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Happy birthday, President Obama, how about a burger and a shake?

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Go short -- or long -- to NFL training camps

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How to haggle in Europe

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Cape May, N.J., is like an old love

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Tweets from the Los Angeles Times Travel staff.

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Letters

August 7, 2011

My husband and I took the same photo as was on the front page of the Travel section ["Reaching Its Peak?" July 24]. I always describe Machu Picchu to others as "magical," and then there are those interesting spots that appear in many photos ... ours included.

Back in 2004, we stayed overnight at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge right next-door to the ruins.

We just wanted to be able to enjoy the ruins before and after the swarm of tourists.

It was an expensive night's stay but so worth it! Plus, with the extra time, we were crazy enough to climb Huayna Picchu and ended up hand-feeding bananas to a not-so-wild hawk at the very top. Thanks for bringing back memories of our most memorable trip ever.

Cynthia Falter

Rancho Palos Verdes

::

On our July 2009 visit to Machu Picchu, we left Cuzco by train in the morning, checked into our hotel in Aguas Calientes before lunch, spent the afternoon hiking in the rain forests around town and took the first bus up to the ruins the next morning. We watched the sun rise over the spectacular ruins as the mists around the surrounding peaks dissolved away. There were fewer than 30 people with us at that hour, and we had the place to ourselves till the first train from Cuzco and the hordes of tourists began arriving. The mystique and beauty of this truly unique place can only be appreciated when it is quiet and uncrowded.

Soumitra Sarkar

Arcadia

It's about profit

I was dismayed to see the Valley View feature in the L.A. Times Travel section ["Caesars It's Not, but Oh, the Lobster!" July 24] promoting casino gambling. This is not any kind of special or historic place, but a money-making operation that preys on the false hopes of the desperate.

Michael de Villiers

Santa Monica

Seating problems

I just read "Enjoy Your New Seat" [On the Spot, July 24] about the traveler whose seat was assigned and then unassigned. A friend of mine who is going to London on British Airways bought two business-class tickets for about $8,000. She wanted to nail down their seat assignments, but selecting seats more than 24 hours ahead would cost $89 per ticket. Considering what she has already spent on these tickets, this is outrageous. I hope this will not be the direction other airlines are going.

Cheryl Hammond

San Diego

Kudos on photo

It was an amazing picture by Madeline Karabian [Your Scene, July 31]. When I first saw it before reading the description, I couldn't figure out whether it was a picture of flowers blooming or some nighttime decoration with Christmas string lights. After I read the description, it was more amazing how Karabian captured the flares just right in the air.

Hank Liao

Irvine

Travel calendar

August 7, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO

American Craft Council

When, where: Aug. 12-14, Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion

Highlights: More than 200 artists converge to show and sell their handmade wares at this juried craft show. Events include craft demonstrations and workshops.

Cost: $14 for a one-day pass; $20 for a three-day pass (buy online for a $2 advance-purchase discount); $5 after 5 p.m. on Aug. 12

Info: (800) 836-3470, http://www.craftcouncil.org/sf

CARMEL, CALIF.

Winemakers' Celebration

When, where: Aug. 13, Barnyard Shopping Village

Highlights: The Monterey County Vintners & Growers Assn. hosts more than 40 winemakers as they pour some 200 vintages at this outdoor festival, which also features culinary samples, live jazz, winemaking displays and a silent auction.

Cost: $30 advance; $35 at the door

Info: (831) 375-9400, http://www.montereywines.org

FAIRFIELD, CALIF.

Fairfield Tomato Festival

When, where: Aug. 20 and 21, downtown Fairfield

Highlights: Try more than 100 varieties of heirloom tomatoes from vendors, a tomato-eating contest, a food court and cooking demonstrations during this annual event.

Cost: Most events are free.

Info: (707) 399-2445, http://www.fairfieldmainstreet.com

SANTA FE, N.M.

Santa Fe Indian Market

When, where: Aug. 20 and 21, Santa Fe Plaza

Highlights: This Native American art show and sale draws more than 1,000 artists for this 90th annual event, featuring works in a wide array of media. Events include a clothing contest, a best-of-show ceremony and luncheon, art-gallery receptions and musical performances.

Cost: Free

Info: (505) 983-5220, http://www.swaia.org

IDYLLWILD

Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines

When, where: Aug. 27 and 28, Idyllwild Arts Academy

Highlights: Three outdoor venues in the San Jacinto Mountains contain more than 25 live performances representing the diversity of jazz. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy headlines.

Cost: $65 a day; $120 for both days; free for ages 11 and younger; $25 for a Saturday night musical dinner; proceeds benefit arts scholarships.

