Secret gardens revealed

CALIFORNIA

Step beyond the gates for an exclusive look at the private gardens of Big Sur.

The daylong June 18 driving tour will include gardens in redwood canyons and on bluffs overlooking the Pacific.

Local artists’ studios also will be included in the tour.

“You get to go to some of the most incredible properties in the world that usually no one but the homeowners have access to,” said Tom Birmingham, co-director of the Big Sur Arts Initiative, which sponsors the annual garden tour.

“I’ve lived here 20 years, and every year on the tour I get to see places I’ve never seen in my life.”

Participants are given guide maps to the half a dozen or more locations, where they are met by volunteers who are knowledgeable in the history, flora and fauna of the area.

An art and garden market is also planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ripplewood Resort in Big Sur. It will conclude with an artists’ reception from 4 to 5 p.m.

Cost: $45 per person, including map and guides.

Contact: The Big Sur Arts Initiative, Big Sur; (831) 667-1530, www.bigsurarts.org.

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ITALY

Opera, in its birthplace

LISTEN to opera in the country that invented it.

The 10-night tour, which begins June 9, features concerts under the stars in Verona, the Verdi Festival in Parma, plus performances at La Scala in Milan and at La Fenice in Venice.

Tour-goers will visit Cremona, where they will be serenaded by a violinist playing a 1715 Stradivarius.

They will also see the former home of composer Giuseppe Verdi, near the city of Busseto.

Cost: $4,895 per person, double occupancy ($850 single surcharge), including accommodations, some meals, ground transportation, admissions, opera tickets and airport transfers. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Tours to Boot Inc., Brea; (714) 307-0521, www.tourstoboot.com.

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NEW YORK

Role play in the Big Apple

AcT out your dreams of stardom in the Big Apple. The three-day showbiz tour for women will begin Aug. 19.

Participants meet with an acting coach, read their lines in front of a director and compete with other members of the tour for an actress-of-the-day award.

They’ll lunch at Sardi’s, tour behind the scenes at NBC Studios and Radio City Music Hall, and catch Broadway and off-Broadway shows.

Cost: $1,295 per person, double occupancy ($250 single surcharge), including hotels, meals, lessons, tours, show tickets, baggage handling and subway fare. Airfare from Los Angeles and airport transfers are not included.

Contact: Adventurous Wench, Mesa, Ariz.; (866) 419-3624, www.adventurouswench.com.

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The Times is not responsible for changes in prices or itineraries. Send information to Tours & Cruises, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or write via e-mail to travel@latimes.com.