Galveston milestone

[Jason]

More than 1 million passengers have now sailed from Galveston since 2000 when year-round cruising debuted at the island port. Spring residents Mark and Carla Lippincott and children Taylor, Mackenzie and Logan, who boarded Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas on May 30, were honored as the "millionth passenger" and received two nights' accommodations at the Hotel Galvez and other VIP packages. Galveston is home to three ships this summer, and that number will increase to five next winter with Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity and Carnival (two ships) lines represented. The Port of Galveston has invested $35 million in cruise facilities. Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sea continues to sail from the Port of Houston.

BEST AIRPORTS IN WORLD

Travelers numbering 4.9 million from 86 countries can't be wrong: Hong Kong International has received its fourth consecutive "Airport of the Year" nod from U.K.-based aviation research company Skytrax. Runners-up were Singapore Changi, Amsterdam Schiphol and Seoul Incheon.

UNDER TUSCAN SUN

If you're joining the "renting a villa in Tuscany" trend this summer, you may want to put the Tuscan Sun Festival on your calendar. Spa treatments, cooking classes, wine tastings, tours of local art treasures and discussions with Under the Tuscan Sun author Frances Mayes are all on the program Aug. 1-15 in Cortona, Italy. Classical-music events include orchestral and chamber music performances and appearances by sopranos Renée Fleming and Anna Netrebko and cellist Nina Kotova. Access www.tuscansunfestival.com.

-- HOUSTON CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICES