TOURS & CRUISES

ITALY

Garden spots and city tours

SEE Italy in bloom on a garden tour that begins April 27. The 14-day tour focuses on the Lake District, Venice, Florence and Rome.

“It’s all the flowers, of course, but it’s also a comprehensive tour of Italy,” said tour operator John Bradfield.

The trip begins with a four-night stay on Lake Como to explore some of the region’s gardens, such as those in the 100-acre estate of Villa Taranto. The estate overlooks Lake Maggiore.

The group will stop in Verona to visit the Giardino Giusti, a 16th century Renaissance garden and palazzo that has been described as the “jewel of Verona.” There will be a two-night stop in Venice, where participants will visit St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and a Murano glass factory. Florence, a three-night stop, will be a hub for travel to gardens and landmarks.

Three nights will be spent in Rome.

Cost: $4,795 per person, double occupancy ($895 single surcharge), including hotels, most meals, ground transportation, sightseeing, airport transfers and entrance fees. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Lucas & Randall, Sacramento; (916) 403-4000, www.lucasandrandall.com.

ARIZONA

Five nights of film, festivities

HEAD to the red rock country for the Sedona International Film Festival and Workshop on a trip that begins Feb. 22.

Participants spend five nights attending independent film screenings, workshops, panel discussions and parties.

The festival, Feb. 23-26, will focus on animation; several panels will be devoted to the subject. Los Angeles film critic Stephen Farber will lead the group.

Cost: $1,395 per person, double occupancy ($400 single surcharge), including hotel, some meals, entrance to screenings, workshops and lectures. Transportation from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Let’s Travel, Santa Monica; (310) 451-5805, Ext. 58, www.letstravel-sm.com.

NETHERLANDS AND BELGIUM

Passover passage

CELEBRATE Passover on a kosher cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium on a nine-day cruise that sails April 11.

The cruise, aboard Austrian River Cruises’ 128-passenger Sound of Music, embarks in Amsterdam, sailing canals, the Rhine River and the IJssel Sea. The itinerary also includes Rotterdam and Teurnuzen, as well as Antwerp, Belgium.

In the Netherlands, passengers will visit the Hague, Delft and Gouda. They’ll spend a day in the Keukenhof Gardens near Lisse, tour the medieval city of The Hague and synagogues in Antwerp.

Cost: $4,200 and up per person, double occupancy ($4,200 single surcharge), including accommodations, meals, sightseeing and shore excursions. Airfare from Los Angeles to Amsterdam is not included.

Contact: Chosen Voyage by INTRAV, St. Louis; (800) 990-0890, www.chosenvoyage.com.

ENGLAND

Oxford study and touring

SPEND 11 weeks abroad on a study session in Oxford that runs from March 2 through May 18.

Students tour London, Bath and Stonehenge while studying history, political science or theater arts. Courses are taught by Riverside Community College staff; participants stay with local families.

Cost: $6,499 per person, including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, lodging, most meals, medical and travel insurance, excursions and airport transfers. Tuition, passport and visa fees are not included.

Contact: Riverside Community College District International Education, Riverside; (951) 222-8340, www.capaprograms.org.

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.