The new Flexible 4-Day Hokkaido Pass from Japan Rail Hokkaido allows travel on any JR Hokkaido train on any four days within a 10-day period. The railpass costs ¥18,000 (near $171) for an ordinary car and ¥25,000 ($238) for a first-class car.

The pass can be purchased either outside of Japan online (www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html) or through a wholesaler or inside Japan at Narita Airport or in several locations in Hokkaido. For a list of firms selling the pass, call the Japan...

The 27-day “Icebergs & Emperors” voyage, departing Hobart, Australia, on Dec. 12, 2008, visits the wildlife oases of the sub-Antarctic islands, the east coast of Antarctica and the historic huts of Sir Douglas Mawson, with his great-granddaughter Emma McEwin on board.

Cruise-only prices aboard the 100-passenger ship Marina Svetaeva range from $12,290 to $23,190 per person. Contact Aurora Expeditions (182 Cumberland St., The Rocks, NSW 2000, Australia; phone +61 2 9252 1033, http...

Explore Portugal’s Costa Azul on a one-, 3- or 7-day self-guided bicycle tour with Blue Coast Bikes (Setúbal, Portugal; phone +351 96 819 8872, www.bluecoastbikes.com… or write P.O. Box 837, Twin Lakes, WI 53181).

Example — on the 7-day/6-night “Essence of the Coast” bike tour, for one to 16 people, start at Zambujeira do Mar, ride along the Atlantic through Arrábida National Park and past the Bay of Setúbal to Azeitão. €1,750 (near $2,726) per person (single supplement, €540)...