Tailored Tours of New Zealand
Robert Panzer, founder and owner of Tailored Travel, and his coleaders share their passion for New Zealand and their knowledge of the country in activities that include walking, wine tasting, and bird watching. Itineraries are customized. Contact: Robert Panzer; 888-549-4563; Robert@customtours.co.nz , customtours.co.nz.

Whale Watching in Baja
More than 11,000 gray whales make a yearly migration to the warm waters of Baja California, Mexico from January through late March or early April (the best viewing time). For whale-watching trips contact Cabo Divers at 011-52-114-30747 or Pronatur/Protours, 011-52-114-77037; , www.rissalena.com. For information on specialty tours at other Mexico destinations call 800-44-MEXICO , www.visitmexico.com.

Murder Mystery Tours
Take a trip to the abbeys, castles, and historic sites that are the setting for Ellis Peters novels with Saga Holidays, 800-621-2151, , www.sagaholidays.com. Departures are May 14, June 11, July 9, and September 17.

Travel with Harvard Scientists
Harvard’s Museum of Natural History offers 40 different natural history travel opportunities each year, providing first-hand interpretation of natural phenomena by Harvard scientists. Last year one cruise to the North Pole revealed not thick polar ice but an open lake, a startling and disturbing discovery at the top of the world. Call 617-495-2463 or email emccourt@oeb.harvard.edu, , www.hmnh.harvard.edu/ travel.

China River Cruise Tour
Grand Circle Travel offers a special 21-day tour for seniors of China by land and river. Prices start at $2,995. Call 800-248-3737, , www.gct.com.

Tour Bolivia and Peru with Anthropologists
Explore the headwaters region of the Amazon or the Mamore River in northeastern Bolivia with Univ. of Pennsylvania anthropologists. Contact: Far Horizons Archeological & Cultural Trips; 800-552-4575; journey@farhorizon.com, , www.farhorizon.com.

Bangladesh Ecotours
Discover the recently opened Bandarban hilltract regions along the Burmese border. Tour the islands in the Bay of Bengal. Itineraries from two days to two weeks. Accommodations with local families or lodges. Contact: Bangladesh Ecotours, 011-88-18-318345; info@ Bangladeshecotours.com, , www.bangladeshecotours.com.

Learn Italian and More
The Accademia Italiana in Florence (Piazza Pitti, 15, 50125 Florence, Italy; 011-390-55-284-616, fax 011-390-055-284486; modaital@tin.it, , www.academiaitaliana.com offers monthly courses in fashion design and visual arts, workshops on Italian cinema, wines, and regional cooking, and courses in Italian language and culture for foreigners.

Italiaidea, an Italian language school in Rome, offers At Home in Rome, a 1-day overview of Italian culture and life, which includes a 4-hour class survival Italian, and a Full Immersion Weekend—both designed for short-term visitors. Contact: Italiaidea, Piazza Della Cancelleria, 85, 00186 Rome, Italy; 011-39-066-8307620, fax 011-39-066-892997; italiaidea@italiaidea.com, , www.italiaidea.com.

Tour Australia on Camelback
Outback Camel Company offers 6- and 12-day treks from Alice Springs, Adelaide, and Brisbane, P.O. Box 132, Fortitude Valley, Queensland 4006, Australia; 011-61-7-3854-1022, , www.outbackcamel.com.au.