ITP Travel, which has been organising educational travel for 42 years, has two tours this summer that may be of interest to the general public. An 18-day IndoChina tour, July 9th-26th, visits Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, including the temples at Angkor Wat. The other tour is to the opposite side of the world - Peru and Bolivia - around the same dates, and will take in the Nazca Lines, Machu Pichu and Lake Titicaca. Details from ITP Travel, 29 Terenure Road East, Dublin 6, 01 4970384.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board will continue its very successful short breaks programme this year. Prices are based on sterling pound for Punt and represent great value. There are more than 400 offers this year from self-catering to B & Bs, hotels and guesthouses. Two nights in a hotel can be weekend or midweek and costs from £69 to £89 B & B: some of the hotel offers also include a dinner. Guesthouse and B&Bs will cost from £39 to £79 and self-catering accommodation that sleeps two to four people £110; and four to six people £125, midweek or weekends. Details from 1850 230 230.
The Ulster American Folk Park, five miles from Omagh, organises living-history residential programmes for students. The programmes are based on re-enactment, and visitors play the roles of various people such as emigrants, preparing traditional food and gifts and taking part in wakes and weddings. Details from the Education Department on 048 82 243292.
In no short measure due to the opening of the Irish round tower at Mesen, interest in the battlefields of Flanders, the Somme and Normandy has increased hugely in the past two years. This September, Irish Ferries is organising a coach tour that will take in all the well-known venues of the first and second World Wars. The tour will also visit the grave of Major Willie Redmond, the Menin Gate, the American cemetery at Colleville Sur Mer, museums and many more famous places. The cost is from £380 and includes six nights' accommodation and insurance. Details from Irish Ferries, or your local ITAA travel agent.
Ian and Jane McGarry of Dalkey, Co Dublin, own two chalets in the French Portes du Soleil region on the Swiss border and provide ski tuition for all levels. Although the ski season is now drawing to a close, those bitten by the bug may wish to sign up for next year - the McGarrys also run special clinics for children and women. The Portes du Soleil has more than 700 km of runs for all standards. Further details from www.mcgarryski.com or 5 Barnhill Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin, 01 285 9139.
Joan Scales can be contacted at jscales@irish-times.ie