Latest news with #InternationalDarkSkyReserve
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Brecon Beacons: Top place to see the Perseid meteor shower
Stargazers could be in for an extraordinary cosmic display tonight (Tuesday) as the annual Perseid meteor shower is set to reach its peak over Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. The Mid Wales mountain range offers one of the best locations in the UK to see the dark sky event, which is reaching its peak this evening. A designated International Dark Sky Reserve, the park promises unobstructed views of the night sky, making it ideal for meteor watching. This year, the Perseid meteor shower, an annual highlight of many astronomers' calendars due to its high hourly rate and bright meteors, will be active until the August 24. Nick Busby, chairman of Usk and Abergavenny Astronomical Societies, said: 'Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is a great location for stargazing and observing the main celestial events in the night sky. 'August 12 is not only the peak of the Perseids meteor shower, but in the early hours of the morning, will also feature an appulse when Jupiter and Venus, two of the brightest objects in the sky, appear closest together.' The National Park Authority encourages visitors to dress warmly and allow their eyes to adjust to night mode by using a red light. Suggested viewing locations include Usk Reservoir, Hay Bluff and Llangorse Lake. Visitors are also reminded to respect the natural environment and residents, follow the countryside code, and check the weather forecast before heading out. For those looking to explore the wonders of Bannau Brycheiniog's International Dark Sky Reserve, the National Park will be hosting a Dark Sky Festival on Saturday, September 20. Held at the National Park Visitor Centre in Libanus, one of the top stargazing locations in the UK, the Dark Sky Festival brings together a programme of planetarium shows, walks, guided stargazing and workshops. Festival highlights include Nature by Night, a captivating series of activities where children aged 3–12 can discover the wonders of dark skies and fascinating nocturnal wildlife. Celebrated photographer Dafydd Wyn Morgan will be hosting a special Astrophotography session to capture the Milky Way and other celestial objects. The festival also features the Ultimate Stargazing Event, a three-part cosmic adventure that includes an immersive planetarium experience, talks from leading experts, and the chance to explore the night sky using powerful telescopes.
BBC News
26-03-2025
- BBC News
Could a star-bathing retreat help calm your frazzled mind?
From the Yorkshire Moors in England to the South African wilderness, star bathing is emerging as a transformative wellness trend – offering awe, calm and a cosmic reset. I lie in an empty Victorian bathtub on heather moorland in the Yorkshire Moors in England's north. Above me, more and more stars appear as the sky slowly darkens from blue to violet to navy. Beside me, in her own bathtub, my star-bathing guide Gemma leads a meditation. "Allow yourself to be awed by the incredible sky view that you're witnessing," she says softly. "Appreciate that we are here, right now, on this beautiful evening. Focus gently on the sky… and your breath. Just be." I feel cold and self-conscious. I am trying to suspend the part of me that is deeply sceptical because I desperately want an escape from the anxiety that has plagued the past three years of my life. A search for relief has led me to wild swimming, drumming, yoga and now to star-bathing – an emerging wellness practice that is being offered in hotels and retreats around the world. Star bathing is not about identifying constellations, it's about losing yourself in the night sky; and a growing body of research suggests that it can help calm the nervous system, increase happiness and foster a sense of perspective. So here I am, wrapped in blankets, on a weekend of stargazing run by Broughton Sanctuary, a 16th-Century historic house and collection of cottages located at the foothills of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a designated International Dark Sky Reserve. There is a strong focus on the healing power of nature here – the 3,000-acre grounds are home to one of the UK's largest rewilding projects – and star bathing is just one of many activities designed to bring guests closer to the natural world. The meditation ends and silence falls on the moors, broken by the distant hoot of an owl. I look up, trying not to think about the stressful