Video: Japan drinks -- the third-class edition

Fri, 05/04/2012 - 04:55 — Anonymous by Matt Alt, W. David Marx, Patrick
MaciasOur brave boozers W. David Marx, Matt Alt and Patrick Macias really hit
the dark side this time round, with a look at Japan's so-called
third-category brews. These are, according to Matt, "highly processed,
beer-like beverages" that offer dirt-cheap alternatives to real beer for
drinkers on a tight budget. Or, we suppose, for drinkers desperate to consume
a lot for a little. Ninja beer, stealth beer or just plain swill -- call it
what you want, but be sure to check out the taste test before you go
shopping. Kanpai! (Via Néojaponisme on YouTube)read more

World’s 10 most underrated cities

Thu, 05/03/2012 - 23:01 — Anonymous by Jini ReddyPerhaps because of their
proximity to better known locales, these cities are too often neglected by
travelers.  Call us sentimental, but that's an oversight we can't condone.
These places are livable, creative hubs, championed by friendly locals, and
they're worth way more than a transit stop.  Queens, New York City, United
States A "city" within a city.OK, officially it's a part of NYC, but this
borough has a population of 2.3 million and virtually qualifies as a city in
itself. It might lack the glitz and glamour of Manhattan, first port of call
for visitors, but it is one of the most diverse places on the globe. More
than 170 languages and dialects are spoken in the borough -- residents say
it's like going around the world without ever leaving.read more

iReport: My favorite Korean food

Thu, 05/03/2012 - 23:00 — Anonymous Fermented. Spicy. Stewed. 
Descriptions of Korean food may actually be its worst marketing enemy abroad,
but as millions of foodies and travelers can attest, the more terrible it
sounds, the tastier the dish -- in Korea, anyway.  That's why we asked
readers in a CNNGo iReport assignment to submit photos of their favorite
Korean dishes.  This gallery showcases the ones that made us blow off that
11 a.m. meeting and head to lunch early.  Also on CNNGo: Seoul's independent
coffee culture read more

iReport: Foodies share their favorite Philippines dishes

Thu, 05/03/2012 - 10:56 — Anonymous Seafood, tropical fruits, veggies and
creative cooks combine to make the cuisine of the Philippines incredibly
diverse.  Yet Filipino food isn't that well known outside the country,
beyond the mind-boggling balut (duck embryo). To remedy this gross
injustice, we asked iReporters to share their favorite Filipino dishes and
offer tips to newcomers looking to explore the cuisine.  Check out the above
gallery for some of the highlights, courtesy of iReporters Elaine Baricante,
Jerry C. Gonzales, Lia Ocampo and Yla Gracelle Benze B Corotan.   These
images were submitted as part of an iReport assignment asking readers to
share their favorite Filipino meals. For other assignments, visit the CNNGo
iReport page. read more

Angry Birds Land: First official park to open in Finland

Thu, 05/03/2012 - 13:36 — Anonymous by Hiufu WongIf you're not yet
overwhelmed by the furious phenomenon that is Angry Birds, the happy news is
Finland's Särkänniemi Adventure Park is to open the world's first
officially licensed Angry Birds theme park in June. Angry Birds Land will be
the authorized, legitimate and slightly more sophisticated alternative to the
unlicensed Angry Birds park that opened in China in September 2011. Angry
Birds Land soft-launched last week but "some of the birds are still
migrating," according to Miikka Sepälä, CEO of Särkänniemi, referring to
installations that had not yet been set up. Official opening will be on June
8. The multimillion-Euro investment is a collaboration
between Särkänniemi, Finland's most popular theme park, and the mobile
game's Finnish developer, Rovio Entertainment.  It will be nested in a
half-hectare area inside Särkänniemi, tickets to which cost €19-35
(US$25-46). Entry to Särkänniemi also covers entry to Angry Birds
Land.read more

