Super 0 MINUTE OIL CHANGE CENTRE OIL JOHN HAMILTON 8779394 5 ARMSTRONG AVE UNIT 5 GEORGETOWN ONT