Most and Least Expensive U.S. Destinations

After successfully introducing low-cost cruising to the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, EasyCruise--and its founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou--will launch a second vessel sailing weekly itineraries along the canals and rivers of Holland and Belgium. And like the others, expect rock bottom prices: Cabins start at $20 per person per night (based upon double occupancy) and go on sale mid-May for cruises beginning July 14. Dubbed EasyCruiseTwo, the 240-foot-long riverboat carries 100 passengers and will dock in ports along Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Brussels (easycruise.com, 011-44/207-895-651-191). Related Links: Nine Ways to Simplify EasyCruise Watch a video tour of the ship's maiden Caribbean voyage A New Fleet of Ships Making a Splash

Scuba diving can open up new worlds to travelers. Learning to dive is fun, but it's also a pretty big commitment in terms of time and money. So first ask yourself if you really want to use a big chunk of your precious vacation time for lessons. Anyone who wants to dive without close supervision must first complete a certification course. Courses take 30 to 40 hours, split among time in a classroom setting, in the pool, and out in the open water. Learning to dive on vacation isn't the only option. By taking a certification course arranged by a dive shop or YMCA back home, you'll be ready to head right into the ocean on your next trip, rather than being stuck doing homework. At many great dive spots, you can also sign up for what's known as a resort course. It's an easy alternative to getting certified, and no experience is necessary. You learn how to use the equipment in a pool, and then go for a short, open-water dive that's closely supervised by an instructor. Resort courses often cost under $100. Of course snorkeling's the easiest and cheapest option. Rather than renting equipment once you get to the islands, buy gear at home and bring it along. It'll more than pay for itself over the course of a week's vacation.

California's sprawling "City of Angels" refuses to be defined. It's full of Hollywood hopefuls, struggling locals, and just about every race and creed. For over 300 years, the West Coast's largest city has tantalized newcomers with desert living on the Pacific Ocean. From film to fashion, beaches to bodegas, Los Angeles is the anti-city, and it's growing by the day. AIRPORTS   Los Angeles International Airport   Long Beach Airport   Burbank Airport TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM AIRPORTS   Prime Time Shuttle   Executive Limo Service   Metro Transit Authority Buses   City of Los Angeles Taxi Services   Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car at LAX   Amtrak   Greyhound Bus CITY LINKS   City of Los Angeles   Los Angeles Convention and Visitor's Bureau   Los Angeles Times City's largest newspaper   LosAngeles.com Simple city guide   LA Weekly Local music, art, and entertainment   LA.com Quirky, informative take on all things L.A.   CalendarLive.com L.A. Times entertainment news and reviews   Downtown Los Angeles Visitor's Guide   Girl's Guide to L.A. The girly-girl's guide to the City of Angels   Department of Transportation Traffic Reports Essential travel updates EVENTS   The Rose Parade and Rose Bowl in Pasadena January   Chinese New Year January   Academy Awards March   L.A. Marathon March   L.A. Fashion Week March   Blessing of the Animals April   Cinco de Mayo May   Venice Art Walk May   Tofu Festival August   L.A. County Fair September   Emmy Awards September   West Hollywood Costume Parade and Halloween Festival October   Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade December