For best view of weekend meteor shower, stay up late, get up early

Skywatchers who brave the cold this weekend will be rewarded with the best views of the Geminid meteor shower. The annual Geminids, named...

Kindness One: Across the Pacific by ship, home on the horizon

As of this writing, I have been on the road for 100 days, going around the world on a motorcycle trip that’s been supported by other...

New Orleans: Free walking tours that go beyond the French Quarter

New Orleans has some nice options when it comes to free tours that explore the popular French Quarter but also delve into other parts of the...

New Year's Eve: Miley Cyrus in Miami; Bill Maher in Honolulu

Times Square in New York City and the Las Vegas Strip seem to have a lock on the ultimate New Year's Eve parties. But if your travel plans...

Hawaii: On Oahu, parades, a gift fair, gingerbread and a special tree

How do Hawaiians get in the Christmas spirit? With a festive parade, a gift fair, a gingerbread creation and a colorful tree.

Russia's Sochi can make a name for itself at Winter Olympics

SOCHI, Russia — The snow report. Ticket sales. Train times. Terrorist threats. Construction problems. Civil rights.

Treat gift cards and certificates like cash

Question: At the L.A. Times Travel show in February, I won a round-trip ticket on EVA Air for travel to Taiwan. I lost...

Gear: This apron has you covered, for all your outdoor barbecue needs

The Tactical Chef Apron from Think Geek is designed to equip specialist forces on the outdoor grilling front, making it a great gift for...

Hit ski slopes in the West and get a lift with family bargains

Has it struck you that skiing has become a preposterously expensive family pastime? With lift tickets close to $100 a day, plus ski school,...

Tips on how to steer clear of airline fees

Airline fees can certainly take some of the joy out of the holidays. Travel, already difficult because of decreased capacity and increased...

Baby boomers spend $3,000 a year on trips, but leave the kids at home

Baby boomers like to hit the road on short getaways rather than a big once-a-year-trip and spend an average of $3,000 annually on vacation...

Bob Hope Burbank Airport gets PreCheck, TSA's fast-lane screening

Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport has begun offering PreCheck, the airport screening program that lets pre-approved travelers get through...

Airfare: $258 round trip from Burbank to New York's JFK

Given all the indoor things you can do in New York in chilly weather (theater, museums, shopping), cold may not be a deterrent to this...

9 things to know when choosing an expedited airport screening program

Now that the Transportation Security Administration will offer its expedited airport security screening program, which is the best way to...

Kindness One: In Vietnam, an unforgettable night at the opera

When we last left this story, I was being held up at the Vietnamese border, where the border authorities wanted to impound my bright...