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Free coffee, celebrity aircraft at LAX Observation Deck

Free coffee, celebrity aircraft at LAX Observation Deck

Groove to indie music at planned Modo hotels

Groove to indie music at planned Modo hotels

Las Vegas: Winter sale at Venetian and Palazzo starts at $129 a night

Las Vegas: Winter sale at Venetian and Palazzo starts at $129 a night

Man accused of in-flight tantrum en route to Fort Lauderdale

Man accused of in-flight tantrum en route to Fort Lauderdale

Southwest and Spirit airfare sales: $19 to Las Vegas; $31 to Chicago

Southwest and Spirit airfare sales: $19 to Las Vegas; $31 to Chicago

'Star Wars' models take shape at Legoland California [Photos]

'Star Wars' models take shape at Legoland California [Photos]

New Zealand: L.A.-Auckland round-trip airfares start at $848 for May travel

New Zealand: L.A.-Auckland round-trip airfares start at $848 for May travel
Such a lot of posers at Carnival in Venice

Such a lot of posers at Carnival in Venice

By Nancy Hoyt Belcher

The watery city is packed at Carnival time. One visitor headed there as part of a photography tour. In addition to her group's private models, she found plenty of people in costume.

Queen Elizabeth liner caters to formal cruisers

Queen Elizabeth liner caters to formal cruisers

By Beverly Beyette

No rock walls or skating rinks; it's croquet and afternoon teas.

Tweets from the L.A. Times Travel staff

Spotlights from the Los Angeles Times

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Up-and-coming L.A. bands

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Queen Elizabeth sails

Queen Elizabeth sails

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Calendar

January 23, 2011

YUMA, ARIZ.

Civil War Days

When, where: Jan. 29 and 30, Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park

Highlights: Watch history come to life as two battles are reenacted each day. Before and after, tour the post's facilities, which date to the 1880s.

Cost: $10 a day

Info: (928) 783-0071, http://www.yumaheritage.com

SAN FRANCISCO

"Sex and Science" Wine & Dine Tour

When, where: Feb. 13, California Academy of Sciences

Highlights: Meet the academy's feathered, scaly and furry residents — and learn about their quirky mating habits during this after-hours tour. Start the night with a cocktail hour and finish with a romantic dinner in the upscale Moss Room.

Cost: $159, including the tour, cocktail reception and dinner

Info: http://www.calacademy.org

PARK CITY, UTAH

Elevation: Utah

When, where: Feb. 18-21, Park City Mountain Resort

Highlights: Tom Whitman Presents, promoter of the hugely popular Mammoth gay-skiing event, expands his franchise to the Rockies with snow sports and an array of night life.

Cost: Packages start at $55, including entry to après-ski events

Info: http://www.utahgayski.com

DAVIS, CALIF.

California Duck Days

When, where: Feb. 25 and 26, Davis Arts Center and Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area headquarters

Highlights: This event begins with a gala reception and art show, followed by a day of duck-related field trips and workshops.

Cost: The Friday reception is free. Tickets begin at $20 for workshops and on-site activities; a field trip can be added for $3. All events are free for age 16 and younger.

Info: (530) 757-3780, http://www.yolobasin.org/events.cfm

ASTORIA, ORE.

Fisher Poets Gathering

When, where: Feb. 25-27, at venues throughout Astoria

Highlights: This event, in its 14th year, merges poetry with the West Coast fishing culture. More than 60 fishermen and women will give readings, talk shop and exhibit film, photography and paintings.

Cost: $10, which includes admission to all events

Info: (800) 875-6807, http://www.clatsopcc.edu/community/fisher-poets-gathering

—Avital Binshtock

travel@latimes.com

Letters to the Travel editor

What is owed first-class passengers?

January 23, 2011

Regarding "Food's Extra?" by Catharine Hamm [On the Spot, Jan. 16]: When somebody pays more than $1,000 for a ticket in first class and cannot eat what the coach passengers are eating, I think it's time to have a QMI, or quality marketing intelligence meeting.

A few years ago on Amtrak, a young woman joined us for dinner (tables were for four). She looked at the menu and, after much fussing, told the waiter there was nothing on it she liked.

Instead of saying, "I'm sorry. That's all we have," the waiter asked her, "What would you like?" She replied, "A nice salad." Her wish was his command. A few minutes later, a gourmet salad arrived with all the trimmings.

She was overjoyed. The waiter had diffused a potentially embarrassing situation for not only himself and the young woman but also for the other first-class diners.

Dennis Arntz

Laguna Niguel

I chuckled as I read D. Esquibias' complaint about having to fork over $6 for an entree on an Alaska Airlines flight because his wife did not want the free chicken sandwich offered to first-class passengers.

I think it is great that while people across our country are scrounging and scrimping to try to make ends meet, the Esquibias family can afford four first-class flights at more than $1,000 a ticket.

What I find queasy is that the letter writer's obvious dissonance, sense of entitlement and selective pettiness will be lost on a majority of readers.

Billy Mange

Redlands

I don't think Hamm answered the question asked by D. Esquibias from Westlake Village. He said he was flying first class. Why were they offered only a chicken sandwich? I'm shocked that first class was merely serving chicken sandwiches. I thought it was unlimited alcohol, better meals, snacks, warm towels and comfortable seating.

Dorrie Steele

Mission Viejo

Santa Barbara dining secret

I read Rosemary McClure's comments about restaurants in Santa Barbara for under $10 ["Santa Barbara on a Budget, Jan. 9]. She forgot, or maybe she is not familiar with, Santa Barbara's best-kept secret: Mexican Fresh on the Mesa. It's not far from Rose Café, but the food is so much better. It's less expensive as well. I'm totally addicted.

