FOXNews.com: 20 best-kept secrets of Washington, DC

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20 best-kept secrets of Washington, DC Oct 31st 2012, 12:00 No matter how you are voting in this year's presidential election, we can all agree that the nation's capital is packed with must-see sights--and tourists. Want fun without the lines? Follow these expert insights on how to do D.C. just like a local. Standing in line is no way to spend a vacation. Yet the 16 million tourists who visit Washington from around the world every year wind up ensnarled in queues at major monuments for most of their trips. Follow these insights--from a resident expert, budget-minded foodie, and mom--to do D.C. just like a local. 1. Start with an overview With Lincoln looming large over the National Mall and Arlington Cemetery beckoning two miles across town, it can be tough for first-time visitors to sort through the maze of D.C.'s must-see sites. The best way to dive in is with a brief introduction to them all. D.C. By Foot offers free walking tours that range from two-hour strolls along the Mall to a four-hour "All-in-One" epic that takes in the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, and more. If you'd prefer to see the sights while sitting down, Old Town Trolley Tours runs nightly two-hour "Monuments by Moonlight" rides, which cruise past the FDR and Iwo Jima Memorials as evening falls (trolleys depart at 7:30 p.m. from Union Station, $35.10 for adults and $26.10 for kids age 4-12). 2. Catch million-dollar views--and classical tunes--all for free Sweeping vistas are a tall order in this low-rise city, where the height of buildings is regulated by an 1899 Act of Congress. But at 150 feet, the uncrowded Pilgrim Observation Gallery at the National Cathedral is your elevator to the sky, with unobstructed 360-degree views. Down on the ground floor you can attend free organ demonstrations every Monday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and explore the architecture of this neo-Gothic behemoth. (Bring binoculars to spot the carved head of Darth Vader outside, near the top of the northwest tower). 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, $10 suggested donation 3. Get lost in space Adults may see D.C. as a wonderland with more than 50 museums to explore. But those with children know to choose wisely--or pay the price. Home to vintage flying machines like Charles Lindburgh's 1927 Spirit of St. Louis plane and the 1969 Apollo 11 command module, the National Air and Space Museum is one of the most kid-friendly branches of the Smithsonian. Its lineup features a 20-minute planetarium show starring Sesame Street characters, and air-travel-themed story times, where little ones can keep their hands busy building model planes and rocket ships. Independence Ave. at 6th St. SW, free 4. Booking a White House tour is worth the effort It's not impossible to do a tour of the White House, but it does take some planning. And a lot of patience. Once you know when you are going to be in D.C., contact the office of your Member of Congress to request tickets. Requests can't be made more than six months in advance, but no less than 21 days before your trip. It can take five months to book one of the self-guided tours, though. Worth it to get access to the country's most important residence. 5. A new crew of fashion talent (really) For all of D.C.'s draws --power, monuments, and living history--shopping hasn't traditionally been at the top of the list. At least until recently. A string of fashion-forward shops has popped up around 14th St. and the U St. Corridor. Jiwon Paik-Nguyen (who has worked for Theory, J. Crew, and Polo Ralph Lauren) imported a little SoHo style to her hometown two-and-a-half years ago with Rue 14, where she stocks wares by BB Dakota and Jeffrey Campbell. And up the street, Christopher Reiter pulled the best contemporary housewares from his four-year adventures across Southeast Asia to fill the floor at Mulèh. 6. Eat breakfast with the cheetahs Looking for an early-morning destination to hit when the museums are shuttered? The 163-acre grounds of the National Zoo generally open by 6 a.m.(ish)--four hours before its exhibits officially come to life. Stick around and you'll be rewarded with the sight of six resident orangutans making their way--hand over hand--across an almost 500-foot-long stretch of cables connecting two areas. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, free 7. Score a major game day deal Big-arena sporting events aren't usually known for their affordability, but baseball games at Nationals Park--where tickets start at $5--are one of the best bargains in town, especially when the team's running a special. In previous seasons, for example, groups of two or more pay just $14 a pop for upper-right field terrace seats, a hot dog, chips, and a drink on Saturdays and Sundays. On select Sundays, kids were even invited down to run the bases after the game. 1500 South Capitol St. SE 8. Go behind closed embassy doors Unless you're a diplomat, D.C.'s 175-plus international embassies are generally off-limits. But every May, the doors of some 30 missions--often located in historic mansions---open to the public for a day as part of the annual Passport D.C. outreach program. Guests have been able to sample lamb chops and Shiraz, watch a tae kwon do demonstration, or take in a fashion show at the Australian, Korean, and Saudi Arabian embassies, respectively, all for free. During prime afternoon hours, hit the embassies on International Drive, which tend to be larger and less hectic than the rest. 9. Explore the locals' arts scene On the first Friday of every month, D.C. residents flock to Dupont Circle, when the neighborhood's quiet constellation of galleries turns into a bustling, decidedly un-snooty fete. Start and end at the nonprofit Hillyer Art Space, the epicenter of the action; you can expect live music and the wine to flow freely until 9 p.m. 9 Hillyer Court NW 10. Know that history slept everywhere D.C.'s venerable hotels (The Hay-Adams, The Willard) have seen a lot of history pass through their gilded lobbies. Get some history on a smaller scale at the Tabard Inn. Located five blocks from the White House, this historic boutique hotel consists of three 19th-century row houses with 40 rooms and a brick and ivy-covered courtyard. It's quaint (that means no elevators and only a few TVs, on request), but it also has just the right comforts, like free Wi-Fi, a pass to the local YMCA, and free breakfast (homemade granola or freshly baked scones with cream). 1739 N Street NW, double rooms from $145 11. Save on hotels by timing it right Try to hit the city when Congress is away on recess and hotel rates plummet, typically April and August (the congressional schedule is listed online at senate.gov and house.gov). Even the swankiest hotels in town drop their rates by almost 50% when Congress clears out. 12. When it comes to crab cakes, you're going to have to choose sides Crab cakes are served in two kinds of settings in this town: down and dirty or rich and refined. Which school you pledge allegiance to is your business, of course, so we'll just arm you with tools to make your preferred choice. Frequented by Presidents Grant, Cleveland, and Theodore Roosevelt, according to local lore, the Old Ebbitt Grill lays claim to some justifiably famous crab cakes, made with fresh parsley and Old Bay seasoning (crab cakes $18). The waiters wear red bow ties and suspenders, and diners sit in mahogany and velvet booths beneath antique, gas-lit chandeliers. For the amazing, hole-in-the-wall alternative, grab a stool at the lunch counter (or a seat on the patio) at C.F. Folks Restaurant, where patrons love to chat with the owner���and legendary crank���Art Carlson (crab cake sandwich $14). 13. Where the locals go when they don't have a dinner reservation In the last few years, D.C.'s culinary scene has gone from an afterthought to one of the city's main attractions. Nowhere is the evolution more evident than the area of Capitol Hill known as Barracks Row. Here, the restaurants serve everything from soul food and Greek meze to authentic Indian cuisine. Find the majority of these low-key dining spots on 8th Street between Pennsylvania Ave. and M Street, where you can stroll along and window-shop the menus before choosing your favorite one. 14. Picnic under the stars (music and moonlight included) The National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden hosts magical--and free---air jazz fests every Friday from May to September. Locals know to arrive as early as 3 p.m. to stake out a patch of green on the six-acre lawn, which is dotted with dogwood trees and works by Miró and Calder. Listeners can pack picnics or grab dinner from one of many nearby food trucks or order a glass of homemade sangria from the garden's Pavilion Café. 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, free 15. From the mouths of babes. . . Don't be fooled by the National Building Museum's vast and pillared Great Hall. This place doesn't actually take itself too seriously. Past exhibitions featured 15 small-scale, intricately detailed replicas of famous buildings made entirely of Legos, and the Building Zone area stocks soft blocks for tykes to create their own monuments. Zippy, half-hour-or-less tours led by Junior Docents (ages 10 to 18) cater to a kid's perspective--and attention span. 401 F St., admission $8 16. Get a taste of Europe, D.C.-style On weekends, Meridian Hill Park is thronged with residents who come to marvel at the Neoclassical waterfall staircase. But on weekdays, visitors will have the aristocratic formal grounds (designed in the 1930s and modeled after Italy's grand gardens) to themselves. Fuel up at one of several espresso spots, such as U Street Cafe, along the U Street Corridor before setting out for a daytime passagiata in the park (1301 U Street NW; coffee, $2) 17. Reserve half-price tickets to the city's best shows--in advance Ticketplace, run by the nonprofit Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, sells half-price seats to concerts, plays, and operas by more than 100 metro D.C. groups throughout the year. Prime spots at a National Symphony Orchestra performance, for example, were listed online at $59 apiece, but those who booked through Ticketplace scored the same seats for only $30 a pop. You can purchase advance or day-of tickets online (upcoming shows are announced on its Twitter feed), or at their downtown outlet (407 7th St. NW). 18. Where to let your hair down For years, D.C.'s after-hours crowd patronized the tried-and-true bar scenes in the ultra-preppy Georgetown and post-college Adams Morgan neighborhoods. But these days, a new nightlife king is emerging in the up-and-coming Atlas District, a formerly gritty three-block strip near Capitol Hill that brings a surprising twist to its bars. At the H Street Country Club, revelers can play mini-golf and and dine on gourmet Mexican food. Other stand-outs: the year-old and decidedly authentic Bavarian Biergarten Haus, which keeps a dozen German brews on tap, and Dangerously Delicious Pies, which serves sweet and savory made-from-scratch baked goods until 3:30 a.m. on weekends. 19. Tray delicious You won't hear anyone cracking jokes about cafeteria food at the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum's sunny Mitsitam Café is considered one of the best lunch spots in town. It pays homage to Native American culinary traditions, with dishes such as buffalo burgers with green chiles ($7.25), maple-and-juniper-glazed salmon ($14.50), and mesquite piñon cookies ($4.50). 4th St. and Independence Ave. SW 20. Avoid the cherry- blossom crowds While tourists huddle beneath the trees along the Tidal Basin, D.C.'s locals opt instead for the tranquil terraced gardens at Dumbarton Oaks, an 1801 red-brick museum in Georgetown. Its quiet, manicured grounds are filled with cherry and magnolia blossoms, and its blog meticulously details the blooms on a daily basis--so you can schedule your visit accordingly. 1703 32nd St. NW, garden admission $8

