Tours and cruises in Asia, Latin America and the U.S.

GUATEMALA

Art, food and culture

Escalle & Co.’s “Culinary & Shopping Tour” gives travelers the chance to experience Guatemalan food, art and culture as a local. Take part in cooking and dancing lessons, a textile lecture and jewelry-making demonstrations, as well as plentiful opportunities to meet with and buy from native craftspeople and artisans.

Itinerary: Antigua to Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlan, Santiago de Atitlán and highland villages surrounding the lake

Dates: Oct. 7-15

Price: Starting at $795, double occupancy (single supplement $300), including lodging, transportation and transfers, guidance services, entrance fees, some meals, wine-and-cheese hours and a $150 donation to Guatemalan programs. The rate does not include airfare.

Info: Escalle & Co., Irvine; (949) 387-7163, https://www.sellin.com/GCFR/10S.html

INDIA AND BHUTAN

Exploring the Himalyas

Explore remote regions of the Himalayas on Wanderlust & Lipstick’s “Bhutan: Eastern Trekking” journey, which spans 17 days, two countries and climbs to elevations of more than 13,000 feet. During the first leg, travelers experience India’s jungles by elephant and jeep. The remainder of the itinerary is spent immersed in Bhutan’s exotic culture, visiting Buddhist monasteries (including the spectacular Tiger’s Nest), villages, museums and mountain passes; meeting brightly costumed nomads and locals; and watching indigenous performances and rituals.

Itinerary: Kolkata to Guwahati, Kaziranga, Guwahati, Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashigang, Merak, Sakten, Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse, Mongar, Bumthang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, Wangdue, Thimphu and Paro

Dates: Oct. 12-28

Price: From $5,750, double occupancy (single supplement $700), including lodging, intra-Asia flights, in-country transportation, transfers, all meals, guidance, safaris, entrance fees, airport taxes, visa fees and travelers’ insurance. The price does not include international airfare.

Info: Wanderlust & Lipstick, Seattle; (206) 937-6789, https://www.wanderlustandlipstick.com

OREGON, WASHINGTON AND IDAHO

Cruising and cuisine

The weeklong “Rivers of the West — Wine and Culinary Tour” by American Safari Cruises samples some of the West’s best outdoor settings on the Columbia and Snake rivers, as well as superb cuisine. The yacht, Safari Explorer, docks often so that passengers can go on winery tours, a jet-boat canyon ride, town walks and a dam visit. Aboard the vessel, educational lessons are presented; amenities include a complimentary massage and a hot tub.

Itinerary: Lewiston to Hells Canyon, Palouse Canyon, Walla Walla, Yakima Valley, Maryhill Museum and Winery, Hood River, Bonneville Dam and Portland. Eastbound departures follow the same itinerary in reverse order.

Dates: Departures October through April 2011

Price: Starting at $4,395, double occupancy (single supplement costs 175%), including lodging, meals, drinks, a massage, jet-boat and kayak excursions, tours, professional guidance, transfers, port charges and taxes. The price does not include airfare.

Info: American Safari Cruises, Seattle; (888) 862-8881, https://www.americansafaricruises.com

FRANCE AND ITALY

Dreaming of Paris, Venice and Florence

Three of Europe’s top cities are the focus of Adventure Vacations’ affordable “European Dream” package, which covers all travel, air and train and lodgings between Los Angeles, Paris, Venice and Florence; it’s up to you to personalize the rest of the adventure.

Itinerary: Los Angeles to Paris, Venice, Florence and back to L.A.

Dates: Departures available Nov. 1 through March 31, 2011

Price: Starting at $1,392, double occupancy (single supplement $250), including international airfare, train fare, transfers, hotel accommodations and taxes, breakfasts, shopping discounts and maps. Not included is $150 in airport taxes.

Info: Adventure Vacations, La Jolla; (800) 600-5587, https://www.adventurevacationsinc.com

ANTARCTICA

Exploring at the bottom of the world

Trace the paths of great explorers to one of Earth’s final frontiers during AdventureSmith Explorations’ “Antarctic Peninsula” cruise aboard the M/S Expedition. Experts explain the unique landforms and wildlife of the South Pole. The trip culminates with two shore excursions (weather permitting) on the Antarctic continent.

Itinerary: Ushuaia to the Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands

Dates: Departures available November through February 2011

Price: From $4,159, double occupancy (single supplement 170%), including lodging and meals aboard the ship, a hotel stay with breakfast in Ushuaia, lectures, shore landings with visits to scientific research stations as well as Zodiac cruises. The price does not include taxes, airfare to Ushuaia or the transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Info: AdventureSmith Explorations, Tahoe City, Calif.; (800) 728-2875, https://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com

— Avital Binshtock

itinerary@latimes.com