On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh astounded the world by making a solo flight across the Atlantic in a single-engine plane called “The Spirit of St. Louis.” To coincide with the 75th anniversary of Lindbergh’s epic journey, HistoryAmerica Tours of Dallas is offering a Lindbergh-themed cruise May 17-24 on the Queen Elizabeth 2. Led by Lindbergh historian Dennis Brown of St. Louis, passengers will retrace Lindbergh’s 33 1/2-hour-crossing from New York to Paris, although their journey will be from London to New York and will last somewhat longer–eight days. Also aboard will be a Concorde pilot who will compare and contrast Lindbergh’s plane to his own. HistoryAmerica’s “The Spirit of St. Louis” cruise begins at $1,725 for an inside cabin and $2,295 for an outside one, inclusive of a trans-Atlantic flight from New York to London, transfers, seven nights’ cruise accommodations with all meals, onboard lectures and presentations and port charges, taxes and fees. For $1,995 extra, the trans-Atlantic flight will booked on the Concorde. This trip is HistoryAmerica’s first overseas offering. (800-628-8542; or at www.historyamerica.com)
SHAMROCKS IN MASS.
The Boston Irish Tourism Association, founded in 1991 to promote Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts, maintains a Web site with listings of Irish-themed events, Irish taverns and pubs, and even Irish lodgings, like the Cape Cod Claddagh Inn & Tavern. The site is linked to the Boston Irish Heritage Trail, a 3-mile self-guided tour of Irish-related sites in downtown Boston. (888-749-9494; or on the Internet at www.irishmassachusetts.com)
TENNESSEE ROUNDUP
French Broad Outpost Ranch in Del Rio, Tenn., one hour east of Knoxville, offers a full roster of cowboy activities for children and grown-ups–horseback riding, cattle drives, overnight camping and wagon rides. The grub is western style, and some nights dinner is cooked over an open pit fire. All of the ranch’s horses are purebred Arabians, trained according to “horse whisperer” techniques. Winter rates are $160 per day, $960 per week for adults and $100 per day, $600 per week for children ages 5-12. Summer prices, in effect from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, are $200 per day, $1,200 per week for adults, and $125 per day, $750 per week for children. Rates include lodging, meals and all ranch activities. (800-995-7678; or at www.frenchbroadriver.com)
LAKE POWELL PADDLE
Utah’s Lake Powell, formed 40 years ago when the Colorado River was dammed, is an ideal place for kayaking, with 1,900 miles of shoreline and 96 major side canyons just begging for exploration. This year Wilderness Inquiry of Minneapolis is leading Lake Powell Kayak Adventures, five-night paddling trips in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.. The $750 fee covers meals, tents, kayaks, trip planning and leadership, with round-trip van transportation from Denver available for an extra $75. Trip dates are April 15-20, April 29-May 4, Oct. 7-12; Oct. 20-25 and Nov. 3-8. Wilderness Inquiry welcomes people of all ages and abilities; those with disabilities are especially encouraged to participate. (800-728-0719; or on the Internet at www.wildernessinquiry.org)
FREE TRIP PLANNERS
The 2002 Alberta Vacation Guide highlights eight driving trails that cover different parts of the province. (800-661-8888; or at www.travelalberta.com) . . . The 2002 Kansas Travel Guide also lays out auto tours based on themes like the arts, the Civil War and African-American heritage. (800-2-KANSAS; or at www.travelks.com) . . . The Official 2002 Tennessee Vacation Guide has a list of statewide events, from Mule Day April 4-7 to Christmas at Graceland, starting Nov. 29. (800-GO2-TENN; or on the Internet at www.tnvacation.com/guide) . . . At 244 pages, the 2002 California Visitor’s Guide and Travel Planner is a whopper. (800-862-2543; or at www.visitcalifornia.com) . . . The Montana Travel Planner 2002-2003 divides the state into six vacation regions, from Custer Country in the southeast to Glacier Country in the northwest. (800-847-4868; or on the Internet at www.visitmt.com)
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Prices generally are per person double, based on availability.
