TOURS & CRUISES

CANADA

Northern lights and wildlife

JOin Moby-Dick in the chilly waters of Canada on a wilderness adventure that includes swimming with beluga whales, tracking polar bears and perhaps getting a glimpse of the aurora borealis.

The five- to seven-night excursions, available July 19 to Aug. 16, are based at a backcountry lodge on the Hudson Bay coast north of Churchill, Manitoba.

“Beluga whales are very curious and friendly and love the company when guests swim with them,” said tour representative Rhiana Raesler.

The whales are smaller than most cetaceans, resembling porpoises in size and appearance. They are born gray, turn snowy white as adults and are so talkative that they’re known as sea canaries. Thousands migrate to Hudson Bay and the Churchill River area during the summer, when the mothers give birth.

Visitors also see polar bears, which hunt and fish along the coastline during the summer. Late-summer visitors sometimes see the northern lights playing across the night sky.

Other summer activities based at the lodge include wildlife photography lessons, guided treks and walking tours, aerial wilderness tours, fishing, kayaking and canoe- ing.

Cost: A five-night stay is $2,828 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $220); a seven-night stay is $3,195 per person (single surcharge $370). Included are accommodations, meals, cocktails, private air transfer from Churchill to the lodge and tours. Round-trip airfare from LAX to Churchill is not included.

Contact: Seal River Heritage Lodge, (888) ECO-SEAL (326-7325), www.sealriver.com.

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NEW ENGLAND

AND CANADA

Antiquing amid the

fall foliage

Cruise into fall on a nine-day color-and-antiques journey along the New England and Canadian coastline.

The Oct. 1 fall foliage cruise will feature experts from “Antiques Roadshow,” who will assist passengers in tracking down antiques, offer shopping tips and stage an “Antiques Boatshow” finale.

The cruise, aboard the all-suite Seven Seas Navigator, will begin in Montreal and disembark in New York City. Ports of call include Quebec; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Boston. An all-day shore excursion in Halifax will take passengers to Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque Atlantic shoreline village once frequented by pirates and rum runners.

Cost: $3,518 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $812), including port charges, government taxes, gratuities to the ship’s staff, and beverages, including wine with dinner. Round-trip airfare is included from LAX to Montreal and New York City to LAX, if booked by June 30.

Contact: Mary Mader, World O’ Travel, Woodland Hills; (800) 481-0349.

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ITALY

Walk through classic gardens of Tuscany

RamBLE the garden paths of Italy on weeklong walking tours of Tuscany.

The tours, on Sept. 12 and Sept. 19, will be led by horticultural expert Alessandro Tombelli, formerly of La Foce estate and garden in southern Tuscany.

Walks will weave through forests, around a 13th century castle and a 14th century monastery and through the region’s noted Renaissance gardens. Overnight accommodations will be at the 13th century Hotel Borgo Pretale and at a villa with a working farm and vineyard.

Cost: $2,890 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $300) including accommodations, meals with wine, walk leaders, support vehicles, transfers and admissions. Round-trip airfare from LAX to Italy is not included.

Contact: The Wayfarers, Newport, R.I.; (800) 249-4620, www.thewayfarers.com.

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CHINA

History tour of Yangtze, Great Wall

Sail the Yangtze River and explore China on 16-day fall tours led by a historian.

The tours, which will depart Sept. 30 and Oct. 19, will visit Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the Great Wall, Xian and Shanghai. The four-night cruise will include the Three Gorges area of the Yangtze River.

Leading the group will be Bob Feldman, professor emeritus from Cal State Fullerton.

Cost: $4,350 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $950), including round-trip international airfare, transportation during the tour, accommodations, all meals, tours and entrance fees, cruise excursions, three theater performances, taxes and most tips.

Contact: East-West International Tours, Laguna Beach; (800) 359-6719, www.eastwest-tours.com.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. Send information to Tours & Cruises, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or write via e-mail to [email protected].