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Milwaukee: Harley-Davidson revs up motorcycle camps

Milwaukee: Harley-Davidson revs up motorcycle camps

New Zealand earthquake: Passport rules waived for evacuation flights from Christchurch

New Zealand earthquake: Passport rules waived for evacuation flights from Christchurch

Hawaii deal: 5 nights on Big Island + airfare from L.A. starts at $775

Hawaii deal: 5 nights on Big Island + airfare from L.A. starts at $775

London calling? Check out Shoreditch area for lodging and more

London calling? Check out Shoreditch area for lodging and more

Southwest Airlines offers free inflight access to iTunes -- and some free music too

Southwest Airlines offers free inflight access to iTunes -- and some free music too

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Your Scene: Savoring a slice in Kashgar, China

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Spain and Turkey: Iberia and Turkish airlines offer new flights from Los Angeles
SoCal Close-ups: Your guide to inland Orange County

10 micro-itineraries for inland Orange County

Yep, it's home to Disneyland, but it's also the land of arts (Santa Ana), Nixon (Yorba Linda), the Ducks and Angels (Anaheim), lively Fullerton and more. Here are spots to explore in the O.C.

Photos: 10 micro-itineraries for inland Orange County

Photos: Inland Orange County

Photos: Little Saigon in Westminster, Calif.

Photos: Little Saigon in Westminster, Calif.

Visiting inland Orange County

Planning your trip to inland Orange County

Video: Exploring inland Orange County

Video: Exploring inland Orange County

Printable guide: Inland Orange County

Printable guide
Tweets from the L.A. Times Travel staff

Spotlights from the Los Angeles Times

See Arthur Frommer

See Arthur Frommer

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Travel calendar: Mammoth Mountain carnival, NASCAR race in Las Vegas and more

Also, the World of Wine at Temecula, Bouquets to Art in San Francisco and the Tempe, Ariz., Festival of the Arts.

February 20, 2011

MAMMOTH, CALIF.

Woolly's Winter Carnival

When, where: Feb. 25-27, Canyon Lodge

Highlights: Plenty of snow-themed activities for children such as carnival games, sledding, shredding, snowmobile rides, snowcat demos, scavenger hunts, face-painting, roving entertainers and the chance to meet ski-patrol dogs.

Cost: The children's activities are free; free lift ticket for ages 7 to 12 with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Info: (800) 626-6684, http://www.mammothmountain.com

LAS VEGAS

Sam's Town 300

When, where: March 3-5, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall

Highlights: In the lead-up to the March 5 Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, fans can ask five-time champion Jimmie Johnson any question they want at Sam's Town Live. After the race, an Uncle Kracker concert fires up the crowd.

Cost: Race tickets range from $17 to $1,000; Jimmie Johnson event is free. Uncle Kracker concert starts at $20.

Info: (702) 365-7075, boydgaming.com/nascar

TEMECULA, CALIF.

World of Wine

When, where: March 5 and 6, more than 30 wineries along the Rancho California and De Portola wine roads

Highlights: Temecula Valley wineries open their cellars for this annual barrel-tasting event.

Cost: $99 for the weekend, including all wine tastings and food pairings, a self-guided tour, a winery map and a souvenir tasting glass.

Info: (800) 801-9463, http://www.temeculawines.org

SAN FRANCISCO

Bouquets to Art

When, where: March 15-19, De Young Museum

Highlights: Some 150 Bay Area floral designers and garden clubs make arrangements to highlight the De Young's permanent collection; this year's event will complement the upcoming "Balenciaga and Spain" exhibit.

Cost: Advance-purchase tickets are $20; $17 for ages 65 and older; $16 for students with ID; $10 for ages 6 to 17; free for ages 5 and younger. Tickets are $5 more at the door.

Info: http://www.bouquetstoart.org

TEMPE, ARIZ.

Tempe Festival of the Arts

When, where: March 25-27, Mill Avenue District

Highlights: More than 400 artists and artisans display and sell their handmade crafts. The event also includes the Arizona Wine Festival and the Art of Beer, featuring the offerings of local breweries.

