Three Jewels of Italy and Sailing the U.S. Southeast

Travelers will be based in the seaside and lakeside villages of northern Italy’s lakes region, Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre on a 12-night trip from Sept. 8 to 29. After landing in Milan, the group will spend three nights on Lake Maggiore. The next nights will be at the fishing village of Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre, at the Riviera town of Santa Mar- gherita and in Tremezzo on Lake Como.

Cost: $2,999 per person, double occupancy, including air fare from Los Angeles, hotels, daily breakfast, some dinners, ground transportation and guide.

Contact: Carlucci Tours; (928) 854-3081, www.carluccitours.com.

Southeast Coast: Sailing

The 42-passenger yacht Arabella will cruise from Florida to South Carolina from May 19 to 26 and will repeat the journey six to eight times next spring. Embarkation will be at Amelia Island in northeast Florida.

The Arabella will sail north, stopping at Cumberland Island, Ga., to view wildlife; Jekyll Island, Ga., for a dinner at Crane Cottage; St. Simon’s for kayaking or diving; Sapelo Sound for dinner; and Savannah, Ga., for a day ashore. It will then sail past South Carolina’s Edisto Island plantations and anchor in Bohicket Creek for a dinner at the Rosebank Farm Cafe. Disembarkation will be in Charleston, S.C.

Cost: from $1,299 per person, double occupancy, including cabin, some meals and guided tours. Air fare to Florida and from South Carolina is extra.

Contact: Classic Cruises; (800) 395-343, www.smallshipcruises.com.

Caucasus: History

Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia share turbulent histories, dating from the Bronze Age, and cultures, from the legend of the Golden Fleece to the stories of ancient Ararat.

Following a historically important trade route, adventurous travelers can explore this area with Gail Lapidus, a senior fellow at the Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. The tour, sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Northern California, is limited to 20 and runs from Sept. 1 to 18.

Participants will attend public briefings with high-level officials of each country.

Cost: $6,950 per person, double occupancy, including air fare from San Francisco, accommodations, meals and guides.

Contact: World Affairs Council; (415) 293-4676, www.itsyourworld.org. Or call Distant Horizons; (800) 333-1240.

New Orleans: Buildings

An in-depth look at the Crescent City can be had during a Nov. 4-to-10 tour sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. Led by Roulhac Toledano, author of the trust’s “Guide to New Orleans,” the outing stops at significant buildings and museums and offers a private cooking demonstration and a private dinner party.

Cost: $2,495 per person, double occupancy, including lodging at Hotel Monteleone, many meals and guides. Air fare is extra.

Contact: the National Trust for Historic Preservation; (800) 944-6847, www.nthp.org.

France: Dijon

You are probably thinking of mustard, but canals also draw visitors to this city, the last stop of a 24-passenger barge cruise offered by Continental Waterways. The vessel will float through the canals of the Ouche Valley, stopping at Chateauneuf en Auxois, Concoeur-Corboin, Clos de Vougeot and Dijon. Passengers can sample wine in Burgundy’s wine cellars, shop at markets and visit museums.

The six-night cruises depart July 6 and 27 and Aug. 3, 10 and 17.

Cost: $1,490 per person, double occupancy, including an air-conditioned cabin, most meals and use of bicycles. Air fare to France is extra.

Contact: the Barge Broker; (800) 275-9794, www.continentalwaterways.com.

Alaska: Photography

Nature enthusiasts can capture the Alaskan wilderness on film and have it look professional on a photography week at the Crystal Creek Lodge near Dillingham. Professional photographers and naturalists Fred Hischmann and Greg Syverson will lead the daily nature encounters and instruct group members in the technical details of wildlife photography.

Participants will travel by plane and boat to remote locations to photograph glaciers, flora, brown bears, walruses and birds. Scenery will be provided by Lake Clark and Katmai national parks, Wood-Tikchik State Park and the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Fishing and hunting trips are also available.

Cost: $6,300 per person, double occupancy, including lodging, all meals and excursions. Air fare to Dillingham is extra.

Contact: Crystal Creek Lodge/Sky Trekking Alaska; (800) 525-3153, www.alaskaonthefly.com.

Belize: Scuba Diving

The world’s second largest barrier reef, off the coast of Belize, provides divers with endless sites to explore. Magnum Belize Tours is offering a trip to the Central American country in seven-night segments through Dec. 15. Guides will take divers twice daily to different locations where the marine life is most plentiful. Guests will stay at the Playa Blanca Beach Resort on Ambergris Caye.

Cost: $599 per person, double occupancy, including lodging with kitchen, airport transfers from San Pedro and guided dives. Food and air fare to Belize are extra.

Contact: Magnum Belize Tours; (800) 447-2931, www.magnumbelize.com.

Greece: Cruise

Sail the blue Aegean Sea aboard the 55-foot Viking Junior yacht, which will make seven-day journeys through the Cyclades Islands of Greece. Passengers will visit Mykonos, Paros, Santorini and Tinos. There is time in each port to rent a scooter, dine in the restaurants or visit the beaches. Each sailing is limited to 10 guests, who will stay in hotels on each island.

Cost: $995 per person, double occupancy, including hotels, some meals, cruise director and transfers. Air fare is extra.

Contact: Viking Tours of Greece; (800) 70-VIKING (708-4546).

Colorado: Big Game

Football fans can combine their pastime with a five-night trip to Colorado to see the USC-University of Colorado game. The trip will leave Sept. 10 for Colorado Springs. The tour includes side trips to the Air Force Academy and a ride on the Royal Gorge Railroad. Participants will spend three nights at a hotel in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Two nights will be spent in Boulder, where the game takes place.

Cost: $1,598 per person, double occupancy, including air fare from Los Angeles, hotels, ground transportation, game tickets and tours. Meals are extra.

Contact: Kim Tours & Travel; (800) 237-4546.

New Mexico: Santa Fe

Only women will be allowed on Aventura Artistica’s “Exactly What I Needed” tour to Santa Fe, N.M., from Aug. 14 to 21. Travelers will stay in Santa Fe and Taos. Activities include visits to the Santa Fe Indian Market, Georgia O’Keeffe’s house and a spa; rafting; a pottery class; performances of a Native American dance ceremony and the Santa Fe Opera, and time for hikes.

Cost: $1,500 per person, double occupancy, including hotels, two meals daily, ground transportation, guides, tickets and entrance fees. Air fare to Albuquerque is not included.

Contact: Christy Rojas-Foster at Aventura Artistica; (800) 808-7352, www.newmexicotours.com.

Wales: Castles

Green valleys, castles and quaint villages are the sights on small group tours offered by Lord Addison Travel of Peterborough, N.H. From Aug. 8 to 17, “The Castles of Wales” takes travelers to, among others, Chepstow (one of the first stone castles in Britain), Caerphilly (Wales’ largest), Cardiff (once a fortress, now a palace), Aberystwyth (ruins in a university town), Beaumaris (the “most technically perfect” in Britain) and Caernarfon (a medieval monument).

Cost: $3,220 per person, double occupancy, including eight hotel nights, breakfasts and most dinners. Air fare is extra.

The “Heritage of Wales” tour, Oct. 16 to 26, offers a drive along the Irish Sea, the market town of Carmarthen, the Portmeirion fantasy village (setting for the TV show “The Prisoner”), Laugharne (Dylan Thomas territory), St. David’s Cathedral, Rhondda and Tintern Abbey.

Cost: $3,160 for eight nights’ accommodations and daily breakfast and dinner. Air fare is extra.

Contact: Lord Addison Travel; (800) 326-0170.

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