TOURS & CRUISES

BRAZIL

Cultural treasures on an educational junket with the National Trust

Explore the treasures and pleasures of one of South America’s most exciting nations on a 12-night tour to Brazil with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The organization, which emphasizes restoration and preservation of America’s historic places, also offers several study tours abroad each year.

The trip is for travelers interested in the culture, history, architecture and arts of Brazil, which is the size of the continental U.S.

Ida Singelenberg, director of National Trust travel programs, says visitors “will discover a country of uncommon beauty ... and great cultural and natural treasures.”

The April 29 tour will visit Ouro Preto, a town known for its well-preserved Baroque architecture; the futuristic capital of Brasilia; the Bahia coastal city of Salvador, called “the soul of Brazil”; and Rio de Janeiro.

Cost: $5,240 per person, double occupancy, including lodgings, many meals, transportation within Brazil, transfers, sightseeing and insurance. Round-trip air fare from LAX to Sao Paulo and return from Rio is an extra $745. The tour is open to National Trust members; annual dues are $20 for an individual or $24 for a family.

Contact: National Trust for Historic Preservation, (800) 944-6847, www.nationaltrust.org, or Royal Adventures, (800) 453-4754.

ITALY

Fly, drive and follow your own itinerary

Discover the riches of Italy -- from historic ruins to its cuisine -- on a six-night fly-drive package that leaves the itinerary to you.

The $729 package includes round-trip air fare from Los Angeles or San Francisco and seven-day rental of a Hertz vehicle with unlimited mileage. The price is per person, double occupancy, and is available for mid-week departures Jan. 7 through March 31.

Among other fly-drive packages available: Britain, $509; France, $579; and Spain, $699.

Contact: Go-today.com; (425) 487-9632, www.go-today.com. Bookings can be made on the Internet; there is a $20 service fee if made by phone.

MEXICO

Three days of excitement for Harley fans

See Mexicali and Ensenada from a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a guided Tequila Sunrise tour Friday through Dec. 15.

The tour begins Friday morning in Los Angeles and roars southeast to Mexicali, where riders spend the night. From there they visit Tecate, the vineyard region of Baja and Ensenada where they spend the second night.

On Sunday they go north to Tijuana, where thousands of bikers will converge for the annual Tijuana Toy Run, which gathers holiday toys for the region’s children. The three-day ride has multilingual tour guides who accompany riders along with a support vehicle.

Cost: $399 per person, including Harley-Davidson rental and accommodations. An additional $60 is charged for a second person riding on the bike. Those who do not need to rent can join the trip for $239 per person.

Contact: Los Angeles-based EagleRider; (800) 706-3330, www.eaglerider.com.

EUROPE

A quick sampling of Holland, Belgium, France

Get a taste of Europe at bargain basement prices on a nine-day escorted tour that visits Holland, Belgium and France for $899.

The tour, which includes round-trip air fare from L.A. or San Francisco, begins in Amsterdam, where travelers spend one night. The tour then goes to Antwerp for three nights and Paris for three nights. Accommodations, city tours, breakfasts and bus transport are included.

Cost: The $899 price is for departures on Feb. 7 and 14. Departures are also available March through June for $999 and $1,099, depending on date. All tours depart on Friday and return Saturday. Rates are per person,double occupancy. Parties of four receive a group discount of $100.

Contact: Sunny Land Tours; (800) 783-7839, www.europehotdeals.com.

SRI LANKA

Beauty, tradition in an exotic island nation

Ride an elephant in the Habarana jungle of Sri Lanka on a 13-day tour that focuses on highlights of this island nation south of India.

The Feb. 11 tour coincides with the celebration of Nawam Maha Perahera, a Buddhist festival that displays Sri Lanka’s traditional forms of art and includes performances by dancers and drummers and a parade of more than 100 elephants.

The itinerary includes a half-day safari at Yala National Park, where elephants, leopards, deer and buffalo can be seen.

Visits also are made to temples, museums, palaces and gardens.

Cost: $3,795 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip transportation on Singapore Airlines from Los Angeles to Colombo, Sri Lanka; lodgings; transfers; bus transportation with an English-speaking guide and entrance fees.

Contact: Huntington Beach-based Ceylon Express International; (714) 964-6896, www.ceylonexpress.com.

*

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