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Breaking news: Pigs can fly. And monkeys and horses too
Finally: Same-day Tokyo Skytree tickets on sale
Gallery: LVMH opens new boutique hotel in St. Tropez
iReport: 'My favorite Thai dish'
Not half bad: 6 of Japan's oddest tourism schemes
Waves, wine, winning! Liners offer booze cruises with a difference

Breaking news: Pigs can fly. And monkeys and horses too

Posted: 11 Jul 2012 09:52 PM PDT

Next time you complain about your aircraft seatmate snoring like a pig, just take a second to check that he isn't actually a pig.

New guidance from the U.S. Department of Transportation for disabled fliers says U.S. airlines must allow service animals onto planes, as long as they don't cause a health or safety hazard.

This can include pot-bellied pigs, often used by people who are allergic to dogs for "emotional support," monkeys and miniature horses.

"You must permit a service animal to accompany a passenger with a disability to the passenger's assigned seat and remain there if the animal does not obstruct the aisle or other areas," the draft manual titled "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel" says.

But don't be thinking this means you can bring your backstreet alley-procured endangered parrot back into the country.

Finally: Same-day Tokyo Skytree tickets on sale

Posted: 11 Jul 2012 09:29 PM PDT

It took almost two months, but the average man or woman in the street can finally rock up to Tokyo Skytree, buy a ticket and scale the capital's all-conquering tourist attraction on a whim.

The newfound freedom comes after tower operator Tobu finally allowed sales of same-day tickets from July 11.

As of 8 a.m. on the first day of the new regime, more than 400 people were lined up outside the Skytree, many having waited overnight to get the first of the ¥2,500 (US$31.50) tickets.

That outlay got them to the 350-meter observation deck; another ¥1,000 granted level-up access to the 450-meter stage.

Once up there, they joined the ranks of the 640,000 who reserved places early and have already climbed the tower since it opened on May 22.

Gallery: LVMH opens new boutique hotel in St. Tropez

Posted: 11 Jul 2012 09:22 PM PDT

by CNNGo staff

French luxury house LVMH opened its boutique hotel White 1921 in St. Tropez early last month.

Fans of the Louis Vuitton logos shouldn't get too excited in anticipation of monogrammed sheets or furniture -- the boutique is stark white and minimalist.

The estate -- previously called the Maison Blanche -- features eight rooms and suites and a Champagne and cocktail bar designed by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte.

White 1921 is "seasonal" -- meaning that it will only operate from May to October.

"While White 1921 may be a one-off venture, LVMH is venturing into the ultra-luxury hospitality world by developing a portfolio of very private Maisons under the Cheval Blanc brand," said Vanessa Buchli Senties, Brand Operations and Communication Manager for LVMH Hotel Management.

The first Cheval Blanc hotel opened in 2006 in Courchevel ski resort in France. The next opening is due in spring 2013 in the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, with more hotels scheduled to launch in Oman and Paris in partnership with Egyptian company Orascom Development Holding AG.

Armani was one of the first designers to start the trend with the Armani Hotel Dubai, and fashion houses are continuing to expand into hotels and residences to deliver on the rising demand for exclusive luxury experiences.

Vivienne Tam also opened up a namesake hotel suite at the Hotel ICON in Hong Kong, while Missoni and Versace are designing luxury condominiums in the Philippines. A second Palazzo Versace is under construction in Dubai, following the success of the first on Australia's Gold Coast.

Place des Lices 83990 Saint Tropez, France; +33 4 94 45 50 50; www.white1921.com; rates start around US$330.

iReport: 'My favorite Thai dish'

Posted: 11 Jul 2012 08:11 PM PDT

From steaming hot bowls of green curry to the deliciously rich khao soi, Thailand is famous for its diverse and often spicy cuisine.

In a recent iReport assignment, we asked readers to share their own favorite Thai dishes.

iReporters from all over the world rose to the challenge by providing plenty of mouthwatering photos of everything from the traditional pad Thai to wild takes on old classics, including a version of papaya salad -- som tam -- that uses zucchini instead.

Here are some of the submissions we received.

Thai fried chicken

"The simple, clear taste of great fried chicken is like a prayer and worthy of slow reflection," says iReporter Aaron Espana. "If there's one thing the whole world can agree on, it's fried chicken, and Thailand has its own variation on it," says iReporter Aaron Espana, who lives in Chiang Mai.

Not half bad: 6 of Japan's oddest tourism schemes

Posted: 11 Jul 2012 03:00 PM PDT

by Kelly Wetherille

Given the hardships Japan has faced in the 16 months since the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown, winning back tourists hardly seems all that important.

Nevertheless, life moves on, bills need paying and the travel promos keep on rolling.

Here are six of the best, sometimes head-shakingly misguided, tourism promotions we've seen over the last year.

1. Fly to Japan for free ... not

Unsurprisingly, this amazing-sounding scheme -- 10,000 free, yes free, flights to Japan -- hit the headlines big time when it was announced last fall.

Sadly for Japanophiles and skinflints the world over, the promotion failed to gain the necessary government approval and was scrapped at the end of December.

Waves, wine, winning! Liners offer booze cruises with a difference

Posted: 11 Jul 2012 11:10 AM PDT

by Bob Ecker

Today, luxury cruise liners are not just places to stare out to sea for two weeks feeling smugly pleased with how one's life turned out.

They are becoming places to learn about something not often associated with the ocean -- wine.

In recent years cruise ships have started to team up with celebrated winemakers to run wine education programs, immersion classes, seminars, tastings and extravagant dinners.

More on CNNGo: 10 of the world's quirkiest cruises

wine cruise ship Between this and the F1 celebrations, we wonder whether more Champagne gets drunk or spilt.