Vacation Itinerary in Turkey Starts in Istanbul

A 15-day tour of Turkey begins with an overnight in Istanbul, then a flight to Ankara for sightseeing and luncheon and a drive to Aksaray in Cappadocia for three nights. Sightseeing includes the Goreme Valley, the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli and the Ihalara Valley. Next is a drive to Antalya on the coast for two nights and in this area visits to Perge and the amphitheater of Aspendos.

Also on the itinerary are a night in Pamukkale, known for its hot mineral waters; two nights in Kusadasi; Canakkale on the Aegean coast; another three nights in Istanbul and a cruise on the Bosporus. The cost is $1,798 plus air fare. Departures are in April, May, September and October. Arrangements are by Maupintour, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence, Kan. 66046, phone (800) 255-4266.

The Tulip Trip

The world’s largest tulip garden, Keukenhof near Haarlem, the Netherlands, is the focus for “The Tulip Trip,” April 30 to May 17, escorted by John Bermont, author of “How to Europe.” Delft, Alkmaar, Den Haag and Haarlem will also be visited with stops at antique shops, art museums, the Anne Frank House, the Heineken Brewery, Madurodam, the Diamond Center plus a canal boat tour. Accommodations are at the Sonesta Hotel in Amsterdam. The cost is $3,430 including round-trip air fare via KLM, hotel, some meals and all sightseeing. Contact Art of Traveling, 1142 Manhattan Ave., CP-68, Manhattan Beach 90266, phone (213) 545-7927.

South America

Aerolineas Argentinas and Path Tours describe several excursions to South America in a brochure available from Path Tours, phone (800) 521-6215 in California, (800) 843-0400 from out of state. “The Best of South America” features Argentina, Brazil and Peru, 12 days, for $1,435 including air fare from Los Angeles. Other itineraries feature Peru’s Machu Picchu and the Amazon, Bolivia’s Lake Titicaca, San Carlos de Bariloche, Patagonia, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janerio.

Naturally New Zealand

Naturalists will lead a tour to explore the culture and natural history of New Zealand, April 10-25. The group will visit the Otago Peninsula, location of the Royal Albatross Colony; Auckland and Christchurch; the geothermal area of Rotorua, center of traditional Maori culture; Mt. Cook; Lake Wanaka for a home stay, and a boat ride through Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. The cost is $2,400 plus air fare. Contact Rebecca Chapman, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles 90007, phone (213) 744-3426.

Pacific Northwest

Four nights aboard Holland America’s luxurious Nieuw Amsterdam and two nights in Vancouver are featured in an escorted Pacific Northwest holiday sailing from Los Angeles May 19, returning by air May 25. Rates are $699 to $799, per person double occupancy, including sightseeing in San Francisco and Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria. Arrangements are by Los Coyotes Travel, 8350 Los Coyotes Drive, Buena Park 90621, phone (714) 670-1184.

On to Alaska

The Regent Sea departs Los Angeles May 10 for a week’s cruise to Victoria, Canada, and Ketchikan, Alaska, with a visit to Misty Fiord and ending in Vancouver May 17. Rates range from $995 to $2,175. For information or reservations, contact a travel agent or Regency Cruises, 260 Madison Ave., New York 10016, phone (212) 972-4774.

‘Magical Britain’

Gothic Image Tours of Glastonbury, England, has two 18-day “Magical Britain” tours, departing May 24 and Sept. 7. Myths and legends of the British Isles will be explored in their places of origin including enchanted forests, holy wells, stone circles, ancient castles, ruined abbeys and sacred islands. Stops include Glastonbury, Camelot, Bath, Stonehenge, Merlin’s Cave, Loch Lomond, Sherwood Forest and Edinburgh. Accommodations are in first-class hotels. The price is $2,250 plus air fare. Contact Wilson & Lake International, 1 Appian Way, Suite 704-8, South San Francisco 94080, phone (415) 589-0352.

Traveling Skiers

A travel club for mostly single skiers plans a trip April 4-11 to Val Thorens in the Trois Vallee region of the French Alps, complete with a ski guide for each group of 6 to 10 skiers. The trip is priced at $1,595, including air fare, lodging, breakfasts and dinners and lift tickets. Contact Traveling Skiers, 11887 Mansa Court, Fountain Valley 92708, phone (714) 662-0237.

Prices and schedules should be confirmed with airlines, cruise lines, tour operators or travel agents.