Eat and drink with experts at the...

Eat and drink with experts at the Ahwahnee this winter

Turn up, tune in and chill out this winter at Yosemite National Park -- and sample California wines and gourmet foods.

Vintners’ and Chefs’ Holidays -- two- and three-day programs -- will be held through Feb. 5 at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley. The sessions include receptions, demonstrations, tastings, panel discussions and five-course gourmet dinners with wines. Sessions are not held during holiday weeks.

The consumer wine series, with five sessions planned through Dec. 11, is in its 22nd year. Among the participants are Eberle Winery, Beringer Vineyards and Napa Wine Co. Each session features four California vintners.

The chefs’ series begins Jan. 13 and continues through Feb. 5. Among the guest chefs will be Joachim Splichal, of L.A.’s Patina Group, and Victor Scargle, executive chef at Copia, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa.

Cost: Wine sessions are $829 for a two-night package at the Ahwahnee; $469 for a two-night package at Yosemite Lodge. Three-night Ahwahnee packages are $1,069; $559 for Yosemite Lodge. All packages include overnight accommoda- tions for two, admission to all sessions and wine tastings and two tickets to the vintners’ dinner in the Ahwahnee dining room. Chefs’ sessions are $729 for two-night packages at the Ahwahnee; $449 at Yosemite Lodge. Three-night packages are $999 at the Ahwahnee; $529 at Yosemite Lodge. Prices include lodging for two and admission to events and dinner. Single occupancy rates are not available.

Contact: DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite, (559) 252-4848, www.yosemitepark.com.

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ENGLAND

Live and learn

in a study-abroad program at Oxford

Spend the spring semester in jolly old England in a study-abroad program at Oxford, sponsored by Riverside Community College.

The Feb. 26-May 27 program allows students to earn 12 units or more of transferable credit in English literature, creative writing, humanities, biology and health science. Courses are taught by Riverside city campus instructors.

Students live with local families. A one-week spring break affords travel opportunities.

Cost: $5,799 per person, including round-trip airfare from LAX to London, departure taxes, group transfers, private room in a British home, daily breakfast and dinner, field trips and medical and travel insurance. School fees are not included.

Contact: Jan Schall, coordinator of international education, Riverside city campus; (909) 222-8340.

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CUBA

Havana’s film festival and the

hot local sights

Focus on reel life next month on a 10-day Cuban tour that includes the Havana International Film Festival.

The Dec. 4 tour is escorted and includes a city tour, a visit to the Cuban Film Institute, trips to museums and beaches and a film festival pass, allowing admittance to all festival events. The festival is Dec. 4-14.

Cost: $2,450 per person double occupancy (single surcharge $300), including round-trip airfare from Cancun, Mexico, or Nassau, Bahamas, to Havana, accommodations at the Hotel Nacional, meals, tourist visas, sightseeing and other activities.

Contact: Cuban Adventures, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; (877) 282-2386, www.cubanadventures.com.

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ITALY

Visit Rome

and Florence

the low-cost way

Say buon giorno to a low-cost winter holiday in Italy on a six-night package priced at $889, including round-trip airfare, three nights in Rome and three nights in Florence.

The package is available from Nov. 20 to Dec. 11 and Jan. 8 to Feb. 26. In Rome, participants stay at the Starhotel Michelangelo near St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican; in Florence, they stay at the Hotel Carolus on the edge of the historic district. Travel from Rome to Florence is by first-class train. No single’s rate is available.

Contact: TourCrafters Inc. of New York City; (800) 482-5995, www.tourcrafters.com.

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YELLOWSTONE

Tour the park where buffalo and elk herds roam

Brave the cold to see nature at its finest on a six-day winter tour to Yellowstone National Park.

The escorted tour, which begins March 1, includes two nights in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and three nights at the Old Faithful Snowlodge in the center of Yellowstone.

Winter visitors often see herds of buffalo and elk. Participants will tour the park aboard heated snow coaches in search of wildlife and other highlights. Narration will be by park rangers and naturalists.

Cost: $1,125 per person double occupancy (single supplement $275), including round-trip airfare from LAX to Salt Lake City, accommodations, some meals and sightseeing.

Contact: Main Street Tours of Torrance, (800) 300-6246, www.mainstreettours.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.