A new water and wilderness adventure, the Great River Journey, is debuting on the Yukon River in Canada, and those who travel during the inaugural season this summer will pay reduced rates and retain their "Patron" status, receiving special considerations on future trips. This is "adventure" in cushy style, with groups of 10 boating through the backcountry from the Yukon's Whitehorse to the Klondike's Dawson City, staying at three different lodges overnight and dining on fine cuisine throughout. The trip follows in the footsteps of Gold Rush pioneers and First Nation peoples and is partly hosted by the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, the Ta'an Kwach'an Council, the Tr'ondek Hwech'in and the Selkirk First Nation, partners in the venture. Departures begin June 13; last trip of the 2008 season launches Sept. 14. Fee, inclusive, from $3,900 to $5,800 (regular price in excess of $7,000).

KAUA'I

OUTRIGGER WAIPOULI RATED ONE OF TOP 25 RESORTS ON EXPEDIA

The Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa is ranked in the top 25 of resorts on Expedia's Insiders' Select List of world's best hotels for 2008. The hotels on this list represent the top 1 percent of the more than 70,000 hotels with which Expedia works. Waipouli, on the eastern shore of Kaua'i between Kapa'a and Wailua, is ranked 21st worldwide, and top in Hawai'i. The hotel is one of the many new condominium resorts springing up in the Islands, offering apartmentlike living with hotel amenities such as a fitness room, activity desk, Tahitian Lanai bar, heated soft-water river pool, flumed water slides, sandbottom whirlpool spas, walking paths and an Aveda salon and spa. Rates begin at $295 a night. Reservations: www.outriggercondos.com.

LAS VEGAS

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH FIREWORKS, PARTIES, CONCERTS

A Las Vegas Fourth of July? There's lots to choose from, including fireworks displays, parties in most of the nightclubs, NASCAR, Pat Benatar and Neil Girado at the Mandalay Bay. At Cashman Field, the minor league 51s hosts Fresno followed by the traditional fireworks extravaganza (702-798-7825). In Summerlin, the Las Vegas Philharmonic opens its ninth season with the "Star Spangled Spectacular" with fireworks by Zambelli Internationale (lasvegasphilharmonic.com; 702-895-2787). On July 3, Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts a NASCAR-sanctioned stockcar race and USAC Midgets with NASCAR star Kyle Busch among the racers, followed by fireworks (702-644-4444). More information: www.lasvegas.com; www.lasvegas.citysearch.com; www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/events/fourthofjuly/.