British Airways has launched a new carbon offset scheme that finances clean energy projects in developing countries. Customers offsetting flight emissions will support a wind farm in one of the poorest regions of China and run-of-the-river hydro-electric plants in China and Brazil.

Travellers can pay for the offset when they buy flights. British Airways will also back work led by Cambridge University into the non-CO2 effects of aviation.

See http://www.ba.com.

The winners of the 2007 Responsible Travel Awards have been announced.

The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards are the largest of their kind in the world and are a collaboration between on-line travel agent responsibletravel.com who founded and organise the Awards; UK media partners The Times and Geographical Magazine; and World Travel Market who host the Awards ceremony. The central tenet of the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.

The New York Times is running a piece on soaring in the Hudson Valley. The article, included in the Travel section, covers the experience of a first-time flyer and his observations as a rather willing passenger. Not only is it a good read, but it also includes information on a low cost soaring club in New York State that might be worth a visit if you are from (or in) the area.

>>read the original article on NY Times.com

Two of the six adventurers feared lost in the Xinchiang region have been found alive after spending more than 20 days in a cave. According to the BBC, the survivors report being thrown from their canoes on the upper reaches of the turbulent Yurungkax River in Xinjiang region of western China.

The group set out on their trip down the river on 15 August. The search was initiated after the group missed a rendezvous on 2 September.

The New York Times Sunday Magazine is running a great piece on lodges and spa accommodations in the Amazon Basin. The article includes addition destination information and is a useful reference for any of you looking to head out into the region. Adventure is nice, but a comfy place to sleep is pretty good, too...

>> read the article on the New York Times website

The New York Times travel section is running one of those articles for which the paper is rightfully famous. In a reflective piece, the author discusses the impact on him of hiking in the Adirondacks. It's a well-written piece and enjoyable as the author weaves his reflections with the impact of the landscape on fellow historical traveler William James. The piece also contains some basic Adirondacks travel info and some accommodations advice.
read original article...