week I've had. As the sky continues to darken, new stars appear as though by magic. My breathing slows. Suddenly I feel something shift. I realise that I am not just looking up at the universe, I am part of the universe. It is impossible not to feel awed by the vastness and beauty of the night sky above me. The psychological benefits of experiencing awe are well documented – it has been proven to lower heart rate, increase the presence of oxytocin and reduce inflammation – and it's one of the reasons that stargazing is so good for our mental health. "Experiencing awe regularly is deeply beneficial for our mental wellbeing because it helps us to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves," says Mark Westmoquette, an astrophysicist and yoga and meditation teacher who runs mindful stargazing retreats across the UK and Europe. "As we look up at the night sky and become aware of our place within it, that sense of wonder and awe can really shift our perspective around who and what we are." While the mental health benefits of being in nature are well documented, it's only recently that researchers have begun to study the effects of being in a nocturnal natural environment. In February 2024, a new Night Sky Connectedness Index was published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology. It showed that a greater connection to the night sky is positively related to a person's mental health and happiness. The Office of Astronomy for Development, a joint project of the International Astronomical Union and the South African National Research Foundation, is currently researching the potential of using astronomy as a tool to improve vulnerable people's mental wellbeing, with encouraging results. At the end of our star-bathing session, Gemma, me and the other two participants drink hot chocolate and then make our way down the hillside. We can't take our eyes off the sky, which becomes more and more dazzling the longer we look at it. The following night, after a day spent exploring the grounds, relaxing in the spa and wild swimming in a freezing cold former reservoir on the estate, I take part in a stargazing session that is part of the annual Dark Skies Festival. After eating a two-course vegetarian meal around a bonfire in the "fire temple" – a sheltered wooden structure set in pretty woodland – a group of about 20 of us walk to Broughton's kitchen garden where astronomer Chris Higgins is waiting with a powerful telescope. Higgins talks us through various constellations and planets, and we take it in turns to look at them through the telescope. I am awestruck by the sight of Venus, which appears like a crescent moon, as well Jupiter with its four moons and its light and dark bands. The group bonds quickly – our natural reserve seems to disappear as we ooh and aah at the cosmos. It's a freezing night, but no one wants to go inside. It feels like a gift – this clear, beautiful night – and we can't stop staring at the sky. After a while, I let go of trying to understand the science and just gaze up, letting the cool light of the stars calm me. I love the idea that while almost everything on our planet has changed since the beginning of humanity, the beauty of the night sky has remained the same. I am staring up at the same view my ancestors marvelled at, and there is something deeply grounding about that. I am hooked. When I return home, I start searching for star-bathing retreats. At the top of my wish-list is luxury off-grid retreat centre Bliss & Stars, located two hours from the nearest village in South Africa's Cederberg Wilderness Area. Launched in 2019 by Daria and Heine Rasmussen, it offers three-night star-bathing retreats, featuring guided stargazing sessions, nature immersion, mindfulness, breathwork under the stars and night hikes. Daria tells me that many visitors have profound experiences gazing at the night sky. "One guest, numbed by years of trauma, experienced a breakthrough while observing Saturn's rings, describing it as 'awe as exorcism' that rebooted his capacity for joy," she says. "Another guest, a grieving mother, found solace in our wilderness night ventures and naked-eye stargazing, saying: 'It felt like the universe was mourning with me.'" More like this:• The seven travel trends that will shape 2025• Five extraordinary night-time experiences around the world• Swede dreams: How Sweden is embracing its sleepy side Also high on my bucket list is Chile's Atacama Desert, which features the world's darkest, clearest skies. Elqui Domos Hotel has been designed