On course: Travel briefs

TRAVEL Q&A Volunteer travel Q Do you have any suggestions for picking a travel volunteer program? Do you always pay your own way?

A Yes, you always pay your own way when you take a volunteer vacation. But according to "Best Immersion Travel USA" author Sheryl Kayne, many of these trips are tax-deductible. Kayne also says that you can keep your costs down by volunteering domestically. When evaluating a potential volunteer vacation opportunity, speak to at least two people who have already done the program and ask for their candid opinions. Among questions to ask:

• Are there fees for the program?

• How long has the organization been working in the area?

• Are there any special physical

requirements to do the work?

• Are other people in the community involved so the work continues when the volunteers leave?

• What is the balance of volunteer activities and free time?

• Will I be able to explore my

surroundings and engage in other activities?

Answers to travelers' questions

appear in Travel weekly and

escapeartists; send your question by

e-mail to travel@startibune.com.

ELIZABETH LARSEN

Volunteer opportunities With Tropical Adventures, save more than $500 on the Cultural Encounter Package to Costa Rica, a mix of volunteering and nature. The six-night package costs $899 per person double-occupancy and includes two nights at the Hotel Don Carlos in San Jose; four (rustic) nights at the Bamboo Cultural Center in the Talamanca indigenous reservation; volunteering opportunities at an elementary school, retirement home and indigenous cultural center; a boat tour to Panama plus a forest walk and waterfall swim; almost all meals and some snacks, and transfers to all locations. Typically, the package costs $1,444. Go to www.tropicaladventures.com.

WASHINGTON POST

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Good eating on the road "Healthy Highways: The Traveler's Guide to Healthy Eating" offers alternatives to fast-food eateries. Designed with motorists, bikers and hikers in mind, it features more than 2,800 natural-food stores, co-ops and health-conscious restaurants. Authors Nikki and David Goldbeck list six "healthy" rules of the road to remember, including choosing different ethnic foods whenever possible and ordering vegetarian (even if you are not one).

MCCLATCHY NEWS SERVICE

Arts on the river With the Mississippi River as a scenic backdrop, artists from around the country will showcase their work during the Riverssance Festival of Fine Art next Saturday and Sunday in Lindsay Park in the historic Village of East Davenport, Iowa. More than 100 artists will display and sell pottery, paintings, ceramics, drawings, jewelry and more. Visitors will also be treated to food, music and children's art projects. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (1-800-747-7800; www.midcoast.org).

COLLEEN A. COLES