AirAsia Expedia CEO: Asians are spontaneous, smartphone-savvy, social travelers

Thu, 05/03/2012 - 10:43 — Anonymous by Frances ChaDaniel Lynn, Managing
Director and Vice President of Expedia Asia Pacific Operations. Expedia Korea
launched in July 2011 without much fanfare in the local market, where the
online travel website's brand does not carry much awareness.  While Koreans
tend to favor schizophrenically detailed and stylized websites updated every
second, Expedia's Korean site is stark and frills-free.  But with a
rapidly-growing business out of a Seoul-based Korean office, Daniel Lynn, CEO
of Expedia Asia Pacific Operations says that Korea is the hottest new market
for the multi-billion dollar company. Currently, the Korean site offers hotel
services and AirAsia flight options, following the launch of the 50-50
Expedia-AirAsia joint venture last year.   We quizzed the Singapore-based
travel expert about the industry, his own travels, and of course, his travel
tips. read more

What's it like to eat at the world's best sushi bar?

Thu, 05/03/2012 - 04:55 — Anonymous by Dan ShapiroHeralded as a Japanese
national treasure, Jiro Ono, 86, is the first sushi chef in the world to
receive three Michelin stars, and is the proprietor of the world's most
celebrated sushi restaurant, Tokyo's Sukiyabashi Jiro. Once a hidden gem,
tucked away in the basement of the Ginza Metro Station, Sukiyabashi Jiro has
vaulted into the worldwide cultural milieu thanks to its appearance on
Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" TV show and the recent release of
the David Gelb feature-length documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi." Rather
than simply watch the mouthwatering food porn that is Gelb's excellent doc
(trailer courtesy of Magnolia Pictures), CNNGo has gone one step further. I
went directly to the source to offer the following detailed account of Chef
Jiro's legendary soft-handed, two-fingered technique that perfectly pairs
succulent and fresh nigiri cuts from the Tsukiji fish market with warm and
delicate rice. Here's how the evening went -- spoiler: I was not
disappointed.read more

Wisconsin cheese and beer tours: Wine tasting for real men (and women)

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 23:00 — Anonymous by Brent Butler Wisconsin's state motto
may be "Forward," but for anyone serious about cheese and beer it might just
as easily be "Upward." At least as far as personal caloric intake is
concerned. When waves of Germans immigrated to the state in the 19th century
due to religious persecution in Europe, centuries of brewing traditions met
favorable Midwest geography. For more than a century, mega-breweries
like Pabst, Blatz, Schlitz and Miller crowned Milwaukee as "the beer
capital of the world." Today, only Miller remains of the large
domestics (Pabst, the last to leave, pulled out in 1996 and is now brewing
in Los Angeles), but dozens of independent microbreweries have emerged in
their place and have kept Wisconsin at the forefront of the craft-brew
revolution. Wisconsin is also the top cheese-producing state in the country,
churning out almost 1.18 billion kilos annually. read more

World's 10 best metro systems

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 23:01 — Anonymous by Edward FalzonPublic transport is
useful. Trains even more so, given that they're physically separate from
other traffic. The smooth-running of any city depends heavily on a
well-designed, well-maintained metro/rail system. Guided by the good people
at www.citymayors.com, the MetroRail awards and other sources, I've compiled
this list of 10 of the best (or most rapidly improving) city metro/rail
systems in the world. Also on CNNGo: 10 great, epic train journeys 10.
Copenhagen, Denmark Taking first place in "the Metros," an international
awards program for the mass-transit industry, Copenhagen Metro has a
driverless rail system that runs 24 hours a day.read more

Thank you for your entry

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 09:17 — Anonymous If you haven't done so already,
download the CNNGo mobile app to tap into a world of travel. Stay connected
with the latest travel and lifestyle news from CNNGo Discover more about your
region with in-depth articles and photo galleries Share CNNGo content by
email, Facebook and Twitter Submit your own stories with CNN iReport Enter
exclusive contests and win exciting prizes Download now: Android    iPhone
  read more

