European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 14, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Leiden festival shoppers browse along the pedestrian Only downtown shopping area. Per night excluding the 20 Guilder about $11 Buffet breakfast. The rooms each have two double Beds. During the week that rate goes up to 212 guilders about $118excluding breakfast for military id card holders. During the off season months of january february july August and december room prices drop to 145 guilders about $80.50excluding breakfast. Full Price rooms run from 235 guilders to 290 guilders about $ 130-$157. Meals at the hotel tend to be pricey with a lunchtime Burger costing from 12 to 18 guilders about $6.50 to $10 and sandwiches from 13 to 19 guilders. The Buffet dinner served in the Horidome costs 35 guilders about $19.50 for adults and 17.50 guilders for children. Buffet patrons should plan to Start dinner Well before closing time because the food disappears and the staff even pulls the plug on the Coffee machine when the clock strikes 8 . For families whose budgets can t afford the Holiday inn less expensive rooms Are available in the area. Bart in t veld assistant manager of the Leiden tourist office said an average Price double room with Shower and toilet costs about 100 guilders about $55. Hotel reservations can be made through the Leiden tourist information office located across from the train station or the Netherlands Central reservations. The 15th-Century Church of St. Pancras holds the tombs of several of the City s military heroes. With a theme of Quot anything that floats Quot Leiden s crazy boat Parade will kick off its annual summer festival. During the Leidsen  from july 9-19, the City streets and canals will be Abuzz with markets musicians artists children s activities and cultural events according to Bart in t veld assistant manager of the Leiden tourism office. Many of the details Are still being completed. Among the events Are a children s fest on july 11 in Van Der Werf Park. Children will be entertained by puppeteers musicians and theater groups. Children will also be Able to sing act paint and have their faces painted. A children s group activity such As building a sculpture with an artist is also being planned in t veld said. During part of the lexical restaurants will set up Booths in the St. Peter s Church courtyard to Servo up a variety of culinary delights. And on the final Day there will be a National Competition for Street musicians called the Golden hat. In addition a series of evening cultural performances have been scheduled featuring operas including Bizet s Carmen and several Organ recitals. In t veld recommends making hotel reservations Early because the area s More than 1,300 hotel rooms fill up fast at festival time. More information can be obtained by calling the Leiden tourist office at 071 -146846. If calling from outside the Netherlands be sure to add the country code. A Rosemary Sawyer i May 14, 1992 stripes Magazine 7