Travel Briefs

Purchase it before the end of November 2008, and the 15-day Eurail Global Pass (good in 21 countries) will extend to 21 days and the 21-day pass will be good for a month, while the Eurail Select Pass (three countries) will be valid for six or eight days’ train travel within two months (two extra travel days). Travel can start March 1 and must be completed by May 31, 2009.

Visit www.eurail-acprail.com; www.eurail.com; www.flightcentre.com; www.octopustravel.com; www.statravel.com or www.raileurope.com (in North America) or www.rail europe.fr (outside North America).

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) revolutionized painting in Italy with his passionate style, and his works and life are the focus of a 13-day/12-night cruise of MS Columbus, Sept. 20-Oct. 2, 2009.

The Columbus, built to carry 420 passengers, will have only 236 on this cruise, which includes Rome, Naples, “Magna Graecia” (classical-era Greek colonies) and Sicily in Italy; Valetta in Malta, and Tunis, Tunisia. There will be private concerts, lectures on art and volcanoes, and chances to see Caravaggio’s works in their original settings.

Including airfare from...

The 125-foot motor yacht Parranda carries up to 16 passengers plus a naturalist guide and crew of seven on 8-day cruises in the Galápagos Islands. Walk on volcanic islands, snorkel with sea lions or paddle a kayak through mangrove lagoons. The ship is fitted with stabilizers, and cabins have private facilities with freshwater showers.

In 2009, cruises Feb. 19-28, March 19-28 and June 18-27 cost $5,295 per person, double occupancy (international airfare not included). Add round-trip Ecuador-Galápagos airfare of $410.

Boundless Journeys (Stowe, VT; 800/941-8010 or 802/253-1640...