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FOXNews.com: A proposed Robin Hood theme park to be build in Sherwood Forest

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A proposed Robin Hood theme park to be build in Sherwood Forest Oct 31st 2012, 15:33 Robin Hood lived with his band of merry men in Sherwood Forest.  Now, if plans for a new multimillion-dollar visitor theme park are approved, visitors can experience first hand what it's like to live like the English folklore hero is his very home --minus the part of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.   The government of Nottinghamshire County, where Sherwood Forest is located, is seeking to build a $20 million visitor attraction called Discover Robin Hood, reports ITV. If the plans are approved, the 40-acre park will feature activities such as archery, falconry, jousting and wild food cookery. The park will also have tournament field tobe used for events such as jousting shows, falconry exhibits, archery contests and costumed medieval theatre, while visitors daring to enter the maze will encounter talking trees, it is reported.  If the parks get the green light, it would open in spring 2015, developed by Discovery Attractions, which has also worked with Madame Tussauds and Alton Towers.  "Discover Robin Hood will be the first in a series of world-class visitor attractions from Discovery Attractions, based on Britain's rich heritage of myths and legends. It will bring to life the story of Robin Hood in a way that is both entertaining and educational for kids and adults alike," Rob Gray, marketing director of Discovery Attractions said in a release.  Theme parks are increasingly adorned with familiar names, which according to experts is a big draw for visitors.  Earlier this month, Paramount Studios revealed plans for a $3 billion theme park in Kent, to compete with the Disneyland Paris, which is to be packed with themed rides based on its cinema hits, which include Transformers, Star Trek, Titanic and the Indiana Jones series.