Cost: Free

Info: http://www.tempefestivalofthearts.com

—Avital Binshtock

travel@latimes.com

Letters: A Russian sauna visit refreshed him

February 20, 2011

The birch branch and sauna story ["Wash, Flog, Relax" by Mary Ellen Monahan, Feb. 13] reminded me of the time 30 years ago when I traveled on the Trans-Siberian Railway. It was a magnificent experience but left me feeling grimy, so after hotel check-in at Irkutsk, I headed for the sauna. After 30 minutes it didn't seem to do anything except leave me gasping for cool air.

At that moment two naked Russians came in carrying branches and started beating my shoulders and legs. I was completely dumbfounded but did not want to appear to object to their customs.

After they stopped a feeling like a fever breaking swept over me and I felt completely refreshed.

Probably too weird for typical American tastes, but it made a lasting impression on me.

Kurt Sipolski

Palm Desert

Stars light up Death Valley

I really enjoyed Dan Blackburn's article on Death Valley ["Letting Down Its Guard," Feb. 13], but he forgot to point out that stargazing should be on your to-do list. Death Valley is one of the darkest national parks at night. If you drive less than a mile from Furnace Creek, you should be able to park by the side of the road and see a sky full of stars (unlike in Los Angeles).

Steve Stillman

Redondo Beach

Happily returned from Ojai getaway

What a surprise to return home from a weekend mother/daughter getaway, pick up the Travel section and read about the destination where we had just been ["A Prize Inside!" by Madeline King Porter, Feb. 6]. History and beauty continue to attract many to the Pepper Tree Retreat. The connection to Krishnamurti is one that I'd heard from parents and grandparents and never pursued. We were seeking more balance, so art was not part of the quest on this trip. We witnessed the pink sunsets on Topa Topa, walked on Sulphur Mountain, relaxed at the Day Spa of Ojai and loved learning that Boccali's Italian restaurant is celebrating 25 years in business (and its wine is quite good). Writing a recommendation for a "new" destination is always a challenge.

Maureen Di Domenico

Costa Mesa

This café is a page turner too

We enjoyed reading Mark Vanhoenacker's world tour of bookstore cafes ["Get Inside the Comfort Zone," Feb. 6] but can't help but point out that he missed one of the greatest of all time … our very own in Conway, Mass., less than a 25-minute drive from the beloved Montague Bookmill.

We have an incredible collection of used books, displayed in a very warm, eclectic atmosphere. We have a fireplace to keep our guests toasty in the winter and serve some of the best local, organic, fair trade coffee, espresso and other beverages you can find.

Laurie Vondung and Katie Eugin-Moore

Pages Coffee Bar & Used Bookstore

Conway, Mass.

Disney Dream Cruise Ship

TRAVEL MARKETPLACE
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Highlights

Travel guide: Downtown Los Angeles

11 micro-itineraries for downtown Los Angeles

Day 3: Disney Dream cruise finale goes from blah to blast

Live blogging from new Disney Dream cruise ship

Day 2 on the Disney Dream: A Bahamas port of call

Live blogging from new Disney Dream cruise ship

Photos

Photos: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose

Photos: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose

Photos: Greek spas and hot springs

Photos: Greek spas and hot springs

Photos: Death Valley National Park

Photos: Death Valley National Park

California

Animal encounters in the green glades of Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose

Animal encounters in the green glades of Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose

Central California: Watch for fruit-tree blossoms in Fresno County

Central California: Watch for fruit-tree blossoms in Fresno County

Two California cities make National Trust's top 12 U.S. destinations

Two California cities make National Trust's top 12 U.S. destinations

The West

Southern California Close-ups: These are as pretty as a picture

Southern California Close-ups: These are as pretty as a picture

Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas offers boutique on a grand scale

Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas offers boutique on a grand scale

Death Valley: A different kind of winter wonderland

Death Valley: A different kind of winter wonderland

Shop: Travel Offers & Deals

Travelzoo: 6-night Sydney & Perth trip w/cruise & air for $1,759

Travelzoo: 6-night Sydney & Perth trip w/cruise & air for $1,759
Travelzoo: 3-night Mexico trips with airfare for $354 & up

Travelzoo: 3-night Mexico trips with airfare for $354 & up
Travelzoo: SF Union Square boutique hotels up to 50% off

Travelzoo: SF Union Square boutique hotels up to 50% off
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