specifically for appreciating these pristine night skies – it features geodesic rooms with retractable roofs to allow guests to look straight up from their bed. Hotel Ranga in Iceland, meanwhile, features a state-of-the-art observatory, and offers the chance to take part in mindful stargazing from outdoor hot tubs fed by geothermally heated water. In the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorm Excursions runs star-bathing parties, bringing people together for a night of stargazing far from any light pollution, with hot drinks, traditional stovies (a Scottish dish made from meat and potatoes), blankets and log seating. This being Scotland, the evenings also feature a gin, whisky and rum sampling experience put on by a local distillery. Aboriginal Australians are thought to be the world's first astronomers, and a growing number of experiences offer visitors a chance to learn about Indigenous astronomy. Aboriginal-owned Ngurrangga Tours offers an overnight trip in Western Australia's Millstream Chichester National Park with an evening of camping, exploring the wilderness and learning about Indigenous star stories. In Sydney, Fantasea Cruising offers an Aboriginal Sky Dreaming Cruise on the harbour, with an Aboriginal astronomer sharing stories of the Sun, Moon and stars that have been passed down by ancestors. For now, I go out into my Bristol garden on clear nights and lie down on a blanket. The sky is nowhere near as dark as it was in Yorkshire, and light pollution obscures many of the stars, but I find that I can still slip into that now familiar sense of peace. Perhaps it doesn't matter how many stars I can see. As Westmoquette says: "Even if you can only see one star – that light's been travelling across the universe for hundreds and hundreds of years to hit your eyeball at that precise moment. Against all the odds, you're seeing that ray of light. That means something." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
CNN
14-03-2025
- CNN
The world's greatest places of 2025, according to TIME
Grab your suitcase and your passport — TIME has just released its list of the world's 100 greatest places to visit in 2025. From El Salvador to Jaipur to Zimbabwe, the team of editors at the New York-based news magazine has selected remarkable destinations and thrilling new experiences travelers need to know about. Now in its seventh year, the list highlights everything from resorts to cruises to museums, restaurants and national parks. US destinations that made the cut include the newly refurbished Waldorf Astoria New York, which is set to reopen later this spring. The 94-year-old Manhattan institution will have 357 redesigned guest suites for travelers to enjoy. In Georgia, Macon's Ocmulgee Mounds is a prehistoric Native American site and has been a national historical park since 2019. Now it's gearing up to become the state's first national park — get there before the crowds do. In the Caribbean, the luxury brand Sandals opened its first resort in St Vincent and the Grenadines last March in Buccament, with a sea and mountain backdrop and a 300-foot pool as a centerpiece. In South America, Colombia's majestic Magdalena River, which runs for nearly 1,000 miles through the rest of the country, can soon be explored by river cruise, thanks to Ama Waterways. TIME highlights its upcoming seven-night itineraries between Cartagena and Barranquilla, now accepting reservations. 'Ghost' whisky distilleries have been resurrected in Scotland, most notably Port Ellen on the isle of Islay, which reopened last year after being closed for more than four decades. Now it offers a high-end visitor experience, where elegant teas are served alongside the expected drams of whisky. Over in Paris, the newly restored Notre Dame cathedral gets a shout out. Says TIME, 'When fire ravaged Notre Dame in 2019, proposals for rebuilding the 12th-century cathedral included a rooftop pool and a glass spire. But when it finally reopened at the twilight of 2024, it stood as a marvel of dutiful, worshipful authenticity.' Denmark is represented by the newly opened Tiny Seaside resorts of Loddenhøj and Skarrev in South Jutland. 