Tokyo guide

The paragon of French gastronomy guides has announced for the first time it is planning on rating Tokyo eateries.

The Michelin Guides are known for their sought-after-stars which many French, British and American chefs spend their whole careers trying to achieve.

The Tokyo guide is slated for launch this November and already there's controversy. Some are worried that the Michelin judges will impose French tastes on ancient Japanese cuisine.

In an attempt to quell their fears a spokesperson said that both Japanese and French judges were deployed.

My Pod

I love New York. An original thought, I know...but I really do love the Big Apple. (Just FULL of clichés today, I am)

So imagine how thrilled I was when I read in the Washington Post that there's a new Pod Hotel where you can get comfortable, high-tech accommodations starting at less than $110 a night. (Note: A quick search for one of the queen-sized rooms in October resulted in a rate of about $250)

The 347 rooms at the Pod Hotel (51st St. between Second and Third avenues) are about 100 square feet each but they come with an iPod dock, LCD televisions and free WiFi.

A quick browse through the swish web site uncovers trendy, albeit Spartan, decoration and a general sense of cleanliness. A definite plus.

I think I'd visit more often if I wasn't pressured into shelling out about $250 a night.

Budget Dubai

OK - It's kinda hard to imagine the words 'budget' and 'Dubai' in the same sentence but according to this New York Times article a number of low-cost hotels are moving into the playground of the rich and famous.

Dubai is known for its excesses -- take for example the $2,000-a-night-seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel (pictured right).

Or - the indoor Ski Dubai complex built at the Mall of the Emirates.

But apparently as prices have been heading skyward so has the collective moan from business people who have to travel there.

If you're planning on a trip to 'Do Buy' then peruse this great article for money saving tips and links.

Castle for sale

Got a spare $100 million and a yearning to set up house in Transylvania?

Then Castle Bran (a.k.a. Castle Dracula) maybe just the pad for you.

"According to local legend, Count Vlad Tepes, also known as "Vlad the Impaler," was once imprisoned in the 13th century castle for two weeks," says this ABC News story.

The castle has 57 rooms and a secret passageway leading up to the watch towers. No word on how many bathrooms and whether there are granite countertops in the kitchen.

Polar fleece

The Economist Group has released its top ten list of the most expensive cities in the world. Four of the top ten are in Scandinavia.

Leading the pack is Oslo followed by Paris, Copenhagen, Denmark and London, Reykjavik, Zurich, Frankfurt and Helsinki. Two Japanese cities -- Tokyo and Osaka Kobe -- also made the list, according to USA Today.

What's the cheapest city, you ask? Tehran, Iran comes in at 132.