Another phone menu: how to call home from abroad

July 01, 2007|Real Deals, Richard P. Carpenter, Globe Correspondent

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Wine, food, and history Cambridge-based Go Ahead Tours has a new 10-day excursion called A Taste of Tuscany and Umbria, which stresses both culture and cuisine. The price, which begins at $2,249 including air fare, includes guided tours of Florence; a visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce , where the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo are displayed; a private Tuscan cooking class; a guided tour of Siena; a visit to Romanesque Biumo , which houses art by Donatello and Pisano; wine tasting in San Gimignano , "the city of beautiful towers"; visits to vineyards and olive groves of the hilltop town of Montalcino , with Brunello wine tasting ; a stop in the hillside town of Cortona ; sightseeing in Perugia and a visit to one of its chocolate factories; and sightseeing in Orvieto , with a sampling of the region's vintage wines. The company has also inaugurated new excursions in Hawaii and Germany.

Call 888-GO-AHEAD (462-4323) or visit goaheadtours.com.

Web world Did you know that out-of-state visitors to the original Macy's in New York can get an 11 percent discount coupon? That's one of many tips from Delta Air Lines flight attendants and other employees at delta.com/siteseer . Downloadable video "travelcasts" give you a preview of your destination, along with information and tidbits. The Boston travelcast, for instance, recommends Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in the South End and gives this advice: "Don't attempt driving here." In addition to Boston and New York , the travelcasts cover Brussels, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Orlando, and Seoul.

When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.