Star Tripping in L.A.

Many of these places are tough to get into, though, and even tougher to afford. Consider attending a free live taping of a sitcom, late-night talk show or game show (contact the affiliated station or Tvtix.com, http://www.tvtix.com ); go behind the scenes on a studio tour at Universal Studios (800-UNIVERSAL, http://www.universalstudios.com ); and check out celebrity cribs with Starline Tours of Hollywood (800-959-3131, http://www.starlinetours.com ).

As for budget lodging, rates are usually lower at airport properties, such as the Los Angeles Adventurer All Suite Hotel ($69 on Quikbook.com). The Ramada Inn Commerce (562-806-4777, http://www.ramada.com ), 26 miles east of LAX, also has rooms from $49. And while the Hollywood International Hostel (800-750-6561, http://www.hollywoodhostels.com ) is communal living, it offers private rooms right on Hollywood Boulevard from $40, plus breakfast and movies. For a list of lodging: L.A. Inc., Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-366-6116, http://www.lacvb.com .

I'm going to Manaus, Salvador and Rio in Brazil and would like to know how gay-friendly the country is.

Christian Phelps Washington

Brazil is very gay-friendly,with gay communities around the country. But, says Itamar Rodrigues, the Brazilian general manager of Brazil Projects (888-298-6203, http://www.brazilprojects.com ), a gay-friendly travel agency in Miami, "there are certain spots where [gays] will feel more comfortable."

Of the three areas, Rio is the party town of all persuasions, with Salvador coming in second and Manaus not quite as fancy-free. In Rio, gays flock to Posto 6 on Copacabana Beach and Rua Farme de Amoedo in Ipanema for dining, shopping, clubbing, etc. Itamar recommends Bar Bofetada (Rua Farme de Amoedo 87-87A) and Le Boy (Rua Raul Pompeia 102), a multi-level complex with a gym, a disco and a sauna. For more info on gay Rio, see http://riogayguide.com/gayday.htm .

The gay districts in Salvador are Pitubaville and Beco dos Artistas. For info on Salvador, see Grupo Gay da Bahia, http://www.ggb.org.br . Finally, while Manuas has no true gay district, the Association of GLS (221 Lima Bacury) can point you to parties and places to visit.

For general gay travel sources online, see http://www.gaytravelnews.com , http://www.gay.com/travel/outandabout and http://www.damron.com .

My daughter will be traveling to Spain. I would like her to keep in touch via cell phone but have received mixed messages about the easiest/cheapest way to equip her.

Marianne E. LaRocco Harrisonburg, Va.

U.S. cell phones and European cell phones don't connect because of different frequencies and phone types. And in Spain, our phones and theirs are compatible only with T-Mobile and Cingular. David Rowell, publisher of the Travel Insider, a Web site specializing in travel-related technology, suggests buying a cell phone through a specialty international phone dealer in the United States, such as Telestial (858-274-2686, http://www.telestial.com ), or having your daughter purchase a phone and service in Spain.

Weighing the pros and cons, you'll find that buying the phone pre-departure might be more expensive ($230 vs. $150), but it'll be easier than having your child struggle with cell phone jargon in a foreign language. Plus, you will have her phone number before she leaves. In either case, your daughter won't have to pay monthly charges, since Spain uses a prepaid system. To trim costs, Rowell also recommends that you use calling cards for discounted international rates and that your daughter uses an international call-back service (also offered by Telestial) when calling home.

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