MEDITERRANEAN
Sites of holy, secular past
Sail away on a weeklong Mediterranean cruise that charts a course to ancient towns, historical ruins and important shrines, including a Turkish site reputed to be the former home of the Virgin Mary. In Istanbul, see the imposing Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Accommodations are aboard the 500-cabin Costa Serena, which has five restaurants, 13 bars and four swimming pools.
Itinerary: Venice, to Bari, Italy, Olympia, Greece; Izmir and Istanbul in Turkey; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and back to Venice.
Dates: Departures May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Price: From $799, double occupancy, including onboard accommodations and meals but not including fuel supplements and certain taxes and fees (up to $111).
Info: Costa Cruises, Italy; (800) 462-6782, http://www.costacruise.com
BALI
Spiritual trip, luxe retreat
Fans of "Eat, Pray, Love" may enjoy this Ubud-based itinerary, which incorporates meetings with some of the memoir's real-life characters: Ketut Liyer, the impressive shaman; Wayan, the healer; and Yudhi, the musician. The book's theme of spiritual growth and self-exploration is honored during meditation, yoga and day trips to temples set against sweeping ocean backdrops of Indonesia. Its subtheme, indulgence, will also have its place amid upscale lodging in a tropical rain forest, dramatic dining experiences, spa treatments and a Balinese cooking lesson. Visits to craft markets and artisan studios are also planned.
Itinerary: Denpasar (the capital of Bali) to Ubud, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Bay, Tanah Lot and Besakih
Dates: May 20-27
Price: $2,995, double occupancy (single supplement $750), including round-trip airfare from L.A., transfers, hotel accommodations, most meals, motorcoach sightseeing, admissions and entrance fees, and hotel tips and taxes. The price does not include airport taxes, gratuities for local guides, visa fees ($35), departure taxes, optional tours or a 3% credit-card charge.
Info: Spirit Quest Tours, Las Vegas; (877) 406-5206, http://www.spiritquesttours.com
ARIZONA AND UTAH
Beyond the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon isn't the only game in town, as former geography professor Dennis Napier proves during this seven-day "Magnificent Canyons of West" museum trip. Travelers behold impressive river-formed canyons, several national parks and monuments, Canyon de Chelly's Native American ruins and rock art, vast mesas and Arizona's Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. Niceties along the way include a stop at a Navajo trading post, dinner and a performance of "Cats" at red-rock Tuacahn Amphitheatre, a small-town cookout with line dancing and an optional float trip down the Colorado.
Itinerary: Depart Ventura, San Fernando Valley or Mission Viejo to Flagstaff and Canyon de Chelly in Arizona; Moab, Canyonlands National Park, Bryce Canyon, Tropic and St. George in Utah and back to Southern California
Dates: June 7-13; book by May 7
Price: $1,150, double occupancy ($1,450 for single occupancy), including hotel accommodations, escorted tours, motorcoach transportation, entrance fees, tour-director services, four meals and luggage handling
Info: Museum of Ventura County, Ventura; (805) 641-1876, Ext. 305, http://www.venturamuseum.org
TANZANIA
East African safari
This 12-day East African safari, escorted by retired Santa Ana Zoo director Ron Glazier, goes into the Western Serengeti savannaa to see one of the world's most amazing spectacles: the massive wildebeest and zebra migration. Also included in the safari are a Land Rover journey into Ngorongoro Crater, which holds more than 25,000 large mammals, including rhinos, hippos and lions; a tour of Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakeys found the roots of human evolution; stops at a Masai and an Iraqw village; and a visit to a school.
Itinerary: Nairobi, Kenya, to Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park, Mto Wa Mbu, Ngorongoro, Olduvai Gorge, Serengeti National Park, Grumeti River area, Arusha and back to Nairobi
Dates: June 10-22
Price: $6,295, double occupancy (single supplement $995), including accommodations, intra-Tanzania flights, meals, the guidance services of a zoologist and naturalists, wildlife viewing by private minibus (window seat guaranteed), hotel taxes and tips, park entry fees, baggage tags, a passport wallet and a donation to a conservation fund. The price is land-only; the option of international airfare is available for $2,300, not including departure taxes of up to $550. Part of the proceeds support the Santa Ana Zoo's conservation programs.
Info: Friends of Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana; (360) 933-1737, http://www.santaanazoo.org
GUATEMALA AND HONDURAS
Mayan art and nature tour