'Its modernist houses are 226 square feet a piece but can each accommodate a family of four, and include private terraces and barbecues,' says TIME. Namibia's NamibRand Nature Reserve was named last year as Africa's first Wilderness Quiet Park. The vast 200,000-hectare desert expanse has been an International Dark Sky Reserve since 2012, so it's an incredible destination for escaping the noise and bustle of modern life. In Musanze, Rwanda, the Culinary Innovation Village by Meza Malonga offers a tour of the African continent through food. Congolese-born Dieuveil Malonga visited 48 countries to create his particular blend of Afro-fusion cuisine and he told CNN in 2023 that he hopes it can spark a culinary revolution in his home continent. Nintendo's first ever museum opened last October in the Japanese company's former factory complex in Uji, about an hour south of the city of Kyoto. Says TIME, 'You don't need to know a Shino from a Mario from a Zelda to appreciate the Nintendo Museum, but anyone who spent their childhood (…) glued to their Nintendo Switch or vintage Game Boy may find themselves transported.' Once a popular stop-off on the Hippie Trail of the 1960s and '70s, Pakistan is re-emerging as a hiking destination. Nangma Valley has been dubbed the country's answer to Yosemite, but without the crowds of visitors. There are several train journeys highlighted on TIME's list, but one of the most spectacular is the Ghan, a 75-hour luxury train ride through the Australian outback. The air-conditioned carriages are the ideal cheat for seeing this landscape where temperatures are extreme day and night. See the rest of the 2025 list on the TIME website. Like what you just read? Here is more of our recent travel news, from Pakistan's new airport with no planes or passengers, to the triangular aircraft that could transform the way we fly. Tired of flying in the same old pointy planes? Hold tight for the innovative 'blended wing' airplane from JetZero, a California company that has just announced a partnership with Delta Air Lines to help develop its demonstrator aircraft. The makers of the quirky nacho-shaped plane say it will be up to 50% more fuel-efficient than today's commercial aircraft and could carry more than 250 passengers — about the same as a modern widebody plane. The aircraft is suitable for both domestic and international flight routes and JetZero plans for it to be in commercial operation by 2030. JetZero's demonstrator aircraft is slated to take to the air by 2027, but while you're waiting, you can read more about this unusual style of airframe in our JetZero story from last year. In other aviation innovation news, Chaise Longue's controversial double-level airplane seat design has sparked furious debate whenever CNN Travel has covered it, but aerospace giant Airbus thinks there might be something in it. The two companies have partnered to explore 'some early-stage concepts.' And in feats of speed, the demonstrator aircraft for America's first civil supersonic jet broke the sound barrier for the first time earlier this year. Now an incredible photo from NASA, using specialized Schlieren imaging to show air flow, has captured the shock waves as Boom's XB-1 aircraft exceeded Mach 1, the speed of sound. Boom hopes to be flying passengers by 2029. For an airliner already in operation which is set to change the air map of the world, look no further than the Airbus A321XLR. The single-aisle, long-range plane with improved fuel efficiency could open a flood of new transatlantic flights. Pakistan's shiny new $240 million Balochistan airport has got everything an aviation hub needs — other than passengers or planes. The 400,000 passenger-capacity airport isn't a big need for Gwadar, a coastal city with a population of 90,000 that lacks clean water and isn't connected to the national grid. Here's how this situation came about. The Gwadar airport is financed by China and that's not the only big airport in which the Asian superpower is investing. It's building the world's largest artificial island airport off the country's northeastern coast. Here's what you need to know about Dalian Jinzhou Bay International. Finally, Europe's biggest airport is set to get even bigger, as the UK has green-lit the building of a third runway at London Heathrow, a beleaguered project that was first announced more than 20 years ago. After 19 years of service at Six Flags Adventure Park in New Jersey, Kingda Ka, once the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, went on its final kinetic adventure. The attraction was imploded in order to make space for new rides coming in 2026. What it's like to travel as a woman in Saudi Arabia. Obstacles to accessing the conservative country have eased over recent years. 'Australia's Bigfoot' watched over the small town of Kilcoy for decades. Then one day, it disappeared. She traveled to Italy to save her marriage. Here's how she ended up falling for her Italian tour guide.
