"Are we there yet?" used to be the refrain on summer family vacations. Today, kids will more likely exclaim "Wow! Where are we going?" as parents and head off for adventures that might include whitewater rafting on the Salmon River or visiting the Tower of London. Bringing parents and kids together, the new Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Specialty Travel Index (STI) highlights travel-for-all-ages from more than 300 tour operators in over 300 destinations around the globe. STI can also be accessed online at www.specialtytravel.com.

�Family travel remains one of the strongest segments of the adventure vacation market," says C. Steen Hansen, co-publisher of Specialty Travel Index. "Responding to the needs of both parents and kids, many tour operators are putting together special family departures which have a pace and perspective suited to children. The kids also have the chance to become buds with the other youngsters on the trip while they experience adventures together."

Here�s a round-up of vacations that pack multi-generational appeal for summer.

The Amazing Amazon. Watching monkeys trapeze through the trees and seeing piranhas circling in the shallows... That's just some of the excitement that awaits on this nine-day exploration of the most biologically diverse ecosystem on earth: the Amazon Rainforest. Cruising and living aboard elegant 28- to 30-passenger expedition ships, guests view wildlife ranging from scarlet macaws to river dolphins and caimans. Stops in small villages offer the chance to buy handicrafts and meet the shamans. [International Expeditions, Inc., www.ietravel.com]

Montana Multi-Sport Medley. Geysers and dinosaurs--what kid can resist? This six-day exploration of Big Sky Country leads off with a hike to Beehive Basin in Gallatin National Forest, then moves on to Yellowstone National Park with visits to Old Faithful and wildlife viewing for bison and elk. The itinerary also features rafting on the Yellowstone River, bicycling through Paradise Valley, and horseback riding in the Absaroka Mountains. An added bonus: The tour operator will plant 25 trees in the name of each family booking any of its trips from now through the end of 2004. [Austin-Lehman Adventures; www.austinlehman.com]

London and Paris: Tale of Two Cities. Since 1986, Grandtravel has offered tours designed to help grandparents create lasting memories for themselves and their grandchildren. This 10-day exploration of two of the world's greatest cities covers all the highlights from the Changing of the Guard to the Louvre Museum, with special features such as a visit to Claude Monet's home in Giverny and tickets to two top London theater performances. Three of the tour departure dates will allow an eastbound transatlantic sailing from New York to Southampton, England aboard the new Queen Mary 2-- the largest, longest, tallest, and widest ocean liner ever built. [Grandtravel; www.grandtrvl.com]

Alaska: A Whale of a Good Time. Kayaking, hiking, and camping combine for a memorable four-day holiday in Prince William Sound. Highlights include hikes through forests and coastal meadows, plus paddling to the face of Chenega Glacier--a popular "haul out" for harbor seals and favorite cruising waters for orcas and humpbacks. [Panagea Adventures; www.alaskasummer.com]

The Maine Thing. Dramatic shorelines, serene mountain lakes, and villages full of New England charm await on this six-day Maine escape featuring Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park. Guests bike Mt. Desert Island's legendary carriage roads built in the 1920s, kayak along glacier-carved coastlines, and raft the West Branch of the Penobscot known for sheer canyon walls and exhilarating rapids such as the Staircase and Cribwork. A lobster feast might round out the day's activities. [The World Outdoors; www.theworldoutdoors.com]

Going Wild in Costa Rica. With nearly one-third of its land protected in parks and preserves, Costa Rica fascinates both children and adults with its wildlife. The trip starts off at Manuel Antonio National Park with whitewater rafting down the Savegre River, and guided nature hikes through jungle offering face-time with sloths and howler monkeys. Next, participants fly to the Nicoya Peninsula (which has some of Costa Rica�s finest beaches) for bicycling, horseback riding, and fishing. When children share a room with two adults, they get a discount of 10% to 75%, depending on age. [Backroads, www.backroads.com]

Moseying Along the Mosel. Flanked by steep vineyard-covered hills, a gentle riverside bicycle path leads to grand castles, lively market towns, and unpretentious villages in one of Germany's premier wine-growing regions. Travelers delve into the past in towns such as Trier, founded by the Romans in 16 B.C.; and visit Burg Eltz, a multi-turreted medieval castle known for its treasure vault. Children under age 16 get a 10% discount. [Euro-Bike & Walking Tours; www.eurobike.com]

A Dude Ranch with a Difference. Personalized attention and well-schooled horses--that's what riders find at the Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming near the Continental Divide. The ranch only takes about 25 guests at a time; riding groups are kept small and composed according to the skill of the riders. Since Bitterroot is also a working cattle ranch, guests can help out at cattle drives and roundups during the summer. For people who want to hone their riding skills, the ranch has certified riding instructors and gives optional video taped lessons twice a week; there's also a course of over 60 jumps for advanced riders. [Equitours; www.ridingtours.com]

STI is easy to use, indexing tours by both activity (photography, polar bear watching) and destination (China, Manitoba). Subscriptions cost $10 per year (Canada $15, foreign $25) for two issues: January (Spring/Summer) and August (Fall/Winter). Send orders to: info@specialtytravel.com or order online at www.specialtytravel.com.

FOR REVIEW COPIES--CALL 415-455-1643 E-mail: info@specialtytravel.com

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Media Contact: Steen Hansen +1 415 455 1640 shansen@specialtytravel.com