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FOXNews.com: Atlantic City casinos endure storm mostly unharmed

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Atlantic City casinos endure storm mostly unharmed Oct 31st 2012, 01:32 Atlantic City's 12 waterfront casinos came through the superstorm largely unharmed, and many say they could reopen within hours, if need be. But that's not going to happen; New Jersey casino regulators plan to visit each of the gambling halls on Wednesday before deciding when they can all reopen. "Even though we could all re-open within 24 hours if we wanted to, the bigger question is the infrastructure: access roads, power and the situation in the local communities where our employees and our customers live," said Tony Rodio, president of the Tropicana Casino and Resort, and head of the Casino Association of New Jersey. "There's no sense opening if we can't get people in here." The shutdown is costing the casinos a collective $5 million a day in lost revenue. This marks the fourth time in the 34-year history of legalized gambling in Atlantic City that the casinos were ordered closed. Since gambling began in Atlantic City in 1978, the only other times the resort's gambling halls closed were during Hurricane Gloria in 1985; during a state government shutdown in 2006 that shuttered the casinos for three days, causing a loss of about $55 million, and for three days in August 2011 as Hurricane Irene approached, causing an estimated $45 million worth of lost business during what would have been one of the busiest weekends of the year. Nine of the casinos are on the Boardwalk, facing the ocean; three others are in the Marina district, by the Inlet and bay. But most reported only minor effects, like some small water leaks or a handful of broken windows. "We had no real damage at all; I don't know how we didn't, but we didn't," said Don Marrandino, eastern division president of Caesars Entertainment. The company owns four of Atlantic City's casinos: Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars and the Showboat. The two Trump casinos, Trump Plaza and the Trump Taj Mahal, suffered little more than a few water leaks, said Bob Griffin, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts. The "M''s in one of the "Trump" signs at the Taj Mahal blew off, and there were a few broken windows. "We could be open by tonight if they let us," Griffin said. "But the real question is how soon our feeder markets will bounce back." Griffin predicted the casinos might be permitted to open late Thursday or early Friday, but acknowledged that regulators made no promises. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa had a half-dozen broken windows, but was otherwise unscathed, said Joe Lupo, the casino's senior vice president. The big white ball atop Revel, the city's northernmost casino, remained atop the building despite 90 mph winds that raked Atlantic City during the storm. A small portion of the Boardwalk north of Revel broke up and washed away during the storm; part of the section that washed away had been damaged by previous storms and was already closed off to pedestrians. Rodio said none of the Boardwalk casinos suffered damage to the walkway in front of their casinos. The Golden Nugget also was unharmed during the storm, although the Frank S. Farley Marina next to it was damaged by a 70-foot yacht that broke loose during the storm, Golden Nugget general manager Tom Pohlman said. ___ Wayne Parry can be reached at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC

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FOXNews.com: After storm, NYC Village Halloween Parade canceled

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After storm, NYC Village Halloween Parade canceled Oct 31st 2012, 01:34 Published October 30, 2012 Associated Press New York City's annual Village Halloween Parade scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled.AP NEW YORK –  Booooo! Not even the ghosts and goblins are safe from Sandy. The annual Village Halloween Parade scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled, its website says. That's the first time in its four-decade history. The parade usually draws 50,000 to 60,000 wildly dressed residents and tourists for a spirited march through the lower part of Manhattan. But large parts of lower Manhattan are without power following the superstorm. This year's parade theme was "Tick tock" and the final year of the Mayan calendar, with "visions apocalyptic." A call to the parade's producing director, Jeanne Fleming, went unanswered.

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FOXNews.com: Skopje, Macedonia: Kitsch capital of the Balkans

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Skopje, Macedonia: Kitsch capital of the Balkans Oct 31st 2012, 08:22 SKOPJE, Macedonia –  Winston Churchill is flashing his trademark victory sign from the rooftop of Macedonia's shining white new foreign ministry building. Alexander the Great is pointing his mighty sword from the top of a mega water fountain that airs classical music on the hour, as sprinkling water dances to the sound of its tunes. Alexander's father Philip II is standing firmly on a tall marble pedestal, his fist lifted toward the sky, surrounded by drab communist-style apartment blocks and garbage littering the streets of Macedonia's capital. All those grandiose buildings, monuments, fountains and bridges — some completed, others under construction — are dotting the city center as part of a government project called Skopje 2014, officially intended to rebuild a city that lost many of its landmarks in a 1963 earthquake. One of Europe's biggest urban endeavors has been criticized by many Macedonians who describe it as kitsch aimed at distracting the general public from the small Balkan country's real problems — such as a devastated economy and unemployment that is hovering around 30 percent. The project which started in 2008 generated controversy for the construction costs of some 20 new buildings and as many as 40 monuments — which are estimated to range between €80 million ($104 million) to €500 million ($650 million) depending on the government or unofficial figures. It has also split local residents, some saying the money could have been spent more wisely on the construction of new apartment buildings, factories or roads, and others claiming the project is a matter of national pride. "They shouldn't have built so many monuments in such a short period of time," said Dimitrije Markozanski, a painter. "It should have been done more gradually. I am a painter by profession, and we like this, but it does feel a bit cluttered. But, you can't join the European Union with a small town mentality, this city should be a metropolis." The tensions over the venture reached its heights in March 2009 when a group of Skopje's architecture university students tried to protest peacefully against the project, and were beaten by nationalist party activists, in the presence of the police and media. The centerpiece of the construction bonanza which started in 2009 is the 28-meter (92-foot) tall bronze equestrian colossus called Warrior on a Horse — a monument that bears an uncanny resemblance to Alexander the Great, the ancient hero of Greece. Officials were careful not to name it outright after Alexander the Great because Macedonia and Greece have been locked in a 21-year dispute over the right to claim the region's ancient heritage. Greece says its northern neighbor is falsely laying claim to its name, history and ancient heritage and has blocked Macedonia's accession to the European Union and NATO. Macedonians, however, claim they have the same right as Greeks to call themselves descendants of Alexander, arguing that Macedonia in ancient times was one geographical territory, and its heroes now belong to everyone living in the separate states. One of the main symbols of the project is Porta Macedonia, a triumphal arch situated near the main Macedonia square. The 21-meter-tall (68.9 feet) arch is meant to commemorate the long struggle for Macedonian independence — the country became independent of Yugoslavia in 1991 — and 32 reliefs carved on the outside depict events from centuries of earlier history and struggles. Among the many monumental buildings under construction on the banks of the Vardar river dividing the city are a new archaeology museum, a dome-shaped cylindrical financial police headquarters and communications ministry — all in different Neo-classicism and baroque styles. The new ornate foreign ministry building has dozens of statues of late foreign dignitaries standing on its roof edge, including World War II-era British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Two pedestrian bridges over the river, a dozen meters (yards) between each other, are being completed. One is the Art Bridge that includes 29 bronze sculptures of known Macedonian painters, writers, composers and musicians. Besides Alexander the Great, his father Philip II and his mother Olimpias of Epirus, monuments of other notable historical figures linked to Macedonian history are newly present in the city of some 470,000 people, including Mother Theresa, the late Nobel Prize winner for her Catholic charity work who was born in Skopje. "People are a bit surprised and it takes time to get used to this," said Ljupco Licovski, a retired doctor, as he walked over the Macedonia square. "The economic situation is not very good, so this does stick out in people's minds."

