California: wine country cruising

“JUST wanted to recommend a cruise to the wine country. We sailed around San Francisco Bay, and when we woke up in the morning, we were docked on the Napa River. Tour buses picked us up, and we were off to the wine country. Three wineries and a lovely lunch in a cavern of one of the wineries, then back to the ship. We awoke at Mare Island and did three more wineries in Sonoma. This was one of the most relaxing cruises because it was small and intimate.” Prices from $1,149.

Cruise West, 2301 5th Ave., Suite 401, Seattle, WA 98121; (888) 851-8133, www.cruisewest.com.

CARMEN PRICE

Los Angeles

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Alaska: a B&B; with privacy

“IN August, my husband and I spent a week at this wonderful B&B.; Unlike the B&Bs; we have in California, you have the ‘apartment’ to yourself. It has a full kitchen, bath and upstairs bedroom. The hosts, Gail and John, stock it with breakfast foods and beverages, so you fix it yourself when you are hungry. The scenery is beautiful, and the hot tub and balcony are the best.” Double rooms from $125.

Timberline Bed & Breakfast, P.O. Box 126, Girdwood, AK 99587; (907) 783-2404, www.timberlinedrivebnb.com.

CAROL AND AL COPPOCK

Downey

Send recommendations to Readers Recommend / Travel, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012; fax (213) 237-7355, e-mail travel@latimes.com.