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Where are the best hostels? San Francisco and Portugal, one survey says

Where are the best hostels? San Francisco and Portugal, one survey says

Bass Lake: Yosemite-area Pines Resort puts rooms on sale for $99 a night

Bass Lake: Yosemite-area Pines Resort puts rooms on sale for $99 a night

Texas: Alamo to mark 175th anniversary of independence battle

Texas: Alamo to mark 175th anniversary of independence battle

Your Scene: Flamingos in Mozambique

Your Scene: Flamingos in Mozambique

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
10 reasons to travel

10 reasons to travel

By Chris Erskine

Why not? Even in these tough times, it's good to get away occasionally. Think of the adventures that await. The exotic foods, the sights, the memories.

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

By Hugo Martín

Kids might not be here to take note of the $72-million renovation. Still, they might well enjoy such features as the 'spiral lawn' that disguises a drainage ditch.

Tweets from the L.A. Times Travel staff

Spotlights from the Los Angeles Times

Catch Johnny Jet

Catch Johnny Jet

See the expert at the Travel & Adventure Show. Promo code: GO.

'Vanishing on 7th St.'

'Vanishing on 7th St.'

Scary enough to see? Read the review and decide for yourself.

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Win a trip to Sedona

Win a trip to Sedona

Enter to win a 3-night resort vacation for two. Ends 2/28/11.

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Letters: Orange gets its due

February 27, 2011

Maybe Christopher Reynolds doesn't know O.C. ["Slice of Orange," Feb. 20] because he failed to mention an urban oasis, the Noguchi sculpture garden, across from South Coast Plaza at 3202 Avenue of the Arts, tucked behind the Comerica Building at 611 Anton Blvd. This 1.6-acre park includes a number of sculptures by Isamu Noguchi and is a great place to stroll and maybe bring your lunch. Also, speaking of restaurants at or near the Santa Ana Arts District, one of my favorites is Lola Gaspar, which has an unusual menu and congenial service.

Donna Minick

Fountain Valley

Finally, an article that mentions downtown Orange! I first discovered this hidden gem as a student at Cal State Fullerton. Recently I visited Chapman University for a concert by the school's music students. While walking on Glassell Street, I discovered the Perfect Circle Cupcakery. Of course, I had to go in and order a cupcake; I settled on the chocolate King cupcake and left satisfied.

David Tulanian

Los Angeles



Get choosy when going mobile

Catharine Hamm missed an important piece of information for travelers looking to take an unlocked GSM phone from here to Europe ["It's Your Call," Feb. 20]. You must buy one that works on the European 800-mhz and 1,900-mhz frequencies. Typically, that means you need to buy a "tri-band" phone, meaning it works on both European frequencies and the U.S. 1,800-mhz frequency. Better yet, buy a "quad-band" phone that will work pretty much anywhere in the world where GSM is used. (Japan, South Korea and the Caribbean are exceptions.)

Michael J. Walsh

Garden Grove

Our family travels abroad quite a lot (my wife is a flight attendant with United Airlines). We always take a netbook both for Internet access and to use Skype for both international and local calls. Free Wi-Fi is available at most hotels, guest houses, coffee shops and some stores. We then use text-messaging using a U.S. SIM card (T-Mobile or AT&T), which is quite cheap, for communication within the family. Only if we are going to spend an extended period in one country, and other people may need to call us from that country, do we buy a local SIM card.

If you only need to initiate calls (and not receive calls), then Skype alone works well.

Tony Hays

San Clemente

I read Hamm's advice with interest. Another option is buying a phone in the U.S. through http://www.mobal.com (and perhaps other companies that offer this service). I bought a phone from mobal.com a few years ago for a trip to southern Africa. It worked beautifully in the three countries I visited. I also used it on a trip last summer to East Africa as well as a Christmas trip to Europe.

Debbie DeSilva

Carlsbad

Travel calendar

Pacific Orchid Exposition in San Francisco; Blossom Days Festival in Sanger, Calif.; Sonora Celtic Faire; Taste of Solvang; Frontier Days in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

February 27, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO

Pacific Orchid Exposition

When, where: March 3-6, Fort Mason Center

Highlights: America's biggest orchid show, in its 59th year, presents more than 150,000 varieties. Also lectures, exhibits, docent-led tours and a wine-tasting gala benefit.

Cost: $12 online or $14 at the door; $8 online or $10 at the door for ages 65 and older; ages 12 and younger are free; tickets for the gala benefit are $35 in advance and $40 at the door, including a wine glass and tastings.

Info: (415) 665-2468, http://www.orchidsanfrancisco.org

SANGER, CALIF.

Blossom Days Festival

When, where: March 5, downtown (7th and N streets)

Highlights: Kicking off the 23rd season of the Fresno County Blossom Trail, this agricultural celebration welcomes spring's blooms with art, food, exhibits, a car show, kids' activities and a 62-mile self-guided tour of the county's blossoming orchards and groves.

Cost: Free

Info: http://www.goblossomtrail.com

SONORA, CALIF.

Sonora Celtic Faire

When, where: March 11-13, Mother Lode Fairgrounds

Highlights: This celebration of all things Celtic features food, whiskey, bagpipe bands, magicians, jugglers, fire eaters and jousters. Members of modern clans will man educational booths, including a DNA tent.

Cost: $45 advance "everything pass"; daily admittance $25 or less, depending on day and age of attendees

Info: (209) 533-4420, http://www.sonoracelticfaire.com

SOLVANG, CALIF.

Taste of Solvang

When, where: March 18-20, throughout town

Highlights: This annual event honors local foods and wines. Expect a "walking smorgasbord" with 40 tasting stops in the village, a wine walk, a dessert reception and the bring your own picnic.

Cost: $75 for a weekend passport (includes a wine glass and tote bag), $30 for the "walking smorgasbord," $40 for the wine walk, $25 for the dessert reception

Info: (800) 468-6765, http://www.solvangusa.com

LAKE HAVASU CITY, ARIZ.

Frontier Days

When, where: March 19 and 20, McCulloch Boulevard

Highlights: The city's main street becomes an Old West town with costumed characters, a parade, a powwow, gunfights, a beard contest, hayrides, live music and food and drinks (sarsaparilla).

Cost: Free

Info: (928) 453-3444,

— Avital Binshtock

travel@latimes.com

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Highlights

Foreign briefing: On the mend Down Under

Foreign briefing: On the mend Down Under

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

Photos

Photos: Little Saigon in Westminster, Calif.

Photos: Little Saigon in Westminster, Calif.

Photos: 10 micro-itineraries for inland Orange County

Photos: 10 micro-itineraries for inland Orange County

Photos: Greek spas and hot springs

Photos: Greek spas and hot springs

California

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

Death Valley: A different kind of winter wonderland

Death Valley: A different kind of winter wonderland

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

Houston's offbeat art scene

Houston's offbeat art scene

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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Rites of spring in San Diego
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EUROPE

Tours & Cruises

IRELAND

Readers recommend: New Mexico

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MAMMOTH, CALIF.

Letters: A Russian sauna visit refreshed him

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...

Travel: Letters

Madeline King Porter's comprehensive piece on Ojai ["A Prize Inside!" Feb. 6] neglected to mention the Made in Ojai store at 323 E. Matilija St. in the heart of downtown. This store carries only items made in Ojai and is staffed by the...

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Films & programs

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Readers recommend: Southwind Kayak Center's tours

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YUMA, ARIZ.

Letters to the Travel editor

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