Crystal Cruises (800/337-9568) is instituting a more restrictive smoking policy.

Effective with the first cruises in 2014, smoking indoors will be permitted only in each ship’s Connoisseur Club smoking lounge. Smoking will be prohibited in all other public rooms, lounges, corridors and restaurants as well as in all staterooms, suites and verandahs. If smoke is detected in a stateroom or suite, a cleaning fee of $250 will be charged. 

Outdoor smoking will be allowed...

For bird-watchers, the third International Hula Valley Bird Festival, organized by the Israel Ornithological Center, takes place Nov. 10-17, 2013. Visitors to the valley, which is a 2½-hour drive north of Jerusalem, have logged over 200 different bird species.

A festival package costs $2,165 per person (sharing) and includes seven nights at the Pastoral Hotel, breakfasts, dinners, guided birding tours, evening lectures and all transportation within Israel. Visit the website....

Auto Europe (888/223-5555) now allows travelers to rent motorcyles in Cancún, Mexico; Spain, and France. Models available include Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Honda and BMW. Rates vary by country, make and model but typically run $300 to $1,000 per day, including insurance. 

Bookings must be made by phone; info is not on the website. A US motorcycle driver’s license is required to make a reservation. There is no upper age limit. Some bikes come with a “saddlebag”...