TOURS & CRUISES

Beatles tour will take fans here, there and everywhere

Come together, right now, on an 11-day Beatles magical history tour of London and Liverpool that takes fans to landmark locations from the Fab Four’s youth.

The Aug. 17 tour visits the homes, schools, clubs and early hangouts of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, who revolutionized pop music in the 1960s.

Highlights of the Liverpool segment of the tour will include admission to the International Beatles Week celebration in Liverpool, participation in the Mersey Music Street Festival and concerts by Beatles imitators at venues such as the Royal Court Theatre and the Cavern Club.

In London the group will attend a “Twist and Shout” party at the Hard Rock Cafe, listen in on a recording session at Abbey Road Studios Two and go on a sightseeing tour of the city.

“We’ll be going inside John’s Menlove Avenue home and Paul’s childhood home and will make a respectful memorial visit to George Harrison’s Friar Park home,” said Charles Rosenay, tour director.

Cost: $1,995 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $890), including round-trip airfare from LAX, bus transportation, accommodations, tours, breakfasts, all admissions, attractions, concerts and parties.

Contact: Liverpool Productions of Orange, Conn.; (866) LIVERPOOL (548-3776), www.toursandevents.com.

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CALIFORNIA

Re-creating the WWII experience close to home

Ship out on a World War II-era freighter and watch a dogfight in the sky on daylong cruises off the Southern California coast.

The 455-foot ship, the Lane Victory, is a National Historic Landmark that served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. It was refurbished and restored by members of the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII.

Cruises will be July 19 and 20, Aug. 16 and 17, and Sept. 13 and 14. Boarding is 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. from the cargo ship’s regular dock, Berth 94 (Catalina Terminal) in San Pedro. Entertainment during the day includes a blues band, sail to Catalina Island and reenactment of a World War II dogfight in the sky.

Cost: $100 for adults, $60 for children 15 and younger, including breakfast, lunch, beer, wine and soft drinks.

Contact: U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII; (310) 519-9545, www.lanevictoryship.com.

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MEXICO

Crafts and culture during a week

in historic Oaxaca

Explore the arts and crafts of Oaxaca on a seven-day tour that focuses on the culture of the region.

The tour, which departs Oct. 15, will visit the ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla, the colonial Church of Santo Domingo and government buildings and museums. The group will also visit villages known for their crafts, such as San Bartolo Coyotepec (black pottery), Santo Tomas Jalietza (cotton weavings) and Ocotlan de Morelos, which has a colorful Friday market.

Parties are planned at galleries featuring the works of Rufino Tamayo and Rodolfo Morelos. Lectures on the region’s arts and crafts will be part of the itinerary.

Cost: $1,295 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $450), including six nights’ accommodations, daily breakfast and dinner, sightseeing, local transportation and entrance fees. Round-trip airfare from LAX to Oaxaca is not included.

Contact: Frank Tysen Private Adventures; (310) 278-5299.

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FRANCE

Leisurely living and sightseeing

on a river barge

BARGE through Provence and the Camargue on seven-day couples’ cruises on the rivers of southern France.

The six-passenger hotel barge L’Etoile visits wineries, pastoral countryside and museums on a leisurely itinerary that ends in Frontignan, known for its sweet Muscat aperitif wine. Along the way, the barge travels about five hours a day, leaving time for sightseeing and shopping in such towns as St. Remy, a favorite with celebrities; the hilltop village of Les Baux; and the 13th century walled town of Aigues-Mortes.

Fares are discounted for departures from Aug. 24 through Nov. 9, beginning on a Sunday afternoon and ending on a Saturday morning.

Cost: $2,750 per person, double occupancy, including six nights’ accommodation aboard the barge, transfers, all meals, sightseeing and excursions. Airfare is not included.

Contact: France Cruises, based in Miami Beach; (866) 498-3920, www.francecruises.com.

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COLORADO

Yo, single dudes, get ready for Labor Day revels

SpEND a week riding, sailing, partying -- and meeting other singles -- at a dude ranch near Durango from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4.

The singles-only tour, planned over the Labor Day weekend, will be at Wilderness Trails Dude and Guest Ranch in the Los Pinos Valley. It will include horseback riding, a four-wheel-drive excursion, sailing on a lake, a tour of Mesa Verde National Park and a ride on the Silverton-Durango Railroad. Other activities include a margarita party, a hayride and campfire singalongs.

Cost: $995 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge is $199), including accommodations, meals and activities. Transportation from LAX to Durango is not included.

Contact: American Singles, based in San Rafael, Calif.; (888) 286-8687, www.singles-cruises-tours.com.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. These should be confirmed with travel agents, cruise lines or tour operators.