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Travel

Side trips

News and notes.

By Janet K. Keeler
Published March 5, 2006

ALL PETS ON DECK

Your pets aren't pampered enough at home? Then take them on the Queen Mary 2, where they'll get fresh-baked biscuits and a choice of bed and blankets, reports David Wilkening on www.travelmole.com.

The Queen Mary's kennel program is overseen by a full-time kennel master who walks the dogs daily and cleans the kennels. Traveling dogs and cats receive complimentary gift packs that include a Frisbee, name tag and food dish. Oh yes, premium pet food is also available.

PASSAGES TO INDIA

Intrepid Travel offers more than 30 India trips, ranging from "Mountains and Mystics" to "Cycle Rajasthan," as well as the usual best-ofs. Foodies might enjoy the "India Gourmet Traveler," a 15-day trip that includes a visit to a Delhi spice market and a breadmaking demo in Jaipur. Cost is $1,475 a person, plus a $200 local fee, and includes lodging, most meals, transportation and tours. Offered year-round. Air fare is additional. Call toll-free 1-866-847-8192 or go to www.intrepidtravel.com.

SUMMER STUDY ABROAD

The American Institute for Foreign Study has a number of opportunities for college students to study abroad this summer. But you'll have to hurry; deadline to apply is March 15.

Students can take an Italian language course and view priceless works of art at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence; live in Paris and study at the Sorbonne; or learn Mandarin and experience the essence of China in historic Nanjingt. On the Multi-Country Traveling Programs, students can choose between three educational tours of Europe: Business and Politics in the European Union, European Art and Architecture, and Italian Influence on Western Civilization.

Applications are available online at www.aifsabroad.com/css/application.htm Scholarships and financial aid are available. To learn more, call toll-free 1-800-727-2437, ext. 5163, or visit www.aifsabroad.com.

PEDAL POWER

Coastal Living magazine recommends five bike trips for riders of all skill levels in this month's issue. They are:

Jekyll Island, Ga. Bicycling has been popular at Jekyll Island for almost a century. Highlights of the beachside 16-mile loop include the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and showplace.

Corpus Christi, Texas. This almost 11-mile bike excursion runs from the downtown Bayfront Arts and Science Park to the Naval Air Station, and takes riders around Corpus Christi Bay. The trip offers distant views of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington.

Island Beach State Park, N.J. The picturesque two-lane road on this barrier island stretches between Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, featuring beaches, dunes, wildlife and not a single high-rise building. The end of the journey offers views of the Barnegat Lighthouse.

Lopez Island, Wash. The 33.5-mile ride around quiet, rustic Lopez Island often yields wildlife sightings. Stay on the shore side of the road on this low-impact trip for the best sightseeing. Diversions include shops and beachfront restaurants.

Presque Isle State Park, Pa. Presque Isle peninsula, on the north shore of Lake Erie, features a 13.5-mile trail around the park, picnic areas and outdoor exhibits. Flocks of migrating birds waterfowl in March, shorebirds in April make spring a wonderful time to visit.

UNIVERSAL JAWS

Universal Orlando has reopened its Jaws adventure ride after using it only occasionally since last year. The theme park refurbished the ride before reopening it last month. Since September, park officials had only opened the ride for after-hours events and holiday crowds. The boat ride takes visitors through a lagoon infested with seven robotic great white sharks.

The ride is based on the bestselling 1974 novel Jaws, by the late Peter Benchley, and the 1975 blockbuster movie by Steven Spielberg. The Jaws ride will remain open at least through the end of summer.

COSTA RICA VACATION

If you're thinking about vacationing in Costa Rica, National Geographic Adventure has some ideas for how to experience the country's ecotourism offerings in the March issue.

From La Fortuna, head to the smoking volcano in Arenal National Park, see the cloud forests of Monteverde and take a canopy tour through the treetops of Selvatura Park.

Go whitewater rafting through the warm jungle rapids of the Pacuare River, or take a wildlife safari in Tortuguero or Corcovado National Park. Surfers will like the scene in Tamarindo, a party town with head-high summer swells.

Outfitters recommended by the magazine include Horizontes (www.horizontes.com) which leads 10-day family trips, $1,580 for adults, $680 for kids; Costa Rica Expeditions (www.costaricaexpeditions.com) which has a 10-day sampler of classic attractions for $1,808; and Wildland Adventures (www.wildland.com) $1,998 for 10 days of mountain biking, sea kayaking and rafting.

Compiled by JANET K. KEELER from staff reports and the Washington Post and Associated Press. She can be reached at (727) 893-8586 or krieta@sptimescom.