One of the latest U.S. cities to race ahead with green lodging initiatives? Baltimore, MD. More than one new hotel in the city has added impressive eco-friendly features in hopes of snagging coveted LEED certification or other distinctions such as the Green Seal, the Baltimore Sun reports in a recent story.

While some travelers head to the beach, just as many are opting for active vacations this summer - and not just to burn calories. Hiking and biking trips are all the more popular this year among travelers looking to save on car rental and gas costs, yet still explore a new destination. Not surprisingly, hotel packages catering to cyclists are popping up at hotels across the country. Here are three:

At 8:30 p.m. this Saturday night, March 28, some 1 billion people around the globe are expected to experience Earth Hour 2009, an initiative that seeks to raise awareness about climate change by encouraging individuals and businesses to flip off the switches for sixty minutes. So which hotels and landmarks around the world are participating in the event?