Okay, we admit it--we're blais�. We've ogled sloths slumbering in cecropia trees in Costa Rica, dived upside-down World War II wrecks (at night) in Truk lagoon, and shared cough-drops with former (we hope) cannibals in Irian Jaya. The thrill isn't gone--we just looking for it anew.

For travelers looking to renew their wanderlust, the new Spring/Summer 2005 issue of Specialty Travel Index covers more than 300 tour operators with programs in over 300 destinations around the globe. The #1 source for information about unusual travel worldwide, STI can also be accessed online at www.specialtytravel.com.

"Every few years, we see an upsurge in companies offering unusual, offbeat tours--this is one of those times," says C. Steen Hansen, co-publisher of Specialty Travel Index (STI). "American travelers have become much more adventurous not just in their choice of destinations, but also in what activities they pursue once they get there."

Ready to bag bragging rights around the office water cooler? Here are our top choices:

For Different Drummers: Musical Adventures Around the World. Escape to Dublin to see U2 or to Havana, Cuba, to hear sinuous rumba and mambo music up-close and personal. These are just a few of the noteworthy trips to music events around the world offered by Adventures in Rock. Itineraries for 2005 include the U2 tour in Dublin this summer, the Austin City Limits Festival in Texas (September 23 to 25, 2005), and the Essaouira Festival in Morocco, which highlights the music of the Gnaoui people as well as its fusion with jazz, reggae, blues, rock, hip hop and trance (June 17th to 28th, 2005). [Adventures in Rock; 877-788-ROCK; www.AdventuresinRock.com]

Going "Sideways": Tastings in California Wine Country. Structure, bouquet, nose... high-falluting wine terms take on down-to-earth meanings on tours through the legendary terroirs offered by Napa Insiders. Each of the five-day, four-night excursions provides a different focus--from a Sonoma County sojourn with visits to top appellations such as the Alexander Valley and Russian River to an autumnal visit offering the chance to witness the harvest and crush. [Napa Insiders; 866-918-8500; www.NapaInsiders.com]

Talking Turkey--By Charter Yacht. What's a gulet? It's wooden sailing vessel of traditional Turkish design. Constructed of fine hardwoods, the 78-foot Dulcinea ranks as one of the top vessels of this class, hosting 10 guests in three elegant cabins and two deluxe suites, each with a private bathroom. She sails the pristine waters of the Turkish Riviera, calling at ports such as Bodrum, setting for a 4th century B.C. mausoleum and amphitheater; Knidos, known for its statue of Aphrodite; and the lovely beaches of Cleopatra Island, said to have been where Anthony and Cleopatra honeymooned. [Sail Dulcinea; 212-319.0939; www.saildulcinea.com]

Gallivanting Around Gullah Country: History that never made it into the textbooks--that's what travelers encounter on this four-day exploration of the Gullah Islands off South Carolina and Georgia, where West African traditions mingle with the American experience. Held over the Memorial Day weekend (May 26 to 30, 2005), the itinerary includes the annual Gullah Festival with its drumming, dancing, and crafts workshops. Participants also visit St. Helena Island, site of one of the country's first schools for freed slaves and also setting for the Oyo-Tunji village, designed to follow ancient Yoruba (Nigeria) customs. [Maame Koranchee's; 585-305-8292; www.maame-koranchees.com]

Start Your Engines: Auto Racing Tours. Formula One in Monaco, the Indy 500 at Indianapolis, 24 hours of Le Mans, Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach... Grand Prix Tours arranges once-in-a-lifetime thrills for automotive enthusiasts. Not only do packages include the best race tickets at each event, but guests also get the inside track with programs including parties with race celebrities, theme events, and fully catered VIP hospitality chalets. Visits to exotic car factories and museums in Great Britain, Italy and Germany can also be arranged. [Grand Prix Tours; 949-717�3333; www.gptours.com] Your Chance for the Tour de France. Steve Bauer rode in the Tour 11 consecutive years. He wore the yellow jersey, so he's been there--and now you can be there with him. This summer Bauer partners with Chris Carmichael, Lance Armstrong's personal coach, to offer an itinerary that offers guests not only the chance to view the race but also pedal many of the same stages as the actual competitors. [Steve Bauer Bike Tours Inc.; 905-563-8687; www.stevebauer.com]

It's a Bird! It's A Plane! It's... Landsailing, which involves traveling at speeds up to 40 mph in a contraption that looks like a cross between a windsurfer and a go-kart. This tour operator offers weekend trips based out of Reno or Las Vegas, with the chance to vroom across vast, dry lake beds surrounded by stark mountains. The nine to eleven-hour excursions include instruction, lunch, dinner, and a mini-regatta. "It's a lot of fun even if you don't know what you're doing," comments Pete Lyons, owner. [Landsailing Tours; 877-933-4730; Landsailingtours.com]

STI is easy to use, indexing tours by both activity (legends, reindeer safaris) and destination (Romania, Labrador). Subscriptions cost $10 per year (Canada $15, foreign $22) for two issues: January (Spring/Summer) and August (Fall/Winter). Send orders to: info@specialtytravel.com or order online at www.specialtytravel.com.

Contact: Justine Durrell www.specialtytravel.com E-mail: info@specialtytravel.com Ph: +1 (415) 455-1643