What $100 Buys in... Riga

Highlights from the June 2006 issue: 101 Splurges Under $100Our third-annual roundup of splurges, from the silly to the sublime: Every now and then, you have to indulge yourself for no other reason than because it'll make you happy Secret Hotels of the French RivieraThe Cote d'Azur has long been known as a glitzy destination for the jet set--which, in fact, it is. But there's a quieter side, with adorable little places to stay, where life is both sweet and salty, thanks to the Mediterranean breezes Some Cruisers Are Smarter Than Others Virgin cruiser Josh Dean took readers' tips on a trip to Alaska, to see just how helpful they were--and came back with some advice of his ownPlus: Our Best Cruise Tips 20 TipsTired of catching colds while traveling? Trouble keeping track of your electronic gadgets? These hints might help Low Fares to Asia Low-fare carriers are offering cheap flights to places previously off your radar. All you need is a couple of twenties and a couple of hours Fast Food With a Pedigree The latest point of pride for star chefs has more to with French fries than foie gras Q&A with Charlie Trotter A Summer Survival Guide You're more likely to get struck by lightning than mauled by a bear. But if you actually run into a grizzly, statistics are cold comfort Summer Survival Quiz Unique Hotels and Alternative Lodgings For out-of-the-ordinary places to stay, take a look at these out-of-the-ordinary websites Who Deserves Your Loyalty? Some companies aim to differentiate themselves through their rewards programs. The experts weigh in with their favorites Organize your membership info! Download the wallet card (PDF) On Ecotourism The term has become meaningless--so how can you tell which hotels are the correct shade of green? 9 Eco-friendly trips from $130 40 Best Vacations The real deals right now True Stories Win a stay in New England! If your response is the best we receive before June 30, you'll win a $2,000 gift certificate good at more than 300 inns, resorts, and B&Bs throughout New England, courtesy of the New England Inns & Resorts Association

Its new CulturePass grants entry to all 14 state museums and monuments, including Santa Fe's Museum of Fine Arts, Albuquerque's National Hispanic Cultural Center, and the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner, for $20. Admission costs average $5 for state museums and $3 for monuments, so pass holders who make it to all 14 sights will save more than 50 percent. And since it's good for a year from the first date of use, there's plenty of time for tourists and locals to check them all off (newmexicoculture.org). Related Links:   Santa Fe Snap Guide   Road Trip: Southern New Mexico   Trip Coach: New Mexico Travel Advice

The other night we went to a press conference/party at the Japan Consulate hosted by Ambassador Motoatsu Sakurai. Japan wants to double its international tourism by 2010, and we think it just might succeed, thanks to its new "Affordable Japan" initiative. Finally, it seems there's an organized effort to make a notoriously expensive destination more accessible to all. The Japan National Tourism Office has pulled together all kinds of budget-travel info on its vastly improved website: helpful sample itineraries, Japan Rail Pass details, a grab bag of air-hotel packages under $1,000 per person, and accommodations listings that actually include less expensive ryokans (traditional country inns) and guest houses. The website even includes insider hints from English-speaking expats on how to save money while visiting the Land of the Rising Sun. Who knew that Japan's beer gardens have some of the country's best-priced all-you-can-eat and -drink specials? The real stunner is its "Japan for Free" .pdf pamphlet, which lists attractions around from Tokyo to Osaka that don't cost anything. For more info: JapanTravelInfo.com Related Links:   Trip Coach: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto in a Week   Tokyo Snap Guide   The Hungry Man's Tokyo   Chic, Affordable Tokyo Cafés

We're featuring a quiz to go with our article on scary animals you might run into in the wild. Here's how it works:   Take our online multiple choice quiz, which includes questions about animals not in our story.   If you answer a question incorrectly, you have to start over.   HINT: Most of the answers can be found here.