(Courtesy Rold/myBudgetTravel)

It may be that—other than wanting six-weeks of vacation a year and aspiring to speak more than one language—there's no clearer sign of an un-American sissy than someone who's thrilled by high-speed trains. And if you're as big of a fan of trains as I am, the latest plans for high-speed trains probably make you drool.

London to Madrid in 8 hours? Beginning in 2012, the two cities should be linked by high-speed rail. You can already speed between London and Paris in a little more than two hours. This route will be connected to a new high-speed train to Madrid, which will be reachable within five-and-a-half hours.

But even more surprising was the news this week that China is in negotiations with 17 countries to build a high-speed rail network to Europe.

From London, you could visit Beijing in about two days' time, according to Daily Telegraph.

From Beijing, you could connect Singapore or Vietnam via planned high-speed railways.

Of course, all that is more than a decade away. But what's pretty astonishing is that the plan seems serious. China sees the rail link as a "New Silk Road," reports China's official news agency. Cargo along with passengers would be carried. But the trains in and of themselves would help China re-brand itself on the world stage as a cutting-edge technological power.

Think China isn't up to the technological challenge? Think again. In January, the country opened the world's fastest high-speed rail line between the cities of Wuhan and Guangzhou. The train travels at an average speed of 217 m.p.h. In its first months of service, the cars have been 98 percent full, suggesting that ticket prices may eventually cover the costs of operations. (See a video, here.) Another high-speed link, between Zhengzhou and Xian, home of the Terracotta Warriors, opened in February.

So what do you think? Traveling two days between London and Beijing would still be much longer than the current 11 hours of flying time between the two capitals. If it was built by 2025, would you take The Trans-Eurasian Railroad? Or would you prefer to fly?

With oversize sea-view bathtubs in the room, candlelit dining, and gorgeous sunsets from the panoramic roof terrace, the Villa Marina Hotel and Spa is the perfect choice for your next vacation.

Planning a Vegas weekend getaway? Take a look at our editors' picks for the best nightlife destinations on and off the Strip.

Is it your first time visiting the City of Light? From tourist traps to fashion don'ts, follow our "what not to do" guide to avoid the top 10 mistakes that first-timers always make.

Indulging in street food can be a highlight of your travel experience. From banh mi in Vietnam to frites in Belgium, don't be afraid to try it all!

Not dressing like a tourist when on vacation is a lot harder than you think. Trade in your jeans and fanny packs for more culturally appropriate looks.

Although just steps away from great shopping and the Mekong River, you may never want to leave the hotel. See why La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang, Laos, made our 2010 Gold List.

Take a look at what the Riviera Maya has to offer with its white sand beaches, bright coral, and incredible shipwrecks dating back to the 18th century.

Experience an eco-luxury vacation. Spend the day hiking in the rain forest, then return to your seaside villa for a dip in your private pool.

Early spring is the season to shop the souks. Find everything you need, from authentic clothing to fresh spices to intricate ironwork. Plus, get tips from our editors on how to bargain!

Use our quick and easy currency converter to figure out your financial needs for your next trip.

• Map? Check. Binoculars? Check. Gun? Check. Just recently, Congress passed a bill allowing visitors to bring guns into National Parks. Though proper permits must be filed and the law still only applies to people who already legally own a gun, this is the first time in 95 years that visitors have been able to enter a national park with a firearm (as Gadling points out, even Teddy Roosevelt was denied admission to Yellowstone when he insisted on carrying his shotgun into the park). [Gadling]
  
  
• A new search tool on Expedia allows disabled travelers to search for hotels with "accessibility equipment for the deaf, handicap-accessible bathrooms, Braille or raised signage, a roll-in shower," and more, according to Gadling. There are more than 15,000 hotels with handicap-accessible features listed on the site. [Gadling]

Alison Brick reports on an uptick in museum visits in the U.S.

• Now that the Olympics are over, Canadians must decide (among other very important things) what to do with the giant inflatable beaver that made an appearance at the closing ceremonies. Well, if you're thinking, "Man, my lawn gnomes could use some company," you're in luck. The beaver is selling for $5,000. To learn more about how to buy the beaver, click here, and if you can't afford a beaver of your own, you can still become a fan on Facebook. I just wonder what giant inflatable creatures the next Olympics will bring us. [ESPN]
  
  
• Carpuccino, anyone? A 1988 VW Scirocco--dubbed the Carpuccino--runs completely on coffee grinds. The car was designed by a team at BBC science show "Bang Goes the Theory," and gets 56 espressos per mile. It seems cars can run on anything these days, so this news begs the question: Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? Says the show's producer: "Coffee, like wood or coal, has some carbon content so you can use it as a fuel. The coffee needs to be very dry and in pellets to allow the air to move through the pile of coffee as it burns. The brand doesn't matter." [Inhabitat]