Lufthansa gets first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 16:25 — Anonymous German carrier Lufthansa has become the
world's first airline to receive the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, dubbed
the "Queen of the Skies."  The jet arrived at its new home base in Frankfurt
on Tuesday, after flying in from the United States. It is due to enter
service on June 1 this year, with a flight from Frankfurt to Washington,
D.C.  One of eight first-class seats on board. You know -- the ones most of
us will never see. "We are looking forward to welcoming the Boeing 747-8
Intercontinental to our long-haul fleet," said Lufthansa executive Carsten
Spohr. "In future we will offer our passengers on board this completely newly
developed long-haul aircraft an exclusive travel experience and the comfort
of our new business class," he said at Frankfurt Airport on Tuesday. read
more

Singapore Grand Prix 2012: Katy Perry and a 1980s revival

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 12:53 — Anonymous When it comes to musical acts,
Singapore's Grand Prix never fails to disappoint, with organizers seemingly
fighting to best themselves every year by bringing in some of the world's
biggest names.  Though the final lineup hasn't yet been announced, we do
know this year's event -- running from September 21 to 23 -- will be
headlined by chart toppers Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Jay Chou. All three are
set to perform at the Padang main stage over the race weekend.   But
it's the 1980s revival that will likely get some fans excited, with the
recent addition of Bananarama, The Pretenders and The Proclaimers to the
entertainment mix. According to organizers, Bananarama will perform at the
Esplanade Outdoor Theatre in Zone 4 on Saturday, and the Village stage in
Zone 1 on Sunday. The English pop duo is most famous for hits like "Venus,"
"I Heard A Rumor," and "Cruel Summer."  The Pretenders, led by rock
goddess Chrissie Hynde, will hit the village stage in Zone 1 on Saturday,
and the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre in Zone 4 on Sunday. Expect to hear all
those classics even non-fans will recognize, like "I'll Stand By You" and
"Don't Get Me Wrong."  read more

Hong Kong's hardest street vendors go soft and teach us how to bargain

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 07:19 — Anonymous by Tiffany Lam, Virginia LauMany hard
lessons on how to bargain are learned at Hong Kong's notorious Ladies'
Market. In Mong Kok on Tung Choi Street, with the main sections south of
Argyle Street, the Ladies' Market is known for the city's toughest vendors.
What with recent acid attacks and arson in the area, the vendors' reps for
leathery resilience is further cemented. That's why when the veteran vendors
teach us how to bargain for the best price on sneakers, trinkets, handbags
and just about anything else, we sit up and pay attention. Herewith, from the
Hong Kong shopping masters themselves: how to beat the hagglers at their own
game.read more

The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2012: Who made the cut?

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 09:39 — Anonymous by Anthea GerrieCooking with obscure
Nordic ingredients paid off for chef Rene Redzepi, whose Noma was named
World's Best Restaurant for the third year in a row. Paris, New York and
Tokyo, eat your heart out -- the world's best restaurant is not on your
turf, but a dimly-lit warehouse in an obscure part of Copenhagen no one had
heard of eight years ago. That's when chef Rene Redzepi opened Noma with
somewhat strange ambitions -- to serve only food native to Scandinavia -- so
no olive oil or other fancy Mediterranean stuff.  He created dishes with
obscure items like milk skin, hay and pine needles, and against all the odds,
it worked. Noma this week made it a hat trick in the World's Best 50
Restaurants awards, taking the top award for the third year in a row. And
behind him come a whole raft of new young culinary hotshots known as the New
Nordics -- 10 percent of this year's Top 50 restaurants are in Scandinavia.
Spain has done even better, mind you, with 30 percent of the Top 10 -- yet
again -- in a row. Spanish restaurants remain at no. 2, 3 and 8, just like
last year. And this is without the help of superstar chef Ferran Adria,
first-ever winner of the awards, who broke records by holding the top spot
for four years in a row with elBulli before closing it in 2011.   All are
in the foodie north of the country, ditto another two which made the
list.read more

