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As the summer comes to a close, securing New Year’s travel plans is becoming even more of a priority. Academic Arrangements Abroad still has some spots available on four spectacular end-of-the-year journeys. The trips span the globe and offer the outfitter’s usual combination of luxury and learning.

In Kings, Temples & Celebrations: the New Year in Indochina, travelers will visit ancient palaces, temples and ruins throughout Southeast Asia, including archeological wonder of the world Angkor Watt. Renowned author and art historian Olivier Bernier is the guest lecturer.

Another trip, Mayan Kings & Great Pyramids: A Yucatán Voyage is a one-week cruise along the Yucatán Peninsula, aboard Le Levant, a French vessel, known for its excellent food. Stops are made at all the major as well as the less well-known Mayan sites

The other two journeys—titled In the Land of the Tsars: Russian Winter Arts and Vienna: A New Year’s Celebration —offer old-world New Year’s romance. Both feature glamorous New Year’s Eve balls (at Catherine’s Palace in Russia and the Hofburg Palace in Vienna) as well as private musical concerts and horses (troika-pulling studs in Russia, dancing Lipizzaner stallions in Austria). For more information or to book call Indagare at 212-988-2611.

• Kings, Temples & Celebrations: December 26, 2008-January 10, 2009 (from $11,650).
• Mayan Kings Great Pyramids: December 26, 2008-January 4, 2009 (from $6,990).
• In the Land of the Tsars: December 26, 2008-January 05, 2009 (from $9,950).
• Vienna: December 27, 2008-January 03, 2009 (from $9,995).