DATE: Sunday, August 17, 1997               TAG: 9708150108

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: TRAVELWISE

SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN

                                            LENGTH:   94 lines

SHORE IS PLACE FOR BIKING, BIRDING, SNOOZING

THOSE EASTERN SHORE Bed, Breakfast and (Whatever) ecotour weekends that have proved such popular getaways for outdoor-loving urbanites are starting up again in September and October.

The schedule begins with a biking weekend at Chincoteague Sept. 5-7 and continues with Cape Charles birding Sept. 12-14, biking at Onancock Sept. 19-21, birding at Chincoteague Sept. 26-28, biking at Onancock Oct. 3-5, biking at Cape Charles Oct. 10-12, birding at Chincoteague Oct. 17-19 and birding at Cape Charles Oct. 24-26.

The Eastern Shore Escapes weekend includes two nights at a local B&B, structured guided tours all day Saturday and Sunday morning, two breakfasts, one picnic lunch, a memorable Saturday night dinner featuring local fare and a sunset cruise. Prices start at $195 per person, double occupancy. Toll-free info: (888) VA-SHORE. ECO, TOO

York River State Park is another place where a number of ecological activities are scheduled, including canoe trips (some in the moonlight), biking, and nature scavenger hunts. These are low-cost - about $5 to $10 - adventures and are designed for both beginners and experts.

The park is 11 miles west of Williamsburg off I-64; Take the Croaker exit (231) and follow the signs. For a park activity schedule, call (757) 566-3036. YOUR MONEY'S WORTH

Looking for some good travel deals? Here is a sampling of some good values that may suit your plans. If you don't find anything here, your local travel agent should have lots of suggestions:

ANA Hotel in Washington offers summer savings rates through Sept. 1: $109/room/night weekends, $149/room/night weekdays includes deluxe accommo-dations, use of pool, fitness center, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Kids under 18 stay free. Info: (800) ANA-HOTELS.

Millennium Hilton of New York, across from the World Trade Center, offers $119/double summer rate any Friday or Saturday night through Aug. 31. Includes deluxe accommodations for two adults, use of hotel's fitness and recreational facilities, including indoor pool. Up to two children stay free. Info: (212) 693-2001.

Wyndham Safari Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., near the Walt Disney World Resort Area, offers introductory rate of $69 per room per night through Dec. 18. Price includes lodgings, use of swimming pool, onsite coin-operated laundry, valet service, shuttle to Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios. Info (800) 423-3297.

Harbor Village Beach Resort on the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers Dive Special through Oct. 31: Seven-night package, $1,534/double, includes transfers, deluxe accommodations, breakfast, six daytime and one night boat dives, unlimited shore dives, equipment, and use of laser boats, sunfish and kayaks. Info: (800) 424-0004.

Destination Caribbean, via Utell International, offers savings through Sept. 30 at nine Caribbean hotels. Sample: Hotel Continental in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, $37.50/night/single or double, includes lodgings, room upgrade, breakfast, welcome drink. Info: (800) 44-UTELL.

Windstar Cruises is offering half-price fares on its Caribbean sailings on two November and four December sailings. Info: See a travel agent or call (800) 258-7245.

Norvista offers $499 air-inclusive packages to Scandinavia, eastern Europe and Russia if booked and paid for by Sept. 30 for departure Oct. 1 through March 31. Sample: $499 per person/double (price varies with dates) includes Finnair flight to/from Prague, transfers, five nights' accommodations, breakfast, city tour. Info: (800) 526-4927.

A 17-day tour of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji from $2,299 per person, double occupancy, if reserved by Aug. 31. Price includes round-trip air from Los Angeles, flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns (a full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise) in Australia and from Australia to New Zealand and Fiji, transfers, accommodations, breakfast and sightseeing. Info: smarTours, (800) 337-7773.

Or, there's New Zealand from $1,185 per person through August (winter there), including airfare from L.A., 14 nights' accommodations vouchers, 10 days' use of Avis car. Info: Austravel (800) 633-3404. SAIL AWAY

FYI: The Sept. 27 overnight cruise from Norfolk to nowhere aboard the Regal Empress is sold out. But if you're still interested, call Vann Travel anyway. They've been ``sold out'' several times, actually, but cancellations open up cabins again. Maybe you'll be lucky. Info: 464-9262. IT'S NOW OR '99

If the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is on your itinerary, better get there before Sept. 1, when the museum is scheduled to close for renovations that won't be finished until early 1999. Part of the museum's collection will be on display at the nearby Rijksmuseum, the Netherland Board of Tourism said. Renovations to the 24-year-old museum will cost $15.5 million.

If that doesn't fit your schedule, don't despair. Instead, visit Kroller-Muller Museum in De Hoge Veluwe National Park just north of Arnhem. It is world-famous for its van Gogh collection. A couple of years ago I counted 63 of his works there, including ``The Potato Eaters,'' the bearded ``Postman Roulin,'' an 1887 self-portrait and ``La Berceuse,'' which is a fat lady.

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