Not just Tsingtao: A guide to Chinese beers

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 08:28 — Anonymous by Hunter BraithwaiteJohn Lennon once
said that French rock was like English wine. Chinese beer is like both, and
also like Chinese wine. But we keep coming back for more. There's a
hierarchy of price, taste and most importantly, alcohol content. To save you
kuais and calories, here are the most popular beers in China, the best, the
worst and, yes, the tastiest. Naale's impenetrable slogan: "Ale, love for
you." read more

In Bangkok, cool off with a beer slushie

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 09:26 — Anonymous by Dwight TurnerUnless you're actually
into scorching hot weather, Thailand isn't the most pleasant place to be
these days. In many parts of the country, the old heat stick has been rising
above 40 degrees Celsius, Bangkok included. So, for some sweet relief, cool
off with these five refreshing Thai treats. 1. Beer woon In most countries,
this is the tragic outcome when you forget to take your beer out of the
freezer. In Thailand, it's a beverage.In some countries it's almost a crime
to put ice in beer. In Thailand, it's often a necessity. Several Bangkok bars
and restaurants have gone beyond simple ice cubes and converted local brews
into beer slush -- possibly the perfect drink for extreme temperatures. Drink
your "beer woon" fast because pouring icy chunks of frozen beer in the warm
Bangkok air makes it rapidly rise to the top of your glass.read more

World's 10 most lavish casinos

Mon, 04/30/2012 - 23:01 — Anonymous by Anthea GerrieIf you're going to
fritter away your hard-earned cash on a 50-to-1 spin of the roulette wheel,
you may as well do it surrounded by sparkling chandeliers and velvety seats,
right? 1. Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco In a city where money talks, this
casino yells from the rooftop. Built in 1878 by Charles Garnier, the
architect who gave Paris its opera house, this is the daddy of all casinos.
Surrounded by 28 columns of pure onyx, a marble atrium leads to gaming rooms
decorated with stained glass windows, sculptures and bronze lamps -- a visual
win, even when the chips are down.read more

