All the Colors of the Midwest

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda will sponsor a fall colors trip Oct. 7-15 to Ohio and Kentucky to explore presidential sites and attend the largest festival of historic paddle-wheelers. In Kentucky, participants will stay two nights in Lexington, where they will visit the Kentucky Horse Park, a showcase for the state’s equine industry; the girlhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln; the estate of statesman Henry Clay, and the state Capitol building in nearby Frankfort, with its floral clock planted with 20,000 flowering plants. After visiting the Lincoln birthplace and nearby boyhood home, participants will stay overnight at the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill. Continuing to Louisville, visits will be made to the home of Thomas Edison, Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum. Highlights in Louisville will be visits to the now privately owned home of President Zachary Taylor, and a look at presidential material held in the Filson Club’s collection.

In Ohio, guest will visit Cincinnati to attend Tall Stacks ‘95, the world’s largest gathering of paddle-wheelers, an event that happens once every five years. A five-story facade is erected at Cincinnati’s Public Landing, re-creating the Cincinnati riverfront of the 1850s, and serving as backdrop for continuous entertainment by musicians on five stages. Participants will spend an afternoon aboard the Southern Belle in a riverboat race on the Ohio River. Cost: $2,695 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, most meals, accommodations, transportation via chartered motor coach, tours, entrance fees and gratuities. Contact: Spectrum Tours, P.O. Box 50608, Santa Barbara, CA 93150; telephone (805) 969-9665.

English Back Roads

Far Horizons is offering an 18-day exploration of England and Wales to see many of the historic and archeological sites that are off the beaten track. The tour begins Sept. 8 and the group will visit prehistoric stone circles and chambered tombs, walk in the footsteps of Roman armies along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, and take in the view from battlements of medieval castles in remote areas of Britain. Nights will be spent in castles, and half-timbered and thatched inns. Participants will sample regional delicacies and share pub lunches with local people. Cost: $5,495 per person, double occupancy, including hotels, meals, entry fees, air fare from New York and all ground transportation. The group is limited to nine participants. Contact: Far Horizons Archaeological and Cultural Trips, P.O. Box 91900, Albuquerque, NM 87199-1900; tel. (800) 552-4575.

Bali Arts

An 11-day tour of Bali, Indonesia, is being offered by Four Winds Adventure Co. on Nov. 4. Participants will take an art and handicraft tour of Ubud, the heart of the Balinese artist community, and see Besakih, the “mother” temple of Bali. Also included is a visit to Tenganan, one of the few remaining Bali Aga , the pre-Hindu villages in Bali. Here travelers will see the rare double ikat weavings for which the village is renowned. An optional overland extension from Bali to Yogyakarta, across East Java, is available. Cost: $1,699 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, lodging in Sanur and Candi Dasa, breakfast daily, and welcome and farewell dinners. The optional Bali-Java Overland Adventure is $399 per person, double occupancy. For travelers booking before Sept. 1, a complimentary private car and driver will be provided for a day of individual sightseeing. Contact: Theresa Clark, Four Winds Adventure Co., 4370 N.E. Halsey, Suite 138, Portland, OR 97213; tel. (503) 249-0305.

Monterey Weekend

A Labor Day weekend tour along the 130 miles of coastline to the Monterey Peninsula is available through Pierce College Extension Sept. 2-4. Tour members will depart on the Coast Starlight from Amtrak stations in Los Angeles, Glendale or Simi Valley. The route winds through Salinas, the town made famous by author John Steinbeck. Lodging will be at the Steinbeck Gardens Inn in the heart of Cannery Row and within walking distance to shops and seafood restaurants. After breakfast, travelers journey along the coast on the scenic 17-Mile Drive and into Carmel in time for lunch. They will continue touring in Monterey and along Fisherman’s Wharf, returning in the early afternoon to visit the Monterey Aquarium. Cost: $359 per person, double occupancy, including rail and motor coach transportation, two nights’ accommodations, aquarium and 17-Mile Drive admissions and two breakfasts. Contact: Pierce College Extension; 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 93071; tel. (818) 719-6425.

London in Stages

San Diego’s Starlight Musical Theatre is offering a one-week tour of London to enjoy its theatrical scene Nov. 1.

Cost: $2,295 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from LAX, six nights’ accommodation, theater tickets to three West End productions, a private champagne reception with the cast of a top musical, a gala farewell dinner and sightseeing. Travelers can also select from a number of additional sightseeing options, plus a Paris extension via the Channel Tunnel for two nights. The Paris extension costs $698. Contact: Sterling; 2707 Congress St., Suite 2G, San Diego, CA 92101; tel. (800) 727-4359.

Phoenix Architecture

A weekend tour of Phoenix’s architecture leaves Aug. 25 from Los Angeles. Guests will stay at the Arizona Biltmore, designed by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s students, and take day trips into Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. In Phoenix’s civic center, a tour is taken of new projects, public arts projects, landscapes and buildings. Arizona State University at Tempe is toured for its contemporary design and unique houses in Scottsdale are seen.

Cost: $425 per person, double occupancy, including air fare from LAX, hotels, motor-coach transportation, breakfasts and lunches, and airport transfers. Contact: Architours, P.O. Box 8434, Los Angeles, CA 90008; tel. (213) 294-5825.

Far, Far East

A nine-day trip to Bangkok and Hong Kong leaves Oct. 10. Four nights in Bangkok are spent touring the city and staying at the Royal Orchid Sheraton. Then, participants will fly to Hong Kong to stay four nights at the New World Hotel. A city tour is given and there is time for shopping.

Cost: $2,226 per person, double occupancy, including air fare from LAX, hotels, full breakfasts, U.S. departure taxes, tour guides and transfers in each country. Contact: Margaret Kelly, Let’s Talk Travel, Stonecreek Plaza, 4330 Barranca Parkway, Suite 110, Irvine, CA 92714; tel. (714) 552-0443.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. These should be confirmed with travel agents or tour operators. More Tours & Cruises