European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 10, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Etc a go first taste of Home party the Frankfurt Germany military Community operations division hosts a Columbus Day weekend party for soldiers and families returning to the United states whether now or years from now who Are longing for a taste of Home. The first taste of Home party takes place at the Eschborn club from 10 . On oct. 13 until the Early morning hours of Columbus Day monday. Events include Chili Cook offs four and two wheel drive truck Shine offs country and Western dance contests and tailgate parties. Competitors in the Chili truck and dance contests must Register by Friday but will be eligible to win either Cash prizes or a grand prize of a trip for two to Dallas. An s Rob Rios Brooke Perkins and Jim Mccain will be on hand to act As judges. A variety of american style food will be served throughout the Day and entertainment will include a playground for children and two bands for the adults. For information and registration Contact Lara Mcdonald at ets 320-7305/7377 or civilian 0695603125 in Germany or Stop by any Frankfurt metro  festival a biennial culture festival called the eur Opalia has opened in Belgium and continues through the fall. This european Harvest festival celebrates the artistic achievements of a different country every other year. This year it s Portugal s turn with More than 20 exhibitions 100 concerts and other events planned and an expected audience of More than 1.5 million people. The Centrepiece exhibition Triumph of the baroque has just opened at the palais Des beaux arts in Brussels 10 Rue Royale Telephone 02-5078480 in Belgium and will continue until dec. 29. Eighteenth Century sculpture paintings and silverware and a magnificent Silver Carriage built to carry the portuguese ambassador through the streets of Rome to the Vatican Are All part of the exhibit. Eur Opalia is a nationwide event and major exhibitions Are being mounted in Antwerp Ghent Charleroi and Mons All within an hour from Brussels. A Complete program is available from the belgian National tourist information office gras Markt 61, b-1000 Brussels 1, Belgium Telephone 02-5040390 in Belgium or the belgian travel office Berliner Allee 47, w-4000 Disseldorf 1, Germany Telephone 0211-326008 in Germany travel tips for handicapped a new brochure from the Deutsche Bun Desbah offers information on services for handicapped visitors who want to travel by train. The brochure includes a listing of facilities Telephone numbers and information offices for the disabled in various German train stations. Details Are also available for Eastern Germany including which stations can provide wheelchairs. The names of firms that can transport visitors to and from stations Are listed along with Telephone numbers for help during travel outside Germany. The brochure is written in German with some translation in English and French. For More information Contact local train stations or travel agencies in  in Wiesenfelder the bavarian Forest town of Wiesenfelder Germany invites anglers to try their Luck at its special 37-acre fishing Pond. Two special offers include a weekend arrangement starting at 69 Marks $42.50 per person and a week s stay with overnights breakfast and fishing License starting at 167 Marks $103 per person. For More information Contact the Verk Ehrsam w-8441 Wiesenfelder Germany Telephone 09966-721. The cultural festival Quot eur Opalia Quot will be celebrated All Over Belgium this fall including in the City of Ghent Sweden Day trips travellers can ride a ferry from Germany to Sweden visit Glass blowers huts and museums in Sweden and return to Germany on the same Day All without having to give up their cars. The ferry travels from either Travern unde or Sossnitz Germany to Trel Leborg Sweden. Round trip prices Are 190 Marks about $11 7 per vehicle from Sossnitz or 200-420 Marks about $123-$260 per vehicle from Travern unde. Up to five people can travel with each car without extra charge. Sealand province from which More than 200,000 swedes emigrated to America during the amines of the 1800s, now specializes in blown Glass artwork made from the Quartz Sand native to the area. There Are about two dozen Glass blowers huts Between the towns of Varjo and Kalmar and All Welcome visitors for demonstrations. Visitors can buy finished glassware at reduced prices and get Back part of the 16 percent luxury tax charged in Sweden. Museum lovers can visit either a Glass museum or a museum dedicated to those who emigrated. Both Are located in Varjo. Various accommodations packages Are available to those who want to stay longer than one Day. For More information Contact the swedish Central tourist office Box 7473, s-10392 Stockholm Sweden Telephone 0046 8-7892000 or the swedish tourist office Burchar Strasse 22, w-2000 Hamburg 1, Germany Telephone 040-330185. Both Telephone numbers Are for Calls from Germany last minute vacations the spa town of Willinger in Northwestern Germany offers a series of packages it Calls last minute vacations. These trips continue throughout the fall foliage season. Among them Are hiking Breaks that include a week s lodging with breakfast guided hikes and other extras. Prices Start at 190 Marks about $117 per person. For More information Contact the Kurvers Galtung Korbacher Strasse 10, w-3542 Willinger Germany Telephone 05632-40180 in Germany Best bets Here s a list of a Best bets Quot for the weekend of oct. 11-13, and a special offer you can take advantage of throughout the year. Germany the town of Michel Stadt located in Germany s Odenwald holds its autumn Market at the Odenwald Halle on oct 12-13. The Market s emphasis will be on handicrafts and farm wares and More than 70 vendors will attend. Handicrafts experts will demonstrate How to make traditional German decorations from Wood Oats and Corn while area Farmers will offer Stone baked bread fresh fruit and vegetables and homemade bursts for Sale. Children can go on Pony rides while adults can rent a horse and Wagon for Short trips from one part of the Market to another. For More Market information Call 06061 -2555 in Germany. Italy Merano which is located in Bolzano province in Northern Italy holds its annual grape festival on oct. 12-13. Planned activities induce the exhibition and tasting of All the local wines As Well a a Parade in Folk costumes floats bands Folk music and shows. For More information Call 0473-35223 in Italy. United kingdom for travellers planning to get around great Britain by bus the British tourist authority is offering a free publication on bus touring in Britain. The Booklet Scenic Britain by bus gives details of bus services from Cornwall in Southwest England to the Shetland islands off the North coast of Scotland. Many services offer Rover tickets for unlimited travel for one or More Days. Among the More unusual services and routes Are the Snowden Sherpa services through mountainous North Wales and the Royal mail s pos buses which Combine Rural postal deliveries with transporting passengers. The Booklet is available from the British tourist a a authority thames Tower Black s Road London w6 9el, England Telephone 081-8469000 in England and the British travel Center in London. October 10, 1991 stripes Magazine 17