London for $536 R/T, after taxes

Singapore native Chang Yang Fa, an engineering consultant, still has his first toy, a Matchbox 73 RAF refueling truck he bought when he was 6. This month, at age 57, Chang officially opens the Mint Museum of Toys to hold the 50,000 pieces he's acquired since then. He believes his five-story glass building is the first purpose-built toy museum ever. Among the rarest objects in the collection is a water pistol from the 1950s based on the English sci-fi comic book hero, Dan Dare ("It's the only one known to exist in the world," says Chang). The toys, many in their original packaging, are arranged by theme, rather than by country of origin. "Toys from Brazil and Japan are next to each other to provoke visitors to ask: Why are they so similar?" says Chang. "The world of toys is universal."

Check out our roundup of crazy festivals--plus a festival slide show. Feel free to post your story about the craziest festival you've attended?

Some people will dream up any excuse for a party. Case in point: the Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif, which crowns a Miss Gilroy Garlic every year. (Her friends just call her the Garlic Queen, we bet.) Here's a roundup of many upcoming wacky festivals, as reported by online editor Kate Appleton. In case you find our festival roundup hard to believe, we also whipped up a festival slide show. (Yes, Chandler, Ariz., really does have an Ostrich Festival!)

--The Feds are changing U.S. passport rules yet again. Later today, Homeland Security is expected to announce that U.S. citizens will only have to show a passport or a birth certificate to prove their citizenship at land and sea crossings beginning in January 2008. Eventually, however, the rules will be tightened so that only passports will be accepted by border officials. Homeland Security is responding to a crushing backlog of passport applications. A large majority of Americans do not have passports. [This AP story via CNN.com] --Sheraton and Westin hotels will ban artificial trans fats from the food they serve guests by year-end. The ban applies to restaurants, room service, and bars. Earlier: Radisson and Carlson ban trans fats. Other hotels, cruise ships, and theme parks are also banning trans fats. --RV Rally this weekend. The nation's largest RV Rally happens July 19 to 22 at Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. Events include a attempt to break the World Record for "Largest Whoopee Cushion Sit"--plus, a canine swim suit competition and dog/owner look-alike contest. A day ticket costs $10 for adults. Campsites start at $169 per couple. Related: Expert RV advice. --Fare sales to Ireland. Flights from the U.S. to Shannon are as low as $500 round-trip, including taxes. [via Airfarewatchdog.com] --Travelers are more likely to book a weekend getaway online than a long trip. Three night leisure trips are the most popular type of trips bought at online travel websites, according to a new report from PhoCusWright. [via this June 8 press release]