Is 2008 the year you've vowed to take the trip of a lifetime? If so, here
are a few ideas to strengthen your resolve:
GRAND TOUR
"Grandtravel" has been coined by Academic Travel Abroad to describe packages
the firm designs for adults and their grandchildren. The newest Grandtravel
trip is a two-week New Zealand tour. Highlights of the Kiwi package include
sailing, four-wheeling through landscapes featured in "The Lord of the
Rings" films, encounters with subantarctic penguins and a trip to the
Polynesian Spa. Rates are $6,995 per adult, $5,680 to $6,750 per child
(depending on how many share a room); these do not include airfare to
Auckland, New Zealand. Packages are timed to coincide with pupils' summer
vacations; the New Zealand tour leaves Los Angeles July 24, arrives in
Auckland July 26 (the international date line adds a day) and leaves
Auckland Aug. 6.
Other Grandtravel itineraries go to Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, South
Africa, Italy, the Wild West and London and Paris.
Berlin's Long Night of Museums has something for the night owl hoping to
release an inner culture vulture. The city's famed collections range from
the famed 14th century B.C. bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti to works by
contemporary artists. Around 100 museums - old and new, large and small -
open their doors from 6 p.m. Saturday until 2 a.m. Sunday; with one ticket
you get unlimited use of a special shuttle service and admission to all
participating venues. Food, music and performances add to the festiveness of
the night.
The Long Night offer begins Jan. 26 and runs through Aug. 30. Advance
tickets are 8 to 12 euros, day-of-event tickets are 10 to 15 euros for
adults; children 12 years old or younger are free.
Italy's Bettoja Hotels, with properties in Rome and Florence, are offering
rates they promote as "dollar-friendly." Bettojas four Roman hotels (Mediterraneo,
Massimo d'Azeglio, Atlantico and Nord) and its Florentine Relais Certosa are
promoting winter rates of 98-235 euros per night. The rate is based on a
two-night minimum stay; the price includes tax and a full American breakfast
and children 12 and younger stay at no added charge when sharing a room with
two paying adults.
Bettoja's winter rates are in effect through March 2.
With six expeditions planned for the summer, Cruise North Expeditions has
cruises exploring arctic Canada from June 22 through mid-September. Owned by
the Inuit (Eskimo) of Nunavik, Cruise North Expeditions has planned out
seven- to 12-night excursions that explore the heart of the Land of the
Midnight Sun. Sailing out of Kuujjaq, Quebec, the small, ice-strengthened
expeditionary ship Lyubov Orlova takes passengers to archaeological sites
dating back thousands of years, explores remote outposts, retraces long
forgotten paths of European explorers and visits Inuit communities. Trips
include guided hikes at several points; guided kayak excursions are offered
for additional fees.
Fares start at $3,695 per person for a triple cabin; taxes and surcharges
apply.
If you have a third of a year and a quarter of a million dollars to spare,
you too can cruise around the world and broaden your horizons aboard Crystal
Cruises' world cruise.
The 108-day trip aboard the luxury liner Crystal Serenity visits 45 ports of
call in 22 countries in the South Pacific, Asia, Africa and Europe. Between
ports, a variety of shipboard activities are offered, among them a money
management course with economist Jane Bryant Quinn, a political course by
consultant Dick Morris and even a computer-learning curriculum for college
credit. Other notables educating and entertaining passengers include Tony
Award-winner Tommy Tune, Academy Award-winner Cloris Leachman, Olympic
swimmer John Naber and former TV game show host Monty Hall.
Fares range from $49,800 to $261,210 per person for the full trip, which
departs Los Angeles Jan. 19 and is scheduled to conclude in London May 7;
11- to 17-day segments are offered starting at $4,890 per person.