CNN
13-03-2025
- CNN
The world's greatest places of 2025, according to TIME
Grab your suitcase and your passport — TIME has just released its list of the world's 100 greatest places to visit in 2025. From El Salvador to Jaipur to Zimbabwe, the team of editors at the New York-based news magazine has selected remarkable destinations and thrilling new experiences travelers need to know about. Now in its seventh year, the list highlights everything from resorts to cruises to museums, restaurants and national parks. US destinations that made the cut include the newly refurbished Waldorf Astoria New York, which is set to reopen later this spring. The 94-year-old Manhattan institution will have 357 redesigned guest suites for travelers to enjoy. In Georgia, Macon's Ocmulgee Mounds is a prehistoric Native American site and has been a national historical park since 2019. Now it's gearing up to become the state's first national park — get there before the crowds do. In the Caribbean, the luxury brand Sandals opened its first resort in St Vincent and the Grenadines last March in Buccament, with a sea and mountain backdrop and a 300-foot pool as a centerpiece. In South America, Colombia's majestic Magdalena River, which runs for nearly 1,000 miles through the rest of the country, can soon be explored by river cruise, thanks to Ama Waterways. TIME highlights its upcoming seven-night itineraries between Cartagena and Barranquilla, now accepting reservations. 'Ghost' whisky distilleries have been resurrected in Scotland, most notably Port Ellen on the isle of Islay, which reopened last year after being closed for more than four decades. Now it offers a high-end visitor experience, where elegant teas are served alongside the expected drams of whisky. Over in Paris, the newly restored Notre Dame cathedral gets a shout out. Says TIME, 'When fire ravaged Notre Dame in 2019, proposals for rebuilding the 12th-century cathedral included a rooftop pool and a glass spire. But when it finally reopened at the twilight of 2024, it stood as a marvel of dutiful, worshipful authenticity.' Denmark is represented by the newly opened Tiny Seaside resorts of Loddenhøj and Skarrev in South Jutland. 'Its modernist houses are 226 square feet a piece but can each accommodate a family of four, and include private terraces and barbecues,' says TIME. Namibia's NamibRand Nature Reserve was named last year as Africa's first Wilderness Quiet Park. The vast 200,000-hectare desert expanse has been an International Dark Sky Reserve since 2012, so it's an incredible destination for escaping the noise and bustle of modern life. In Musanze, Rwanda, the Culinary Innovation Village by Meza Malonga offers a tour of the African continent through food. Congolese-born Dieuveil Malonga visited 48 countries to create his particular blend of Afro-fusion cuisine and he told CNN in 2023 that he hopes it can spark a culinary revolution in his home continent. Nintendo's first ever museum opened last October in the Japanese company's former factory complex in Uji, about an hour south of the city of Kyoto. Says TIME, 'You don't need to know a Shino from a Mario from a Zelda to appreciate the Nintendo Museum, but anyone who spent their childhood (…) glued to their Nintendo Switch or vintage Game Boy may find themselves transported.' Once a popular stop-off on the Hippie Trail of the 1960s and '70s, Pakistan is re-emerging as a hiking destination. Nangma Valley has been dubbed the country's answer to Yosemite, but without the crowds of visitors. There are several train journeys highlighted on TIME's list, but one of the most spectacular is the Ghan, a 75-hour luxury train ride through the Australian outback. The air-conditioned carriages are the ideal cheat for seeing this landscape where temperatures are extreme day and night. See the rest of the 2025 list on the TIME website. Like what you just read? Here is more of our recent travel news, from Pakistan's new airport with no planes or passengers, to the triangular aircraft that could transform the way we fly. Tired of flying in the same old pointy planes? Hold tight for the innovative 'blended wing' airplane from JetZero, a California company that has just announced a partnership with Delta Air Lines to help develop its demonstrator aircraft. The makers of the quirky nacho-shaped plane say it will be up to 50% more fuel-efficient than today's commercial aircraft and could carry more than 250 passengers — about the same as a modern widebody plane. The aircraft is suitable for both domestic and international flight routes and JetZero plans for it to be in commercial operation by 2030. JetZero's demonstrator aircraft is slated to take to the air by 2027, but while you're waiting, you can read more about this unusual style of