In April, listen to a paleontologist explain the evolution of marine mammals while you cruise on the Gulf of California. In July, fly to the Italian seaside and observe master classes in piano, voice and strings. Or in September, spend 10 days retracing the route of American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.
These trips are among the dizzying number of educational tours on the calendar for 2001. As in years past, the Travel section has asked me to select 10 that seem especially promising. After sifting through the offerings from museums, universities and other organizations, I've come up with a diverse list that spans the globe and caters to a spectrum of interests.
The trips are listed in no particular order. Prices are per person, double occupancy, including lodging and guides. As of Wednesday, space was available for all. But be sure to check with tour operators about changes in availability, itinerary and cost.
Writing in Mid-Ocean
Although most Oceanic Society Expeditions are natural history trips or research projects, one tour this spring is a nature writing workshop on Midway Islands, a national wildlife refuge along the Hawaiian archipelago. Participants receive a pre-trip packet of readings and come prepared to document in a journal the islands' bountiful wildlife--seabirds, fish, endangered monk seals and spinner dolphins. Journalist Pam Frierson will help participants develop their style.
May 19 to 26. Price is $1,990, including air fare from Honolulu and all meals (bathrooms are shared). Contact Marcy Englund, Oceanic Society Expeditions, Ft. Mason Center, Building E, San Francisco, CA 94123; tel. (800) 326-7491 or (415) 441-1106, http://www.oceanic-society.org.
Whale Sail for Families
Many family travel programs visit the Gulf of California to examine the animals of Baja California, but this tour is different: It's led by Lawrence Barnes, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. A leading authority on marine mammal evolution, Barnes will focus on whales, pointing out migrating ones in the gulf and showing fossils that date back 25 million years. Although the emphasis will be on natural history, the tour allows time for shore excursions, kayaking, snorkeling and other activities. Participants sleep aboard the ship.
