They're celebrating what? Odd cultural events around Europe

They're celebrating what? Odd cultural events around Europe

You may have heard of the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, or the gathering of sun worshipers to celebrate the summer solstice at...

Go ahead and indulge — it's Taormina, Italy

Go ahead and indulge — it's Taormina, Italy

I am sitting on the balcony of the Grand Hotel Timeo eating almond-flavored granita (a kind of Italian sherbet) for breakfast and thinking...

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Asia

Asia

The continent offers treasures such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Great Wall of China.

Central & South America

Central & South America

Natural beauty and culture abound here.

spotlights from the los angeles times

46% off pool cleaning

46% off pool cleaning

$59 for a pool cleaning from Gentili Custom Pools (reg. $110).

See Giada De Laurentiis

See Giada De Laurentiis

Get tix to The Taste where Giada will host Picnic in the Hills.

Save over $616

$450 in coupon savings

Cut your weekly expenses with the Sunday Times.

Magic Johnson live

Magic Johnson live

Be there when Bill Plaschke talks with the Laker legend.

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More on Europe

Ireland: Get a third night free at historic Ashford Castle

Ireland: Get a third night free at historic Ashford Castle

How many hotels can claim "excellence since 1228"? Ashford Castle can -- though I'm not sure what passed for luxury in the 13th century....

France: Bayeux Medieval Fair  to celebrate all things Norman

France: Bayeux Medieval Fair to celebrate all things Norman

As part of the pageant of events planned to celebrate the 1100th

Big Titanic exhibit opening in Northern Ireland

Big Titanic exhibit opening in Northern Ireland

Her one and only voyage ended in tragedy, yet the Titanic has been famous ever since. Next year is the 100th anniversary of the fatal...

Germany: Stalking the wild asparagus

Germany: Stalking the wild asparagus

During the spring in Germany, menus of asparagus specialties pop up in restaurants fancy and plain, where green and white spears are...

Stockholm: Mamma Mia!  New ABBA tour for band's fans

Stockholm: Mamma Mia! New ABBA tour for band's fans

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details.

Germany revs up for 125th birthday of Benz car

Germany revs up for 125th birthday of Benz car

Years before Henry Ford revolutionized the car industry, a certain Karl Benz of Germany received a patent for what is considered to be the...

A culinary walk through Barcelona

A culinary walk through Barcelona

The best way to get to know the culture of any place is to eat your way through it. This is especially true in Barcelona, the epicenter of...

What's new in London since the last big royal wedding

What's new in London since the last big royal wedding

So you hate royal weddings. Or you love them. Or maybe you've caught yourself attending to arcane details of Prince William and Kate...

Traveling to Europe this year? Five things you need to know

Traveling to Europe this year? Five things you need to know

The lights are still on at the Eiffel Tower. They keep ringing up sales at Prada in Rome, and London is getting ready to start partying...

A mom and son's surprising detour to Berlin

A mom and son's surprising detour to Berlin

I had two goals before I booked my flight to Europe: Get the lowest price, and travel with the fewest stops possible. Air Berlin offered the...

Don't think of Portugal as side trip

Don't think of Portugal as side trip

Travel due east across the Atlantic from New York, and the first country you'll encounter is Portugal. But it's often an afterthought for...

Amid bustling Berlin, stillness in the Holocaust Memorial

Amid bustling Berlin, stillness in the Holocaust Memorial

We were on our way to see the Brandenburg Gate when they came unexpectedly into view across the street — rows of muted gray concrete...

More For Your Money: Keep an eye on fuel surcharges

More For Your Money: Keep an eye on fuel surcharges

Travelers to Europe this year are discovering unwelcome ride-alongs: new and heftier surcharges for flights and cruises. They may even pay...

Apps to use in Europe

Apps to use in Europe

Today an app may be mightier than a map and far less cumbersome. Here are some apps to tap for Europe that are good for more than one...

Croatia: Seeking shelter in a <i>sobe</i>

Croatia: Seeking shelter in a sobe

He was the least aggressive among the dozens of locals waving sobe signs in our faces.

The Kvarner Islands: Adriatic idyll

The Kvarner Islands: Adriatic idyll

I'm walking along a stretch of the Adriatic Sea that reminds me of another time, another hemisphere. It's not the forest of pine trees...