March 2010

Six days/five nights in ITALY, July 23-28, 2010, hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo. Highlights: Attend tenor Andrea Bocelli’s last concert in his hometown of Lajatico/private tour of Uffizi Galleries in Florence/tour and taste at the Frescobaldi wine estate in Castiglioni/shop with Tini Ferragamo at their flagship store in Florence. Land, $5,950. Single supp., $1,500.

AuthentEscapes (Sarasota, FL; 866/994-9814).

13 days/12 nights. Highlights: In Vienna, AUSTRIA, Belvedere Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral/in Budapest, HUNGARY, Castle Hill, Parliament/Kraków, POLAND: Wawel Castle, Cloth Hall/Black Madonna of Czestochowa/Chopin Monument in Warsaw/Berlin, GERMANY/in Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, Old Quarter, Jewish Ghetto. Land, single room, $3,561 or double, $5,054.

Tradesco Tours (Bonita Springs, FL; 800/448-4321).

Eight-day/seven-night, “easy”-level (moderate daily distances, mostly flat) cycle tour of AUSTRIA. Departs June 27, Aug. 15 & Sept. 12, 2010. Highlights: Cycle to the source of Krimml Waterfalls/Zell am See/forest trail along the Saalach/bike tour of Salzburg. Land, $3,589. Single supp., $600. 

Classic Adventures (Hamlin, NY; 800/777-8090).

Four-day/three-night tour of the south of FRANCE. Highlights: Lavender Museum in Coustellet/visit L’Occitane skin-care factory/village of Moustiers Sainte Marie, famous for earthenware/Mount Ventoux. Land, $1,680 (with four participants). Single supp., $1,200.

France Cruises (San Antonio, TX; 866/498-3920).

When the cat’s away… The symbol of Ethiopia is the Lion of Judah.

At first glance, it might appear that this month’s subject matter is off our usual topic. But you may find that it could well impact your travel plans.