airframe in our JetZero story from last year. In other aviation innovation news, Chaise Longue's controversial double-level airplane seat design has sparked furious debate whenever CNN Travel has covered it, but aerospace giant Airbus thinks there might be something in it. The two companies have partnered to explore 'some early-stage concepts.' And in feats of speed, the demonstrator aircraft for America's first civil supersonic jet broke the sound barrier for the first time earlier this year. Now an incredible photo from NASA, using specialized Schlieren imaging to show air flow, has captured the shock waves as Boom's XB-1 aircraft exceeded Mach 1, the speed of sound. Boom hopes to be flying passengers by 2029. For an airliner already in operation which is set to change the air map of the world, look no further than the Airbus A321XLR. The single-aisle, long-range plane with improved fuel efficiency could open a flood of new transatlantic flights. Pakistan's shiny new $240 million Balochistan airport has got everything an aviation hub needs — other than passengers or planes. The 400,000 passenger-capacity airport isn't a big need for Gwadar, a coastal city with a population of 90,000 that lacks clean water and isn't connected to the national grid. Here's how this situation came about. The Gwadar airport is financed by China and that's not the only big airport in which the Asian superpower is investing. It's building the world's largest artificial island airport off the country's northeastern coast. Here's what you need to know about Dalian Jinzhou Bay International. Finally, Europe's biggest airport is set to get even bigger, as the UK has green-lit the building of a third runway at London Heathrow, a beleaguered project that was first announced more than 20 years ago. After 19 years of service at Six Flags Adventure Park in New Jersey, Kingda Ka, once the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, went on its final kinetic adventure. The attraction was imploded in order to make space for new rides coming in 2026. What it's like to travel as a woman in Saudi Arabia. Obstacles to accessing the conservative country have eased over recent years. 'Australia's Bigfoot' watched over the small town of Kilcoy for decades. Then one day, it disappeared. She traveled to Italy to save her marriage. Here's how she ended up falling for her Italian tour guide.
CNN
13-03-2025
- CNN
The world's greatest places of 2025, according to TIME
Grab your suitcase and your passport — TIME has just released its list of the world's 100 greatest places to visit in 2025. From El Salvador to Jaipur to Zimbabwe, the team of editors at the New York-based news magazine has selected remarkable destinations and thrilling new experiences travelers need to know about. Now in its seventh year, the list highlights everything from resorts to cruises to museums, restaurants and national parks. US destinations that made the cut include the newly refurbished Waldorf Astoria New York, which is set to reopen later this spring. The 94-year-old Manhattan institution will have 357 redesigned guest suites for travelers to enjoy. In Georgia, Macon's Ocmulgee Mounds is a prehistoric Native American site and has been a national historical park since 2019. Now it's gearing up to become the state's first national park — get there before the crowds do. In the Caribbean, the luxury brand Sandals opened its first resort in St Vincent and the Grenadines last March in Buccament, with a sea and mountain backdrop and a 300-foot pool as a centerpiece. In South America, Colombia's majestic Magdalena River, which runs for nearly 1,000 miles through the rest of the country, can soon be explored by river cruise, thanks to Ama Waterways. TIME highlights its upcoming seven-night itineraries between Cartagena and Barranquilla, now accepting reservations. 'Ghost' whisky distilleries have been resurrected in Scotland, most notably Port Ellen on the isle of Islay, which reopened last year after being closed for more than four decades. Now it offers a high-end visitor experience, where elegant teas are served alongside the expected drams of whisky. Over in Paris, the newly restored Notre Dame cathedral gets a shout out. Says TIME, 'When fire ravaged Notre Dame in 2019, proposals for rebuilding the 12th-century cathedral included a rooftop pool and a glass spire. But when it finally reopened at the twilight of 2024, it stood as a marvel of dutiful, worshipful authenticity.' Denmark is represented by the newly opened Tiny Seaside resorts of Loddenhøj and Skarrev in South Jutland. 