Ghost Towns: Bodie, Calif.

Ghost Towns: Bodie, Calif. In its heyday, Bodie put the “wild” in the Wild West. It began in 1861 as a humble home to about 20 miners. Less than two decades later, an estimated 10,000 people crammed into Bodie, creating a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie cast with prostitutes, gunslingers and gamblers. During the glory days, miners pulled more than $14 million in gold and silver from the Standard Mine, so they had plenty of money to spend on extracurricular activities at the 65 local saloons. Come Sunday morning, however, there were only two churches where they could repent. Bodie today is a state park with about 100 buildings still standing, including the jail, livery and gambling hall.

Best Hot Dogs In The United States

Best Hot Dogs In The United States

Best Hot Dogs In The United States. Whether it's a cookout at home or a snack at the ballpark, nothing hits the spot like a hot dog. So where can you find the best hot dogs? Right here!

The best hot dogs in the U.S. as determined by Yahoo! Travel.

The World's Most Thrilling Train Trips

The World's Most Thrilling Train Trips

If you want to sit back and enjoy the landscape rolling past you, or enjoy romance, adventure and history, nothing beats a great train journey. Here are our favorite train lines around the world.

Couple travel the world for 11 years

 

Couple travel the world for 11 years

For most families, a long car journey is the bane of any trip.

But for the Zapp's, their 83-year-old vehicle has become a home for the last 11 years, as they travel around the world on a never ending trip of a lifetime.

Spanning four continents, Herman and Candelaria Zapp have covered an incredible 142,000 miles while becoming parents to Pampa, eight, Tehue, five, Paloma, three and Wallaby, one.

Hair Museum Avanos in Cappadocia

Hair Museum Avanos in Cappadocia

Hair Museum Avanos in Cappadocia

The most vast museum of hair Avanos in Cappadocia (Turkey). In it are stored hair samples of about 16,000 women. Walls, ceiling - all strewn with curls with a note on which to write their data. Previously, it was a store of ceramics. The story goes that one of the visitors decided to leave some souvenirs - a lock of his girl. Since then, the matter go.

World's Most Beautiful Mountains

World's Most Beautiful Mountains

Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand

Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand
Fans of the "Lord of the Rings" movies will recognize New Zealand’s Mount Ngauruhoe as the stand-in for Mount Doom. In real life, the mountain isn’t so ominous; it’s part of a beautiful North Island hiking route with views of Lake Taupo and Mount Tongariro. The volcano is still active — it last erupted in 1977 — and visitors to the summit can see fumaroles in the crater and smell strong sulfurous gases.

The Snake Who Bit Off More Than He Could Chew

The Snake Who Bit Off More Than He Could Chew

The Snake Who Bit Off More Than He Could Chew

It's an Amazonian tree frog that a snake waiting on a branch decided he liked the look of as he was hopping happily by.
The hapless amphibian struggled and kicked to try and break free for 45 minutes, but it was a struggle in vain as he was swallowed whole by his attacker.

Jon Cryer Twitter Reports "Fake"

Jon Cryer Twitter Reports "Fake" 

Various media outlets and websites reported that Jon Cryer broke his silence about Charlie Sheen and the shutdown of his hit sitcom, "Two and a Half Men."

Those reports are wrong. The reports said he tweeted his thoughts about the toxic, controversial fight between Sheen and the show's producer, Chuck Lorre.

Cryer's publicist told NBCLA that those reports are "fake." And she says Jon Cryer doesn't even have a Twitter account.

The fake tweet read, "It's too sad! Sorry guys, that you must hear so bad news! I'm also shocked!"

Twitter has since shut down the @JonNivenCryer account.
Read More: MSN

The World's Most Luxurious Swimming Pools

 Think about a holiday and one of the first things that springs to mind is lazing by the pool. We've searched far and wide to bring you eight of the most luxurious pools from around the world. We can't make up our mind which we want to dive into first...

To infinity and beyond in Tenerife

Infinity pools are marvellous things, giving a breathtaking impression of the water flowing endlessly into the horizon. Tenerife has Europe's largest infinity pool at the Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora. The pool is 5000 m2, and looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and La Gomera island. You can lie back and bask in the sunshine or take refuge from the rays in the little thatched pavilions that are dotted here and there throughout the pool to provide shade. Thoughtful!

World's Biggest Cruise Ships

Titanic Shmitanic

The world’s most massive cruise ship when  it was launched 100 years ago, the Titanic wouldn’t rank among the world’s 50 largest today. Here’s a look at the 10 most Bunyanesque boats, all built since 2000.
For comparison purposes, we’ve ranked them by gross tonnage (available revenue-generating space) and also provided their lengths and passenger capacity (which assumes double occupancy in all cabins, though most ships can hold many more than that).

