TOURS & CRUISES

CARIBBEAN

‘Cushy bike trip’ at sea

BALANCE the comforts of a cruise with vigorous mountain biking on a nine-day trip through the southern Caribbean Islands departing Feb. 4.

Cyclists traveling on the Norwegian Spirit will visit Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Tortola and Antigua. Mornings will be spent cycling about 25 miles followed by picnics, snorkeling and swimming. Late afternoons are free for touring.

“I like to call it a cushy bike trip,” said Linda Black, founder of Bike & Cruise Tours.

Cyclists should have moderate biking ability. “Terrain can vary,” Black said, “from pavement to potholes to off-road through the sugar cane fields.”

Cost: Starting at $1,705 per person, double occupancy only. Price includes accommodations, meals, two cocktail parties, bicycle rental and tour fees, support vehicles, guides and ground transportation. Airfare to Miami is not included.

Contact: Bike & Cruise Tours, Gresham, Ore.; (503) 252-3699 or www.bikeandcruise.com.

CALIFORNIA

Camping in Death Valley

HIKE Death Valley on a six-day camping trip starting Dec. 20 for singles and Dec. 27 for couples or groups.

The first days are spent in Mesquite Springs, where the group will visit Ubehebe Crater and cycle to Scotty’s Castle for a tour.

Then, in Furnace Creek, the group will bike past dunes and alluvial formations and hike around Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View to see the Devil’s Golf Course.

Cost: $1,398 per person, double occupancy ($100 single surcharge), including tent lodging (with shower facilities some nights), bedding, cook and guides, and ground transportation from Las Vegas.

Contact: Backroads, Berkeley; (800) 462-2848, (510) 527-1555 or www.backroads.com.

VIRGINIA

A colonial

Christmas

REVISIT early American Christmas traditions on an eight-day tour of historic Williamsburg and the surrounding area on Dec. 21.

The tour begins in Washington, D.C., with a reception dinner followed by a day of sightseeing in the capital.

Besides Colonial Williamsburg, the group will tour Mount Vernon, Monticello, Jamestown and Yorktown. Christmas dinner will be served in a historic tavern.

Cost: $2,669 per person, double occupancy ($1,019 single surcharge), includes lodging, meals, ground transportation and tours. Airfare to Washington is extra.

Contact: Maupintour, Las Vegas; (800) 255-4266 or www.maupintour.com.

PANAMA CANAL

Hanukkah, unhurried

CELEBRATE Hanukkah on a 15-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Los Angeles on Dec. 7.

The Crystal Serenity will stop at Aruba in the Dutch West Indies before passing through the Panama Canal and on to Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Other ports include Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.

There will be menorah-lighting celebrations, and a rabbi will be on board to conduct religious services.

Cost: $4,495 per person, double occupancy ($1,120 single surcharge), includes accommodations, meals, activities aboard ship and transfers. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Crystal Cruises, Los Angeles; (866) 446-6625 or www.crystalcruises.com.

SPAIN

Winter escape to the sun

Relax with friends and family for six nights in Malaga on the Costa del Sol on Dec. 23 or 30.

Malaga’s winter weather is mild. Optional excursions include Granada, home of the Alhambra, and Gibraltar.

Cost: $1,079 or $1,179 per person, double occupancy ($299 single surcharge), including accommodations, some meals, airfare from New York and airport transfers in Spain. Airfare from L.A. and optional excursions are extra.

Contact: The Women’s Travel Club, New York; (800) 480-4448 or www.womenstravelclub.com.

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