Are you an adventure traveler? I saw a piece of news on the TV about a new adventure idea called skyaking. It’s jumping out of a plane in a kayak. While the visuals looked awesome on TV, I am not jumping out of my desk chair to try this one. So perhaps I am not an adventure traveler.

However, I believe adventure travel can be defined in many ways. Each month GT features an “Adventure Add-on” destination article, ranging from eco-tours to trekking the mountain peaks of the Andes. Personally, I think the pictures accompanying the article are stunning. But I’m quite happy reading about and looking at them from the pages of GT.

On the other hand, I am one to get on a plane and go anywhere off the beaten path. I believe it’s just as adventurous to go to a politically unstable environment as it is to jump out of a plane. One opportunity involving sport and travel that I would take advantage of, if it came my way, is heliskiing. Jumping out of a helicopter is a little more manageable for me than an airplane, especially since there are fresh tracks to be skied that have yet to be touched by another person.

What’s your idea of adventure travel? Don’t forget to take a look at GT’s auction to see what prize suits your adventure needs!

– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

As Kim mentioned in her blog last week, GT’s auction is in full swing. It’s time to take advantage of the best travel prizes the world has to offer. Not only will you be getting the great packages at exceptional values, but you will also be helping children through the Mentor Foundation — a definite win-win situation.

I currently find myself in southeast Asia, where many of our great auction items could  take you also. I flew through Incheon International Airport and saw many of the recent airport renovations — making an already superb transit hub even better. By adding updated shopping outlets, Korean culture workshops, stores and museums, the airport has turned into a great destination to visit while in transit.

I also transited in the new Asiana first- and business-class lounge, which offers Asiana and Star Alliance passengers a phenomenal space to rest and relax. Before heading south, I spent a few days in Seoul at the Ritz Carlton. The hotel was celebrating its 15th anniversary with a cocktail reception sponsored by Remy Martin. There was a featured cask on display that was valued at more than $20,000 per bottle. It was handled with white-glove service, and they raffled off a taste to a few lucky guests. I happened to be one of the lucky winners! I am not a cognac connoisseur, but I knew I was tasting something special. I also knew to savor it since I would have to pay $800 a glass if I ordered it at the bar. It was smooth going down. Something tells me it will be a long time before I am able to make a fair comparison with a such a rare bottle of Remy Martin.

Bottom line — take a look at the auction website, make a bid and see what global adventures await you!

– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

Before getting ready for a trip — business or pleasure — do you have a set checklist?

Before I depart for a trip, I go through the same mental checklist before walking out the door. I go through all my work materials, followed by a quick list of personal items. I make sure all my shoes in the suitcase have a matching mate; I double check that I have enough suits to get me through a trip full of business meetings.

Does having this checklist always prevent me from forgetting something? Usually not, but it still gives me peace of mind. The last item, but certainly not the least, is my passport, which I make a point to physically and mentally check. Yes, I admit I did leave my passport at home once. I was headed on an international business trip with a colleague, and years later they have yet to let me forget it.

After forgetting my passport, I was given many solutions on ways to ensure it never happened again. One tip I’ll leave you with, as I found it humorous and extremely useful. It came from a pilot who once left his passport behind in a hotel room. To make sure he would never make the same mistake again, he always put one of his shoes in the hotel safe with his passport. The next morning, he wouldn’t be able to leave without both his shoes, and he would always have his passport.

– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

I was recently asked if I have a favorite hotel in London. I’ve stayed at a number of luxury hotels in London over the years, but, on my recent visits, I have stayed with friends. My assessment of the best hotels in London may not be too accurate.However, I do know that one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in London is the Lanesborough. I recently found out the Lanesborough was originally St. George’s Hospital, opened in 1733. In 1991, it opened as a Rosewood Hotel & Resort and then, in 1993, it became a St. Regis.This knowledge reminded me of an Istanbul property. The Four Seasons Istanbul was originally the first jail house, built in 1918 during the Ottoman Empire. It was abandoned in 1969, later used by the military and then finally transformed into a world-class luxury hotel in 1996.While both of these properties were gutted and completely renovated, I can’t help but think about what happened in those halls when they were a hospital and prison, respectively. If I’m asking if you believe in ghosts, I also have to ask if you believe in mind over matter. While I have not stayed in either hotel, I do know both properties are known for superior service and luxury amenities. However, if I were to stay in either property now, knowing the history, I dare say I would be a little on edge, wondering if ghosts are really wandering the corridors!– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

When I’m on the road, I typically get my news from the local newspaper hanging on my hotel room doorknob in the morning. Whether it is USA Today, The South China Morning Post or The Gulf Times, I enjoy reading different points of view on the same stories from around the world. I also like to watch hotel cable, mostly because I don’t have cable at home, but also because it allows me to watch different news sources from around the world. I prefer CNN in Europe to the CNN that is broadcast in the U.S. I also enjoy the BBC and Al Jazeera International.

It seems that more and more people are getting their news from TV and the Internet, rather than from print sources. I still believe the newspaper is the best source for world news, followed by the Internet. The TV remains most popular, but, in my opinion, offers the least amount of meat when it comes to real issues. I have always been disappointed by the local news at home, but then again, I have always had more of an international curiosity so maybe my disappointment is natural.

On the road, do you find yourself more tuned into different news sources? Or do you ensure you get your local daily news source?

–  Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher