Travel

You're a hands-on investor -- good for you! You like to research companies before investing your hard-earned money in them. You pore over their financial reports, and you scan the media for news about them. You crunch numbers to determine where you're most likely to get the biggest bang for your bucks. That all makes sense.

Tokyo -- Japan is set to have its first-ever cartoon goodwill tourism ambassador, as Hello Kitty has been chosen to take the job in China, officials said.

New York -- Prisoners at New York's Riker's Island still find time for a bit of romance, with 180 weddings taking place at joint last year alone, a minister said.

New York -- New York's Kennedy Airport announced at least 500 International Terminal employees are receiving training on how to be nice to travelers.

Agrigento, Italy -- Some residents of the Agrigento area on the Italian island of Sicily have objected to an upcoming naturist festival at Capo Bianco beach.

Paradise Valley, Ariz. -- Canadian Stephanie Zekelman says she's surprised the $14 million she has agreed to pay for a mansion in Paradise Valley, Ariz., reportedly is a state record.

The US Transportation and Security Administration has issued new rules on December 28 that restricts air travelers to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage. The new rules that take effect on January 1 are issued to prevent unintentional short-circuiting and help reduce the risk of fires, the Transportation Department said Friday.

New York -- Hawkers in tattered Tigger and Pooh costumes are roaming midtown Manhattan looking for tourist photo ops and tips -- a West Coast trend that's headed east.

It's hard to beat a trip to Europe. You get scenery, history, different cuisines, museums, shopping, new friends to make, and more. Your trip can quickly become a bummer, though, if the credit card you brought with you keeps getting rejected.

While passing through an airport, have you ever spied a door labeled "VIP Lounge"? Most major airports have such lounges, each usually tied to a particular airline. And behind their mysterious doors, you'll find perks such as comfy chairs, television, an open bar, a more upscale atmosphere, and more peace and quiet than the rest of the airport.

The horrors of airplane travel have gotten a lot of time in the limelight this year. But with a mix of common sense and assertive behavior, you may be able to turn many bad situations into opportunities for a better travel experience.

London -- British vacationers looking for bargains this summer should consider the United States, The (London) Telegraph reported.

That Holiday Inn down the street from your office might have been around for 30 years, but don't assume the entire hotel industry is equally sleepy. Investors and guests alike might be intrigued by these recent developments.

You've probably heard about the embarrassing backlog of 3 million U.S. passport applications. I was there, my friend. See, I sent in my renewal application back in March. My travel plans didn't have me leaving the country until the end of June, so I didn't bother to pay extra for the expedited service.