Best New York budget hotels

Mon, 04/30/2012 - 23:00 — Anonymous by Patricia ChuiBelieve it or not, it's
possible to find the best New York budget hotels and pay less than $250 per
night for a clean, comfortable hotel room with full amenities in a prime
location in the Big Apple.    It just requires careful planning and
flexibility: January and February are the best months for value travel, and
weekdays generally cost less than weekends.   Many hotels also offer
discounts for full payment in advance.    Budget travelers willing to forgo
a private bathroom can save even more at places like the Jane Hotel and Hotel
17, whose low-cost rooms have shared bathrooms.    If you prefer
full-service feel to college dorm vibe, here are eight of the best New York
budget hotels in the city. They offer great value and with the exception of
the Newton, all provide free Wi-Fi.   All rates listed are per night for a
standard room with private bathroom, before tax, which is around 15 percent.
Note that rates are subject to change.   Hotel Deauville, Gramercy Park
Hotel Deauville is a haven for artists. In the world of corporate hotel
chains, the Hotel Deauville, a quaint, family-run converted brownstone with
just 55 rooms, is a refreshing find and makes our list of best New York
budget hotels.    The Deauville is a nice option if you want a hotel on a
quiet street away from some of New York's more tourist-heavy neighborhoods. 
  The ancient, operator-run elevator rattles like an old ghost, but service
is personable and warm and the shabby-chic rooms are comfortable.    Quirky
fact: as a bonus for musicians, there's an artists' rehearsal room with a
piano off the lobby.    103 E. 29th St. between Park and Lexington, New
York; +1 212 683 0990; www.hoteldeauville.com; rates start at $139   Also on
CNNGo: Best new hotels of 2012    Hudson New York, Midtown West/Hell's
Kitchen The location is even better than the decor. Travelers wanting to feel
like rock stars could do worse than the Hudson, which has the look of a much
more expensive hotel, starting with the green, glowing, unmarked entry, which
might make you wonder if your smartphone map has the right coordinates.   
Beyond the wide lobby is a lovely outdoor courtyard. The Library Bar is has a
pool table, while the trendier Hudson Bar is an enticing glass-floored space
that turns into a nightclub.   In contrast, breakfast and dinner are served
on cafeteria-style tables. A well-furnished gym completes the
entertainment/facilities options.   While standard rooms are "cozy" (the
smallest is 12.6 square meters), they are handsomely decorated.    356 W.
58th St. between Columbus and Broadway, New York; +1 212 554 6000;
www.hudsonhotel.com; rates start at$229     La Quinta Manhattan, Midtown
East The nearest hotel to the best galbi in the city. The La Quinta is a
budget motel and it doesn't try to be anything else: the lobby looks as
though it hasn't been touched since the Carter administration, and room decor
is plain.    But for what you're paying you'll get decent space, not to
mention additional perks like free breakfast, news kiosk, fitness center and
Vu Bar, the hotel's rooftop lounge with a stunning view of the nearby Empire
State Building.    Macy's, Penn Station and Madison Square Garden are
within walking distance. The La Quinta is also the perfect choice for budding
karaoke singers and fried chicken fans -- it's located in the middle of
Koreatown.   17 W. 32nd St. between 5th and 6th Avenues, New York; +1 212
736 1600; applecorehotels.com/la-quinta-manhattan; rates start at $199 Also
on CNNGo: Best and worst hotel Wi-Fi     Nu Hotel, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Clean and simple. Located in Brooklyn (about 15 minutes from Manhattan), the
Nu Hotel is fittingly one of the best New York budget hotels, partly because
it is close to several train lines and a plethora of restaurants and bars on
Smith Street, otherwise known as Brooklyn's Restaurant Row.   Compared with
Manhattan accommodations, the stylish rooms have lots of space. Caffeine
addicts will appreciate the free coffee in the lobby and Keurig coffee makers
in every room. There's also a lobby bar.   If you don't feel like exercising
at the fitness center, the front desk will find you a bike.   If you know
someone who lives in the neighborhood, ask them to book the room for you, and
you'll save an additional 15 percent via the hotel's "neighborhood rate."  
85 Smith St. between State Street and Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; +1 718 852
8585; www.nuhotelbrooklyn.com; rates start at $179   Best Western Bowery
Hanbee Hotel, Chinatown  Ask for an upper-floor room to avoid the noise of
the street.Located in the center of Chinatown, the Best Western Bowery Hanbee
is a good choice for anyone looking to explore New York's downtown areas.
It's within easy walking distance of Soho, Little Italy, the East Village and
Lower East Side.    While you might not guess it from the busy location and
no-frills lobby (not to mention the extremely low rates), rooms here are
modern and welcoming and have a fair amount of space, with enough room for a
guest chair and night table.    In addition to a fitness center, the hotel
lays on a complimentary breakfast buffet, and the staff is helpful and
friendly.    231 Grand St. between Bowery and Elizabeth Street, New York;
+1 212 925 1177; www.bw-boweryhanbeehotel.com; rates start at $189 Hotel
Newton, Upper West Side Ease your college-bound kid into dorm life by staying
at the Hotel Newton. Located well uptown between Riverside Park and Central
Park, the Newton sits near Columbia University, which may explain why it has
a lobby that resembles an old dorm lounge.   What the hotel lacks in frills,
however, it more than makes up for in value -- perfect to be regarded as one
of the best New York budget hotels   Even in the summer high season, you can
get a room for $132 a night -- a rate unheard of in the rest of the city. 
  The staff is cheerful and professional, and accommodations are clean and
not at all claustrophobic, with a dresser, desk, microwave and mini-fridge
included in every room. And though there are no dining options in the hotel,
there is a diner just next door.   Note: Wi-Fi here costs $4.95 per day.  
2528 Broadway between 93rd and 94th Streets, New York; +1 800 643 5553;
www.thehotelnewton.com; rates start at $225   Hotel Beacon, Upper West Side
The Beacon is the priciest hotel on our list, and the roomiest. At $350 per
night, the Beacon is the one hotel on our list that doesn't fall under the
$250 budget ceiling. But families traveling to New York City will need
space, and this hotel has it.   Instead of cramped rooms, half of the
Beacon's accommodations are roomy suites that sleep up to four. All suites
have a separate living room with a pull-out couch, iPod dock, and full
kitchen with stove, oven, microwave and full-size refrigerator.   The Beacon
also offers standard rooms with smaller kitchenettes: half-fridges, stove
burners and microwaves, but no ovens.   A multitude of moderate to high-end
restaurants surrounds the hotel, but groceries are easy to come by at the
Fairway across the street or Trader Joe's two blocks away. After saving money
on home-cooked meals, your family can go play at the nearby Museum of Natural
History, Central Park or Lincoln Center.   2130 Broadway at 75th Street, New
York; +1 212 787 1100; www.beaconhotel.com; rates start at $350     The Pod
Hotel, Midtown East A pop art take on NYC budget hotels. read more

