Have Funds, Will Travel to See the World’s Wonders

Explore the far corners of the world, traveling by private jet with a team of National Geographic experts to such exotic destinations as Easter Island, the Serengeti Plain of Tanzania and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

The only downside is the price: $39,950 per person, double occupancy.

The Wonders of the World expedition, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 19, links some of the planet’s most interesting destinations. A maximum of 88 passengers--traveling on a specially outfitted Boeing 757--will circle the globe, beginning and ending in Washington, D.C.

Stops are scheduled at Hayman Island in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; the massive temple complex at Angkor in the Cambodian jungle; and Cuzco and the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes. The group will also visit the Galapagos Islands; Marrakech, Morocco; and Katmandu, Nepal.

What kind of traveler pays nearly $40,000 for a three-week tour? Marketing director Anne Crawford, who has made the trip, said the passengers are as interesting as the itinerary. “They’re well traveled and extremely knowledgeable about the regions we visit. They’re also very enthusiastic.” Most are older than 50 and wealthy, she said.

Expedition members stay at hotels and resorts along the route. “Some places we stop have wonderful hotels. But in some regions there isn’t much,” Crawford said.

Included: accommodations, transportation, excursions and meals aboard the private jet. Not included is round-trip air fare from LAX to Washington, D.C. The single supplement is $4,990.

Contact: National Geographic Expeditions; (800) 229-6911, www.nationalgeographic.com/ngexpeditions.

Rhine: Spirited Cruise

Wine lovers can broaden their knowledge of French and German vintages during fall Rhine River cruises that wind from the North Sea to the Alps.

The nine-day fall-foliage-and-wine tours, which are scheduled through Oct. 18, take place during the grape harvest and include lectures and tastings along the route. The ship, the 138-passenger River Princess, sets sail in Amsterdam, cruising through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland.

Wine tastings take place at Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, Germany; at the cellars of Georg Breuer in Rudesheim, Germany; and at an Alsatian vineyard outside Strasbourg, France. Other stops include the German cities of Cologne, Alken, Heidelberg and Karlsruhe.

Cost: $2,398 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from LAX, meals aboard the ship, six guided shore excursions and the services of a cruise manager from Uniworld, the Los Angeles travel agency that is organizing the trip. A discount of up to $500 per couple is available if the trip is booked by Sept. 14.

Contact: Uniworld River Cruises; (800) 733-7820, www.uniworld.com.

China: On the Run

A low-cost eight-day trip to China will coincide with the Beijing Marathon, giving California runners an opportunity to compete in the race, the premier running event in China.

The tour, which departs Los Angeles on Oct. 15, is open to runners and non-runners, with several excursions planned. Highlights include a trip to the Great Wall, visits to the Ming Tombs and the Summer Palace, a boat ride on Lake Kunming and a tour of the Forbidden City.

The Beijing Marathon, which is in its 22nd year, attracted 20,000 runners last year. Millions of spectators line the route from Tiananmen Square to the National Olympic Stadium. Runners have the options of five kilometers, 10 kilometers, half-marathon or full marathon.

Cost: $1,230 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare on Northwest Airlines from LAX to Beijing, accommodations at the Jinglun Hotel, some meals, sightseeing, transfers and flight insurance.

Contact: Pacific Delight Tours; (800) 221-7179, www.pacificdelighttours.com.

Transylvania: Scary Fun

Spend Halloween night at Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania, if you dare, on a trip billed as an Eastern European Vampire Vacation.

The tour, which runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, explores the castles and legends of Romania, focusing on the northwestern province of Transylvania. Visits to Bucharest and the Carpathian Mountains are included.

The trip focuses on the character Dracula, made famous by Bram Stoker’s Gothic horror fantasy novel. There are visits to graveyards and castles and a Masquerade Monsters’ Ball, which tour participants will attend in costume.

“It’s an oddball tour,” says organizer Charles Rosenay of International Tours and Events. “But it’s campy and fun. And anyone turning into a vampire is allowed to fly back on their own and we’ll give them a refund.”

Cost: $1,999 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from LAX to Bucharest, accommodations, transfers, tours, admissions and events.

Contact: International Tours and Events; (866) TERRORTOUR (837-7678), www.dractour.com.

Pacific Coast: By Rail

See the scenic California coastline from a different vantage point this fall on the American Orient Express, a private train featuring vintage rail cars.

The eight-day tour winds along the coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco, stopping along the route for a tour of Hearst Castle in San Simeon.

The train then heads inland to the Napa Valley, stopping for wine tastings before continuing through Feather River Canyon and on to Portland, Ore.

Passengers leave the train in Oregon to visit Mt. Hood and the Columbia River before completing their journey in Seattle.

Departure dates are Oct. 20, Nov. 1 and Nov. 3 for the L.A.-to-Seattle trip. Seattle-to-L.A. tours leave on Oct. 13 and 27.

Cost: $2,390 per person, double occupancy, including rail transportation and accommodations, most meals, excursions, lectures and live piano music nightly. One-way air fare from Seattle is not included. A discount of up to $500 per person is available if the trip is booked by Sept. 20.

Contact: American Orient Express; (800) 320-4206, www.americanorientexpress.com.

Mexico: On the Beach

If you’re interested in catching some rays on a beach south of the border, you might want to check out a low-cost package to Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

The weeklong air-and-hotel package, offered from Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, is available for $747 for midweek travel.

Guests stay at the Continental Plaza Playacar, about 40 minutes south of the Cancun airport.

The plaza is within walking distance of Playa del Carmen’s main pier and ferry service to Cozumel. The Mayan ruins of Tulum are about 15 minutes away.

Included: round-trip air fare from LAX to Cancun on Continental Airlines, accommodations and airport transfers.

Contact: Caradonna Caribbean Tours Inc.; (800) 328-2288, www.caradonna.com.

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