Ready for a wild trip? Mule rides to resume

Ready for a wild trip?Mule rides to resume
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) -- Mule rides from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon are expected to resume soon.
Day trips to Plateau Point are expected to resume March 23, with trips to Phantom Ranch on the canyon floor expected to restart May 1.
The popular rides, operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, were halted in September so park officials could do maintenance on the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails, among the park's most popular routes into the canyon.
Roughly 10,000 people take mules rides at the South Rim each year. Tourists have been taking mules into the canyon since 1887.
Mexico's Riviera Mayato feature new resort
Dallas-based Rosewood Hotels & amp; Resorts, owners of the Mansion on Turtle Creek, will manage a new luxury resort opening in fall 2005 on Mexico's Riviera Maya.
The Laguna Kai will feature a 120-suite hotel, an island spa and 70 lagoon and beachfront villas. The project includes a Greg Norman-designed golf course.
After checking in, guests will be taken to their villa via boat along a waterway system through mangrove forests.
For more information, call (866) 519-8769 or visit www.lagunakai.com.
Tall ship Maple Leafto do centennial cruise
Experience grizzlies, whales and mighty rivers on one of the West Coast's oldest sailing ships. The tall ship Maple Leaf will make a centennial cruise April 15-26 that includes about one-half of British Columbia's coastline.
Highlights of the "Great Bear Rainforest Kitlope Supervoyage" include sailing the 92-foot schooner next to waterfalls that cascade hundreds of feet to the sea, viewing black and brown bears, soaking in hot springs and meeting an elder from the Henaaksiala Indian tribe.
Fall dates for the trip include Sept. 7-15 and Sept. 17-26.
Cost is $2,600 to $3,000, which includes all meals, shore excursions, naturalist activities and wine with dinner.
For more information, call (888) 599-5323 or visit www.mapleleafadventures.com.
Photography courseheads to France, Italy
Study photography in Italy and France this summer through North Lake College in Irving, Texas. The six-credit-hour photography course, designed for advanced as well as beginning photographers, is June 20 through July 9.
The group will visit Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, Venice, the Alps and Paris. Many days are planned with group tours and activities in the mornings, leaving afternoons and evenings free to explore independently or in small groups. Units on film, lenses, night photography, infrared, environmental portraiture, landscape and portfolio development will be included.
Estimated cost for the trip is $3,000. For information, visit www.eichfoto.com/eurofto2004 or call (214) 923-3768.
Colorado's Taste of Vail
Thirty-five of Vail Valley's most noted restaurants will participate in the 14th annual Taste of Vail on April 7-10 in Vail, Colo.
During the four-day food and wine extravaganza, Vail Valley restaurants will serve their cuisine at these events: Vail Valley Chef's Showcase Dinner, Winemakers Dinners, Mountaintop Picnic, and Grand Tasting, Dancing and Auction.
The event includes seminars, an auction and dance, apres ski tasting, a margarita mix-off and a mountaintop picnic.
For more information, visit www.tasteofvail.com.