Special report: Philippines tourism, a tough sell?

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 01:20 — Anonymous by Richard S. EhrlichAs a tourist
destination, the Philippines is loaded with the attractions travelers dream
of: lots of sun, gorgeous beaches, world-class scenery, adventure
opportunities, friendly outgoing locals, fascinating history and lots of
little-roamed territory.  Yet for all its advantages, the nation of more
than 7,000 islands has a big problem attracting travelers. According to the
United Nations World Tourism Association, with about 3.5 million
international tourist arrivals in 2010 (its most recent published figures),
the Philippines nets just 1.7 percent of tourist arrivals in the booming Asia
Pacific region, and a mere 1.1 percent of international tourism revenues in
the region. With 27.3 percent, China leads the region in arrivals, but the
Philippines also trails nations such as Malaysia (12.1 percent of Asia
Pacific's international tourist arrivals), Thailand (7.8 percent),
Singapore (4.5 percent), Taiwan (2.7 percent) and Vietnam (2.5 percent).  In
2010, the Philippines accounted for only 8.1 percent of the international air
seats flown per week within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), which includes the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.read more

Citibank Korea globalizes all ATMs ... spending money in Korea now even easier

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 10:59 — Anonymous by CNNGo staff Banking in Korea just
got more convenient for foreign travelers who bank with Citibank. First time
travelers to the country are often bewildered by how difficult it is to find
an ATM that accepts their foreign card for cash withdrawals, as most local
ATMs don't accept them and "global ATMs" can be found only at a few
select locations throughout the country. Due to a steady and large influx of
inbound travelers to Korea, and the forecast of millions of visitors expected
to arrive for the Yeosu World Expo opening on May 12, Citibank Korea has
decided to globalize every ATM at all of its 220 branches in the country.
Previously, about 10 percent of Citibank ATMs in the country had been
globalized. Korea Exchange Bank, Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank are the only
other local banks offering globalized ATMs, albeit at limited locations.
Citibank is the first in Korea to globalize all of its ATMs.read more

Japan’s new tsunami zone tourist trade

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 08:19 — Anonymous by Gail NakadaMiyako City in the far
north of Japan was once famous for its stunning beach at Jodogahama, just
around the headland from Miyako Bay. That and the port's
world-record-holding, 10-meter-high tidal wave barriers. Then, "stunning"
was swept away by the black waters of March 11, 2011, leaving just
"stunned" in its wake. But that was then and this is now. Miyako and
hard-hit cities like Kamaishi and Rikuzen Takata along the Iwate coast are
determined to pull something from those dark days, even if it means promoting
tours in the tsunami zone. During May and early June, local tour company
Iwate Kenpoku Kanko will be doing just that, offering guided bus trips
targeting these very areas. The company's one-day tour from Morioka to
Tanohata Village and Miyako City includes guided walks through the
tsunami-hit areas of both towns.read more

The new iPad Contest

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 09:13 — Anonymous Download the CNNGo app now: Android
iPhone or visit CNNGo.com on your smartphone browser.  Contest ends June 6.
Conditions apply.read more