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FOXNews.com: Hotels offer more than rooms in Sandy's wake

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Hotels offer more than rooms in Sandy's wake Oct 30th 2012, 22:16 From stranded travelers to powerless locals -- hotels along the Eastern seaboard are dealing with an influx of people as the power outages continue in Hurricane Sandy's wake. Hotel reservations desks have been fielding countless calls from thousands of stranded travelers seeking to either cancel their rooms or find a place to stay around major cities in the Northeast. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., which operates the Westin, Sheraton and Marriott properties, has received calls all around the country, but many about New York reservations. "Yes, our volume is quite large," a reservations manager told FoxNews.com. Despite the volume, there isn't a lot of price gouging that has occurred in other storms.  In fact, some properties are offering special deals. Kimpton Hotels is offering 20 percent off stays (Oct. 29-31) at hotels in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Alexandria & Washington D.C. (Use rate code SANDY or call 1-800-KIMPTON.)   Aqua Hotels & Resorts will not charge any cancellation or no show fees through November 1, and is also offering a 15 percent discount on best available rates for travelers.  (For reservations, call Aqua at 808-924-6543 or toll free at 1-866-406-2782.) In Baltimore, hotels like the Hotel Monaco and the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court, are also offering discounted rates for their storm guests. Even if a hotel isn't advertising specials, guests should ask anyway. Travel experts say this is a chance for hotels to reach out to the community and provide people an outlet. For many, hotels can be one of the few outlets there are. Powerless New Yorkers are taking advantage of hotels to power up their mobile devices and occasionally sneak in to use the bathrooms.  At the Ace Hotel a flock of people were seen recharging their phones at the hotel's external electrical outlet. At the W Hotel in Manhattan others gathered around the hotel lobby to tap into the free WiFi. Many hotels have waived WiFi fees to guests and non-guests alike.  And along with the standard bar and restaurant scenes, some properties have even created special events and activities to keep the boredom way. "For the last two days, we've offered cocktail-making classes and wine tastings for the adults, and then for the children, had movies going from 1-4 p.m. each day, as well as a storytime," says Tiffani Cailor, director of public relations for The Four Seasons in New York City. "And today we offered pumpkin cookie decorating." In Washington, D.C. the Willard InterContinental has been filling up with travelers, as well as "walk-ins" - individuals and families without power, says Barbara Bahny, director of public relations. The hotel took advantage of the fact that renown chef Antoine Westermann was working at hotel to hold a cooking demonstration for 120 guests.  The hotel also had a pumpkin carving contest. "Three-Michelin star chef Antoine Westermann is the Chef consultant to Cafe du Parc at the Willard. He is in the hotel working with our chefs on the menus for the coming season. With the impending storm, he thought to create a nice event for guests in-house," says Bahny. Predictions are that New York's main airports may stay closed until Nov. 1, and power in some areas may not come back for days.  Until then, many visitors from the northeast will play the waiting game and rely more on the services of hotels.

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FOXNews.com: Squeezing into a capsule hotel room in Japan