10 Exclusive Celebrity Honeymoon Spots

Honeymoons of the Rich and Famous
As Prince William and Kate Middleton's big day (April 29) approaches, celebrity hounds speculate where the royal couple will honeymoon. Will they enjoy a three-part vacation -- the Broadlands, Mediterranean cruise, Scotland -- like William's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana? Or will they retreat to Balmoral like Prince Charles and his second bride, Camilla? Only time will tell. In the meantime, here are the places other rich and famous couples have honeymooned, just in case the royal twosome is open to suggestions:

Lake Camo, Italy

Lake Como, Italy
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie ¦ Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner
Brangelina (aka Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) toasted their relationship (the couple has been together since 2005 and has six children) at George Clooney's Lake Como home, just around the corner from the famed Villa d'Este. Fifties crooner Frank Sinatra and beauty Ava Gardner also favored this Renaissance villa, and the two slipped away from the Hollywood limelight for several romantic getaways here. And according to the Daily Mail, Pitt "was so taken with the Villa d'Este that he considered using it for his planned wedding to Angelina Jolie (despite much excited expectation, the Brangelina wedding is still in the planning stage)."

Mediterranean Cruise

Mediterranean Cruise
Prince Charles & Princess Diana ¦ Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and Princess Grace
The Telegraph reports that one of the most important aspects of a royal honeymoon is seclusion, especially from paparazzi, and that's why a "moving target" (i.e. a yacht) is so appealing. Prince Charles and Princess Diana floated on the Royal Yacht Britannia, now permanently anchored in Edinburgh, to a cache of Mediterranean destinations like Tunisia and Egypt -- in light of recent events, we’re guessing the royal couple will not be honeymooning in either of these places. Among other royal pairs, the Prince of Monaco and Princess Grace (formerly Grace Kelly) also sailed regally on their own personal yacht (a wedding gift) along this sea's blue waters.

Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara, California
Laurence Olivier & Vivien Leigh ¦ President John F. Kennedy & Jackie Bouvier ¦ Danny Moder & Julia Roberts ¦ Marc Anthony & Jennifer Lopez Vivien Leigh (think: Scarlett in Gone with the Wind) and Laurence Olivier (think: Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights) married in 1940 at the San Ysidro Ranch. Travel and Leisure just named this hotel the fourth best in the world, in part for its "500 bucolic acres and clapboard cottages for only 90 guests." Following in the Oliviers' very glamorous footsteps, President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Bouvier honeymooned here in 1953, as did Julia Roberts and Danny Moder in 2002, while Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez traded vows here in 2004. Although they didn't stay at this illustrious resort, President Obama and First Lady Michelle honeymooned along the nearby California coast.

The Maldives

The Maldives
Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes ¦ Josh Duhamel & Fergie
After a reportedly $3.5 million wedding in the Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano, Italy, TomKat (formerly known as Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) honeymooned in the Maldives, a sprinkling of islands in the Indian Ocean. According to People magazine, the family of three (seven-month-old Suri came along too) flew to the Maldives by private jet. From there, they island-hopped the Maldives via private yacht. In 2009, Black-Eyed Peas' singer Fergie and her beau Josh Duhamel also flew to the Maldives for Part I of their honeymoon at the Reethi Rah One & Only Hotel, which according to TripAdvisor, costs anywhere from $1,077 to $2,241.

Turks & Caicos

Turks & Caicos
Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner ¦ Tony Parker & Eva Longoria
In 2005, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck married at Parrot Bay in Turks & Caicos, and according to About.com, they spent their wedding night in Bruce Willis' personal home on this same cay. Actress Eva Longoria and basketball star Tony Parker followed suit, honeymooning in Turks & Caicos in 2007; sadly, People magazine reports that this couple is on the outs -- Longoria filed for divorce in November 2010.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman ¦ Mike Fisher & Carrie Underwood
Actress Nicole Kidman and singer Keith Urban -- both of whom hail from Down Under -- married in 2006, then honeymooned at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort's Royal Estate. According to Hollywood.com, the then-new villa reportedly cost about $15,000 a night and included 24-hour butler service and a private pool. Last summer, country singer Carrie Underwood and hockey star Mike Fisher married in Georgia and flew to Bora Bora for their own honeymoon.

