TOURS & CRUISES

FLORIDA

Gliding island to island along a ‘River of Grass’ in the Everglades

Paddle through the maze of saltwater and mangrove-dotted estuaries that flow through the Everglades, Florida’s “River of Grass,” on six-day canoe trips planned for February and March.

The trips, which explore the 10,000 Islands region, are arranged by Wilderness Inquiry, a nonprofit organization that provides adventure travel for people of all ages and abilities, including seniors and disabled travelers.

Trips are planned for Feb. 24, and March 8 and 16.

“The canoe trips focus on a unique area that most people never see,” said spokesman Karl F. Simer.

“You paddle island to island, and the group picks out whichever beach appeals to them when they want to camp for the night.”

The trips begin and end at Shark Valley Nature Preserve in Everglades National Park, a region known for colorful sunsets, sandy beaches and hundreds of bird species. No experience is needed.

Cost: $745 per person, including equipment, guides, instruction and meals. Transportation to the Everglades is not included.

Contact: Wilderness Inquiry; (612) 676-9400, www.wildernessinquiry.org.

CALIFORNIA

Wheeling through Santa Barbara and seeing the sights

Dust off your best cycling duds for a small-group luxury bike tour of Santa Barbara and surrounding towns with Santa Barbara Scenic Bike Tours.

“Being a local, I know Santa Barbara in and out,” said Rich Latta, company president and founder.

The five-night tours start in Santa Barbara, with a night’s stay at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort.

The second day will take riders south along the coast to Ventura, and then to Ojai for a night at a B&B.;

A fourth night will be spent in Santa Barbara before riders climb the San Marcos Pass to Solvang and Los Olivos for a night at Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn and Spa, followed by a day of riding and wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley.

About 120 miles will be covered during the five days, with an average of three hours a day in the saddle. Riders should be fit, but there will be a support wagon for the weary.

Tours are March 9 and 30, April 20 and May 11 and 25.

Cost: March 9 tour is $1,595; other dates, $1,695. The price includes accommodations and all meals except one lunch and one dinner. Bicycle rental is $120 extra.

Contact: Santa Barbara Scenic Bike Tours; (800) 872-2186, www.bikesantabarbara.com.

WYOMING

Learning will be a family affair at Yellowstone

Roam the wilds of Yellowstone National Park this summer with your kids, and let them come home with a Junior Ranger badge.

Through “Yellowstone for Families,” a four-day study and adventure trip, you and a naturalist guide will track animals, watch for wildlife, hike and paint, among other activities.

The Yellowstone Assn. Institute, which offers year-round educational programs in the park, and Xanterra Parks & Resorts, which handles lodgings, will offer 49 sessions in two locations: Mammoth Hot Springs and Grant Village.

“The response from participants last year made it clear that we needed to expand this program,” said Jim McCaleb, Xanterra Parks’ general manager in Yellowstone.

“Families want to discover Yellowstone together, and the shared learning enhances both their park experience and their time together.”

Consequently, the number of sessions has been doubled this year.

The program is geared for families with children ages 8 to 12, but children of other ages can be accommodated.

Sessions that start on Sunday are rated easy, with one- to three-mile hikes. Thursday sessions at Mammoth are more strenuous and are rated moderate, with three- to five-mile walks.

Cost: $1,756 for two adults and two children, including lodging in standard rooms with double or queen-size beds at the Mammoth Hot Springs or Grant Village hotels, breakfast and box lunch daily, van transportation in the park and optional evening programs. Dinners and transportation to Yellowstone are not included.

Contact: Xanterra Parks & Resorts; (307) 344-5566, www.yellowstoneassociation.org/institute/packages/family.htm.

BRITAIN

Across the pond on the grande dame of ships

If you’ve always wanted to sail on the last of the grand, classic transatlantic ocean liners, the Queen Elizabeth 2, you’ll have to hurry.

The QE2 will be taken out of transatlantic service in April 2004, when the Queen Mary 2 will take over its route.

Elderhostel, a nonprofit that offers study-travel programs for people 55 and older, is making eleventh-hour trips on the QE2 easy and educational with four 14-day study programs, which include six-day transatlantic crossings.

The programs begin in New York or London.

“It’s a unique opportunity to study and travel aboard the QE2 as she makes her final crossings,” said Elka Miller, who heads Elderhostel’s study cruise programs.

Topics on the four cruises include “Writing Circle: Embarking on an Artist’s Life,” May 30 to June 12; “A Voyage Through History: QE2 and the Transatlantic Crossing,” June 15 to 28 and July 12 to 25; and “Performing Arts in London,” June 25 to July 8.

There will be lectures aboard ship and visits to museums and tourist sites in New York and London.

Cost: “Writing Circle” and “A Voyage Through History” start at $3,553; “Performing Arts,” which includes performances in London, starts at $3,575. All prices include international air fare from New York, lectures, field trips, hotels, cabins with bath aboard the QE2, and most meals.

Contact: Elderhostel; (877) 426-8056, www.elderhostel.org.

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