The Whistler ski resort in British Columbia has long been a favorite of Island skiers and snow players. If you're thinking the 2010 Winter Olympics would be a good time to take in Whistler, or to see how your old favorite has been gussied up for the festivities, check in at www.whistler.com. This official Web site of Tourism Whistler can hook you up with accommodations in a variety of price and amenity brackets. The average rate for Games-time hotel rooms is $600 per night, about 25 percent to 50 percent above usual rates. A recent survey of 600 whistler.com customers found that more than half would stay for a few extra nights if they can find reasonable pricing and make their plans now. So Tourism Whistler is urging hoteliers and condos to release rooms now, a year in advance, not usually their practice. The Games, which open with the Paralympic Winter Games Feb. 12, run through March 21, 2010.

ALASKA TOURING

GRAY LINE'S OPTIONS INCLUDE DRIVE YOURSELF OR BUS EXCURSIONS

Gray Line of Alaska is offering summer packages in both self-drive and day trips and excursions via bus, which may be independent or guided. A Denali National Park summer special offers two-day packages, including roundtrip rail travel from Anchorage or Fairbanks, and a stay in a park-entrance hotel starting at $199 per person (Fairbanks) or $289 per person (Anchorage); travel is aboard domed railcars that offer panoramic views. Independent travelers can pick up a rental car for a pre-planned self-drive tour, with reserved hotel rooms and select tours, in the areas of Homer, Valdez or Anchorage. Escorted tours of three to seven days include Denali, the Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound or Talkeetna; longer tours also can be arranged. Information: 800-544-2206, www.graylinealaska.com.

CARIBBEAN MEXICO

SEA TURTLES LAYING EGGS ON BEACH OF SPA RESORT ON MAYAN RIVIERA

Just as here in Hawai'i we share our beaches with turtle breeding and basking areas, Mexico's Caribbean shore (the Mayan Riviera, between Cancun and Carrilo Puerto on a tip of land jutting into the sea) is a nesting area for the caguama sea turtle. From now through October, thousands of female caguama (loggerhead) turtles will lay and bury their eggs on beaches there. In a few weeks, the hatched babies make their way to the sea. The Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach & Spa, an adults-only resort, offers a protected environment for the turtles, allowing guests to watch from a distance, but turning off all night lights and restricting flash photography. The hotel is offering special turtle viewing rates that begin at $128 per person, double occupancy, including all food and beverages and resort facilities except spa services. Information: 011-52-984-875-01800; www.hoteles-catalonia.com.