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Squeezing into a capsule hotel room in Japan Oct 30th 2012, 15:45 TOKYO –  Tokyo is known for being densely populated and crowded. Living space is at a premium; hotel rooms are small or expensive or both. Enter the capsule hotel, where a tube-like pod barely bigger than a coffin offers a bed for the night at low cost. The capsule concept has been around for at least 30 years, starting out as lodging for businessmen working or partying late who missed the last train home and needed a cheap place to crash. And judging from the dark suits and ties of the patrons entering and exiting the Capsule & Sauna Century Shibuya in Tokyo, the cramped beds remain largely a businessman's special. But budget travelers and other folks curious about a unique lodging experience use them too. So I decided to try it on a trip to Japan this fall, along with a visit to the hotel sauna. At 5 foot 10 and 175 pounds (about 1.8 meters tall and 70 kilograms), I am almost exactly average size for an American. But in Japan, I felt oafishly big. In a sushi restaurant, I nearly knocked over all the patrons trying to squeeze past to my seat. On the metro, my heft encroached on to a second seat, often meaning the only open seat on the train was the one next to me. The pajamas thoughtfully provided by some of the other hotels where I stayed left me feeling like a sausage. The Century capsule hotel exacerbated this feeling. I felt cramped from the moment I checked in, when I traded street shoes for hotel slippers too small for my feet. The sole elevator serving 10 stories was slightly larger than an airplane bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, each floor of the hotel has a shared bathroom with several stalls and urinals (no women were on the premises). In a seated position, my knees nearly touched the door to the stall. Then there was the actual "room." I splurged on "Deluxe" accommodation for 4,000 yen (roughly $50). My tube was long enough for me to lie down with an inch or two to spare. I could sit up, barely. And there was enough space for my small daypack next to me. The capsules line a darkened room, stacked in twos like bunk beds on the 10th floor of the hotel. With a potential 32 guests in one room — more on lower floors — it's quite crowded. There is no room for luggage. Checking in, you get a key to a locker (think small ones at the gym) on the second floor. It's big enough to hang a suit and leave the contents of your pockets while you hit the shared sauna and bath. I'm sure a therapist would brand me repressed based on my sporadic dreams of showing up to work or an important function in my pajamas or birthday suit. But what about the opposite? In my trip to the sauna, I showed up clothed to a place where everyone else was naked. When I rode the elevator to the shower and bath area on the third floor, I wore the snug hotel-supplied boxers and robe. The elevator let out into an empty room with cubbies, stacked towels and sinks and mirrors. To get to the bath and sauna, you need to slide open a giant steamed-up glass door. On the other side is no-clothes land. I blithely entered clothed, to the consternation of the men inside. So I went back, ditched the clothes in a cubby and re-entered. But what next? Two large baths and a series of hand shower hoses with small stools reminiscent of hair-cutting stations at a salon were in the outer sauna area and a door led to the dry sauna. After a ridiculous, pantomimed, naked conversation with a local, I showered, seated at one of the wash stations. Then I went into the sauna. I've never been in a sauna with a TV before. Nice touch, though the programming seemed to be a Japanese combination of game show and infomercial for a weight loss program, probably aimed at me. When my body core temperature neared critical, I went out to the bath. First the cold, which nearly sent me into shock. Then the hot, much better, but quite crowded. Another wash off at the showering station and I figured it was time to turn in. Climbing into the capsule takes a bit of maneuvering. I kept imagining climbing into a torpedo tube on a submarine, but fortunately no one fired me out. The TV mounted in the ceiling offered more game shows and an adult channel, along with headphones to better listen. A dimmable light and built-in alarm clock rounded out the amenities. I closed the blind at my feet and conked out. With a few dozen other people coming into the room through the night and clambering into their own capsules, it made for a less-than-stellar night's rest. Really, a capsule hotel seems just like a youth hostel, but with a tad bit more privacy. Rather than open bunk beds in a common room, you get a little enclosed pod in a common room. The sauna and shared baths were clean and refreshing, but the heavy smoking in many common areas was less so. All in all, I'd say a capsule hotel is worth a visit just to say you've done it. But don't expect a restful night. And depending on your size, you might emerge feeling like a giant.

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FOXNews.com: Hurricane Sandy wreaks havoc on cruise schedules

