Icebergs, Whales in Cool Alaskan Waters

Escape from summer’s heat on a yacht trip along the coast of southeast Alaska. The cruise leaves Petersburg, Alaska, Aug. 10 and arrives in Juneau, Alaska, Aug. 17. Calm inland waters are explored with opportunities to hike through rain forests, watch humpback whales and sea lions, kayak among icebergs and glaciers, or just sit back and watch the scenery. The 65-foot vessel Princeton Hall takes nine passengers plus crew members, including a full-time chef and a Denali park ranger who will give lectures on the area’s natural history and biology. Cost: $2,200 per person, including all meals, use of sea kayaks or inflatable motorboat. Not included: air fare to Alaska. Contact: Educational Adventure Charters, 444 Pine St., Boulder, CO 80302; telephone (303) 442-0808.

More Northwest

A six-day bicycling adventure in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia leaves twice monthly through October. Departing Vancouver, participants ride ferries that ply the Strait of Georgia. Tour guests will take in the sea air between Galiano, Pender, Mayne and Saltspring Island, the largest in the chain of about 200 isles peppering the southeastern shore of Vancouver Island (an international boundary divides them from the San Juan Islands in U.S. waters). Cyclists ride along little-trafficked country roads, past sandy beaches and through forest trails. Participants will also take time to hike, go kayaking and look for otters, eagles and killer whales. Accommodations are at country inns. Cost: $1,094 per person, including all meals and accommodations, ferry transportation, kayak, a support van and two professional guides. Not included: air fare to Vancouver or bike rental fee ($118). Contact: Bicycle Adventures, P.O. Box 7875-PR, Olympia, WA 98507; tel. (800) 443-6060.

Even More Northwest

A one-week tour of the Pacific Northwest leaves Aug. 10 and includes a city tour of Seattle, a cruise among the San Juan Islands, a stop at Olympic National Park and a ferry ride to Victoria, British Columbia. Two nights are spent at Friday Harbor, Wash. Cost: $1,495 per person, double occupancy and includes round-trip air fare with transfers, hotels, motor-coach transportation, luggage handling and some meals. Contact: Friendly Excursions, P.O. Box 69 Sunland, CA 91041; tel. (800) 281-2199.

Family Camping

The San Diego Natural History Museum will conduct a weekend camping trip for families to San Clemente State Park Aug. 18-20. Participants explore San Clemente State Beach, bike near the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base. and roast marshmallows around the campfire. Cost: $95 for adults and $75 for children, with no charge for children 2 years and under. Campground reservations at San Mateo campground, meals and guided activities are included. Contact: San Diego Natural History Museum, P.O. Box 1390; tel. (619) 232-3821, Ext. 203.

Vietnam Sampler

A two-week exploration of Vietnam leaves Oct. 21 and Dec. 16, visiting Ho Chi Minh City, the beach resort of Nha Trang, Da Nang, China Beach, the ancient town of Hoi An, the Imperial City of Hue, the capital of Hanoi and Hai Long Bay. Several elementary schools will be visited for those interested. Cost: $3,199 per person, double occupancy, including air fare from LAX, hotels, all flights within Vietnam, sightseeing and all meals. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 626 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92666; tel. (800) 243-7227 or (714) 771-3154.

Historic Mideast

A study tour of Syria, Jordan and Israel, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will depart Oct. 20-Nov. 6. Participants will visit well-preserved ruins of such sites as Palmyra and Damascus, Syria; Petra, Jordan; Jerusalem and Nazareth, Israel, and other important biblical sites. Contemporary cultures of these lands will be explored through private briefings and behind-the-scenes visits. The tour will be led by scholar Constantine Michaelides of Washington University and will be limited to 30 participants.

Cost: $4,995 per person, double occupancy, including hotels, most meals, land transportation, tips for guides and drivers, and entrance fees. Not included: international air fare. Contact: Siemer and Hand Travel, 101 California St., Suite 1750, San Francisco, CA 94111; tel. (800) 451-4321.

Leafing Through

The California Arboretum Foundation will take guests to the heartland of New England to see autumn’s color on an eight-day tour Sept. 29. Setting off from Boston, the group will visit picturesque villages with steepled churches and historic farmsteads. A horticulturist will show gardens and discuss native plants. Leaf-viewing excursions will include the sugar maples in the Green Mountains near Stowe, Vt., and the Presidential Range on a train ride from North Conway to Crawford Notch in New Hampshire.

On a cruise along the Essex River, participants will encounter the flora of a wetland preserve and spot flocks of starlings, egrets, ospreys and kingfishers. Accommodations will be in country inns. Cost: $1,695 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations in country inns, 13 meals, transportation by charter motor coach, entrance fees to gardens and museums, and guide. Contact: Learned Journeys, P.O. Box 30626, Santa Barbara, CA 93130; tel. (800) 682-6191.

Indonesian Intrigue

A 17-day cultural adventure tour of Indonesia departs Los Angeles Oct. 11. Participants will travel off the beaten track to the Balim Valley in Irian Jaya to see the villages of the Dani tribe. In Ambon, the capital of Ceram, guests will enjoy clear water and coral beaches. Toraja, South Sulawesi will be visited, and travelers will see the hanging graves of Londa and will be introduced to unique burial customs. Group size is limited to 19. Cost: $3,365 per person, double occupancy, including air fare from Los Angeles, hotels, sightseeing and most meals. Extensions to Yogyakarta and Sumatra are available. Contact: Select Tours International, P.O. Box 210, Redondo Beach, CA 90277; tel. (310) 374-0880.

*

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

More Tours & Cruises

* Additional listings of tours and cruises are available on the new TimesLink on-line service. For more information, call (800) 792-LINK.