Travel briefs
Published 9:00 pm Saturday, July 2, 2005
Trace the history of King Tut on a two-week tour of Egypt.
The tours, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1 and 29, and Nov. 26, coincide with the new “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” exhibit.
Tutankhamen, born about 1343 B.C., ruled only about a decade, but unlike other Egyptian pharaohs, his tomb mostly was intact when unearthed in the 20th century.
The tours will begin with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Cairo, home of a collection of artifacts from King Tut’s life.
The group then travels to Tell el-Amarna in middle Egypt, where the young king lived.
Visitors will see the ancient city of Abydos, home of the temple of Seti I. They’ll also cruise the Nile on the 50-cabin cruise ship Sonesta Sun Goddess, visiting Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, location of more than 80 tombs, including the tomb of King Tut.
Cost: $2,995 per person, double occupancy ($995 single surcharge), including hotels, meals, ground transportation in Egypt, cruise, sightseeing and airport transfers. Air fare is not included.
Contact: Destinations &Adventures International, Los Angeles; 800-659-4599, www.daitravel.com.
Volunteering in Nepal
Restore a monastery as a volunteer with the Cultural Restoration Tourism Project in the Annapurna region of Nepal.
The 10-day project and tour, which begins Dec. 20, will include three days of work rebuilding a monastery in Chhairo Gompa.
There will be sightseeing in Katmandu and visits to villages and local festivals.
Part of the trip fee is tax-deductible.
Cost: $2,495 per person, including airfare and ground transportation in Nepal, accommodations and meals. Air fare to Katmandu, travel insurance, passport and visa fees are not included.
Contact: Cultural Restoration Tourism Project, Pacifica, Calif.; 415-563-7221, www.crtp.net.
California wine-country cycling
Mingle with singles on a six-day cycling tour of the wine country.
The tours, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 18 and Dec. 18, will go from Healdsburg to Bodega Bay, stopping at some of the more than 500 wineries in the region for tastings, along with restaurants and picnic spots.
Highlights include dining in Yountville, visiting the historic town of Sonoma and riding Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail and along the Pacific Coast.
Cost: $2,398 per person, double occupancy ($700 single surcharge), including hotels, most meals, wine tastings and bicycle rental. Transportation is not included.
Contact: Backroads, Berkeley; 800-462-2848,
www.backroads.com.
Israel’s ancient sites
Explore some of the world’s most revered sites on a 10-day tour of Israel.
The Nov. 29 tour includes stays in Netanya, Tiberias and Jerusalem.
Sightseeing venues are Mount Carmel, Nazareth, the Roman ruins of Scythopolis (Beth Shean), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa and Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The group also sails on the Sea of Galilee.
Cost: $1,995 per person, double occupancy ($395 single surcharge), including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, hotels and hotel taxes, most meals and ground transportation in Israel.
Contact: Adult Customized Tours, Palm Springs, Calif.; 760-322-1247 or 888-605-8280, www.act-tours.com.
French treats
Go day-tripping in the south of France and stay in a 19th-century French country home.
The nine-day tours, Oct. 1 and 15, include visits to wineries, chocolatiers, cheese makers, abbeys, monasteries and a market. The itinerary includes the Alps, Provence, Lyon and Chartreuse.
The tours are designed for gay travelers, friends and families, but are open to all.
Cost: $1,970 per person (no single surcharge), including lodging, meals, ground transportation, airport transfers, chauffeur and guides. Airfare to Lyon is not included.
Contact: Venture Out Tours, San Francisco; 888-431-6789, www.venture-out.com.
Language courses
NWLA, Center for World Language and Culture, offers a series of weekend intensive language courses designed to facilitate travel, introducing you to conversational situations you are sure to encounter on your journeys. Instead of memorizing phrases, you will learn basic patterns of conversation that you can apply to many different circumstances. Practical travel tips and cultural orientation are also highlighted.
Instructors are native speakers with professional experience. The fee for the workshop is $250 and includes a language text and other materials. NWLA offers discounts for family groups and couples, as well early registration. Group size is limited to 15 and pre-registration is required. Call 360-914-0391 or 360-579-2416 or e-mail info@nwlanguageacademy.com. More information at www.nwlanguageacademy.com.
* Italian Language Cafe – Aug. 5-7, Whidbey Island
* French Cafe – Aug. 26-28, Mukilteo
Prices, dates or itineraries may change. These should be confirmed with cruise lines, travel agents or tour operators.
From Herald news services
