Beaches and Islands

by Yvonne Horn, Contributing Editor

The long-term project to turn Mont St. Michel, France, back into an island is progressing. The estuarine tidal island — a granite pinnacle located a kilometer off of Normandie in northwest France — is famous for its abbey that was carved deep into the rock from the 11th to 15th centuries.

Nine days/eight nights. Departures through Sept. 17, 2012. Highlights: Edinburgh to Loch Lomond/Argyll/ferry to islands of Mull and Iona/boat to Staffa/Eilean Donan Castle/Portree on Isle of Skye/Loch Ness/on Orkney Islands, Skara Brae, stone circle at Brodgar/drive through Highlands to Loch Broom fishing village/Edinburgh. Land only, $1,899. Single supp., $220. Celtic Tours (Albany, NY; 800/833-4373, www.celtictours.com).

by Jim Hendrickson; Lynden, WA

by Evan Goldfischer; Pleasant Valley, NY

Eight-day/seven-night women-only tour includes four nights aboard M/V Santa Cruz; departures June 16 & Sept. 22, 2012. Highlights: Quito/Otavalo Indian market/fly to Baltra, embark M/V Santa Cruz/iguanas on Baltra/snorkel, glass-bottom boat tour off Bartholome Island/fur seals on James Island/frigates, boobies, sea lions at Darwin Bay/giant tortoises on Santa Fe Island. Land, $3,850. Single supp., $1,410. Isram World of Travel — A Woman’s View (New York, NY; 888/789-6626, www.womansviewtravel.com).

Eight-day/seven-night tour in CANADA. Highlights: Titanic history in Halifax/Sherbrooke Village, a re-created19th-century lumber town/Prince Edward Island National Park/Cavendish, setting for “Anne of Green Gables”/lobster fishing and feast in Shediac. Land, $2,125. Single supp., $610. Brendan Vacations (Chatsworth, CA; 800/421-8446, www.brendanvacations.com).

The topic of the essay contest announced in the October ’11 issue was “Zeal for New Zealand,” and the judging is complete. The winner this time is PATTI KELLY of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and she will receive a 50-dollar gift certificate for Magellan’s Travel Supplies (800/962-4943). Patti’s essay follows those of the two runners-up, Diana Butler of El Sobrante, California, and Sharon VanDewark of San Diego, California, each of whom will receive a year’s extension on their ITN subscription. We thank all those who wrote.

A friend and I visited Baucau, Timor-Leste (East Timor), May 27-June 4, 2011. Timor-Leste uses the US dollar as currency.

by Carol Probst; Bethel Park, PA