Step into Bellagio's Gallery of Fine Art and savor "Picasso's Ceramics: Treasures from the Estate of Pablo Picasso." More than 30 ceramic objects by the 20th century's most famous artist are on display demonstrating Picasso's genius in combining painting, sculpture and clay into a single discipline. Picasso (1881-1973) not only revolutionized painting at the turn of the 20th century through Cubism and sculpture in the 1920s and 1930s, but also pursued ceramics.

"This work serves, in many ways, as a biographical key to the artist. His knowledge and passions — from art history to women and the tradition of the bullfight — are clearly represented in the works on view," said Andrea Glimcher, president of the Bellagio Gallery. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays-Thursdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Tickets: $17, $14 for Nevada residents and those 65 and older, $12 for students. Audio guides are included in admission. (702) 693-7871 or (877) 957-9777, www.bgfa.biz and www.bellagio.com. Through Jan. 14, 2008.

BACKPACKABLES

BOOKS MAKE ROUGHING IT SMOOTH

he Rough Guides travel book series is celebrating its 25th birthday by publishing 25 pocket-sized books that feature "25 ultimate experiences."

Some are focused on destinations: Africa, Australia, Britain & Ireland, Canada, China, Eastern Europe and more. Others are themed on "Adventure Travel," "Ethical Travel," "Islands," "Wonders of the World," "World Food," "Places to Stay," "Journeys," and "Wildlife Adventures."

The "to do" list includes riding an elephant in Thailand to cruising the Panama Canal, seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska and walking around Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia's Outback. Rough Guides has published more than 300 guide books, maps and phrase books since 1982. The company's best-selling guide is to Italy, with guides to India, Guatemala and New York also among its top titles. The "25 ultimate" books are a limited-edition print run and cost $5.99 each. www.roughguides.com.

IN THE STRATOSPHERE

GET YOUR FLIGHT SUIT ON

After flying to Moscow for a city tour, you go to Nizhny Novgorod, where, after training, you board the MiG with a test pilot for a one-hour flight. Then it's back to St. Petersburg by train. As souvenirs, you receive a flight suit, a film of your big day, lifelong memories — and a lighter wallet. The package price is $29,815. (800) 722-9955, www.silversea.com.

TOP 10

GOING SMALL

The best small-town (under 20,000) getaways in the region, from Midwest Living magazine:

1. Ephraim/Fish Creek, Wis.

2. Petoskey/Charlevoix, Mich.

3. Galena, Ill.

4. Madison, Ind.

5. Saugatuck/Douglas, Mich.

6. Nashville, Ind.

7. Bayfield, Wis.

8. Put-in-Bay, Ohio

9. Stillwater, Minn.