Going From Hot to Cold on a Tour of Iceland

While exploring the hot springs and geysers and the cold waterfalls and glaciers in Iceland, travelers will learn about the myths of the ancient land on a tour with Storyfest Journeys from May 23 to 29. Participants will see the historic sites associated with Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson. Next, stories from Snorri Sturluson, the author of the Eddas--tales of the Norse gods--will be told alongside the hot springs of his ancient homestead. The group will also visit lava sand beaches in the shadow of glaciers and volcanoes. Then it will follow the trail of the Laxdaela Saga, one of the most famous Icelandic tales, to hear stories told at sites mentioned in the tale. The tour is limited to 12.

Cost: $2,181 per person, double occupancy, including daily breakfasts and dinners, admissions and storytelling sessions. Air fare is extra.

Contact: Storyfest Journeys; (301) 791-9153, www.storyfest.com.

California: RV Weekend

The Sacramento Jeepers Inc. is sponsoring its annual historic two-day run over Henness Pass Road on Aug. 3 and 4.

Founded during the California Gold Rush, Henness Pass Road was one of the most heavily traveled routes in its day but has virtually disappeared from most maps.

This two-day event is an overnight camping trip for SUV owners looking for a scenic drive through the Sierra with some mild four-wheeling.

The trip will start in Marysville, Calif., and end in Virginia City, Nev. Participants will learn about the history of the surrounding areas and California’s transportation.

Cost: $140 per adult, $50 per child 7 to 14, free for children 6 and younger. Price includes all meals and event T-shirts.

Contact: Karen Totsky-Bohmer at (916) 630-7672.

Texas: Alamo

Remember the Alamo while on a four-night tour based in San Antonio. CIE Tours International’s itinerary includes a visit to the Alamo, Mission San Jose, the Mexican Marketplace, the state capital of Austin and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Activities include a tram ride at the LBJ Ranch, shopping along River Walk, a tour of the Japanese Sunken Gardens and a visit to the historic farm town of Fredericksburg.

Departures are frequent through Dec. 2.

Cost: from $729 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations, ground transportation, guides and most meals (including a dinner cruise along River Walk). Air fare to San Antonio is extra.

Contact: A travel agent can book the tour, or call CIE Tours International; (800) 243-8687, www.cietours.com.

Bolivia: Archeology

The pre-Columbian history of Bolivia has been shaped by two imperial empires--the Tiwanaku and the Inca. From July 13 to 29, Far Horizons will lead a historical journey through Bolivia that includes archeological sites such as Tiwanaku in the Andes, Inkallajta, Chiripa and Lukurmata. On Lake Titicaca, travelers will explore the sacred Island of the Sun, where the Inca believed the sun gods and civilization were born.

The tour also will explore the headwaters of the Amazon in northeastern Bolivia and take a day cruise to observe wildlife. There will be opportunities to swim with pink dolphins, view flocks of parrots and visit villages.

In Chiquitos province the group will visit two Jesuit missions that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The tour will be guided by archeologist Clark Erickson, who has excavated several sites in Bolivia. Cost: $4,995 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Dallas.

Contact: Far Horizons; (800) 552-4575, www.farhorizon.com.

Vietnam: Adventure

“The Dragon’s Trail” is a multi-sport adventure through Vietnam’s most remote regions. ZOLOtrips, a San Francisco-based adventure travel company, is offering the 15-day tour in April and November 2002 and January and February 2003.

The tour will begin in Hanoi with a three-day sea kayak excursion through Ha Long Bay. Surrounded by limestone monoliths, participants will paddle from island to island, exploring sea tunnels and caves. Nights will be spent camping.

The journey will continue to Sapa, where participants will explore markets and prepare for a three-day trek to visit the isolated villages of Gian Ta Chai, Ban Ho and Thanh Phu and their indigenous peoples. Tourgoers will stay overnight in traditional village huts.

Next, the group will fly to Hue and explore central Vietnam by bicycling from there to Hoi An. The final two days will be spent in Hoi An, exploring the architectural ruins of the kingdom of Champa.

Cost: from $3,095 per person, including accommodations and camping gear, ground transportation, meals and guides. Air fare is extra.

Contact: ZOLOtrips; (800) 657-2694, www.zolotrips.com.

Italy: Cuisine

Two of the gastronomic centers of Italian cuisine, Emilia Romagna and Tuscany, are the focus of a culinary and cultural tour to Italy from Oct. 29 to Nov. 9.

Visitors will help pick and press Tuscan olive oil, eat lunch with local farmers, sample next year’s vintages at wineries and take pasta-making lessons.

Sightseeing includes Dante’s tomb and the mosaics in the churches of Ravenna, the walled fortress in the village of Gradara, a visit to the Republic of San Marino, a walking tour and a two-night stay in Florence, and visits to San Gimignano.

Also scheduled are a walking tour in Siena, the Etruscan town of Volterra with its alabaster craftsmen, Leonardo’s hometown of Vinci and San Miniato.

Lodgings will be in a palazzo hotel in a Tuscan hill town, a 12th century monastery in Emilia Romagna and hotels in downtown Florence and the historic center of Bologna.

Cost: $3,195 per person, double occupancy, including 11 nights’ accommodations, most meals, transfers to and from Bologna airport and train station, ground transportation and some entrance fees. International air fare is extra.

Contact: Nicki Mistri at Bel Sogno Tours; (714) 526-2244, www.belsognotours.com.

Mexico: History

An excursion to survey Mexico’s Indian civilizations, crushed in 1519 by Spanish conquistadors, will be offered April 13 to 22 by the Archaeological Conservancy of Albuquerque. Sites linked to the Aztecs, Toltecs and Teotihuacanos are on the agenda.

Cost: $2,395 per person, double occupancy, including nine nights’ lodging, all lunches, airport transfers and entrance fees. Air fare to Mexico City is extra.

Contact: Archeological Conservancy; (505) 266-1540, www.americanarchaeology.com.

Alaska: Bike and Sail

Participants on a seven-day bicycle-cruise tour from July 29 to Aug. 5, offered by Bike & Cruise Tours of Oregon, will spend most days bicycling in different ports in Alaska and the nights cruising to the next port on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Wind.

The riding terrain is moderate to rolling. Port calls will include Skagway, Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan. The ship will cruise the Inside Passage into Tracy Arm for a view of Sawyer Glacier. The cruise starts and ends in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Local Alaskan riders and a support vehicle accompany the group.

Cost: from $1,424 per person, double occupancy, including meals, bike rentals and guides. Non-riders are welcome. Air fare is extra.

Contact: Bike & Cruise Tours; (503) 667-4053, www.bikeandcruise.com.

Puerto Rico: Dining

Two trips highlighting Puerto Rican cuisine are being served up by Puerto Rico Tourism Co. and Encantada Tours. A three-night outing with a visit to Ponce costs $875 to $915. A five-night visit with stays in Utuado, Mayaguez and Lajas runs $1,200 to $1,300.

All rates are per person, double occupancy, and include a stay in San Juan, hotels, transfers, all meals, cooking demonstrations and tours. Air fare is extra. Trips are offered year-round.

Contact: Encantada Tours; (787) 758-2901, www.encantadatours.com.

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