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Touting tourism done right

The Great Barrier Reef was selected top destination of the year by the World Travel & Tourism Council. At a May 11 summit in Portugal, the travel industry forum gave kudos to the Australian agency that oversees the marine park for promoting eco-tourism and protecting a healthy reef. Other Tourism for Tomorrow Award winners include Aspen Skiing Co. in Aspen, Colo., for conservation; Nihiwatu Resort on Sumba Island in Indonesia for improving the health and education in local communities; and Lindblad Expeditions, for sustainable and innovative eco-practices on its tours.

Chalk it up

If you forgot to plan something for Memorial Day weekend, hit the streets of Santa Barbara today and Monday for the 21st I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival. You won’t be able to doodle, but from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day you can wander around the Santa Barbara Mission at Laguna and Los Olivos streets to watch masterpieces in chalk emerge. Admission is free; (805) 964-4710, www.imadonnarifestival.com. There’s another street painting festival in San Rafael, Calif., from June 9 to 10, (415) 457-4878; www.youthinarts.org/pages/italian. And there’s one in San Luis Obispo from Sept. 15 to 16, (805) 781-2777; www.sanluisobispocounty.com.

At water’s edge

Draw a line from Monterey to Ventura and list everything you think you might see along the coast. Did you overlook Limekiln State Park? Or the broad-footed mole? Members of the California Coastal Commission wrote the agency’s second guide in its “Experience the California Coast” series -- “Beaches and Parks From Monterey to Ventura” -- chronicling points of interest plus critters and flora. It includes 310 beaches, parks, campgrounds, preserves and other sites. There are even occasional color plates by artist Tom Killion (such as his illustration of the Santa Ynez Mountains, above). $24.95; order at www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10749.html.

A Maui makeover

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui, is closing its doors July 2 for a six-month renovation. When the 50-acre Hawaiian resort reopens after a $95-million face-lift, it will have 446 renovated rooms, 107 one- and two-bedroom suites, an environmental education center, a new spa and restaurants. Info: (808) 669-6200, www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KapaluaMaui.

-- Mary E. Forgione