Birds that swim — especially those that forage underwater — are superstars in the ornithology world. Take the anhinga, sometimes called snakebird, darter or water turkey, a large water bird that cruises in the warmer climes of North and South America. Its feathers, not waterproofed by oils like ducks', cause the bird to become barely buoyant. Yet this allows it to chase food, submerged, for a long time.

Bird lovers can watch "Ham," an anhinga from Florida, star in his own show at Birdcinema, a place where amateur and professional birdwatchers can place documentaries, video and pictures from their travels. Birdcinema is also a great place to learn about conservation. www.birdcinema.com.

— Chris Oliver

ALASKA

SEE A FANTASY WORLD MADE OF SCULPTED ICE

Hawai'i has its sand-sculpture competitions, but Alaska prefers ice. At the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, 180 ice sculptures engineered by 70 international teams are a fantasy world of animals, buildings, galleons and gardens. The public can watch single and multiblock sculptures, some 25 feet high, evolve alongside a four-acre Ice Park for kids where the slides, rides and mazes are all made of ice. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily at the Kids Park. World Ice Art is through March 23, but best viewing is March 8-16. www.icealaska.com, 907-451-8250.

— Chris Oliver

CHINA

DO THE SUMMER OLYMPICS FROM LUXURIOUS HOTELS

With the 2008 Summer Olympics in the Middle Kingdom, travelers drawn to the treasures of the Chinese capital might consider booking one of the Pre-Olympic Vacation Packages available at the four Shangri-La Hotels in Beijing. Each offers four nights' executive-floor lodging, most meals and three days of touring, plus airport transfers, tax and service charges.

Choose from the "History and Architecture" package, "Art and Sport," "Wine and Dine" and "Sight and Shop." Each package also includes the "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube" Olympic sites. Cost: $2,575 to $3,549 for two people. Airfare additional. Pre-Olympic Vacation Packages stay on track until June 30. 866-565-5050; www.shangrila.com/beijing/preolympicvacation/en.