Bored by the beach? For your next vacation, take a walk on the weird side. Plan your trip by watching a show or reading books devoted to weird travel.
The Travel Channel’s “Weird Travels” show is entering its fifth season. The one-hour Friday night show highlights haunted hotels, lake monsters and other local legends and unexplained phenomena. To nominate the crop circles down the road or the mysterious goings-on in your local cemetery for a future show, send your suggestions to weirdtravels@authentictv.com.
The second edition of “Eccentric America” by Jan Friedman (Globe Pequot, $19.95) highlights wacky events around the country. They include the World Pillow Fighting Championship (www.kenwoodpillowfights.com) held each July 4 in Kenwood, Calif., and the Giant Omelette Celebration (www.giantomelette.org), where 5,000 eggs are cracked each November in Abbeville, La.
The travel books “Weird N.J.” and “Weird U.S.” have been joined by three new installments in the series – “Weird Florida,” “Weird Wisconsin” and “Weird Illinois,” $19.95 each from Barnes &Noble Books. You can plan a truly weird trip using the books as your guide – or just let them entertain you.
Florida weirdness includes women’s coleslaw wrestling matches in Samsula, and the “Skunk Ape” legend, a Bigfoot-like monster reportedly sighted around the state.
Illinois oddities include spooky Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery at the edge of the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve, and the nearly deserted town of Kaskaskia, reputedly doomed by a lover’s curse.
TV clothes for sale
Dying for the dress from your favorite soap opera? Wishing for the wardrobe from shows like “Will and Grace”?
If Universal Studios Hollywood is on your vacation itinerary this summer, stop by the theme park’s new boutique, called The Wardrobe Department. There you can shop for gently used – and sometimes never-worn – clothes from NBC television shows. (NBC and Universal are owned by the same corporation.)
You’ll find castoffs from programs such as “American Dreams,” “Crossing Jordan,” soaps and others. Items range from wedding gowns to blue jeans to men’s suits. Prices run $20 for shirts to $200 for designer gowns. Each article comes with a certificate of authenticity stating which show it’s from.
Civil War camp
Civil War reenactments are a popular pastime for many Americans who take pride in recreating the uniforms, practices and experiences of everyday soldiers from that era.
Now Pamplin Historical Park in Virginia has created an educational “adventure camp” where anyone can participate in an overnight reenactment. The program provides all the essentials, including uniforms, huts and barracks, muskets and mortars, and meals. Participants learn basic military drills along with signal-flag and lantern codes.
Participants pay $70, which includes admission to the park’s four museums, three historic homes, Civil War battlefield and trails.
The camp is a half-hour south of Richmond, near Petersburg. Camp dates are June 9 to 10; July 23 to 24; July 30 to 31; Aug. 20 to 21; Sept. 3 to 4; Oct. 1 to 2; and Oct. 29 to 30. Details at www.civilwaradventurecamp.org or 804-861-2408.
Nintendo World
Rockefeller Center is on the must-see lists of many New York City tourists, and now kids who are visiting the city have a reason to drag their parents there – to see the new Nintendo World store.
The company is billing the two-story, block-long store, which is open daily at 10 Rockefeller Plaza, as the “ultimate gamers’ paradise.” Visitors can sample games and systems for Game Cube, Game Boy, Nintendo DS and other Nintendo products.
Machu Picchu awaits
Hike Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the fortress city of the ancient Incas built in the 15th century.
The 12-day tour has departures July 15, Aug. 12 and Sept. 16.
The core of the trip is a 3-1/2-mile, four-day climb at elevations from about 8,000 feet to 13,780 feet. Other highlights include whitewater rafting and visits to craft and art markets and archeological sites.
Cost: $2,695 per person, double occupancy ($325 single surcharge), including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles to Lima, Peru, hotel accommodations for nine nights, meals, internal flights and ground transportation, guides, sightseeing tours, porters and camping services.
Contact: Andes Adventures, Santa Monica, Calif.; 800-289-9470; 310-395-5265; www.andesadventures.com.
Oaxacan Crafts
Celebrate Guelaguetza, a pre-Columbian festival held in midsummer in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
The seven-day tour, which begins July 22, visits several villages known for specific crafts. Included are Atzompa, recognized for its green pottery; Teotitlan, known for its weaving; and Arrazola, home of woodcarvers.
In Oaxaca, the group will tour the Church of Santo Domingo, the Santiago Cuilapan and archeological ruins.
The festival celebration, which features dancers from the seven regions of Oaxaca, is July 25.
Cost: $1,719 per person, double occupancy ($270 single surcharge), including round-trip air fare from San Diego, accommodations, some meals and guided tours.
Contact: Baja California Tours Inc., San Diego, Calif.; 800-336-5454; wwwbajaspecials.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.
June 4 – Rail skills.
June 11 – Spain and Portugal.
June 18 – Packing light.
June 25 – Italy.
July 9 – Switzerland.
July 16 – Alpine Europe.
July 23 – Rail skills.
July 30 – Great Britain.
Classes are free, reservations recommended. Call 425-771-8303 ext. 298 or visit www.ricksteves.com/seattle.
AAA Lynnwood offers a free packing seminar with tips from Anne McAlpin at 10 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m. May 23 at the AAA service center, 4100 Alderwood Mall Blvd. Suite 8, Lynnwood.
McAlpin, author of “Pack It Up: Traveling Smart &Safe in Today’s World,” a book and video series, has appeared on TV shows, including Oprah, the Today Show and her own “Pack It Up” series on HGTV’s Smart Solutions.
Reservations recommended. Call 425-744-7304.
Prices, dates or itineraries may change. These should be confirmed with cruise lines, travel agents or tour operators.
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