Q and A
Round-the-World Air Fare
Q.
Do airlines still offer round-the-world fares that allow a traveler to stop at several destinations for one flat price? -- L. Masone, New York, N.Y.
A. Some airlines, generally in conjunction with other carriers, do continue to offer such fares. British Airways, (800) 247-9297, for example, maintains a round-the-world desk. Tickets, good for a year, must be bought at least 14 days before the first flight. With a travel agent or ticket agent, a buyer works out an itinerary, which does not require dates for any but the first flight. There may be any number of stopovers, with no minimum or maximum stay, as long as stops are continuously in one direction. Passengers may make a total of five stops in the United States and Canada in addition to the first stop on entering North America. There is no charge for making dates for flights, for changing dates or for making one change in the routing. Subsequent route changes are $25.
There are several optional side-trip flights available along the way. For example, when passengers arrive in London, they may make round trips at no charge to other cities in Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland, or for $128 to Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain or Sweden. Another option, out of North America, is to fly to the Cayman Islands, $175 round trip out of New York (the price varies by city), with a free flight to Cayman Brac. Those who arrive in Honolulu can make one free round trip to any of the other islands.
A British Airways trip, in conjunction with United, that makes the Pacific leg in the north (with choices of Japan, Hong Kong, and so on) is $2,570 in economy class, $3,618 business class and $5,020 first class. First-class passengers can fly the Concorde on the trans-Atlantic leg for $863, and business-class passengers can take it for $1,718. A South Pacific route (including Australia and New Zealand), with United and Qantas, is $3,274 in economy; $5,180 business class and $6,744 first class. The route also allows some stops in Africa.  Chelsea Flowers in America
Q.
You recently answered a reader's question about the Chelsea Flower Show in England. I have heard there is to be a Chelsea America Flower Show held in the United States. Is it associated with the one in England? -- Sandra J. Fusco-Walker, Kinnelon, N.J.
A. The Chelsea America Flower Shows in the United States are "patterned" after the Chelsea Flower Show in London, a spokesman for the Chelsea America Foundation says.  But he notes that there is no formal relationship between the foundation and the Royal Horticultural Society, which runs the London show. Some of the show's advisors, including Stephen Bennett, the show director of the Royal Horticultural Society in England, have been involved with the Chelsea Flower Show in England.
Chelsea America Flower Shows will take place outdoors (with parts under tents) and will include model gardens, floral and cut flower displays and educational exhibits.
The first show will be held at Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 6 to 9, 1993. It will take place on 40 acres on the former site of Marineland at the south end of Santa Monica Bay, in Los Angeles County. Information: (310) 648-6602.
The second will occur Feb. 20 to 23, at West Palm Beach, Fla., on 30 acres at the Vista Center of Palm Beach, on Okeechobee Boulevard at the West Palm beach exit of Florida's Turnpike. Information: (407) 793-7577. Both shows, which are planned as annual events, take place from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. and admission to each show is $10 a day. The organizers say admission is guaranteed, so buying tickets ahead of time is not necessary. However, tickets bought in advance in groups of 10 or more are $8.50; call (212) 207-1774.
The shows are likely to expand to other cities as well, the company spokesman says.  Parisian Theater
Q.
Can we get information on theatrical performances in Paris in February? -- Anita Lifson, Washington
A. Here are some of the productions (all in French) that will be in Paris in February. Tickets can be reserved by telephone.
Theatre de la Colline, 15 Rue Malte-Brun, 20th arrondissement, telephone 43.66.43.60: "Domaine Ventre," a comedy by Serge de Valletti, continues to Feb. 27. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 8:30, and Sunday at 3:30 P.M. "Terres Mortes" by Franz Xavier de Krotz (originally "Bauern Sterven") will be presented Feb. 16 to April 10; Tuesday to Saturday at 8 P.M. and Sunday at 3 P.M. Tickets for both are $28.
At the Comedie Francaise, 2 Rue Richelieu, in the first, 40.15.00.15, "Les Precieuses Ridicules" and "L'Impromptu de Versailles" two short comedies by Moliere, are being presented Feb. 6 through July, daily at 8:30 P.M. Tickets: $9 to $32.
At the Theatre de la Bastille, 76 Rue de la Roquette, 11th, 43.57.42,14, "Le Chasseur de Lions " a comedy by Javier Tomeo, begins Jan. 11 and continues to Feb. 7. Performances are Monday to Saturday at 7:30 P.M. and Sunday at 3:30 P.M. Tickets: $20.
Theatre National de Chaillot, 1 Place du Trocadero, 16th, 47.27.81.15: "Filumena Marturano" a comedy by Eduardo de Filippo, Jan. 21 to March 13, Tuesday to Saturday at 8:30 P.M. and on Sunday at 3 P.M. Also, "Les Fausses Confidences," an 18th-century comedy by Marivaux, Feb. 3 to to March 20, Tuesday to Saturday at 8:30 P.M. and Sunday at 3 P.M. Tickets are $28 for each. An Expo in Korea
Q.
Where will the next world exposition be held? -- Mary Greenwood, Key West, Fla.
A. The next world exposition will take place Aug. 7 to Nov. 7, 1993, in Taejon, Korea, about 100 miles south of Seoul. The theme of Taejon Expo '93,"The Challenge of a New Road to Development," addresses the problems of industrial development, such as the effort to maintain the environment and traditional culture while developing economically. Taejon, with nearby Taedok Science Town, has emerged as a Korean science and technology center. The exposition will use computer technology to present information on the grounds and also in airports, bus and train stations and at hotels and tourist information centers. It is unusual for the Bureau International des Expositions, the sanctioning organization for world expositions, to allow an event two years in a row. The Korean exposition is sanctioned as an international exposition, which has a narrower focus than a universal exposition such as the Seville event. More information: Korea National Tourist Office, 2 Executive Drive, Seventh Floor, Fort Lee, N.J. 07024; (201) 585-0909.