TOURS & CRUISES

Indian artists show off wares

Wander through one of the Southwest’s most popular Native American art markets, savor Navajo fry bread and Apache acorn soup, and watch hoop dancers and drummers perform on a five-day tour celebrating Native American art and culture in Phoenix.

The March 4 educational excursion, sponsored by Smithsonian Journeys, includes visits to the 46th annual Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market, the museum’s galleries and a best-of-show reception and dinner. The March 6-7 market draws more than 600 Native American artists who demonstrate and sell works to about 18,000 visitors.

Art historian Aleta Ringlero will accompany the tour group, providing background lectures and acting as a guide for visits to Scottsdale galleries and a private collection of Pueblo pottery and New Mexican paintings.

“There’s tremendous interest in Native American art,” said Christine Cimino, a Smithsonian Journeys representative. “We’re increasing our art-related Indian tours in anticipation of opening our own (Smithsonian Institution) museum on the Mall.” (The National Museum of the American Indian is scheduled to open Sept. 21 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.)

Cost: $1,555 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $370), including accommodations at the Hilton Suites in Phoenix, some meals, sightseeing and tour services. Transportation to Phoenix is not included.

Contact: Smithsonian Journeys; (877) EDU-TOUR (338-8687), www.smithsonianjourneys.com.

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NETHERLANDS

AND BELGIUM

Take a cruise,

search for art

Hunt for rare treasures at the European Fine Arts Fair on a nine-day tour that includes a cruise down the Danube River.

The March 9 excursion aboard the River Cloud cruiseliner will travel from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Belgium, spending four days in Maastricht in the Netherlands, the site of the art and antiques fair (March 5-14). Last year the event attracted more than 65,000 collectors and 200 art and antiques dealers.

Art lecturer Michel Witmer will accompany the River Cloud group and will offer guided tours at the Rijksmuseum and Vincent Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. In Antwerp, there will be a guided city tour and a visit to the home and studio of Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens.

Cost: Cabin rates start at $2,300 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $575), including the cruise, admissions, meals aboard ship and tours.

Contact: Events of Distinction Plus, New York City; (212) 541-4970.

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JAPAN

Seeing a nation

in full flower

Journey down the primrose path in Japan this spring on a two-week tour that coincides with cherry blossom season.

The March 27 tour includes visits to Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Nara and the Mt. Fuji region, where the group will visit the cities of Hakone, Kurumayama, Takayama and Gifu.

Cost: $2,850 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $850), including round-trip airfare from LAX to Japan, accommodations, most meals, transfers and tours.

Contact: Hermes Travel and Tours Inc., Torrance; (310) 791-5556, www.hermestoursonline.com.

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ENGLAND

Save pounds, tour palaces

See London on the cheap on a package for independent travelers. The six-night trip, with departures on Thursdays May 6 to Dec. 9, isn’t escorted, but it still provides in-depth sightseeing tours. Morning or afternoon tours of London and the surrounding countryside include admissions to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kensington Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, the Roman baths, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace. There also is free time for independent activities.

Cost: $1,551 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $319), including round-trip airfare from LAX or San Francisco, accommodations, some meals, transfers, tours and admission to a West End show.

Contact: CIE Tours; (800) CIE-TOUR (243-8687), www.cietours.com. Ask for the London Experience tour.

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HAWAII

The Big Island

on two wheels

Travel at the speed of fun on eight-day bicycle tours for women around the Big Island of Hawaii.

The tours, departing Jan. 17 and 31, start in Kona and travel about 40 miles a day through tropical forests, past open pastures of cowboy country and along the sandy beaches of the Kohala Coast. Two days are spent at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with time to hike into the caldera.

Cost: Jan. 17 trip is $1,750 per person; Jan. 31 trip is $2,290 per person. Included are hotels, most meals, and van and mechanical support. The second tour includes upscale accommodations and fine dining. Transportation to the Big Island is not included.

Contact: WomanTours of Driggs, Idaho; (800) 247-1444, www.womantours.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 travel@latimes.com.