Ancient learning in Egypt

SEE the jewels of the Nile on a 15-night fall trip to Egypt led by a San Diego State professor.

The Nov. 10 cultural tour studies the influence successive civilizations -- from Greek to Arab-Islamic -- had on the region. Philosophy professor Leon Rosenstein will lecture on the history, religion, art and literature of these cultures.

The group will visit Cairo, the pyramids at Giza and the cities of Sakkara, Memphis, Alexandria and Luxor and will cruise the Nile to Edfu. After touring Cairo’s museums and visiting the Cheops Pyramid and the Sphinx, the group will fly to Luxor and embark on a five-day cruise on the Nile.

The tour is sponsored by the nonprofit Classical Alliance of the Western States.

Cost: $3,973, per person, double occupancy ($767 single surcharge), including international airfare, internal airfare, ground transportation and cruise, hotels, meals, guides, transfers and entrance fees.

Contact: Leon Rosenstein, San Diego State; (619) 594-6586; or R Voyages, Valencia; (800) 862-2476, Ext. 12, www.rvoyages.com.

OREGON & IDAHO

Your journey of discovery

SAIL into Lewis and Clark territory on a river trip from Portland into Idaho.

The Dec. 28 seven-night cruise is aboard the 235-passenger paddlewheel steamboat Empress of the North. It will travel the Columbia, Willamette and Snake rivers following parts of the route taken by Lewis and Clark.

“When you get to Hell’s Canyon you feel like you could have been there with Lewis and Clark,” said Don Eslinger of Historic Tours & Cruises. “It’s just pristine.”

Cost: $1,631.40 per person, double occupancy ($816 single surcharge), including first-class stateroom, meals, entertainment and history talks. Transportation to Portland, port fees and fuel surcharges are not included.

Contact: Historic Tours & Cruises, Huntington Beach; (714) 536-3434.

ENGLAND

Backstage on the West End

CELEBRATE the theater and the New Year on a tour of London with actor Stan Mazin.

The eight-night tour, which begins Dec. 26, includes tickets to three new West End theater productions and a New Year’s Eve party. The group will take a backstage tour of the London Coliseum Theatre, home to the English National Opera and the English National Ballet.

Cost: $2,650 per person, double occupancy ($575 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, hotel, some meals, theater tickets and airport transfers. Admission and entrance fees to museums and additional shows are not included.

Contact: Stan Mazin Travels, Sherman Oaks; (818) 786-6845.

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