BudgetTravel

While all this eating out is fun, every cheese sandwich you're served is priced to cover the cost of ingredients, labor, real estate, marketing, and salaries. To save money, think of your vacation as an expedition and pack a simple camping mess kit, a good slicing knife, a thermos, plastic bags you've saved, and a small cooler. Shop local stores for breakfast and lunch goodies such as yogurt, breads, fruits, and vegetables. If you're a coffee gourmet, bring your own pre-ground beans and immersion coil to protect yourself against the sin of watery java. With money saved on breakfast and lunch, you can treat yourself to a special dinner.

If you're new to vegetarianism and would enjoy being with like-minded folks, explore vegetarian-friendly destinations. Talk to Donna Zeigfinger at Green Earth Travel (888/246-8343, vegtravel.com/) for assistance in finding retreats and resorts, both domestic and foreign. Prices range from surprisingly affordable to "a special experience." You can use the map on the Web site vegetarianusa.com for a geographic guide.

Here's to healthy, low-cost eating!

Veggie survival tips

For biking enthusiasts, we recommend Bicycle Beano Cycling Holidays (and no, the name has nothing to do with the pills that fight gas. In the U.K., "Beano" is slang for "party" or "jolly"). While the firm claims that the majority of their clients are not vegetarians, participants are served a gourmet, vegan or vegetarian breakfasts and dinners, and dropped off at pubs (where vegetable-only options are readily available) for lunch. When not chowing down, clients cycle through some of the most beautiful areas of the United Kingdom, including the Upper Wye Valley in Wales and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Tours are for 15 to 30 persons, and accommodations range from Georgian manors to Victorian homes to classic country inns. Rates range between £70 and £100 (about $128 to $181) per day and include breakfast, tea and dinner, accommodations, route sheets and the services of a cycling guide and mechanic. Bikes can be rented from nearby rental companies for an additional £60 and up per week. While Beano will accept checks in American dollars for their trips, they ask that an additional £20 is added to defray the costs of money changing. You can see a list of all Beano's programs on the Web at bicycle-beano.co.uk/ or write to them at Bicycle Beano, Erwood, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3PQ, Wales, UK (phone 011-44-1982-560471, e-mail mail@bicycle-beano.com).

Founded in 1989 by professional chef Nigel Walker, Vegi Ventures Holidays puts together approximately 15 group tours a year to the United Kingdom, Peru and Turkey, that vary in their focus but all emphasize delicious vegetarian (or vegan) meals. The Peruvian trip, for example, is led by a noted anthropologist, and features, along with the more standard sightseeing excursions to Machu Picchu and Cusco, homestays with indigenous families on Taqulie Island and lectures on local culture and folklore. The English Lake District tour is less a cultural tour, than one of physical fitness--mornings began with an optional "stretch, breathing and movement" class, and the rest of the day is spent trekking the surrounding hills and mountains (owner Walker serves as chef for this tour). During Christmas and other odd times during the year, Veggie Ventures sponsors "Creativity" weekends around England that emphasize "skill sharing" in subjects ranging from music to yoga to cooking to botany. Prices for the trips are reasonable, and though most of their clients are British, all nationalities are welcome. For more information, write to Vegi Ventures, Castle Cottage, Castle Square, Castle Acre, Norfolk, PE32 2AJ, United Kingdom (phone 011-44-1760-755888), e-mail them at holidays@vegiventures.com or check out its Web site, vegiventures.com/.

Green Earth Travel was founded in 1991 by Donna Zeigfinger, a seasoned veteran in the travel business. Zeigfeinger specializes in setting up customized itineraries for vegetarians and vegans, to destinations all across the globe. She reports that while cruiselines and hotels have made great strides in accommodating vegetarians, most are still stumped by the vegan requirements. She goes through a lengthy process of telephone calls and faxes for every client to ensure that their dietary needs will be met (and if that turns out not to be possible, she will advise a client against a trip)--a thorough, helpful and thoroughly professional travel agent. Call or write, Green Earth Travel, 7 Froude Circle, Cabin John, MD 20818 (phone 888/246-8343). Also be sure to visit the company's Web site at vegtravel.com. The site offers extensive listings of vegetarian B&B's and other accommodations in North America, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean, as well as postings on numerous vegi tours. You can also send an e-mail inquiry to greenearthtravel@aol.com.