Carmageddon, as the partial shutdown of the 405 Freeway this weekend has been dubbed, is prompting Amtrak to offer half off train travel between Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in Burbank to help airline passengers get to their flights on time.

• 405 freeway shutdown: Stay the heck away in style with these hotel offers

• 405 Freeway shutdown: Head for Mammoth Mountain and stay 3 nights for $405

"Carmaggedon" is coming, but several Southland cities are encouraging residents to avoid the potential traffic nightmare by attending a full slate of activities this weekend. Pasadena, Palmdale, Santa Monica and Newport Beach have several deals in place for the weekend.

Can't face "Carmageddon"? Consider taking a train trip out of town to Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo. If you act quickly, you may score discounts for the weekend too.

• 405 Freeway shutdown: Head for Mammoth Mountain and stay 3 nights for $405

• Upcoming 405 closure could trigger a domino effect of gridlock

JetBlue Airways is doing its part to help out commuters during this weekend's so-called Carmageddon. With the 405 Freeway set to be closed from late Friday until early Monday because of construction, the airline said it would offer $4 fares each way from Long Beach Airport to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank.

Three near-simultaneous explosions rocked India's busy financial capital at rush-hour Wednesday, killing at least 10 people in what the government said appeared to be another terrorist attack on the city hit by militants nearly three years ago.

• Mumbai attacks (graphic content)

• Indian prime minister reshuffles Cabinet

Triple-digit heat sometimes brings out the best at desert resorts eager to woo summer guests. The W Scottsdale offers a random perk for those who stay in July. It could be a free room upgrade or a free pedicure; you won't know until you go.

This month will mark the 100th anniversary of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu in Peru. On July 24, 1911, Hiram Bingham III, a Yale professor, came upon the vine-covered ruins of the ancient Inca city, which the Spanish had overlooked for three centuries. For the 100 days leading to the anniversary, we've been publishing a fact a day. Here's a look at the site's country, history and players. Read from the bottom up.

Turkish Airlines is offering round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Istanbul starting at $599, including taxes, on selected fall and winter dates. Think quickly if you like the eye-popping price because the offer is good only until Friday night.

• On the Spot: Advice for women planning to visit Turkey

L.A. airport commissioners have decided to double the fare to $10 each way on the Westwood FlyAway bus from UCLA to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) rather than eliminate the money-losing service. The action, which doesn't require approval from the Los Angeles City Council, was voted on Monday. 

• L.A. airport panel recommends discontinuation of Westwood FlyAway bus service to LAX

• LAX advice for 405 Freeway shutdown: Avoid driving to or from the airport

Ready to sign up for another discount travel website? Groupon Getaways With Expedia launched Tuesday with discounts on hotels, airfare and other travel. The website looks a lot like members-only travel sites such as Voyage Prive and SniqueAway but operates on the Groupon model: Buy a voucher within a limited time to use for future travel.

• Groupon changes privacy policy to collect more personal info

Desperate to escape "Carmageddon"? If so, Newport Beach knows where you can head. Travel marketing executives have seized on the looming 405 Freeway shutdown, creating package deals and launching an advertising blitz to lure Angelenos to their "tranquil" hotels and resorts, reports the Daily Pilot.

Christmas shopping in Paris doesn't have to burn a lot of money or a lot of time. Adventure Vacations Inc. has a four-day package that combines round-trip airfare from Los Angeles with a four-night hotel stay starting around $1,000 per person. Of course, you aren't required to shop; sightseeing works too.

• Paris' chocolatey coating

• Paris for beginners

This month will mark the 100th anniversary of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu in Peru. On July 24, 1911, Hiram Bingham III, a Yale professor, came upon the vine-covered ruins of the ancient Inca city, which the Spanish had overlooked for three centuries. For the 100 days leading to the anniversary, we've been publishing a fact a day. Here's a look at the site's country, history and players. Read from the bottom up.

If you're feeling blue this summer, perhaps a visit to Juzcar, a village in the Andalusia region of Spain, will perk you up. Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation had the village painted blue to promote the new movie "The Smurfs."

A Russian riverboat was overloaded and in need of repairs when it sank in the Volga River with 208 people on board, officials said Monday as the toll rose to 58 confirmed dead.

• Russian riverboat sinks in Volga River

• Russian riverboat sinks; 100 missing, feared dead