St. James, Barbados

St. James, Barbados
Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren
In happier times, golf legend Tiger Woods and Swedish beauty Elin Nordegren said "I do" at the Sandy Lane resort. This resort has also ensnared other celebrities with its charms: The Beckhams, Sting, Mick Jagger and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (and his wife, Cherie) have all vacationed in this Caribbean sunny spot. But according to NBC Sports, Tiger -- until recently, a very private man -- whisked his new wife off to a private yacht for a secluded Caribbean honeymoon.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Chris Martin & Gwyneth Paltrow
Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin and actress Gwyneth Paltrow celebrated their nuptials at the Esperanza resort in Cabo San Lucas, along beachy Baja in Mexico. After their intimate wedding and the news of their pregnancy (welcome, Apple), the pair enjoyed relaxing in their thatched-roof villa on the Sea of Cortez. But their honeymoon was not without a few hitches -- Martin reportedly required three stitches after a surfing

Turtle Island, Fiji

Turtle Island, Fiji
Nick Lachey & Jessica Simpson ¦ Kevin Federline & Britney Spears ¦ Ryan Sutter & Trista Rehn
Several failed marriages have enjoyed paradisical honeymoons here. Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey honeymooned on Turtle Island in 2002, as did Britney Spears and K-Fed in 2004. On a lighter note the first Bachelorette, Trista Rehn and her husband Ryan Sutter, honeymooned here too -- and they're still together. According to TripAdvisor, this resort's rates start at about $1,450 a night and don't include extras like horseback riding on the beach, sailing on the lagoon or Lomi-Lomi massages. But according to Turtle Island's website, "the options, just like your new life, are wide open."

Paradise Valley, Arizona

Paradise Valley, Arizona
Jay-Z & Beyoncé
After a secretive wedding in New York City, singer-songwriters Jay-Z and Beyoncé headed to the Arizona desert for some laid-back spa, pool and couple time. They stayed at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona, and yeah, it's no European yacht-hop, but the Insider reports that a two-night stay runs as high as $8,000.
Read More: Yahoo

World's Greatest Castles and Palaces

The Potala Palace

The Potala Palace (Potala Palace)
Situated on a hillside Marpa Rea (Marpo Ri) at an altitude of 130 meters happy valley of Lhasa (Lhasa), the Potala Palace rises to 170 meters and is the highest and the large artificial formation in Tibet. In 637, Emperor Songtsen Gampo (Songtsen Gampo) decided to build this palace on the hill where the palace stood until the 17 th century, when it was built on, becoming even more monumental building. Construction of the present palace began in 1645 during the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama, and three years later was built part of a complex called the White Palace (Potrang Karpo). Between 1690 and 1694 year was built, another part - the Red Palace (Potrang Marpo). Participated in the construction of more than 7000 workers and 1500 artists. In 1959 the complex was slightly damaged during the invasion of the Chinese army. Unlike many other Tibetan areas of interest, Potala Palace has suffered at the hands of Red Guards in red-60-ies of the 20 century, so the interior is still preserved in almost original form.

America's Most Romantic Restaurants

Sunset views, saucy cuisine, seductive wine lists: let the sparks fly at America’s most romantic restaurants.

River's End Sonoma County CA

You know the clichés: long-stemmed roses, soft lighting, strolling violinists.
Well, forget all that. Real romantic restaurants have cut the fluff. Instead, they’ve focused on what’s really important: great food and wine, excellent service, and an authentic ambience.
We think it’s pretty simple: a great romantic restaurant should make you feel the way a great romantic partner does—appreciated, special, and like you’re the only person in the room. From cozy mountaintop huts to candlelit seaside enclaves, here’s where to find America’s most romantic restaurants. For that great partner, though, you’re on your own.
River’s End 
Sonoma County, CA 
Sure, ocean sunsets are a romantic cliché, but that doesn’t make them any less dramatic. And sunset views from every table out over the Pacific Ocean and Russian River bathe the River’s End in romance. The wine (heavy on area vintages, of course) and food only add to the experience. Share the succulent Dungeness crab—fresh off the Sonoma Coast fishing boats—and don’t miss the made-for-two crème brûlée with bourbon-soaked vanilla beans and chocolate ganache.

10 Best Beach Destinations for 2011

When the temperatures drop and the hassles of everyday life start to overwhelm, it's comforting to know we can escape to the warm sun and surf of a beach. Luckily, there are great beach destinations located in all corners of the globe, and you're bound to find one that's a perfect fit for you. With that in mind, we asked our readers and scoured the world for 10 places that embody the perfect beach getaway for 2011.

Anse Lazio

Seychelles

With Emirates Airlines increasing its daily flights to Seychelles, it's easier than ever to visit the archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Our readers recommend Anse Lazio on Praslin, Seychelles' second largest island, for an ideal beach getaway. Nestled in Chevalier Bay, Anze Lazio feels like a hidden oasis, thanks to the giant granite boulders that shelter its white sandy beach and bright turquoise sea. The shoreline remains largely untouched by buildings, aside from a few beach bars and restaurants located back amongst the palm trees, and a coral reef that keeps the waters calm also makes for an ideal snorkeling and swimming spot.