Gather Dungeness crabs or cut loose in Miami

Down summer roads all full of turns and bends Summer roads that lead to all my friends Summer roads by summer streams, where I live all my winter dreams And the good times always start down summer roads "Summer Roads" Tommy Makem (1982)

Summer roads -- and skies -- are beckoning travelers. Prices are up and so is the number of vacationers, with domestic travel reaching or exceeding pre-9/11 levels. Seldom has there been such an array of choices for the summer traveler. Here are a few:

New Hampshire's Waterville Valley is featuring a Summer Unlimited package beginning at $220 that includes boating, mountain biking, tennis, golf, access to the White Mountain Athletic Club , use of the Waterville Valley shuttle, a scenic chairlift ride up Snow's Mountain , and access to Waterville Valley Recreation's open gym program. In addition, families staying for at least three nights can send their children ages 6-12 to one day of Kids Camp. Families can choose from one- to five-bedroom lodging, including the Town Square Condominiums , Golden Eagle Lodge , Black Bear Lodge , Snowy Owl Inn , and Village Condominiums. Package savings are estimated at 50 percent of what it would cost to book the attractions individually.

Call 800-GO-VALLEY (468-2553) or log on to visitwaterville valley.com .

There will be 350 free performances at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, June 28-July 8 , in addition to 150 more shows with an admission charge. In all there will be 3,000 musicians and street performers, and 250,000 people are expected to attend. There are a number of affordable lodging packages, as well as a Festival Fun-Pack for about $37 that includes a T-shirt, a concert ticket, priority access to other tickets, and assorted discounts.

Visit montrealjazzfest.com/packages or call 888-515-0515 .

The Miccosukee Zo's Summer Groove , or ZSG , in Miami July 11-15 is a five-day fund - raiser for needy youngsters, with a golf tournament, concert, comedy show, block party, an all-star basketball game, and lots of after-parties. In connection with the event, the InterContinental Miami has a couple of packages. The Couples Getaway for Two is highlighted by a three-night stay, two tickets to the ZSG Comedy Show at Hard Rock Live, two tickets to the ZSG All-Star Basketball Game; and two ZSG T- shirts. Starting price is $549. The Family Travel Package for Four also features a three-night stay, plus four tickets to the basketball game, four passes to the Miami Metrozoo, four passes to the Miami Seaquarium, and four T-shirts. The package begins at $539. To book, call Kathleen Falter of Alonzo Mourning Charities at 305-476-0095, ext. 128. The ZSG packages are for July 13-15. Travelers can also get up to 5 percent off on airfare to the event when they book with American Airlines and enter promotional code: A9477BK.

Untours, which sells vacation rental packages to Europe, has a summer sale with savings of $400 per person for two-week stays in Greece, Tuscany, and Holland in July and August. Included in the package is a car rental with basic insurance in Greece and Tuscany and a rail and public transit pass in Holland, along with airport transportation and English-speaking on-site staff support at all three destinations. In Greece, the apartments are in Nafplio , a harbor town not yet overrun with tourists but close to major sights. The price is $899 land only, or $1,969 with airfare from New York. In Tuscany, the apartments are near Montalcino ; some have pools and others are on the Brunello vineyards. The cost is $1,399, or $2,749 with airfare from New York. The Holland flats are in Leiden, a university town 30 minutes from Amsterdam. The price is $939, or $1,869 with a flight from New York. Untours, incidentally, donates most of its profits to charitable causes worldwide.

Visit untours.com or call 888-868-6871 .

Stowe, Vt., is planning a cultural summer with events such as the 34th Vermont Mozart Festival July 15-Aug. 5 , the 15th annual Stowe Garden Festival June 29-July 1 , and the sixth annual Stowe Summer Music Festival Aug. 15-18. In addition, the Montreal-Boston cycling tour passes through Stowe Aug. 8 and the 50th Stowe Antique and Classic Car Meet will be Aug. 10-12. The Topnotch Resort and Spa starts its summer rates at $325 a night, double occupancy, in a luxury room.

Call 800-451-8686 or visit top notchresort.com.

Travelers are returning to New Orleans, and the dollars they leave behind are helping the city recover from Hurricane Katrina. The Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans has a Stars and Stripes package for $99 a night that includes a room, two tickets to the National World War II Museum, and two cooling mojitos at 7 On Fulton. The offer is good through Aug. 31.

Call 504-524-8200 or visit wyndhamriverfront.com.

In connection with the National Arbor Day Foundation, Doubletree Hotels is giving youngsters kidsCAREpaks at 130 destinations across North America. The "earth-packs" are filled with a variety of outdoor-friendly tools and toys and will be complimentary to guests ages 3-12 staying with their families through Labor Day weekend. Hotel prices vary.

Visit doubletree.com/kidscare pak or call 800-222-TREE.

The Hastings House Hotel on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, invites you to gather some Dungeness crabs. A two-night Crab Catch package, available until Sept. 30, costs about $600 per person and includes two nights' accommodation, continental breakfast daily, afternoon treats, an excursion on a crabbing boat (guests will be issued stickers and crabbing licenses) and a four-course chef's dinner of crab specialties. Each couple will receive a recipe book and measuring tool to take home.

Call 800-661-9255 or visit has tingshouse.com.

I can never hear the name of Heidelberg, Germany, without singing "Summertime in Heidelberg" from "The Student Prince" -- to myself, of course. Packages of one to three nights, available summer and fall through October, allow guests to wander through museums and castles and visit the 700-year-old university. Rates per person start at about $96 for one night, $151 for two, and $206 for three nights and include lodging with breakfast, a guided walking tour of the city, a Neckar River excursion, unlimited travel on the funicular railway, a castle tour, and admission to at least a dozen of the city's museums.

Visit cvb-heidelberg.de and click on the US flag or e-mail in fo@cvb-heidelberg.de.

For those who have always wanted to learn to sail, Offshore Sailing School offers a variety of learning vacations, including a family plan. The Pink Shell Resort & Spa in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., has three- or five-day courses including lessons and accommodations starting at $1,200 a person for a room that sleeps four. That price reflects a discount of $200 per person in July and August. A 20 percent discount on spa treatments and kiddie camp is also included.

Call 800-221-4326 or visit off shoresailing.com.

Attention-getting contests are nothing new, and the odds of winning are usually poor, but Best Western has come up with a colorful one. Through June 24, entrants can submit a 30-second video telling why they desperately need a vacation. From July 14 to 22, the top 25 entries will be posted online, where you can vote for the top 10. From those, a panel of judges will pick the winner the week of July 23. The prize is a seven-day vacation anywhere in the United States or Canada for a family of up to four, a video camera, a one-year membership in AAA, and $1,000 to spend on vacation.

For all details, visit bestwest ern.com/vacationsos/index.asp .

When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.