A week or two of vacation of strictly "R&R" is going the way of the passenger train. Instead, many travelers are seeking out destinations offering what travel experts call "the learning vacation," focusing less on relaxation of the body and more on exercising the mind.

Today, many posh resorts, time-share communities, even campgrounds, have an educational or experiential component on the amenity list. Guests can learn a new skill or sport, brush up on their American history, or dance, paint, and sing their holiday away.

The trend towards the "learning vacation" is apparent in Western New York's Chautauqua County, home to the renowned Chautauqua Institution. In existence since 1874, "The Institution" started and perfected the learning vacation. Following are several Chautauqua County venues, some offered for the first time this year, that like the renowned "Institution" offers vacationers a chance to exercise their minds.

1. THE CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION - The community located on Chautauqua Lake hosts 180,000 visitors each nine-week season. Guests are offered everything from foreign film discussions to birding and gardening tips, lectures by leading thinkers of our times, and live performances by American icons like Kenny Rogers. Daily, guided and narrated tours of the grounds are available by shuttle or walking. The tour focuses on the rich history of Chautauqua. Tickets for tours can be purchased the day of the tour at The Main Gate ticket window. For more information, Call 716-357-6262.

2. WINDOW ON JAMESTOWN-A HERITAGE TOUR-JULY 25, ONE DAY ONLY - The tour highlights homes, churches, and businesses owned by leading citizens 100 years ago. It includes admission to the Lucy-Desi Museum and Fenton Historical Center, beginning in Brooklyn Square at the Ames parking lot (corner of Harrison and South Main) where parking is provided and you can jump on a shuttle bus to the starting point of the walking tour. You can reserve lunch and refreshments at three different tour sites as well as local restaurants. The tour is from 10:30AM-4:30PM. You can purchase a ticket for $20.00, a donation that goes to support The Marvin Community House in Jamestown. Tickets are available at Reg Lenna Civic Center Box Office, Viking Trader on Rt. 430 in Bemus Point or at the Colonnade Building at Chautauqua. Or by mail to The Marvin House, 2 West Fifth St. Jamestown, NY 14701. For more information, e-mail MarvinHouseTour@aol.com

3. CHAUTAUQUA ART TRAIL- AND FALL FESTIVAL AT CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION- The C.A.T. is a cultural medley of artistic places and events throughout Chautauqua County from July-December, 2003. Detailed maps of the trail are available, featuring artist studios, galleries, storytelling, and ethnic celebrations. Major events include the Chautauqua Fall Festival and Fly Fishing Assembly, and an Artist Tour weekend all happening October 4-5, when 18 artists open their working studios to the public. Painters, sculptures, photographers, and glass blowers invite you to observe them create and learn more about the arts

The Chautauqua Fall Festival held for the first time on the grounds of "The Institution" includes two days of exhibits featuring nature arts and fine crafts, quilts, organic produce, pottery, wellness and natural living. Contradancing, an Octoberfest buffet, and hayrides are also on tap. The Athenaeum Hotel on the grounds of The Chautauqua Institution is hosting a Fly Fishing Assembly during Fall Festival. The nation's leading fly-fishing experrts will be on hand. On the agenda are casting clinics with Lefty Kreh, fly tying demonstrations, and fly fishing tales with James Prosek. There are programs especially for youth, and steelhead and specialty workshops. For more information, call 1-800-821-1881 or go to ciweb.org.

4. LANA'S LITTLE HOUSE IN FORESTVILLE-Deep in the forest of where else but Forestville is a whimsical dwelling that looks as if it jumped off the pages of a Grimm's Fairy Tale. Lana's Little House is actually a structure known as the Cotswold cottage, often seen in the English countryside centuries ago. Although it looks one hundred years old, it was built in 1980. And, like a true Cotswold, Lana's Little House was fashioned and handmade by the original owners strictly from materials found in the region. Oak and hemlock timbers, flag stone, and timber were all used in its' creation.

Lana Lewis purchased the home with 21 acres of hills, forest, and gardens a little more than a year ago. Today she offers tours featuring a discussion of the construction and history of this most unusual dwelling. You can get your photo taken sitting on the stone garden bench in the center of a flamboyant English garden. For an additional charge, (Tours are $20.00 per person.) she’ll serve you an elegant desert after the tour.

The Little House is available for photo backdrops, retreats, and garden parties. And, Lewis says she's open to your suggestion for other occasions or uses. To arrange a tour of one of America's most unusual and charming homes, call Lana Lewis at 716-965-2798 and check out the website at www.Lana'sTheLittleHouse.com.

5. THE CHAUTAUQUA - LAKE ERIE WINE TRAIL - A dozen wineries along the scenic shore of Lake Erie in northern Chautauqua County offer tours and tastings all summer long. The "Wine Trail" runs about 30 miles from North East PA in the west to Forestville in the East. Together, the owners have produced several special events each year to encourage locals and visitors alike to sample the "fruits of the vine."

Local artisans will have arts and antiques on display and for sale at each winery And, you'll receive samples of tasty BBQ dishes paired with some of New York State's finest wines. Later in the season on two consecutive November weekends, (Nov. 8,9, 15, and 16,) The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail hosts perhaps its' most popular event, Wine, Wreaths, and Ornaments. Each guest receives a grapevine wreath, special ornament from each winery, and a recipe featuring festive food and wine pairings served at each winery. Tickets are pre-sold by calling 716-679-1891

6. WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC FREDONIA, RESIDENTIAL AND SCENIC- That's the title of a new brochure produced by faculty members and students of Fredonia State College. The pamphlet includes descriptions and sketches of 14 homes on Risley Street, Temple Street, and Forrest place in Fredonia. There's a keyed map, illustration of the Canadaway Creek rapids and directions to the Canadaway Creek bird sanctuary. Visitors are encouraged to pickup a free brochure at the White Inn or Village Hall.

One of the brochure's producers, SUNY Professor of Art History, Daniel Reiff says Fredonia has a wonderful sequence of distinctive architecture. Within a few short blocks, there are models of Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, and Stickley Bungalow. Reiff says those who use the brochure and take a self-guided tour will be able to look at the architecture more intelligently. "They will have the data, dates, and the terms, and it will allow them to have a pleasant architectural tour through Fredonia.