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Hurricane Sandy wreaks havoc on cruise schedules Oct 30th 2012, 17:38 Hurricane Season brings a number of storms every year, and while the cruise lines always need to react, most hurricanes are tightly-knit, slow-moving storms with somewhat predictable paths, making them fairly easy to avoid in most cases. At most, the guest will get a different itinerary than expected but one that is as safe and calm as any normal cruise. But Sandy has been a particular challenge for the cruise lines because of its due north trajectory just adjacent to the East Coast port cities of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Port Canaveral in Florida, Charleston, S.C., Baltimore, Md. and New York City. Sandy was also an unusually wide storm, taking in adjacent storm systems which added to the after-effect of the storm. As we all know now, the hurricane itself is only part of the story. The surge of seawater which follows the storm and floods the lowlands; carrying away sand and tearing down structures is also always a factor. Another factor with Sandy is the thousands of flights that were canceled in anticipation of the storm. Most likely many cruise passengers missed their ships due to last minute flight cancelations. Unfortunately, if your cruise is affected by a hurricane in any way you are at the mercy of the cruise line. You do not have any right to cancel the cruise or demand a refund. Your only option is to buy "cancel for any reason" trip insurance when you book the cruise. Even traditional trip insurance probably will not cover your hurricane canceled cruise since it falls under the "acts of God" category. Damage to Private islands Several cruise lines have their own "private islands" which they use to give passengers a day at the beach without any distractions. Almost all of the private islands are small Bahamian Cays with little more than scrub bushed and sandy beaches, but they are popular with the guests. Sounding the direst message comes from Princess Cruises about its own "Princess Cays," which is actually a private beach resort on the Bahamian island of Elute, 50 miles east of Nassau. "Princess Cays has experienced extensive beach erosion, some downed trees and roof damage. The end of the observation pier was also lost," according to company spokesperson Karen Candy who said that clean up will begin as soon as conditions allow. The next scheduled call there is not until November 11. Norwegian Cruise Line is reporting that its Great Stirrup Cay sustained some minor damage to structures and landscaping, as well as beach erosion. The island, which had just completed a $30-million upgrade, has been closed down temporarily for quick repairs but the line expects it to reopen in the first week of November. Unfortunately, stops there by three Norwegian ships had to be canceled: Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Pearl. Fortunately, most of the superstructure added during the upgrade was not affected. Holland America's private island, Half Moon Cay, is about 100 miles southeast of Nassau and often visited by ships of sister cruise line Carnival. The island "sustained some minor damage," including to a few permanent structures as well as beach erosion and uprooting of some vegetation. Holland America expects to make repairs quickly with minimal impact to normal operations. Royal Caribbean, canceled two stops at its private island CocoCay. The island is expected to reopen on Wednesday. Schedule Changes The storm track of Sandy preyed upon the regions of peak cruise activity, so here is a report of some of the effects it had on the various cruise lines: Disney Cruises - Fantasy The cruise ship getting the most attention is Disney Fantasy. CNN reported late on Sunday that the Fantasy was rocked and hammered by Hurricane Sandy's force,and there are a number of "frightening" videos on the Internet allegedly showing amazing destruction of plates and potted plants. One highly touted one shows water sloshing around suggesting the ship was flooded – but in fact the picture is of a shallow wading pool which was filled with a few inches of water. The Disney Cruise Line said reported that the ship had minor damage on its interior but said that the overall condition of the cruise ship was fine.  Disney provided guests with a 25 percent discount on their cruise. Carnival Cruise Line:  Carnival pushed several of its cruise sail dates back a day to Sunday, October 29, mostly due to the delay in getting its ships back to its various Florida homeports of Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Port Canaveral. Here is a roundup of the changes Carnival made it cruise schedules: Carnival Sensation – 10/28/12 Departure Moved Back to 10/29/12  This scheduled 4 day cruise was changed to a three-day cruise departing on Monday, a day late,. The revised itinerary is as follows: Day      Port of Call                               Arrive               Depart Mon     Port Canaveral, FL                                          3:00PM  Tues    Nassau, The Bahamas               10:00AM          7:00PM Wed     Freeport, The Bahamas            8:00AM           5:00PM  Thurs   Port Canaveral, FL                   8:00AM As a result of this change, guests will receive: --One day pro-rated cruise fare refund (processed within the next 2 weeks to original form of payment) --Gratuities will also be adjusted to reflect the shortened voyage. Carnival Miracle – Departure moved a day sooner. Carnival Miracle generally sails 8-day cruises out of New York City. Because the port was closed down on Sunday night Carnival chose to move its scheduled departure to the last minute so the ship could leave. About 1,800 guests did manage to get aboard before the ship set sail, according the company spokesperson Vance Gullicksen. The itinerary added a day and the nine-night schedule is below: Day      Port of Call                                Arrive               Depart         Sun      New York, NY                                                   5:00 PM Mon     Fun Day @ Sea Tue      Fun Day @ Sea           Wed     Port Canaveral, FL                   7:00 AM              6:00 PM   Thu      Nassau, The Bahamas               11:00 AM           8:00 PM Fri        Fun Day @ Sea Sat       Grand Turk                               8:00 AM            5:00 PM Sun      Fun Day @ Sea Mon     Fun Day @ Sea Tue      New York, NY                         8:00 AM Due to the short notice, the delivery of food and beverage supplies that was planned for Monday was rescheduled to receive the provisions at the first port of call (Port Canaveral) on Wednesday. The strategy was to get out of town long before the storm hit and most likely sail due East to avoid Sandy.  Guests who sailed received complimentary gratuities for the extra day and will be reimbursed for any additional parking expenses at the port.    Carnival  Dream – 10/27/12 Departure Moved Back a Day to 10/28/12 Carnival Dream was a day late in returning to Port Canaveral so the next cruise departed on Sunday, October 28.  The scheduled seven-day cruise was shortened to six days and will vist Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya.  The call in Isla Roatan was canceled.  As a result of this change, guests received: --One day pro-rated cruise fare refund  --Refund of the government fees and taxes for Isla Roatan --Pre-paid shore excursions purchased for Isla Roatan will be automatically refunded  --Gratuities will also be adjusted to reflect the shortened voyage Carnival Ecstasy – 10/27/12 Moved Back to 10/28/12 Carnival Ecstasy docked in Port Canaveral on Sunday, October 28, a day late.  The scheduled five-day cruise was shortened to four days visiting Nassau and Freeport.  The line canceled the call in Key West.  As a result of this change, guests received: --One day pro-rated cruise fare refund  --Refund of government fees and taxes for Key West --Pre-paid shore excursions purchased for Key West will be automatically refunded  --Gratuities will also be adjusted to reflect the shortened voyage Carnival Glory – 10/28/12 Departure was Canceled  The Norfolk cruise terminal is located behind a major flood gate which the city closed on Sunday resulting in no access to the cruise terminal. Carnival had no choice but to cancel the 10/28 cruise completely.  Refunds will be processed to the original form of payment within the next 2 weeks. A new two-day "cruise to nowhere" was scheduled to sail from Baltimore on November 2. The price starts at $99 per person.  Carnival Pride –10/28 Departure  Canceled The U.S. Coast Guard closed down Chesapeake Bay traffic for an indefinite period on Sunday.  The departure of Carnival Pride from Baltimore was canceled and it was not certain when the restriction would be lifted.   Guests were provided with a full refund (within two weeks to the form of payment) and a 25 percent future cruise discount.  Parking expenses were refunded as they left the parking facility.  Carnival is providing $30 per person for dinner this evening.   Right now we do not yet have statistic on how many people got the change in plans in time. It is well known that many flights were cancelled well ahead of the arrival of Sandy, so it is possible those ships are sailing far less than full. Norwegian Cruise Lines Sandy Changes  Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Gem was a day late in returning to New York City, arriving on Monday. The port of New York City remains closed, but the cruise line said that they expect embarkation for Norwegian Gem's next cruise to take place on Wednesday, October 31, beginning at noon for a 4 PM departure.   "As soon as the Coast Guard re-opens the Port of New York, Norwegian Gem will proceed to the pier which may be Tuesday, October 30, in the afternoon. At that time, we would give guests the option of disembarking the ship or staying onboard overnight, allowing them the opportunity to make the appropriate travel arrangements," they said in a release. Norwegian Jewel was expected to arrive as scheduled in Port Canaveral, Fla. Tuesday. Norwegian Dawn is scheduled to call in Boston on Wednesday. Princess Hurricane Sandy Updates Princess had to change many of the itineraries of cruises sailing this week, but has no changes for upcoming Princess cruises. Emerald Princess, sailed from Quebec City on October 27, and laid up in the small town of Port Saguenay on the St Lawrence Seaway to escape rough seas on October 28. The calls in Bar Harbor, (Maine) for October 31, Boston for November 1 and Newport, Rhode Island for November 2 were all canceled. The ship has added a stop in Corner Brook (October 30). The call on Halifax (Canada) is delayed by one day to November 1. The ship will resume its originally scheduled itinerary November 3 with a visit to New York City.  Ruby Princess departed Fort Lauderdale on October 28 for a six-night cruise, but bypassed Princess Cay, the line's private island on October 29 to spend an extra day at sea. In fact, many of the various private islands report some damage to the infrastructure. Caribbean Princess skipped its Monday visit to Bermuda and hurried to dock in Boston on Sunday, and is scheduled to remain there until further notice.  Royal Caribbean Hurricane Sandy Update  Enchantment of the Seas left Baltimore Friday for a five-night Bermuda cruise, but was not able to make its scheduled stop in King's Wharf, Bermuda.  The ship remained at sea in order to remain in the calmest water it could find. As of Tuesday, the latest update from Royal Caribbean indicates the line has not altered the boarding time or itinerary of any ship that departs from Baltimore, Maryland or New Jersey this Thursday, Friday or Sunday.  However, the line does encourage guests sailing on Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Explorer of the Seas to monitor its website for any additional updates.   Paul Motter is the editor of CruiseMates.com, an online cruise guide. Follow him on Twitter @cruisemates.

