Tours & cruises
THE NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY
Flowers along the Rhine
Uniworld’s eight-day “Springtime Along the Rhine” stops to see Keukenhof Gardens’ 7 million blooming flowers — a site that’s open only a few weeks a year. As an incentive for single travelers, Uniworld is waiving its single supplement on this itinerary while occupancy permits.
Itinerary: Amsterdam to Volendam and Arnhem, Netherlands; Cologne, Mainz and Frankfurt, Germany. The reverse itinerary is also available.
Dates: Four departures between March 27 and April 17
Price: From $1,899, double occupancy (single supplement is, at press time, being waived), including accommodations, meals (with alcoholic beverages at dinner) and transfers. The price excludes airfare to Europe, a $112 port charge, a $5 documentation fee and gratuities.
Info: Uniworld Boutique Cruise Collection, Los Angeles; (800) 733-7820, https://www.uniworld.com
VENTURA
‘Gulliver’s Travel’ adventure
In coastal Ventura, the Sheraton Four Points’ “Gulliver’s Travel Adventure” takes an idea from the new Jack Black movie. The package includes a night’s stay and an excursion to Channel Islands National Park, where travelers are apt to see an array of wildlife, from tiny birds to enormous whales.
Dates: Offered through March 31
Price: Starting at $149 (landing at the island costs $20 more), including lodging, a box lunch and a boat ride to the Channel Islands. The price does not include taxes or gratuities.
Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor; (805) 658-1212, https://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints
ALABAMA AND LOUISIANA
Help the Gulf recovery
During Elevate Destinations’ “Elevate the Gulf” tour you’ll assist the Ocean Foundation in its Gulf of Mexico oil spill recovery efforts on the bay by, for example, planting sea grass and conducting surveys. An optional excursion to New Orleans showcases the region’s culture and history and shows the effect of BP’s oil spill.
Itinerary: Fairhope to Mobile and back to Fairhope (start at New Orleans, if desired)
Dates: April 24-30; depart April 22 to include the New Orleans option
Price: Starting at $750, including accommodations, meals and regional transportation with transfers. The price does not include airfare, optional excursions, alcoholic beverages, gratuities or the New Orleans excursion, which costs an extra $750 double occupancy (single supplement $500). Elevate recommends that each traveler raise $500 as a charitable donation.
Info: Elevate Destinations, Cambridge, Mass.; (617) 661-0203, https://www.elevatedestinations.com
CHINA
Views from the Yangtze
For a comprehensive (and inclusively priced) land, air and water tour of much of China, Wendy Wu’s two-week “Majestic Yangtze” itinerary hits the Great Wall, Three Gorges Dam, Tiananmen Square and the terra-cotta warriors. Besides these big-name sights, travelers also experience lesser-known places: Xian’s Muslim quarter, the Panda reserve in Chengdu and the “Ghost City” of Fengdu.
Itinerary: Shanghai to Yichang, Three Gorges Dam (on a Yangtze River cruise), Chongqing, Chengdu, Xian and Beijing.
Dates: Departures through Dec. 31, 2011.
Price: Starting at $4,090, double occupancy (single supplement $990), including airfare from Los Angeles or New York City, meals, excursions, upscale accommodations, intra-China transportation, professional guidance, entrance fees, fuel surcharges, visa fees and taxes — but not gratuities. The land-only fare is $2,890.
Info: Wendy Wu Tours, New York, N.Y.; (877) 993-6399, https://www.wendywuschina.com
—Avital Binshtock
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