'Its modernist houses are 226 square feet a piece but can each accommodate a family of four, and include private terraces and barbecues,' says TIME. Namibia's NamibRand Nature Reserve was named last year as Africa's first Wilderness Quiet Park. The vast 200,000-hectare desert expanse has been an International Dark Sky Reserve since 2012, so it's an incredible destination for escaping the noise and bustle of modern life. In Musanze, Rwanda, the Culinary Innovation Village by Meza Malonga offers a tour of the African continent through food. Congolese-born Dieuveil Malonga visited 48 countries to create his particular blend of Afro-fusion cuisine and he told CNN in 2023 that he hopes it can spark a culinary revolution in his home continent. Nintendo's first ever museum opened last October in the Japanese company's former factory complex in Uji, about an hour south of the city of Kyoto. Says TIME, 'You don't need to know a Shino from a Mario from a Zelda to appreciate the Nintendo Museum, but anyone who spent their childhood (…) glued to their Nintendo Switch or vintage Game Boy may find themselves transported.' Once a popular stop-off on the Hippie Trail of the 1960s and '70s, Pakistan is re-emerging as a hiking destination. Nangma Valley has been dubbed the country's answer to Yosemite, but without the crowds of visitors. There are several train journeys highlighted on TIME's list, but one of the most spectacular is the Ghan, a 75-hour luxury train ride through the Australian outback. The air-conditioned carriages are the ideal cheat for seeing this landscape where temperatures are extreme day and night. See the rest of the 2025 list on the TIME website. Like what you just read? Here is more of our recent travel news, from Pakistan's new airport with no planes or passengers, to the triangular aircraft that could transform the way we fly. Tired of flying in the same old pointy planes? Hold tight for the innovative 'blended wing' airplane from JetZero, a California company that has just announced a partnership with Delta Air Lines to help develop its demonstrator aircraft. The makers of the quirky nacho-shaped plane say it will be up to 50% more fuel-efficient than today's commercial aircraft and could carry more than 250 passengers — about the same as a modern widebody plane. The aircraft is suitable for both domestic and international flight routes and JetZero plans for it to be in commercial operation by 2030. JetZero's demonstrator aircraft is slated to take to the air by 2027, but while you're waiting, you can read more about this unusual style of airframe in our JetZero story from last year. In other aviation innovation news, Chaise Longue's controversial double-level airplane seat design has sparked furious debate whenever CNN Travel has covered it, but aerospace giant Airbus thinks there might be something in it. The two companies have partnered to explore 'some early-stage concepts.' And in feats of speed, the demonstrator aircraft for America's first civil supersonic jet broke the sound barrier for the first time earlier this year. Now an incredible photo from NASA, using specialized Schlieren imaging to show air flow, has captured the shock waves as Boom's XB-1 aircraft exceeded Mach 1, the speed of sound. Boom hopes to be flying passengers by 2029. For an airliner already in operation which is set to change the air map of the world, look no further than the Airbus A321XLR. The single-aisle, long-range plane with improved fuel efficiency could open a flood of new transatlantic flights. Pakistan's shiny new $240 million Balochistan airport has got everything an aviation hub needs — other than passengers or planes. The 400,000 passenger-capacity airport isn't a big need for Gwadar, a coastal city with a population of 90,000 that lacks clean water and isn't connected to the national grid. Here's how this situation came about. The Gwadar airport is financed by China and that's not the only big airport in which the Asian superpower is investing. It's building the world's largest artificial island airport off the country's northeastern coast. Here's what you need to know about Dalian Jinzhou Bay International. Finally, Europe's biggest airport is set to get even bigger, as the UK has green-lit the building of a third runway at London Heathrow, a beleaguered project that was first announced more than 20 years ago. After 19 years of service at Six Flags Adventure Park in New Jersey, Kingda Ka, once the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, went on its final kinetic adventure. The attraction was imploded in order to make space for new rides coming in 2026. What it's like to travel as a woman in Saudi Arabia. Obstacles to accessing the conservative country have eased over recent years. 'Australia's Bigfoot' watched over the small town of Kilcoy for decades. Then one day, it disappeared. She traveled to Italy to save her marriage. Here's how she ended up falling for her Italian tour guide.
