CURACAO: ROUGHING IT IN STYLE

Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club has opened its Tree House Mansion suite built atop wooden stilts in the island foliage and decorated with an African vibe. A wooden spiral staircase leads up to the open-air living room overlooking the Caribbean. The two bedrooms are air-conditioned and have flat screen TV and private baths. The Tree House also has wireless Internet and a full kitchen. If the $1,000 to $1,500 per night rates seem steep, check out Kura Hulanda's more basic Tree House room, which goes for about $145 a night. Guests climb up a ladder, through a trap door and onto a wooden platform where a full-sized safari tent is erected. There's no A/C and the facilities are on the ground, but there are a king size bed, fridge and TV.

Details: www.kurahulanda.com or 877-264-3106.

DAYTONA BEACH: SURF CITY, U.S.A.

Surfer girls -- and boys -- won't want to miss the Boards & Waves Expo next weekend, a two-day consumer surf expo at the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center. There will be surfboard shaping demonstrations, surfboard painting and artwork, the latest surfing innovations and vintage board collections.

Details: The show's open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 12 and 13. Admission $5 daily, children under 12 free. www.boardsandwaves.com or 904-242-9792.

CHICAGO: PASSPORT TO AFRICA

The Art Institute of Chicago will open its Passport to Africa series Monday with a major exhibit of royal sculptures and regalia from the West African kingdom of Benin. More than 220 pieces from collections around the world make up the exhibit, Benin Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria, on view through Sept. 21.

Details: The Art Institute of Chicago. 111 S. Michigan Ave. Admission, $12 adults, $7 for ages 12 and older, free Thursday and Friday evenings; www.artic.edu or 312-443-3600.

NETHERLANDS: THE ART OF CRUISING

Holland America Line last week launched its latest and largest cruise ship, the Eurodam, and it's a virtual floating museum paying homage to the Dutch Golden Age. There's even a self-guided iPod tour, with iPods available for use free of charge on the ship. The Eurodam debuts this summer with a maiden voyage in the Baltic region followed by a transatlantic crossing. It will sail Canada/New England routes in the fall, followed by Caribbean itineraries for the remainder of 2008.

Details: 877-932-4259 or www.hollandamerica.com.

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