Caught on video: provoked bison injures tourists

CNN via National Parks Traveler reports on the Yellowstone bison who charged at two tourists that got too close while taking video.

The video also shows someone off camera throwing a stick at the animal which has many speculating that this could have provoked the bison to charge.

Watch the video below:



See the full story: Bison that charged Yellowstone NP visitors was provoked

Oil turns FL beaches black

CNN reports on the miles of oil from the BP Gulf Coast oil spill now coating the beaches of Florida's panhandle.

The famous white sand beaches around Pensacola are now black with oil and the water is unsafe to swim in.

More than two months after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Pensacola awoke Wednesday to the largest onslaught of black crude on Florida's coast, as more than nine miles of white shoreline and beaches were soaked with syrupy oil.

A health advisory has been issued by Escambia County for parts of Pensacola Beach and Fort Pickens.

"It's pretty ugly. There's no question about it," Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said. "It does break your heart."

Tourists are canceling their reservations to the normally bustling summer tourist area.

Read the full story: Oil soaks miles of Pensacola Beach

Photo from James Amerson / CNN iReport

Endangered coastal spots to see

Coastal Living via CNN reports on nine environmentally-sensitive coastal tourist spots that could disappear in the near future. Among the sites are:

INSIDE PASSAGE, British Columbia: Much of the storied Inside Passage route between Washington and Alaska looks as it has for centuries. Unfortunately, visiting cruise ships trail a hazardous mess in their wake. On a typical week long journey, passengers produce sewage, gray water, and many tons of trash.

EVERGLADES, Florida (picture above): The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, with 1.5 million acres of marshes, estuaries, and prairies, and shady stretches of pine, cypress, and mahogany. Decades ago, the Everglades' freshwater flow was altered to accommodate agriculture, growing cities, and safety concerns. The dams and diversions starved and polluted the delicate ecosystems and the species that relied on them.

ROATAN, Honduras: Divers and snorkelers rave about the majesty of Roatán's biodiverse waters and coral reef system. [Warming oceans], Coastal development, illegal fishing, and reckless divers have taken a toll [on the delicate reefs].

Read the full story: 9 coastal wonders to see now

Photo from National Parks Service

Iceland volcano eruption brings tourists

CNN reports on Iceland's newest tourist attraction - an erupting volcano.

Last active in 1821, the Eyjafjallajokull volcano came out of dormancy in late-March and tourists have been paying high prices to see the sight.

For less than $400 a person, tours depart from the capital, Reykjavik, toward the southern part of Iceland. Part of the roughly 100-mile trip includes a drive on the Myrdalsjokull glacier. Finally, at nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) above sea level, the fire from the volcano comes into view.

"It's amazing to see the volcano because of the season," says Vidir Reynisson, Iceland's Civil Protection Services Department Manager. "There's a lot of snow, and it's quite spectacular to see the contrast" with the burning lava.

Reynisson says there's no immediate threat to onlookers, and nearby residents who were evacuated last month because of flooding concerns have returned to their homes.

Read the full story: Erupting volcano boosts tourism in Iceland

Photo from AFP / Getty Images

Discover undiscovered Chilean Patagonia

CNN reports on the natural beauty and relatively untouristed area of Chilean Patagonia.

Many say Torres del Paine National Park is the most beautiful in South America and it is heart-stoppingly gorgeous -- turquoise-blue lakes, soaring snow-covered peaks, glaciers, fields dotted with red grasses and green-and-yellow shrubs called "mother-in-law's chair," because of their thorns.

Read the full story: Wilds of Patagonia a pristine retreat

Photo from Hotel Remota

Nature and budget conscious fall travel

Travel + Leisure magazine via CNN reports on nature-loving fall travel on a budget.

Trips include kayaking among whales in the Pacific Northwest (picture left), biking through the Northeast autumn colors, and hiking amongst the natural scenery of Utah.

Read the full story: Best affordable fall adventures

Picture from Pacific Northwest Adventures.

Waterfall snaps

CNN's iReport's latest travel picture submissions were of some spectacular waterfalls.

Inspired by this we at Ecotravel News found the artist Olafur Eliasson's waterfall installation under New York's Brooklyn Bridge.

