TOURS & CRUISES

BAHAMAS

Swim with and study dolphins

Ride the waves with wild dolphins on a volunteer research expedition to the aquamarine waters and colorful coral reefs of the Bahamas.

The weeklong Oceanic Society trips are scheduled May through August, with research teams departing from Freeport, Grand Bahamas, on a 63-foot live-aboard vessel, tracking dolphins and studying their ecology.

“The clear, warm waters of the Bahamas offer an unmatched opportunity to study wild dolphin behavior underwater in their natural environment,” said Oceanic Society executive director Birgit Winning.

Although the project requires participation in the study, only swimming and snorkeling skills are required.

Dolphin expert Richard Connor of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth is directing the project and will accompany the first group, which departs May 26. Connor, whose work was featured in the National Geographic Society documentary “Dolphins: The Wild Side,” will be accompanied by graduate student researcher Daisy Kaplan, who will lead teams departing later in the summer.

Cost: $1,990 per person, including accommodations, meals, excursions and leadership. Air transportation to Freeport is not included.

Contact: Oceanic Society Expeditions, San Francisco; (800) 326-7491, www.oceanicsociety.org.

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MEXICO

Art, culture and cooking

of Oaxaca

ABsorb the rich cultural traditions -- and dine on the rich, savory foods -- of Oaxaca during a 10-day Mexican art and culture tour.

The July 9 trip is based in Oaxaca but includes visits to nearby villages known for their native crafts. Participants will visit museums, workshops and archeological sites, such as Monte Alban and Mitla.

The itinerary includes art demonstrations, a cooking lesson with a Oaxacan chef, and a performance of folk dances.

A second 10-day art and culture tour, which begins July 30, will visit the Sierra Madre and colonial cities of Mexico, including Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro, Santa Clara del Cobre, Morelia and Patzcuaro. Participants will visit art workshops and home studios.

Cost: The Oaxaca tour is $1,195 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $500); the colonial cities tour is $2,195 per person (single surcharge $500). Both tours include accommodations, two meals a day, activities and entrance fees. Airfare is not included.

Contact: Jean Grimm Art and Culture Tours, (888) 783-1331, www.mexicanarttours.com.

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IRELAND

A tour of gardens public and private

FInd a blooming pot of gold at the end of an Irish rainbow on a two-week garden tour to Ireland.

The May 26-June 9 tour, led by Northern California landscape designer John Gray, will visit some of the nation’s best-known estates and gardens, including Kilruddery, the oldest garden in Ireland, and Powerscourt, considered one of the world’s greatest gardens, a 47-acre blend of formal and informal gardens. Private gardens are also on the itinerary, including the Dillon Garden in Dublin and Lakemont near Cork.

Cost: $4,800 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $600), including accommodations, meals, entrances, tips, transfers and guide service. Air transportation to Ireland is not included.

Contact: John Gray, Ceres, Calif.; (800) 757-0404, www.gardenvisions.com.

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CANADA

See British Columbia,

by kayak

PADDlE through the sheltered bays and islands of Queen Charlotte Strait, British Columbia, on six-day wilderness kayaking adventures.

The Wilderness Islands trips, which focus on an area where humpback whales and eagles are often seen, depart from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island each Monday from Aug. 2 to 23.

Participants will set up camp nightly on the beaches of secluded islands. Travelers who prefer hotel accommodations can depart Mondays, June 28 through July 31, on trips that are based at a lodge in God’s Pocket Provincial Park near northern Vancouver Island.

Cost: The Wilderness Islands trips are $1,050 per person; the God’s Pocket trip is $1,499 per person. Both include accommodations, meals, kayaking instruction and guide service. Transportation to Port Hardy is not included.

Contact: Sea Kayak Adventures, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; (800) 616-1943, www.seakayakadventures.com.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. Send information to Tours & Cruises, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, or e-mail travel@latimes.com.