The fifth Great Museums of Europe tour organized by Leeward Community College begins this summer in Italy, visiting Rome, Florence and Venice, before journeying on to Munich, Germany, to visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Then it's on to Bern, Switzerland, and Paris, where the group takes an illumination tour of the City of Light and visits the impressionist museum and the Louvre. From France, the tour goes to Belgium to visit the Bruges museums, then to Amsterdam, Netherlands, to see the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. A three-day extension is offered for those interested in visiting London's British Museum and National Gallery.

Art historian and LCC professor Barbara Saromines-Ganne and assistant professor of digital media Christian Ganne will lead the 18-day tour. "Going to Europe and being able to study art firsthand is life enhancing" says Saromines-Ganne, "and it's also a lot of fun!"

The tour is open to anyone of college age. Students can earn three units of credit in Art History, Art 176 and/or three credits in Digital Photography. Tour leaves May 19. The 18-day itinerary and costs are at www2.hawaii.edu/~bsg /studyabroad, or contact Saromines-Ganne at 926-5413 or bsg@hawaii.edu.

AMERICA

2 NEW BOOKS PROVIDE DETAILS ON NATION'S 'HALLOWED GROUND'

Two new guides to Civil War sites make a terrific package to read or take along on a trip.

The Civil War Preservation Trust's second edition of "Civil War Sites: The Official Guide to the Civil War Discovery Trail" spotlights more than 600 battlefields, forts, museums, archives, historic homes and cemeteries. Jeff Shaara's "Civil War Battlefields: Discovering America's Hallowed Ground" offers a selection of 10 battlefields, each with its own story, and suggestions on what to see.

In his introduction to the trust guide, Pulitzer- and Lincoln Prize-winning author James M. McPherson writes a surprisingly thorough history of the war in less than two pages. Listings include admission, hours, visitor services, regularly scheduled events and directions.

HAWAI'I

SO WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT TO RELAX IN ISLANDS?

Nominate your favorite place to spend relaxing time in the Islands — a scenic spot, a hotel or inn, an attraction, a town or village — and earn a chance to win a pair of Neighbor Island air tickets. Fill out a form or access one online; instructions are on Page E7. Our top 25 list will appear in March.