Cruise the Rhine River and see Switzerland, France, Germany and Holland

EUROPE

Rhine River cruise

Float down one of Europe’s great waterways from near its source to the sea on Sceptre Tours’ “Romantic Rhine” cruise, sightseeing at towns and taking in the Rhine Gorge’s scenery.

Info: Sceptre Tours, Lynbrook, N.Y.; (800) 221-0924, www.sceptre tours.com/vacations/ river-cruises-romantic-rhine

Rates: Several seven-night departures between May 30 and Nov. 7.

Itinerary: Zurich to Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; Heidelberg, Mainz, Rudesheim, Koblenz and Cologne, Germany; and Amsterdam.

Price: Starting at $1,889 per person (double occupancy), including lodging, transfers, 20 meals, wine and beer, entertainment and the services of a cruise director, but not including airfare, a $98 port charge, tips or taxes.

AUSTRALIA

Turtle rescue

Lend a hand to a struggling species by volunteering with the Cape York Turtle Rescue Project. You’ll camp and work alongside local wildlife officials to help protect turtles’ nesting sites, tag individuals, collect data and remove nets.

Info: Cape York Turtle Rescue, Bangor, New South Wales, Australia; (07) 4069-9978, capeyorkturtlerescue.com

Dates: Available from July 4 to Oct. 17.

Price: Three days from about $900 per person, land only (double occupancy; single supplement is $995), including tent accommodations, all meals and some travel in boats and four-wheel-drive vehicles. The rate excludes airfare, insurance, transfers, taxes (more than $500 per person) and extensions. Five-day itineraries are also available.

MONGOLIA

Anza-Borrego Foundation tour

The rugged two-week “Mongolia: Adventure of a Lifetime” wilderness journey includes natural and cultural experiences such as hikes, drives and a river-raft float excursion in the Gobi Desert.

Info: Anza-Borrego Foundation, Borrego Springs, Calif.; (760) 767-4063, theabf.org/event/plants_animals/mongolia_adventure_lifetime/012709

Dates: July 24 to Aug. 8; book before June 1.

Itinerary: Ulan Bator to Hustai National Park, Arburd Sands, Ikh Nart Nature Reserve (Anza-Borrego’s “sister park”), Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve and Jalman Meadows.

Price: From $1,995 (double occupancy; single supplement $30 per night) land only, including lodging, airport transfers, ground transportation, a tour leader and bilingual guide as well as most meals. The price excludes a $25 Anza-Borrego Foundation and Institute membership.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Sea kayak excursion

Experience the marine-life highlights of God’s Pocket Provincial Marine Park and Queen Charlotte Strait from a sea kayak. In these remarkable natural surroundings, it’s easy to spot whales, otters, eagles and other critters.

Info: Sea Kayak Adventures, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; (800) 616-1943, www.seakayakadventures.com

Dates: Three departures between Aug. 10 and 24.

Itinerary: Port Hardy to Queen Charlotte Strait.

Price: From $1,445 per person, including kayak and camping gear, meals, water taxi and guides. Does not include a 5% tax nor a $150 surcharge per person if the group’s size drops below six within three weeks of departure.

THE CARIBBEAN

December cruising

Mark your calendar for a relaxing three-day jaunt to the Caribbean this holiday season with Princess Cruises’ “Caribbean Sampler.”

Info: Princess Cruises, Santa Clarita; (800) 774-6237, www.princess.com/pb/ priceDetails.do?voyageCode=R937P &tourCode;=&date;=&noOfPax;=2&res; Type=C&definition;_name=

Dates: Departures Dec. 14 and 17 Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Princess Cays, Bahamas, and back.

Price: Starting at $249 (double occupancy; single supplements start at $498), including inside lodging but not airfare, taxes and fuel surcharges.

Avital Binshtock --

[email protected]