Tour U.S. Mints

The United States Mint has resumed tours at its Philadelphia and Denver facilities.

The same-day tours were suspended following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, although tours scheduled in advance through Congressional representatives had been available on a limited basis.

The tours, offered first-come, first-served, resumed April 6 in Philadelphia and April 7 in Denver.

In Philadelphia, the Mint is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, except federal holidays. Visitors can line up on Fifth Street between Arch and Race streets.

The Denver Mint, at 320 West Colfax Ave., is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, except federal holidays.

Both tours are free. The Philadelphia tour is self-guided.

For details, go to www.usmint.gov and click on “Tours.”

Toucan Trail

The brightly colored toucan is the national bird of Belize, and a new Web site called www.ToucanTrail.com has just been launched to help visitors plan a trip there.

The site lists over 160 smaller hotels with rates of $60 a night or less and is designed to be a resource for travelers on a budget. Many of the lodgings are in locations that are off the beaten path; some offer unusual ecotourism or cultural experiences. Each listing comes with a detailed description of amenities and activities.

For general information about visiting Belize, go to www.travelbelize.org or call 800-624-0686.

Drive the Big Sur

Step beyond the gates for an exclusive look at the private gardens of Big Sur.

The daylong June 18 driving tour will include gardens in redwood canyons and on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Local artists’ studios also will be included in the tour of the town along California’s central coast.

Participants are given guide maps to the half a dozen or more locations, where they are met by volunteers who are knowledgeable in the history, flora and fauna of the area.

An art and garden market is also planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ripplewood Resort in Big Sur. It will conclude with an artists’ reception from 4 to 5 p.m.

Cost: $45 per person, including map and guides.

Contact: The Big Sur Arts Initiative, Big Sur, Calif.; 831-667-1530, www.bigsurarts.org.

Big Apple role playing

Act out your dreams of stardom in New York City. The three-day showbiz tour for women will begin Aug. 19.

Participants meet with an acting coach, read their lines in front of a director and compete with other members of the tour for an actress-of-the-day award.

They’ll lunch at Sardi’s, tour behind the scenes at NBC Studios and Radio City Music Hall, and catch Broadway and off-Broadway shows.

Cost: $1,295 per person, double occupancy ($250 single surcharge), including hotels, meals, lessons, tours, show tickets, baggage handling and subway fare. Air fare and airport transfers are not included.

Contact: Adventurous Wench, Mesa, Ariz.; 866-419-3624, www.adventurouswench.com.

Travel deals

Good bargains around the globe:

Sail the Greek islands with a deal from Worldwaterways.com. A package that includes a seven-night cruise aboard the 50-passenger Panorama and three nights’ hotel in Athens has been discounted to $1,999 per person double; usual cruise-only fare is $2,150. Port charges are an extra $150. Depart May 9, 16 or 30, or June 6. Info: 800-833-2620, www.worldwaterways.com.

Moment’s Notice Travel is offering a seven-night Mediterranean cruise on the MSC Lirica starting at $840 per person double, a savings of more than 50 percent over brochure rates. The deal applies to sailings in May, June and October, departing from Civitavecchia, Italy. Info: 888-241-3366, www.moments-notice.com.

Seabourn is discounting two Caribbean cruises by 50 percent. Prices start at $2,298 per person double on weeklong sailings of the Seabourn Pride departing Nov. 13 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Barbados, and departing Dec. 11 from Barbados to Fort Lauderdale; usual fare starts at $4,595. Taxes are an extra $36 per person. Info: 800-929-9391, www.seabourn.com.

AirTran is holding a systemwide sale for travel through Oct. 5. Purchase by Tuesday. Fares not valid Fridays and Sundays; 14-day advance purchase required. 800-AIR-TRAN, www.airtran.com.

Stay at the Ritz-Carlton Golf &Spa Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, starting at $379 per night for a family of four, including room, meals, beverages and taxes. The “Key to Paradise” package is available for couples May 1-Dec. 19; children ages 5 to 11 stay and eat for free May 16-Dec. 19. Usual rate for the all-inclusive deal is about $625 per night per couple, and meal plan for kids typically starts at $98 per child per day. Info: 800-826-9430, www.ritzcarlton.com.

Travel classes, seminars

Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door hosts free travel classes most Saturdays at 10 a.m. at the Edmonds Theater, 415 Main St., Edmonds.

April 30 – Women’s seminar: Packing light.

April 30 – 11:30 a.m. Women’s seminar: Traveling solo.

May 7 – Italy.

May 14 – Noon Scandinavia.

May 21 – France.

Classes are free, reservations recommended. Call 425-771-8303 ext. 298 or visit www.ricksteves.com/seattle.

The Savvy Traveler offers free travel seminars at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. most Saturdays at 112 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds.

May 7 – 10 a.m. How to pack a weeks wardrobe in a carry-on, $5.

May 14 – 10 a.m. Mexico, from Sierra to sea.

May 21 – 1 p.m. Brazil.