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FOXNews.com: What to do if yours was one of 16,000 cancelled flights from Sandy

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What to do if yours was one of 16,000 cancelled flights from Sandy Oct 30th 2012, 14:39 Hurricane Sandy continues to be a nightmare for travelers across the U.S., and as far flung as Europe and Asia. According to FlightAware, there are over 15,773 flight cancellations so far as of 8:50 a.m. ET, while competitor FlightStats tallied 15,508 in an update at 7:08AM ET. Most New York City area airports, including John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark, are closed with no known re-open time. Some airlines have also begun canceling flights on Wednesday.  In Washington, D.C., Dulles International, Reagan National Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport are all open but experiencing flight delays.  Philadelphia International Airport and Boston's Logan International Airport are open but they too are experiencing delays.  About one-quarter of all U.S. flights travel to or from New York airports each day. Cancellations there are having a ripple effect in other cities,  from Atlanta to San Francisco and beyond.  London's Heathrow Airport has cancelled a total of 84 flights, including British Airways, United and Virgin flights, since the storm took hold on Monday. Narita, the international airport near Tokyo, canceled 11 flights Tuesday — nine to the New York area and two to Washington, D.C. Travelers overseas could wait days to get to the East Coast of the U.S. So what should you do if you have a ticket to fly? First, ticket holders unable to fly are all eligible for a refund.  Those who don't opt for a refund will be looking for an empty seat on an available flight. Most airlines are allowing affected customers to make one ticket change without the usual change fees. Those who asked first to be rebooked during calmer weather will have gotten first dibs at seats. But as the weather begins to clear and flights start to resume their schedules, more seat availability will appear. Airlines and airports are advising passengers not to go the airport to rebook a flight.  Instead, individual airlines should be contacted directly. Customers should first try changing their tickets online. Passenger are reporting hour-long wait times at airline call centers. (TollFreeAirline.com offers toll-free numbers for most major airlines.)    Also, try posting a Twitter update about your rebooking needs, with a mention of the airline you're using.  This sometimes prompts a quicker response from customer service than calling by phone. If you try it, just make sure you get a reservation number. Also, sign up for alerts from your carrier and follow them on Twitter.  Most airlines also have apps that will allow you to get the latest information on your flight.  "If you absolutely have to get to the business meeting or funeral or whatever, and your flight hasn't been cancelled yet, then head for the airport as early as possible on your day of travel," says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. Also to help cut down on the volume, airlines are asking that for those travelers whose flights are cancelled and who no longer need to travel wait a few days before calling and apply for a refund.  Other things to keep in mind.  Often airlines will not cover the cost of hotel stays for cases of weather-related delays, but some may offer food and beverages, or meal vouchers.   If you have to stay overnight, some airlines are arranging for hotels may be able to give you a distressed passenger rate.  In addition, hotels such as the Quality Inn, are also offering distressed rates for the next few nights for passengers waiting for their return flights to be rescheduled.

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FOXNews.com: New national monument honors military service dogs

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New national monument honors military service dogs Oct 30th 2012, 15:28 LOS ANGELES –  The act of Congress is in the books, the bills are paid, the sculptures are being cast, and one of the biggest parades in the world will start a glory tour and countdown to dedication. The first national monument to pay tribute to military dogs will be unveiled in California in just two months. The U.S. Working Dog Teams National Monument will honor every dog that has served in combat since World War II. Some cities, cemeteries and military bases across the country already have such memorials. But none has been elevated to national monument level, where it will be in the company of the Statue of Liberty, Yosemite National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. In 2000, John Burnam, a 65-year-old veteran military dog handler, wrote a book called "Dog Tags of Courage." A year later, he got an email from a reader wondering why there were no national monuments to the dogs of war. In "Dog Tags" and a 2008 book, "A Soldier's Best Friend," Burnam wrote about his time with the Army's 44th Scout Dog Platoon when he was in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. His first dog, Timber, was injured in an ambush a few months after they teamed up, so he spent most of his tour with a German shepherd named Clipper. "He saved my life and saved the lives of others by alerting on ambushes, snipers and booby traps. I wanted to give something back to these animals that have done so much and asked for so little, except for food and water and the love of their handlers," said Burnam, who received the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Back then, handlers were not able to adopt their dogs when they were retired. "I always worried about them but I know they died over there and they died as heroes," he said. In 2004, Burnam and two other dog handler veterans pursued the idea in earnest, forming the John Burnam Monument Foundation Inc. But it took two more years, until he met Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., that the monument project started to take shape. In 2007, Jones introduced legislation authorizing establishment of the monument. Passed unanimously by Congress, it was signed the next year by President George W. Bush, then amended and signed by President Barack Obama. Burnam designed the monument, which depicts the modern military handler and four dogs — a Doberman, German shepherd, Labrador retriever and Belgian Malinois, all breeds used in wars. The silicon bronze handler stands more than 9 feet tall and weighs 1,500 pounds. Each dog is about 5 feet tall and weighs 550 pounds. Burnam called them "hero-sized." The figures will stand on a pedestal, in front of a large granite wall. One side of the wall will have photos etched in black marble veneer showing dog teams in combat from the different wars. The other side will have an inscription written by Burnam. The sculptor, Paula Slater, said it was the largest and most complex monument she had ever done. She worked for thousands of hours, saying that finishing a project of that size "is like giving birth to a baby — five of them." The money for the monument came slowly. Burnam made one of many fundraising pitches on the reality TV show "Who Let the Dogs Out," featuring Tillman, the skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding bulldog. The president of New Balance Pet Foods Inc., the company that Tillman represents, attended the show taping and volunteered to pitch in more than $1 million. "Don't do a thing. Natural Balance and Petco (Animal Supplies Inc.) will take care of it," Joey Herrick said. To raise funds for the monument and its maintenance, Natural Balance created a jerky bark treat sold by Petco. Maddie's Fund, a family-funded pet rescue foundation, also signed on as a corporate sponsor. The public will get a sneak peak of the monument at the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1, when a floral replica will be used as Natural Balance's float. Burnam, dogs and handlers from every military service branch will ride on it. When the float goes on display afterward at Victory Park, the real bronze monument will make its public debut next to it, Herrick said. Then the bronze monument will go on tour as it heads to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. The location was chosen as the site for the monument because that's where most of the nation's military's dogs are trained. Meanwhile, Tillman, the dog that helped get Burnam the monument funding, is also getting personal recognition for his military service. For his work entertaining troops at bases and for going through a mini Marine boot camp, the athletic bulldog has been made an honorary private 1st class.

