And now for that beloved Friday tradition: the best from the week's press releases.

People often tell me they like to travel but not alone. Well, a few days ago I got a release about a travel companion matching site called Travel Chums (www.travelchums.com). The organization is eight years old and has over 40,000 members.

Then there are people who have partners but the partners are addicted to ESPN. For them, the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino has created a "Sports Widow Weekend." This release arrived in the middle of March Madness, but the package is available through Dec. 21. Because, what weekend in the U.S. doesn't involve some sort of sporting madness?

Then there are people who've always wanted to go to Ethiopia but found the prospect a little daunting. Ethiopian Airlines is starting "Ethiopian Journeys," a group of three tour packages including the "Queen of Sheba Tour" which takes in the Blue Nile Falls. There is also a package to Tanzania.

And lastly, there are people with teenagers. For them, Loews Hotels has created what they're calling "Edu-cations." These include a tour of the financial markets in New York City, a songwriting trip to Nashville, and immersion into the culinary arts in Miami Beach. Less educational but possibly more fun are golfing tours in Las Vegas and surfing tours in San Diego.

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But you're not interested in movie stars. You want to know what's happening. So here's the best from the week's press releases (a Friday tradition).

Caledonia, a sailing ship, wil spend a week exploring the fjords and bays of Newfoundland (a mere 1,000 years after Leif Erickson). Departure dates are Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 (I told you it was a week). Price - including airfare from Miami - is $3,319. Contact Maxxim Vacations, 800-567-6666; www.maxximvacations.com.

Coming up sooner, April 19 in fact, is the 5th Annual Soft Shell Crab Festival in Port Royal, SC. Port Royal is a pretty little town near the pretty bigger town of Beaufort. (A long weekend drive for South Floridians who, in a weird sort of time travel, get to go from summer into spring (and a Southern spring at that). Info: www.oldvillageportroyal.com

For festival lovers, Fiesta San Antonio runs this year April 17-28. The city always seems to have a fiesta atmosphere; I can only imagine what happens to it during Fiesta. Info: www.fiesta-sa.org.

And, according to the week's oddest release, the Alexis Hotel in Seattle is offering a special "Dalai Lama Peace Package" to coincide with His Holiness's visit to the city April 9-13. Prices start at $240 (plus tax) and include the Dalai Lama's book The Art of Happiness and a selection of Choice Organic Teas. A portion of the cost will be donated to the Seeds of Compassion organization. Info: 888-850-1155; www.alexishotel.com.

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Highlights from a week's worth of press releases:

Global Volunteers is starting English teaching vacations in Hanoi, Vietnam. Classes will be made up of high school and university students. Dates are July 26, Sept. 27 and Nov. 22. Tthe two-week program costs $2,595 and the one-week program costs $2,195 (not including airfare). I taught English in Guanajuato, Mexico, with Global Volunteers back before the word "voluntourism" was coined, and found them a very worthwhile organization. Info: 800-487-1074, www.globalvolunteers.org.

Cruise North Expeditions, an Inuit-owned company, is offfering an 11-night cruise along northern Labrador's Torngat Mountain coast. The ship departs from Newfoundland on June 22; cost is $4,695. Info: 866-263-3220; www.cruisenorthexpeditions.com.

Cross Country International offers a Roman Coast Walk - four days of guided walking plus one day of cooking lessons. Price is $2,600 per person (shared); dates: Nov. 9-15. Info: 800-828-8768; www.walkingvacations.com.

Everybody loves Bobbies (or at least loves saying the word). Now a group called Monument London Realty wants to give you a former Bobby as your London guide. (For a fee, of course.) Info: 011-44-750-301-3331; www.london-realty.co.uk.

This is a big year for Israel, as it celebrates 60 years of statehood. In connection with the celebration the country has launched a blog - www.isrealli.org - with news, cultural items, videos, etc.

And finally, for those South Floridians who don't want to travel too far - and who like a little cultural dissonance - the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach is hosting its 3rd annual Bluegrass in the Pavilion Concert Saturday, April 12th, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and you can get them by calling 561-655-2833 ext.27

If you can't make it Saturday, the Society of the Four Arts will host a Bluegrass Concert on Sunday (what's come over Palm Beachers?) at 5 p.m. For tickets, call 561-655-7226.

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