Lena Pousette

Santa Barbara

I can't determine how or why the legendary La Super-Rica restaurant was excluded from McClure's list of Santa Barbara bargains. A glaring omission, but perhaps it's just as well — the lines to get in are long enough already. Thanks for keeping it quiet.

Phil DiGiacomo

Pacific Palisades

I was in Santa Barbara twice last year and prefer organic meats and produce (mostly local as well) at the Summerland Bistro, Soujourner Cafe and Blue Agave. My average tab was $15 to $25 for healthful, tasty, local fare, all in historic, charming little rooms.

Lee Juskalian

Encinitas
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Ski & Winter

Special Features

Southern California hotel reviews

Southern California hotel reviews

Travel in 2011

Travel in 2011

Video: Characters and places

Video: Characters and places

Photos

PICTURES: Disney Dream cruise ship

Photos: Disney Dream cruise ship

Photos: Hicksville Trailer Palace in Joshua Tree, Calif.

Photos: Hicksville Trailer Palace in Joshua Tree, Calif.

Photos: Malaysian Tioman Island

Photos: Malaysian Tioman Island

California

5 restaurant events to get a taste of California

5 restaurant events to get a taste of California

Death Valley: Star-gazing party at national park starts Jan. 28

Death Valley: Star-gazing party at national park starts Jan. 28

Joie de Vivre hotels give you $100 credit for your birthday

Joie de Vivre hotels give you $100 credit for your birthday

The West

Coming soon: Civil War in Calico Ghost Town

Coming soon: Civil War in Calico Ghost Town

Trailer accommodations in Joshua Tree

Trailer accommodations in Joshua Tree

Sleep with Julia Morgan in Berkeley, for $80 a night

Sleep with Julia Morgan in Berkeley, for $80 a night

Shop: Travel Offers & Deals

Travelzoo: Fly roundtrip to Cook Islands from LAX for $778

Travelzoo: Fly roundtrip to Cook Islands from LAX for $778
Travelzoo: 5 all-inclusive nights in Cabo w/$200 credit for $669

Travelzoo: 5 all-inclusive nights in Cabo w/$200 credit for $669
Travelzoo: All-inclusive Punta Cana resort & party cruise for $138

Travelzoo: All-inclusive Punta Cana resort & party cruise for $138
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Travel Guides

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On a windy, showery February evening midway through our 16-night cruise from Laem Chabang, Thailand, to Shanghai, my wife,...

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson helps christen Disney Dream in dramatic fashion

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson helps christen Disney Dream in dramatic fashion

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Fort Mose: In St. Augustine, Fla., a celebration of black history

Fort Mose: In St. Augustine, Fla., a celebration of black history

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Malaysian Tioman Island shirks most development, thrives on natural beauty

Malaysian Tioman Island shirks most development, thrives on natural beauty

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Call it "The Case of the Disappearing Flights."

Nosing into the emerging national parks of China's Yunnan province

Nosing into the emerging national parks of China's Yunnan province

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Bargain guide to Santa Barbara's hotels, restaurants and attractions

Bargain guide to Santa Barbara's hotels, restaurants and attractions

By Rosemary McClure

I pulled aside the curtain and peered out the motel window. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze. A cyclist pedaled along the oceanfront....

In the mood for offbeat sport? Try swamp soccer, toe wrestling

In the mood for offbeat sport? Try swamp soccer, toe wrestling

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Keep eye out for deals on round-the-world flights

Keep eye out for deals on round-the-world flights

By Tara Godvin

The premise is simple: Buy a $500 plane ticket to zip around much of the New World for a month. The big question: Isn't it just some gimmick...

Upscale hotels offer clients insider's access

Upscale hotels offer clients insider's access

By Valli Herman

For your next vacation, top hotels would like you to try something extra special, perhaps a VIP table at a hot Hollywood club, seats at a...

Sober traveling: AA roadside assistance for a recovering alcoholic

Sober traveling: AA roadside assistance for a recovering alcoholic

By Kathy P.

I creep through Los Angeles traffic on Interstate 10 toward my destination: an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting a couple hundred miles east on...

Sober travel options

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By Sarah Staples

The life of a road warrior is certainly no picnic, but for Brian H., it proved his undoing. For years, as a pharmaceutical salesman...

More for Your Money: Locating a travel, shopping or dining deal by GPS

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Travel Briefs

Tours and Cruises: Montana, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Finland and Africa

MONTANA

Films & programs

SICILY

Readers recommend: Ivanhoe's Guest House in Jamaica

Jamaica

Best burger in Queenstown, New Zealand, and anywhere else

For the best burger on the planet, it's Fergburger. At about $7.50, the burger is a meal in itself. You'll get a good laugh from the menu,...

Letters: Santa Barbara, Mob Museum, hotel key cards

One more deal in Santa Barbara

Films & programs

FRANCE

Calendar: California, Arizona, more

LAKE HAVASU CITY, ARIZ.

Readers recommend

LONDON

Letters

Thank you so much for publishing "Road to Recovery" by Kathy P. [Jan. 2]. I am a longtime member of Al-Anon and have also attended...

Tours & cruises

BRITAIN

Films & Programs

TIBET

Calendar

CARLSBAD

Readers recommend: Hugging Bear Inn & Shoppe in Chester, Vt.

An 1850s Victorian house serves as an exceptional bed-and-breakfast in Vermont. It offers great breakfasts, decorated teddy bear theme rooms...

Films & programs

EUROPE

Travel letters: The lessons travel teaches

After returning home from a four-month stint abroad, I picked up the Sunday Times, excited about reinstating my weekly ritual of reading...

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Winter ski adventures
A holiday getaway in Mexico

A holiday getaway in Mexico
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Central Coast for the holidays
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