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FOXNews.com: Stranded by Sandy: Storm grounds more than 10,000 flights

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Stranded by Sandy: Storm grounds more than 10,000 flights Oct 30th 2012, 10:37 Hurricane Sandy grounded well over 10,000 flights across the Northeast and the globe, and it could be days before some passengers can get where they're going. According to the flight-tracking service FlightAware, more than 13,500 flights had been canceled for Monday and Tuesday, almost all related to the storm. By early Tuesday morning, more than 500 flights scheduled for Wednesday also were canceled. Major carriers such as American Airlines, United and Delta cancelled all flights into and out of three area airports in New York, the nation's busiest airspace. About one-quarter of all U.S. flights travel to or from New York airports each day. So cancellations here can dramatically impact travel in other cities. Delays rippled across the U.S., affecting travelers in cities from San Francisco to Atlanta. Others attempting to fly out of Europe and Asia also were stuck. Narita, the international airport near Tokyo, canceled 11 flights Tuesday -- nine to the New York area and two to Washington, D.C. All Nippon Airways set up a special counter at Narita to deal with passengers whose flights had been cancelled. "All flights to New York yesterday and today are cancelled. What will happen tomorrow no one knows," airline spokeswoman Megumi Tezuka said. Sandy caused Eric Danielson to miss his first day of work at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He thought he'd be looking at a two-hour layover in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on his way from San Francisco to Norfolk, Va. But Sandy changed his schedule. "Now it's beginning to be a 28-hour layover until tomorrow," he said Monday. Hurricane Sandy converged with a cold-weather system and made landfall over New Jersey on Monday evening with 80 mph winds. The monstrous hybrid of rain and high wind -- and even snow in some mountainous inland areas -- killed at least 16 people in seven states, cut power to more than 6 million homes and businesses from the Carolinas to Ohio, caused scares at two nuclear power plants and stopped the presidential campaign cold. The storm was forecast to head across Pennsylvania before taking another sharp turn into western New York by Wednesday morning, bringing heavy rain and local flooding. The flight cancellations were on par with a major winter storm in early 2011 that forced 14,000 flights to be scrapped over four days. Businessman Alan Shrem was trying to return home to Boca Raton, Fla. His Monday morning Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to New York's Kennedy airport was cancelled. He learned he could be stuck in Hong Kong for nearly a week because the next available seat was Nov. 4. He was put on a waiting list for seats that could become available earlier. "They just say: Yeah, it's a pretty big waiting list," said Shrem, throwing up his hands. In the meantime, he'll have to fork out $400 a night to continue staying at a nearby hotel. The airline won't pay for accommodation for stranded passengers if delays are weather-related. Even if storm damage is minor it could be a week before operations are normal at major East Coast airports, said Angela Gittens, director general of the Airports Council International, a trade group for airports worldwide. "The storm has such a wide swath and so many major airports are involved that it's going to take some time (to recover) because those airplanes are so far away," said Gittens, who served as aviation director at Miami International Airport Dade during several hurricanes from 2001 to 2004. Airports in the metropolitan New York City area were open, but air carriers were not operating. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Monday that travelers shouldn't even try to go to Kennedy, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia and Stewart airports. JetBlue Airways Corp. cancelled 1,200 flights for Sunday through Tuesday. The airline is hoping to resume flights at its Kennedy airport hub Wednesday, but is worried about flooding of the airport's runways since they are all basically at sea level and near bodies of water, according to Rob Maruster, the company's chief operating officer. Delta Air Lines Inc. has canceled 2,100 flights over the three days. American Airlines has scrapped 1,000 flights, including 260 on regional affiliate American Eagle. The impact on airline's bottom lines is unclear. Many of the customers on flights currently being cancelled will reschedule later on, so the airlines will still collect the fares. But the cost of parking planes for days, along with potential damage, will undoubtedly cost airlines millions. Travelers overseas could wait days to get to the East Coast of the U.S. All flights from Paris to Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington -- a total of 14 -- were cancelled. Frankfurt airport cancelled 12 flights, with German carrier Lufthansa scrapping three to the Northeast and one out of Newark. British Airways had to cancel all its flights to and from New York, Newark, Baltimore, Washington DC, Boston and Philadelphia -- a total of 20. Air India said its daily flights to Newark and JFK had been halted since Sunday. South Korea's Korean Air said it canceled three flights to New York and one flight to Washington on Monday and Tuesday. Asiana Airlines canceled its Tuesday flight to New York. Its Monday flight to JFK was delayed by 26 hours, then was postponed again by another 26 hours. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways had cancelled six New York flights by Tuesday. The airline said another New York flight via Vancouver will only go as far as the Canadian city.

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