Barging Along While France Floats By

Cruise up the Saone and down the Rhone in France by river barge on a tour that runs Aug. 27 to Sept. 6. Participants will spend two nights at the Concorde Grand Hotel in Lyons before embarking on the luxury barge Princesse de Provence. All cabins are on the A deck with full windows. The cruise stops at quaint villages, including Macon and Tournon. Ample time is spent in Avignon and Arles.

Cost: $2,985 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles to Lyons, some meals on land, all meals on the cruise and a guide. Contact: Claudette Crowther, Carlson-Wagonlit Travel Center, 1005 Casitas Pass Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013; telephone (805) 684-6685.

Cycle San Juan Islands

A bicycle tour for nature and wildlife lovers on the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state runs Aug. 8 to 15. Traveling in two small groups, participants will begin with two days in Victoria, Canada, to troll through the Butchart Gardens before ferrying to Washington. Members cycle through the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound and see scenic coastlines, the Cascade Mountains and breaching Orca whales between the islands. Guests have a choice between camping or staying at inns.

Cost: $1,808 per person, double occupancy, for those staying at inns; the camping trip is $1,059 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from LAX, ferry and other transportation, most meals and taxes. Contact: Adventures With Alice Travel, 1082 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura, CA 93001; tel. (800) 549-9071.

Air Space in Russia

Flight enthusiasts can bone up on Russian aerospace and aircraft history on St. Petersburg Travel’s Russian Aviation and Moscow Aeroshow Tour. Departing from New York on Aug. 15, the 14-day program visits Moscow and St. Petersburg. Highlights include the Moscow Aeroshow, the Russian Air Force Day celebrations, Monino Air Force Museum, Gargarin Air Force Academy, the cosmonaut training center at Star City, World War II memorials, the State Research and Space Production Center, the Central Museum of Armed Forces, the Central Naval Museum, the Hermitage, the Kremlin, the Moscow Circus, St. Basil’s Cathedral and meetings with World War II aces and aviation archivists.

Cost: $3,195 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from New York, transfers within Russia, accommodations, two meals per day, sightseeing and entertainment. Contact: St. Petersburg Travel; tel. (714) 650-8320.

Biking Yosemite

A photography and bicycle tour of Yosemite Valley runs June 5 to 8. Participants will make easy tours over Yosemite’s level bike paths and roads, and the trip leader will tow the group’s camera equipment in a bicycle trailer.

Cost: $175 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations at Curry Village and Sunday brunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Contact: Image Quest Photography Tours, 1164 Alvira St., Los Angeles, CA 90035; tel. (213) 939-2819.

English Writers

Study the works of such renowned English writers as D.H. Lawrence, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and William Wordsworth and explore the places that inspired them during English literature summer school programs in the South Yorkshire town of Sheffield. The two-week course, offered July 12 to 26 and Sept. 6 to 20, is taught by professors from Sheffield University. Participants attend five off-campus excursions, including visits to several of the writers’ homes and a performance of Shakespeare at Stratford.

Cost: $1,290 per person, including accommodations at local homes, food, tuition, excursions, a weekend in York and theater tickets. Air fare is not included. Contact: English Experience; tel. (800) 371-6004.

Ancient Fiji

Crow Canyon Archeological Center in Cortez, Colo., is offering an archeological tour to Fiji June 22 to July 5. Participants will study the archeology and culture of Fiji and examine the evolution of warfare on the islands.

The program will allow ample time to explore the Fijian Islands, visit villages to meet native Fijians, participate in traditional ceremonies or snorkel on coral reefs.

No prior archeological excavation experience is necessary. Daily work at the site will be supplemented with lectures on pottery, Fijian prehistory and ethnography, and local culture. Two days off in the middle of the program will give participants a chance to visit Viti Levu, the main island, or other islands.

Cost: $2,295 per person, double occupancy, including all meals on Waya island, lodging in shared thatched huts at the Octopus Club resort, use of recreational equipment, and most ground transportation. Contact Crow Canyon Archeological Center, 23390 Road K, Cortez, CO 81321; tel. (800) 422-8975, Ext. 146.

Southeast Asia

Asian Pacific Adventures is operating 18- to 24-day trips to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, departing the U.S. on Fridays throughout the year, for two to six people per tour. English-speaking guides are provided throughout to give participants the opportunity to get to know the local people. In Laos the itinerary includes Vientiane, the capital, on the banks of the Mekong River; and the ancient royal capital of Luang Prabang, including the former Royal Palace with its collection of artworks. A long-tailed boat on the Mekong takes guests to the ancient meditation caves of Pak Ou. filled with images of Buddha. In Cambodia, guests visit the Angkor temple complex, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Rolous group of temples, where three days will be spent exploring the impressive ruins.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, participants visit the Chinatown district of Cholon with its markets and temples, the former Presidential Palace and a historical museum. Guests take a day trip northwest of the city to see the underground complex at Cu Chi.

Cost: from $3,032 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations, breakfasts, sightseeing, guides, and ground and air transportation within Asia. Air fare is not included. Contact: Asian Pacific Adventures, 826 S. Sierra Bonita Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036; tel. (213) 935-3156.

Belly Up

Learn belly dancing and a variety of Middle Eastern dances on a trip to Israel that combines sightseeing, swimming, shopping and dance performances. The trip takes place from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4 in a relaxed atmosphere in Israel’s Jordan Valley. The program is open to novices as well as experienced dancers.

The group will stay at a kibbutz guest house and take a tour of the kibbutz to learn about its social structure, history and philosophy.

Activities include a sightseeing tour of Jerusalem, a guided tour of the kibbutz archeology museum, afternoons at the Hammat Gader ancient hot springs, days on the beach at the Sea of Galilee and a grand finale show performed by instructors and students. At the end of camp, the group will spend two days in Tel Aviv, taking classes with leading Israeli teachers.

Cost: $1,600 per person, double occupancy, including airport transfers and ground transportation, accommodations, three meals a day at the kibbutz, breakfasts and dinners in Tel Aviv, and sightseeing. Round-trip air fare is not included. Contact: Asya Genesis Tours, 400 Madison Ave., NY 10017; tel. (888) 759-7119 or Joan Kafri at (505) 983-7725.

California Parks

Come catch Mother Nature at work redecorating Yosemite National Park July 14 to 17 and see the effects of winter rains on the park. From a motor coach, guides will describe the features of the park and explain the changes. Access to all sections of Yosemite National Park will be limited this year.

Cost: $345 per person, double occupancy, including bus transportation, three nights’ lodging in Fresno, Oakhurst and Merced and seven meals. Contact Main Street Tours, 1751 W. Torrance Blvd., Suite N. Torrance, CA 90501; tel. (800) 300-6246.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. These should be confirmed with travel agents or tour operators.