01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, July 23, 2006

Families favor London, Orlando

Costa Rica is giving London, Paris and Cancun a little competition for family travelers, according to a recent poll of American Express Travel agents.

Asked to name popular international destinations for families, the 279 agents surveyed online named London as number one followed by Rome; Paris; Cancun in Mexico; Italy in general; San Jose, Costa Rica; Nassau in the Bahamas; Mexico's Riviera Maya; Venice, and Florence.

Top domestic destinations listed by the agents were Orlando as number one, followed by New York; Miami; Las Vegas; Hawaii in general; Washington D.C.; Anaheim, Calif. (Disneyland); Maui, Hawaii; California in general, and Los Angeles.

A waterfall in Peru that few have seen

If you're willing to hike five hours on a rugged dirt trail in the northern Peruvian Amazon, you can be among the first travelers to see a waterfall that won't be tourist-accessible until next year. The 2,529-foot falls, named Gocta for the nearest village, is said to be the world's largest and third highest. (That's after Salto Angel in Venezuela and Tugela in South Africa.)

For comparison, the falls more familiar to Americans -- Niagara, Iguassu and Victoria -- drop a comparatively few 176 feet, 250 feet and 350 feet, respectively.

The falls, known for centuries only to the handful of Andean natives who live in the remote region, was stumbled upon in 2002 by a German scientist -- who didn't publicize his find until this year. The nearest city is Chachapoyas, about 450 miles from Lima, and the five-hour trek begins in the village of Cocachimba.

Peruvian tourism officials plan to build roads, places to stay and restaurants along the route by next year. "Those who want to rough it can go now," said Peruvian tourism spokeswoman Monica Glukstad. "The government isn't going to restrict anyone from going. It's out in the open; there's no way to hide it."

For details on getting to Chachapoyas: www.peru.info. After that, you're on your own.

Rejuvenate in Italy's hill towns

Rejuvenate mind and body during a week of fitness training and meditation in the Umbria region of Italy. The Sept. 30 tour visits the hill towns of Deruta, Spello and Assisi. The group will stay in a 12th-century villa near Gubbio, where cooking classes, yoga, Pilates and massage are available.

"It will be restful, but we'll be going to museums and on guided tours and there will be leisure time to explore on your own," tour leader Tannis Kobrinsky said. Also on tap: hiking, archaeological tours and visits to artisan workshops.

Cost: $1,800 per person, double occupancy ($721 single surcharge), including lodging, meals, classes, excursions, taxes and tips. International airfare and massages are not included. Contact: Health Habitravels, Los Angeles; (213) 482-3150, www.healthabitravels.com.

Web sites help you party on the go

On the other hand, if all you want to do is party, here are some new online travel agencies that focus on the hottest clubs and concerts.

WantTravel.com, a division of Track Entertainment, a media and lifestyle company in New York, allows travelers to pair flight, hotel and cruise bookings with music, comedy and club events. It says it is aimed at 18- to 35-year-olds. Click on Clubs and Nightlife to link to its sister site, Clubplanet.com, to register for the guest list at clubs.

Stuff, a men's lifestyle magazine from the publisher of Maxim, and Key2Travel, a luxury concierge service, recently teamed up to create Stuffviptravel.com.

The site, which bills itself as a concierge service for "the ultimate bachelor experience" and features photos of scantily clad women, offers concert tickets, VIP entrance to nightclubs and testosterone-pumping vacations such as river rafting and off-road trips.

Its vacation packages offer airline and hotel options. One nifty feature called the Stuff Party Planner makes arranging a bachelor party easy by letting you plan your itinerary and invite friends along.