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London’s World Heritage Sites: 5 ways to escape the Games
In-N-Out Burger pops into Singapore for a few minutes
Don't sweat it: 5 cool oases for the Tokyo summer
The better side of Hong Kong: Top 10 nature reserves
The best ways to earn and burn frequent flyer miles

London’s World Heritage Sites: 5 ways to escape the Games

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 12:37 AM PDT

This summer, London, understandably, is mostly concerned with heart and nerve and sinew.

The fittest, leanest, most Lycra-becoming humans alive today are to compete in the London 2012 Olympics and millions of mortals will watch with awe, excitement and possibly a little envy. And Usain Bolt will earn more fame, fortune and adulation in 10 seconds than most of us earn in a lifetime.

But there is culture of a different kind to be found too -- in the form of London's World Heritage Sites.

These UNESCO-endorsed sites have been around for decades, even centuries, and this July and August could just be the perfect time to see them.

1. Tower of London

William the Conqueror ordered the construction of the massive White Tower in the 11th century.

In-N-Out Burger pops into Singapore for a few minutes

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 12:17 AM PDT

Completely underestimating Singaporeans' love for beef patties, an In-N-Out Burger pop-up restaurant reportedly sold out of burgers in less than five minutes after opening on Tuesday, according to Singapore lifestyle website Insing.com.

The pop-up event -- one of several staged by California-based In-N-Out around the world in recent months -- was originally supposed to run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

But all 300 wristbands, which customers needed to claim one burger each, were given out well before the event as people started lining up at 9:30 a.m.

In-N-Out's irresistible Double Double. Even Gordon Ramsay's a fan.

Word of the one-day pop-up spread quickly when announced on Monday, with hundreds of burger-lovers lining up Tuesday morning to get a taste of the ridiculously popular chain's Double Double, Animal Style and Protein Style burgers at Golden Grill restaurant on Circular Road, where the event took place.

Don't sweat it: 5 cool oases for the Tokyo summer

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 06:43 PM PDT

by Brandi Goode

Hot, humid and downright uncomfortable -- that pretty much sums up summer in Tokyo.

With 13 million people packed into the metro area and temperatures over 35 C for weeks on end, it's the one time of year when it's not such a great place to live.

While we can't do much about the crowds or the relentless heat, we can at least share a few tips on chilling out in your downtime.

Here are five favorite spots for a cool day out in and around the capital.

1. Haunted Hospital, Fuji-Q Highland

Haunted Hospital, Fuji-Q Highland The Haunted Hospital at Fuji-Q looks decidedly modern compared to many in Tokyo.

The better side of Hong Kong: Top 10 nature reserves

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 03:00 PM PDT

by Sanday Chongo Kabange

Emerald hills, cotton-soft beaches, close encounters of the wild kind -- the description is practically Amazonian.

But it's Hong Kong we're talking about. That neon-lit metropolis of frantic lives lived distractedly. Not many unassuming tourists would ever have thought that three-quarters of its 1,104 square kilometers of land is actually rural and nearly pristine.

Want to see some of this nature stuff? Here are our top 10 picks:

Getting there:
See the Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) website for bus routes
See the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) permits page for application for private vehicle access permits within country parks

1. Cold weather friend: Tai Mo Shan Country Park

Usually hot and humid, Hong Kong is the kind of place where people will make special trips to mountaintops to look at icicles during cold spells.

The best ways to earn and burn frequent flyer miles

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:40 AM PDT

by Gabriel Leigh

The possibilities of frequent flyer miles first tantalized me one evening in New York City 11 years ago, when I was 18 and I found that I'd be able to get elite status -- with its bonus miles, queue-skipping privileges and many other perks -- from a couple of international trips I had to take anyway.

Having grown up internationally, in the United States, Japan and Britain, I had spent years flying without earning miles, but from then on I was determined to put everything I had into them.

From reading online forums and tracking programs closely over the years, I became something of an expert. In 2009, I made a documentary about people who live for miles and love to fly, and I'm currently working on a longer version.

As my flying has ramped up (I travel often for work now) I now spend an hour a day on average keeping tabs on all aspects of the ever-changing world of miles. Here's some of what I've learned.

First choice

Overall, I consider the American Airlines AAdvantage program to be the best in the world.