Stay in an agriturismo to help with harvest in Italy

Q. My husband, 5-year-old son and I would like to travel to Tuscany or Umbria this fall to help harvest grapes or olives. How can we arrange this?

A. Stay in an agriturismo with vineyards and olive groves that allows guests to take part in the harvest. Grapes are typically picked in late September and early October, and olives are harvested later in November.

There are scores of farmhouses, especially in Tuscany, that fit the bill. Bim Narin, spokesman for Tuscany.net, a lodging booking site, had these recommendations:

• Cretaiole, a 14th-century farmhouse outside the town of Pienza in Tuscany. Activities include “lessons on making pasta by hand, guided nature walks and mountain bike rides, wine and olive oil tastings, visits to olive presses and wineries, guided visits to Pienza’s historical Hermitage (located on our property), truffle digs, participation in the harvesting of grapes and olives.” An apartment for three costs about $115 a night.

• La Torriola, near the town of Todi in Umbria. Grape and olive picking, wine tasting and cooking courses are offered at various times. An apartment rents for about $1,000 a week in September and October.

I’d also look at Locanda le Boscarecci, an estate in Castelfiorentino, near Florence, which has courses in Tuscan cooking and basket weaving, plus visits to ceramics workshops. “During harvest time there is the very special sensation of participating in the grape harvest together with the farmers, being part of the first phases of the wine production, and ending in the traditional harvest dinner,” says its brochure. Price for three is about $200 a night.

You can book through an Internet agency, such as www.tuscany.net, or go to a travel guide, such as www.agriturismo.com, which describes properties and lists contact information. Italy Farm Holidays in Tarrytown, N.Y. (914-631-7880, www.italyfarmholidays.com) can also help you find and book properties.

Q. My husband and I would like to visit Mongolia and Lake Baikal. I am especially interested in seeing the Mongolian “rodeo.” Are there itineraries that combine these two? Can we travel on the Siberian Railway?

A. Here are three tour companies with itineraries that visit Lake Baikal and the annual Naadam Festival in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, where nomads gather each summer to participate in archery, wrestling and horse-racing competitions.

• Mir Corp. (800-424-7289, www.mircorp.com) has a 21-day trip departing June 26 that starts in Vladivostok on the coast of the Sea of Japan in east Russia. From there, you board the Trans-Siberian Railway to Lake Baikal and Mongolia. The trip ends in Ulan Bator. Cost is $4,595 per person double, plus airfare.

• Uniworld (800-360-9550, www.uniworld.com) has an 18-day trip departing June 26 that includes train from Beijing to Irkutsk, and flights from Irkutsk to Ulan Bator and Ulan Bator to Beijing. Cost is about $4,700 per person double, including airfare.

• The Great Canadian Travel Co. (800-661-3830, www.greatcanadiantravel.com) has a 13-night trip departing July 1 that starts in Moscow, where you board the Trans-Siberian train. Trip includes one day at Lake Baikal and 1 1/2 days at the festival. Cost is $4,995, plus airfare.

Q. My husband and I will be traveling to Freeport, Bahamas, and would also like to visit Nassau. What type of transportation is available to travel from island to island that is safe and economical?

A. The only scheduled service between the two islands is on Bahamasair, the national airline. The 45-minute flight is offered at least seven times daily and costs about $154 round trip. Service is provided on 32-passenger DeHavilland Dash-8 turboprops. The 30-year-old airline has had no serious accidents. Info: (800) 222-4262, www.bahamasair.com.

Bahamas Fast Ferries (242-323-2166, www.bahamasferries.com) has service from Nassau to Eleuthra and Harbour Island. The company says it’s looking into establishing service to Freeport, but no definite plans have been announced.