GLOBAL COCKTAILS

A massive replica of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa has gone on display in a shopping center in Wales.

Dozens of adults from community groups and kids from nearby schools colored 82 tiles to make the paint-by-numbers portrait. Visitors can walk across the 17.5m replica at the Eagles Meadow shopping mall. The project hopes to raise money for the children's hospice charity Hope House. [Leader]

Madame Tussauds New York and Las Vegas open their doors this weekend (Oct. 29-31) from 9 P.M. - 1:00 A.M. for a frightening experience. The late-night visit takes visitors on a journey through the dark museum. Follow your tour guide as he escorts you through the dungeons with only a single light. Be taken back in time through the 18th century when Tussaud began her craft of making death masks for famous victims. If the life-like wax figures don't creep you out, your guide will leave you at the entrance of 'Scream,' an exhibit where live actors and wax creatures await.

Only the Halloween stuff will be open to the public. So visitors that are hoping to cop-a-feel on wax Brad Pitt in the dark... you're out of luck.

Visit the official website for more details. Las Vegas

We've all be stuck on flights with a seatmate from hell. You know the person who just can't take the hint that you don't want to talk. I for one want to read, relax, and catch up on sleep, I don't need to hear intimate details about your life. According to the corporate travel management company Egencia, 24% of business travelers like talking to people on planes. So how do most people deal with a Chatty Cathy neighbor? Fifty percent said they start reading, 38% listen to music, and 15% pretend they are sleeping. Check out some more advice from an etiquette expert on CNN.

Singing protesters interrupted Republican Bill McInturff's presentation at the America's Health Insurance Plans State Issues Conference in Washington on Friday. Dressed in business suits the group, Billionaires for Wealthcare, infiltrated the meeting and sang about the public option to the tune of The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow from Annie. Although McInturff quipped that he thought the song sounded very good, others present at the meeting were not amused. The group was escorted out by security, but their video is widely circulating on the Internet. Maybe the LGBT community should use tactics like these to promote same-sex marriage.

With going green becoming increasingly important, more and more people are looking for bike rentals and places to ride. Luckily RentaBikeNow.com has teamed up with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization devoted to converting abandoned railroad tracks to bike paths. They also provide users with listings of rental shops where bikes can be reserved in advance online, as well as trail locators and interactive maps. Visitors to RentaBikeNow.com and Tails-to-Trails Conservancy's website, TrailLink.com, will receive cross-promotion discounts and incentives such as savings on bike rentals and access to hundreds of detailed trail maps.

-Nikki Dowling

While growing up, my family's preferred vacation accommodation that were bed and breakfasts. That was until we were scared senseless at a little B&B in Onancock, Virginia.

"BedandBreakfast.com's Annual 2009 Roundup of Spirited "Dead and Breakfasts."

In a recent BedandBreakfast.com survey, innkeepers revealed that nearly 20% (about 3600) inns in the U.S. are haunted. What better time to sleep with a ghost than Halloween? Here's their list.

Gate House Inn, Jackson, CA: A "Garden Ghost" appeared soon after overgrowth around the mansion was cleared away for new gardens. Although no paranormal activity has been reported inside, the surrounding land has a ghostly presence.

Kehoe House B&B, Savannah, GA: This B&B is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of

twin Kehoe children who may have died while playing in one of the house's fireplaces (now blocked up). Many sightings of the ghosts and the night-time sounds of children laughing and playing are detailed on the inn's website.

Old Bridge Inn, Jeffersonville, IN: Guests have seen floating objects, canes picked up and twirled around, tea cups floating across the room, and candles being raised up then down on their own. A small dog named Buttons has also been seen.

Deerfield Inn, Deerfield, MA: Flashing lights, knocks on doors when no one is there,

moving books, and tables moved into the middle of the room are regular occurrences, especially in rooms 48, 43, and 41. The ghost is believed to be the original owner of the house, Cora Carlisle, still hanging around as the inn celebrates 125 years of history.

More after the jump. Continue reading "Want to Stay in a "Dead and..." »

The UK's first LGBT tourism office opened in London's Soho on October 22. The center, aimed at providing tourists and locals alike with information about London, allows users to book tickets for events or make reservations at hotels and restaurants. Tourists can also find information about getting around, ax well as the insiders' scoop on the best places to go for nightlife. Residents can use the center to find out about local charities, youth groups, sports teams, healthcare, and more. The office is open Monday thru Saturday from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M.

To boost its tourism sector, which has been hurt by political unrest and a faltering economy, Nepal is holding a series of meetings and conferences to promote the country as an gay tourist destination. Homosexuality became legal in Nepal in 2007. In February, Nepal will play host to an international conference that will bring together tour operators, airlines, and agencies, all focused on getting gay travelers to visit. The country's tourism board is hoping to bring in one million tourists in 2011. [HindustanTimes]

-Nikki Dowling