Click here for all the CNN waterfall pictures

Photo is Artist rendering: Olafur Eliasson - Courtesy Public Art Fund/Handout/Reuters

Reviving tourism in Afghanistan

CNN reports on the difficult development of tourism in Afghanistan. Ecotravel News has previously reported on eco-tourism development in the country in July 2008.

One of the safest provinces in this war-torn country is Bamiyan; infamous for giant Buddha statues that were blown up by the Taliban in 2001.

"The natural resources and cultural resources here are probably the single best place for economic development to happen, around revitalizing the tourism industry here," says Bob Thelen, the representative for the Aga Khan Development Network in Bamiyan. The nonprofit organization has been working with the government of New Zealand to distribute $1.2 million over a three-year period to develop eco-tourism as an industry in Bamiyan.

Read the full story: Afghanistan's Bamiyan province struggles to build tourism

Photo by B. Praxenthaler / ICOMOS Germany

American hotel chains jumping on green bandwagon

Budget Travel via CNN reports on some American hotel chains that have incorporated more eco-friendly practices in their business plans.

Big chains such as Motel 6, Hyatt, and Marriott are conserving energy, water, and recycling.

Read the full story: Have a green stay

Hidden Panama: nature paradise

CNN reports on the little-known natural paradise of Panama.

"[Along] the Pacific coast region of Los Santos, [west of Panama city], are rolling farmlands and stands of mahogany and cocobolo trees hug an azure coastline, luring surfers, nature buffs, and, increasingly, travelers and second-home owners from all over."

Read the full story: The secret side of Panama

Camping = recession travel

CNN reports that camping is now fashionable as a recession-travel alternative.

"Outdoor camping's popularity jumped 7.4 percent between 2007 and 2008, according to a report from the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. Overnight backpacking is up 18.5 percent, the report said."

Read the full story: In a slump, camping comes into vogue

Continental latest airline to test biofuel

CNN reports on Continental Airlines foray into the biofuel testing arena.

Continental is the first national airline to test a mix of algae and jatropha oils in a 50-50 mix with traditional jet fuel.

The test, performed yesterday out of Houston, compared a biofuel plane with one running on all jet fuel.

The Boeing 737 burned less fuel in the biofuel-powered engine than a conventionally powered engine, and the two performed identically during the one-hour, 40-minute flight, Boeing spokesman Terrance Scott said.

We reported last September on Boeing, Virgin, and eight other airlines' commitment to working on biofuel development in the commercial airline industry.

International carriers Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand tested their own biofuel mixes last year.

Read the full story: Biofuels take to the skies in airline tests

Hiking Oregon

CNN.com reports on five hiking trails in Oregon.

At Ecola State Park, hikers can walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark on the historical Clatsop Loop.

At Devil's Punch Bowl, near Depoe Bay, visitors can enjoy the coastal sites of cliffs and tide pools.

"Wind-sculpted dunes, a sparkling blue freshwater lake, and a historic lighthouse all await visitors" at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Read the full story: Five stunning Oregon hiking spots

CNN.com's biofuel road trip

Two fellows from CNN.com did an experimental road trip this summer in a truck outfitted for biodiesel consumption.

Cody McCloy and Brian Hardy drove from San Francisco to Atlanta in their newly purchased - yet old school - biodiesel vehicle (pictured right).

They mapped out biodiesel refilling stations ahead of time, but sometimes these stations wouldn't be open, so sometimes they needed to use regular diesel.

All in all they drove 4,189 miles, used 81.39 gallons of biodiesel, and 74.67 gallons of regular diesel.

Read the full story: My biofuel road trip: Hot as hell, eco-friendly

Car to run on air, experts critical

CNN reports on a new eco-car that will use air to get around.

Zero Pollution Motors (ZPM) will manufacture the so-called air cars with an estimated release date of 2010. ZPM obtained the license to produce these vehicles from MDI, the European developers of the air car technology.

The car will use compressed air to power the engine, said the company, which is similar to train steam-engine technology. But the engine will be a dual energy type so it will also run using fuel:

"'Above 35 mph, there is an external combustion system which is basically a heater that uses a little bit of gasoline or biofuel or ethanol or vegetable oil that will heat the air,' said Shiva Vencat, vice president of MDI and CEO of Zero Pollution Motors."

Some experts claim the energy used to compress the air would make the car about as efficient as an electric vehicle.

Read the full story: 106 mpg 'air car' creates buzz, questions