Decoding the "London Pass"

What to do in Paris this month… Les Soldes (June 30–August 3) The season for frenzied shopping began in Paris on a very hot June 30 and will continue through early August. The city's bi-annual sales are the only time when French retailers are allowed to sell their products at a loss to liquidate their stock and make room for new collections. Reductions this summer are expected to be high—around 50 percent off—from the very beginning and to climb even higher toward the end of the five week period. (Tips on navigating the sales.) Fête Foraine du Jardin des Tuileries (June 26–August 22) The city's annual summer fair has just opened in the Tuileries gardens next to the Louvre (1st arrondissement). Rickety rides, barbe à papa (cotton candy) and carnival games make this Fête a lot of fun for traveling families, and the giant Ferris wheel provides an incredible panoramic view of Paris. On July 13–14 the fair will host a series of free jazz manouche performances to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of musician Django Reinhardt. From 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on weekdays and until 12:45 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. feteforaine-jardindestuileries.com. Tous à vélo (July 1–4) The centerpiece of this four day celebration of cycling is a Critical Mass bike ride on Saturday, July 3. Want to ride through the streets of Paris in a pack of thousands? Rent a Velib' bicycle (check out Budget Travel's video on how to do rent a bike), then meet up anytime after 2 p.m. for a 4 p.m. departure from the Hôtel de Ville (4th arrondissement). The ride will culminate in a party with music and food (the location to be shared only with those who ride). velorutionuniverselle.org. Paris Cupcake Camp (July 4) Following similarly sprinkled events in Montreal, Bombay and other cities, Paris will soon be hosting its very own Cupcake Camp. Local sugarmamas like Berko, Synie's Cupcakes, Chloé S., Cupcakes & Co., and Little Miss Cupcake will be sharing sweets and baking tips, and participants will taste and vote for the winning cupcakes in several categories. A portion of each €10 ($13) entry, which includes tastings and a beverage, will benefit the charity Rebuilding Haiti Now. From 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Bistrot Vivienne, 4 rue des Petits Champs, 2nd arrondissement. rebuildinghaitinow.org. Street Food Soiree #2: Fish & Fries (July 5) The free foodie magazine M.I.A.M. will be hosting a street food party to celebrate Fish & Chips—the British dish that turns 150 years old this year. Beginning at 7 p.m., revelers will be downing Zubrowka cocktails (a bison grass vodka rarely seen in the U.S.) and tucking into cones of fish and chips prepared by celebrated Japanese chef Toyomitsu Nakayama (restaurant Toyo). DJs will be spinning on the banks of the Seine from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets at €15 ($19) for can be purchased online or at the door. Le Batofar, Port de la Gare, 75013, batofar.org. MORE Our Paris blog coverage

I can't even remember the last time I was given peanuts as a snack on a domestic flight. So I was surprised to hear that the U.S. Department of Transportation is considering banning the salty morsels altogether. The possible peanut ban is part of a larger proposal that includes other consumer protections such as increased compensation when you get involuntarily bumped from a flight. Plus a provision that would allow passengers to cancel reservations within 24 hours without a fee. Both solid additions. The peanut proposition is an attempt to show sensitivity to people with allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports that about 2 percent of the U.S. population suffers from the allergy. But, according to AAFA, peanuts are the most common cause of death due to foods, a statistic that gets scarier when you think about tight airplane quarters. On the other hand, an outright ban would affect the peanut industry. A recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution story reported that the Georgia Peanut Commission is fighting the proposed ban. Georgia grows about half of the peanuts in the U.S., so the industry could lose $20 million annually. Or, you could be like my fiance—one of the 3.3 million people with peanut allergies in the U.S.—and say "what's the big deal?" So, what do you think? The DOT is taking opinions on all these proposed rules until Aug. 9 (although any decision wouldn't be implemented until 2011). But we want to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

In life, as in travel, there are trade-offs, and one of the semi-embarrassing trade-offs I am planning to make this weekend is paying for a room in a hotel for one night to watch the LOST series finale, rather than paying for cable year-round in order to get a dependable signal. (Note to the U.S. government: digital converter boxes kind of suck. I missed a full minute of last night's penultimate episode when my cat jumped into the windowsill, scrambling our signal.) And yes, I will be calling to confirm the size of the TV in my room before booking! I realize that this is fairly ridiculous, but I'm hoping someone out there has had an equally frivolous reason to book a hotel room when you weren't on vacation, and I want to hear about it! Anyone? MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 7 Ways to Get LOST on Oahu

While reporting the recent story "Using Your Cell Phone in Europe", I was amazed by the intricacies of data plans and hidden charges. I suggested buying a "disposable" phone at a cell phone store or touristy area (between $40 and $75) to avoid fees from your U.S. carrier. But I should have known that savvy readers would chime in with lots of other workarounds when using a cell phone in Europe! There have been some very helpful and thoughtful comments—thanks to you all. Here are a few highlights: Flightdirector says to rent your phone beforehand from a third-party company: "I've rented a phone for both England and Europe (Italy & Greece) from a company called PlanetFone. If you are an AAA member, you are eligible for a discount. One of the nice things about the phone rental program is the availability of an 800 number. People trying to reach you from the US dial the 800 number without having to deal with international exchanges. The phone is sent to you with charger via FedEx and includes a return FedEx envelope. The cost for the phone rental for an upcoming three week vacation in France will cost me about $50." And both Motorcycle Pete and kyvoyageur suggest a similar service called Mobal: "I only pay for it (via my Credit Card) when I use it, and the rates are competitive. The reliable and efficient Siemens phone I purchased was VERY cheap (perhaps $30?) and it hold a charge, un-used, forever," says Motorcycle Pete. And two readers mentioned Skype, a service that uses the internet to make video and voice calls. "If you have a laptop, iPhone, or iPad you can use Skype, but you will be limited on where you can use it. You would need to use it at your hotel or a cafe with WiFi, but it's a lot cheaper than your cell phone provider," says Suzl4. JL75011 also recommended Skype as an app on your smart phone, but also makes this great point: "Keep in mind, some service providers will only allow you to activate international roaming/data plans on the first day of your billing cycle. Don't wait until a few days before you leave. Also, you can deactivate the plan when you return home, so you don't have to keep paying the additional charge every month." MORE "Using Your Cell Phone in Europe"