Oaxacan crafts and folk artists

SAMPLE the crafts of Oaxaca and visit the artisans in their homes and studios during a tour that begins June 20. The 11-night trip takes in the region’s archaeological sites and the city’s colonial architecture, markets and museums.

“We’ve been doing the tours for more than 10 years,” said collector and curator Rocky Behr of Folk Tree Tours.

“I’ve gotten to know many artisans and artists. It’s a very personal tour.” Behr also sells Oaxacan folk arts in her Pasadena stores, the Folk Tree and the Folk Tree Collection.

Participants stroll markets, including the Ocotlan Market, and visit woodcarvers in San Martin Tilcajete.

They meet potter Josefina Aguilar and visit local folk art stores and galleries.

Behr has arranged lectures on indigenous arts and a cooking class with renowned Oaxacan chef Iliana de la Vega, owner of the restaurant El Naranjo.

Cost: $2,750 per person, double occupancy ($600 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, hotels, some meals and sightseeing.

Contact: Folk Tree Tours, Pasadena; (626) 795-8733, www.folktree.com.

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FRANCE

Riviera, to learn French

STUDY French this summer on a 17-day journey to Paris and the French Riviera.

The program, which begins Aug. 3, is for students 14 to 18 and their chaperons. The group will tour Paris and spend two weeks in Cannes studying French each morning and touring each afternoon.

Participants will visit Nice, Eze, Monaco, Menton, Grasse, St. Paul-de-Vence and Antibes. Activities include museum visits, sailing lessons, sketching workshops and beach activities.

Cost: $3,595 per person, including accommodations, meals, language school tuition and excursions. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: The Brighton Foundation, Pasadena; (626) 795-2985, www.brightonedge.org.

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CALIFORNIA

A little toast to history

DRINK in California history and a little wine on a five-night tour of missions, museums and wineries.

The train and bus trip begins June 13, stopping at 18th century Spanish missions along the way.

The group tours the Filoli Center, an early 20th century country estate and gardens in Woodside, and San Francisco’s rebuilt copper-clad M.H. de Young Memorial Museum. Among the wineries the group visits: Cline Cellars, the new Nicholson Ranch and Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves.

Cost: $825 per person, double occupancy ($260 single surcharge), including round-trip transportation from Glendale to San Francisco, hotels, some meals and entrance fees. Transportation to Glendale is not included.

Contact: Glendale Community College, Community Services Office, Glendale; (818) 548-0864, Ext. 5048, www.californiadiscovery.com.

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JAPAN

Two cities, many shrines

WANDER through the gardens and ancient shrines of Japan on an excursion that starts May 18.

The 10-night tour will explore Tokyo, Kyoto and cruise Lake Ashi at the foot of Mt. Fuji. In Tokyo, the group will visit the 18th century Rikugien Garden and the Hama-Rikyu Garden. In Kyoto, participants will tour shrines, including the Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-Ji Temple.

Cost: $2,950 per person, double occupancy ($750 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, hotels, most meals, ground transportation and entrance fees.

Contact: Hermes Travel & Tours, Torrance; (310) 791-5556, www.hermestoursonline.com.

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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.