Rails on the Trails of South Africa’s Cities

You can experience South Africa by luxury train on the six-night “World in One Country” tour. The tour includes two nights at the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg; three nights at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town; and one overnight on the train journey between Pretoria and Cape Town, visiting Soweto, Cape Peninsula, Cape Town City and Table Mountain. Tours are available through Sept. 30.

Cost: $1,365 per person, double occupancy, including all meals and beverages, transfers between hotels and airports, and sightseeing fees. Air fare to Africa is extra.

Contact: ETT Tours; telephone (800) 551-2085 or (914) 758-1777, Internet https://www.etttours.com.

Italy: Cinque Terre

Carlucci Tours has planned a 12-night vacation to the Italian Riviera and Lake Region from Sept. 9 to 22. Participants will spend three nights at a lakeside hotel in the town of Baveno on Lake Maggiore, visiting the picturesque Borromean Islands and Stresa.

The next three nights will be spent in the secluded Cinque Terre at a modern hotel in Monterosso al Mare. Guests can explore the other quaint fishing villages by hiking an ancient footpath above the sea through olive groves and vineyards, or by taking a boat or train.

In the Italian Riviera town of Santa Margherita at a seafront hotel on the Gulf of Tigullio, participants will take a cruise to Portofino. The last three nights will be spent in the lakeside village of Tremezzo on Lake Como to visit the Villa Carlotta and its gardens.

Cost: $3,299 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles on Alitalia, all lodging with private bath, all breakfasts and five dinners, transfers by private motor coach and guides. The group is limited to 20.

Contact: Carlucci Tours; tel. (520) 854-3081.

Canada: By Boat

Four-, five- or six-day cruises on the St. Lawrence River, departing from Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal or Quebec City, take passengers through some of Canada’s heartland.

Departures begin May 17 and continue through late October. Ports of call include Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Boldt Castle, Brockville, Fort Wellington, Upper Canada Village, Coteau Landing, Trois Rivieres, Ogdensburg, Montebello, Hull, Oka, the Carillon Lock and Cape Madeleine.

Cost: from $899 per person, double occupancy, including port charges, cabin and all meals. Transportation to Canada is extra.

Contact: Callaway Travel & Cruises in Toronto; tel. (800) 667-4523 or (905) 820-7745.

New York: On Parade

Spend Thanksgiving in the Big Apple, Nov. 20 to 24, and attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The package includes four nights at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in the heart of the theater district. The tour includes a full day of sightseeing--Wall Street, Times Square, the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Meals include a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner and lunch at Tavern on the Green. Free time is set aside for shopping.

Cost: $1,885 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, hotel, some meals and sightseeing.

Contact: Main Street Tours at 1751 W. Torrance Blvd., Suite N, Torrance, CA 90501; tel. (800) 300- 6246 or (310) 212-0791, Internet https://www.mainstreettours.com.

Greece: Bible History

Zeus Tours & Yacht Cruises and Golden Sun Cruises have joined to offer a 12-day “Footsteps of St. Paul” itinerary, with weekly departures through October.

Departing from Athens, travelers ride by motor coach to Delphi, the ancient sanctuary of Apollo, via the National Road, passing the ancient cities of Thebes, Levadia and Arachova.

A night in Kalambaka allows for a visit to the monasteries of Meteora. The next stop is Verghina, where archeologists have unearthed a theater thought to be the site of Macedonian King Philip II’s murder at the wedding of his daughter, Cleopatra. During a three-night stay in Thessaloniki, the tour visits Philippi, Kavala and Pella. A morning visit is made to Macedonia before heading back to Athens, passing through Larissa, Lamia, Thermopylae and Kammena Vourla.

The cruise portion of the itinerary, aboard Golden Sun’s 580-passenger Aegean I, stops at Mykonos, Rhodes, Ephesus and Patmos.

Cost: from $1,499 (depending on hotel and cabin category) per person, double occupancy, including most meals, transfers, entrance fees, hotel service charges and taxes, and services of local hosts. All meals are included while on board the Aegean I.

Contact: Zeus Tours and Yacht Cruises, 209 W. 40th St., New York, NY 10018; tel. (800) 447-5667 or (212) 221-0006, Internet https://www.zeustours.com.

Mexico: Ranch

Baja California Tours is offering a “City Slicker Getaway” to Rancho la Mentada in Baja California. The three-day tour, departing May 27, includes a roundup and cattle drive. Rancho la Mentada, a working ranch for more than 80 years, has been duded up with a swimming pool, a saloon with pool tables and vaqueros who will give free riding instruction.

Cost: $285 per person, double occupancy, including all meals, private accommodations and round-trip transportation from San Diego.

Contact: Baja California Tours; tel. (858) 454-7166 or (800) 336- 5454.

Fiji: Kayaking

Paddle the turquoise waters of the Yasawa Group of Fiji beaches ringed by coral reefs, which give excellent snorkeling opportunities. Travelers will get off the beaten path and stay with villagers who still live traditional lifestyles. Nine- and 11-day trips depart through November. Programs do not require previous paddling experience and are ideal for beginners and families (though some camping experience is recommended).

Cost: $1,165 and $1,425 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations and some meals. Air fare is extra.

Contact: Southern Sea Ventures; tel. (888) 283-0954, Internet https://www.southernseaventures.com.

Ireland: History

An educational tour of Ireland from Sept. 18 to 28 focuses on Irish history with visits to castles and heritage centers. The itinerary includes stays in Dublin; Glendalough, a 6th century settlement founded by St. Kevin; Boyne Valley to see displays on the construction and symbolism of the underground burial chambers; the Belleek Pottery factory; and the Atlantic and mountain views of the Gaeltacht region.

Guests will tour the 19th century Scottish-style Glenveagh Castle, Kylemore Abbey, Knock Shrine and the Connemara Celtic Crystal factory. Participants will also view the Cliffs of Moher, see thatched cottages in Adare and visit Blarney Castle.

Cost: $2,095 per person, double occupancy, including air from LAX, hotel, transportation via deluxe motor coach, 17 meals and dinner show in Dublin.

Contact: Inge Rudman at Newport Mesa Travel; tel. (714) 378- 9157 or (800) 223-0915.

Nepal: Raft, Safari

Eco Adventure Safaris (EAS) is offering a 17-day travel program to explore the scenic wonders of Nepal beginning Oct. 27. Tour highlights include three days in Katmandu; three days in Pokhara; six days trekking in the Annapurna region; two days rafting the Trisuli River; and a two-day canoe, four-wheel-drive and elephant-back safari at Royal Chitwan National Park.

Cost: $2,399 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, accommodations, transfers, river rafting, guide/porter fees and many meals.

Contact: Eco Adventure Safaris; tel. (818) 832-1282, Internet https://www.eastrips.com.

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