November 2010

In Kashmir, India, anti-India demonstrations that began in June have grown increasingly violent, with tens of thousands of people marching against Indian rule in September. Since the protests began in June, 100 people, mostly civilians, have been killed by gunfire from government security forces, who, themselves, were being pelted with stones, wood and chunks of concrete thrown by protesters.

A curfew was in effect throughout the Kashmir region, and in some areas access to Friday services at mosques had been restricted to try to limit the demonstrations.

Eight-day/seven-night tour in MEXICO; departures December 2010-March 2011. Highlights: See millions of butterflies in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Morelia/Morelia candy museum/Tzintzuntzan archaeological site/mask-making workshop in Pátzcuaro/boat tour on Lake Pátzcuaro/crafts market. Land, from $1,575. Single supp., $550.

Reefs to Rockies (Denver, CO; 303/860-6045).

12 days/11 nights. Highlights: Game drive in Kruger National Park, SOUTH AFRICA/Shangaan village visit/rhino walk in Hlane Royal National Park, SWAZILAND/bushmen rock paintings in LESOTHO. Land, from $4,385. Single supp., $515.

Adventure Center (Emeryville, CA; 800/228-8747).

13 days/12 nights, Jan. 17-29 and Nov. 23-Dec. 4, 2011. Friendship with Cambodia sponsors students, a street children’s shelter, a Women’s Crisis Center, a land mine survivors’ rehab school and more; meet with the people your tourism dollars help. Also visit Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Bantey Srey, Ta Prohm. Land price of $2,500 includes donation to humanitarian projects. Single supp., $250.

Friendship with Cambodia (Eugene, OR; 541/752-3959).

12 days/11 nights. Departures May 15 & 29 and Sept. 4 & 18, 2011. Highlights: Beijing/Great Wall/Xi’an Terra Cotta Army/giant pandas in Bifengxia, Jiuzhaigou/Chengdu Moon Bear Rescue Center. Land price, $7,495. Single supp., $1,595.

Natural Habitat Adventures (Boulder, CO; 800/543-8917).

13-day/12-night or 19-day/18-night tour of INDIA. Highlights: Siana leopard safari/Jodhpur/Jaipur/Taj Mahal/tiger safari in Kanha National Park. 13 days, $4,898 land plus $500 internal airfare. 19 days, $7,698 land plus $900 internal air. Single supp., $400.

Wild Planet Adventures (Sausalito, CA; 800/990-4376).

21-day/19-night tour, Nov. 2-22, 2011. Highlights: Istanbul, TURKEY/cave cities of Cappadocia/Aleppo in SYRIA/Palmyra/Greek and Roman ruins in Baalbek, LEBANON/Petra in JORDAN. With air from New York or Chicago, $7,990. Single supp., $950.

Cultural Folk Tours International (Cypress, CA; 800/935-8875).

15-day/14-night rail tour, April 15-29, 2011. Highlights: Lake steamer to Mainau Gardens at Lake Constance, GERMANY/in SWITZERLAND, Bernina Express scenic train/Davos/optional day cruise on Lake Maggiore, ITALY ($80)/Glacier Express to Matterhorn, Zermatt/Lake Geneva. Land price, $3,299 plus 15-day Swiss Pass. Single supp., $100.

Rail Travel Adventures (Battleboro, VT; 800/639-3706).

Five days/four nights. Highlights: Medieval Kilkenny/Blarney Castle/Ring of Kerry/Blarney Woollen Mills/Dublin city tour. Land and air from New York, from $699. Single supp., $210.

Sceptre Tours (Lynbrook, NY; 800/221-0924).

15 days/15 nights, June 7-21, 2011. Visit Sussex, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, the Lake District, North & South Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Somerset. Land price, £2,345 (near $3,684). Single supplement, £550 ($864).

Midway Motor Travel (Southerwicks, Corsham, Wiltshire, UK; US phone, 800/214-8738).