Info: (951) 500-4090, http://www.idyllwildjazz.com

—Avital Binshtock

travel@latimes.com
TRAVEL MARKETPLACE
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Highlights

100 photos and videos for 100 years of Machu Picchu

100 photos and videos for 100 years of Machu Picchu

Photos: 21 oldest roller coasters in the world

Photos: 21 oldest roller coasters in the world

Bizarre and unusual destinations around the world

Bizarre and unusual destinations around the world

Photos

Block Island, Rhode Island

Block Island, Rhode Island

Southern California Close-ups: Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu

Southern California Close-ups: Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu

Paris: Luxury hotels in the City of Light

Paris: Luxury hotels in the City of Light

Europe

British Airways reduces business airfares to London

British Airways reduces business airfares to London
Monschau, even lovelier the second time around

Monschau, even lovelier the second time around
Glory restored in London with St. Pancras renovation

Glory restored in London with St. Pancras renovation
Florence, Italy, undergoes a new Renaissance

Florence, Italy, undergoes a new Renaissance
A French region's first-class glass

A French region's first-class glass
New museums to marvel over in Amsterdam, Rome and Paris

New museums to marvel over in Amsterdam, Rome and Paris

California

Hiking where locomotives once chugged

Hiking where locomotives once chugged

San Francisco's Valencia Street on bicycle

San Francisco's Valencia Street on bicycle

On a pilgrimage to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

On a pilgrimage to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The West

Yosemite deaths highest in recent memory

Soda and stories at the Dr Pepper Museum

Soda and stories at the Dr Pepper Museum

Something to sing about on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad

Something to sing about on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad

Shop: Travel Offers & Deals

Travelzoo: 65% off 5-diamond Vegas hotel

Travelzoo: 65% off 5-diamond Vegas hotel
Travelzoo: Fly roundtrip to London from Los Angeles this Fall for $702

Travelzoo: Fly roundtrip to London from Los Angeles this Fall for $702
Travelzoo: $249 for a 2-night Long Beach escape

Travelzoo: $249 for a 2-night Long Beach escape
More: Find your cruise | Place an advertisement

Custom Publishing: Travel Guides

A Sentimental Nuptial

A Sentimental Nuptial
Beyond the Luau

Beyond the Luau
All you need is love

All you need is love
More: Special advertising features

More Travel

Hike, bike and eat your fill of clams on Block Island

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Is Machu Picchu reaching its peak?

Is Machu Picchu reaching its peak?

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At the top of the mountain, where an attendant will take your $46 ticket, foot traffic is steady and cellphone reception is excellent.

The road less traveled to Machu Picchu

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Our first view of Machu Picchu was from across a cloud-covered valley. My daughter Betsy and I had hiked three hours in air so thick that...

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New Paris hotels offer surprises

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Photos: Road trip across America's 'Coaster Belt'

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Foreign briefing: Travel news from around the world

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A healthy dose of American history

A healthy dose of American history

By Terry Gardner

Paul Revere was captured on April 18, 1775, before he could warn the residents of Concord, Mass., that the British were coming. (He did make...

Jog your way around New York

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By Johanna Stromqvist

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Lucille Ball museum: Where you can love Lucy all over again

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Travelers Aid Society ends 61-year run at LAX

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Travel Briefs

Films & programs: Mt. Everest

MT. EVEREST

Letters: Changes in Paris

I read Susan Spano's "So You've Seen Paris?" in the July 17 Travel section. I always enjoy her insights and observations, usually beautifully woven with history and detail that make me want to be packed and ready to go on the instant, no...

Tours & Cruises

SWITZERLAND

Films & programs: India, Europe, Yosemite

INDIA

Letters: Paris viewpoints; airlines and pricing transparency; Travelers Aid

Susan Spano's article ["So You've Seen Paris," July 17] brought back wonderful memories. In 1995, we (my husband and another couple) rented a delightful apartment at 21 Rue du Cherche-Midi for a month. Big hotels were not yet part of that...

Travel films and programs

TRAVEL

Fairs and other travel activities

HOPLAND, CALIF.

Tours & cruises: Biking through Zambia

ZAMBIA

Letters: A lot more than Lucy to love

A nice little piece on the Lucille Ball museum ["A World of Funny" by Jay Jones, July 10] but Jones might also have noted that in and about the area is the resort town of Bemus Point on Lake Chautauqua, the Chautauqua Institution itself,...

Films & programs

TOURISM

Travel calendar of the West

VANCOUVER, CANADA

Travel letters

A beautiful Italian getaway

Calendar

SANTA PAULA

Films and travel programs: Backpacking for women

BACKPACKING FOR WOMEN

Your Scene: Taking liberties with the angle

The Statue of Liberty has been photographed countless times from all directions, but Jill Bowker, who had tickets that allowed access to the icon's crown, took a fresh look. The result is a bird's-eye view of the tablet in Lady Liberty's...

Tours & Cruises

ECUADOR

Films & programs

SOUTH AMERICA

Letters to the editor

Regarding "No Junk in the Trunk" by George Fuller, June 26: You can find healthful choices at almost all fast-food joints — get the grilled chicken sandwich, feed the bun to the birds, skip the fries, etc.

Calendar

BIG BEAR

Travel: Films & programs

EUROPE