eco travel.

Rome is a city built upon ruins. It’s thousands of years old and it’s impossible to know exactly when the first stone was laid in the capital of what would be a kingdom, empire and eventually a republic. Rome’s antiquity is what makes it so famous today, almost everything you see, hear, smell and touch has a history. In a place like this, where it’s impossible to change things (mostly due to regulations for conserving heritage buildings) you have to really learn to move with the city, not against it.

That’s where eco-friendly tours of Rome come into play.

With tourism being at the heart of Rome’s economy, it’s essential that companies and tour guides take their city serious, doing everything they can to further preserve the city for the generations yet to come. If you didn’t think a tour could be eco-friendly, listen up! The whole city is strained by the sheer number (we’re talking millions) of tourists who visit Rome a year. They contribute to both the city’s pollution and waste. This isn’t to convince you not to book those flights to Rome you’ve been dying to book. Just remember, make your trip a green one!

What makes an eco-tour?

Small groups: Not only do participants get a more personal tour, but it helps to reduce over-crowding. Just because the Sistine Chapel has been around for hundreds of years already, doesn’t mean it can withstand millions of toursits a year. Small groups are key to reducing impact.

Walk or cycle: Bus tours are a no-no. Sorry if you planned on seeing Rome from the inside of an air conditioned coach. Walking and cycling are the most environmentally friendly ways to travel, especially in the city. In Rome, it’s often much easier to walk than cycle but we’re not totally ousting the option. Less buses mean less Co2 emissions. Less pollution means better air quality which in turns lessens the stress on the historic buildings.

Ditch the headsets: Are we the only ones that think it’s funny to see a crowd of 50 Japanese toursists walking around a city with headphones on, listening to some lady at the front tell pretty much useless facts that the group won’t remember?  If youApart from wanting to take away a personal experience from your tour, think about the environmental effects!

An average tour group has 20 people. Every head-set needs 2 AA batteries. That’s 40 in total per group. Plus 20 sets of headphones. It’s safe to say that the batteries will last 2, maybe 3 tours but the headphones are only used once which accounts for tonnes of unnecessary waste. Just imagine!

How do you green up your city tours? Share your best green travel tips!

Summer is for holidays, there’s no doubt about that but in a time when your money doesn’t stretch as far as it used to and every choice you make impacts the environment, what’s a green traveller to do when it comes time to plan a vacation? Planning a green holiday doesn’t stop with off-setting your carbon footprint. It doesn’t even start there. If you want to make a difference this summer, here are a few tips that’ll help you make your holiday greener without missing out on those Thailand flights you’ve been eyeing.

Choose an eco-friendly destination.

Without a doubt it will be the transportation part of your holiday that racks up the most carbon impact, especially if you’re planning on flying to your destination. If you can’t avoid the planes, then at least choose a destination where you can stay at sustainable hotels, take part in low-impact activities, support local artisans and eat locally sourced food at restaurants.

Green your air fare.

It’s simple. Offset your carbon emissions, no questions asked.

Find green hotels and accommodations.

Hotels that have been certified sustainable aren’t easy to find everywhere in the world. That’s when it comes down to asking them yourself what the hotel is doing to positively impact the environment. If you can, bunk up with some locals via Couchsurfing or Airbnb. This’ll not only give you insight into the world of a local but they also make good guides and can easily tell you what to hit or miss on the city tour.

Eat the way a local eats.

Don’t travel to the far reaches of Asia only to satisfy your caffeine fix at Starbucks. You wouldn’t do that, would you? Support the local community by shopping for your foods the market places, enjoying a meal made completely out of local ingredients. If you’re really into cooking, why not taking a cooking class to learn some new recipes?

Wherever we spend our summer holidays, it’s always good to keep in mind that every single thing we do will impact the world, either in a negative way or a positive way. The more choices we can make that impact in a positive way the better. So when you’re at home and abroad, be conscious and try to follow the lead of the locals. What do you do to green your holidays?

Beach in Ochos Rios

When you first thing about Jamaica, what comes to mind? Is it coconut trees, white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, cold cocktails, resorts…? You’re not the only one! While Jamaica has all of these things, a holiday on this island is certainly not limited to them. In fact, when travellers book cheap flights to Jamaica, they’re usually in for a surprise!

Jamaica is home to a wealth of rivers (more than 120 of them!) and natural mineral springs which are known for their therapeutic and healing properties. The island itself is home to more than 720 endemic plants. On top of this 27 of Jamaica’s native birds can be found no where else in the world than here.

Jamaica's Blue Mountains

When it comes to eco-tourism in Jamaica, it’s largely community based and if you want to discover the island you’re going to have to leave the comfort of your resort. Sustainable tour operators offer different types of excursions like bamboo rafting down the Rio Grande or hiking trips up the Blue Mountains. These non-commercial tours offer the locals a chance to make money, share their knowledge of the natural treasures in their own backyards and give visitors the chance to discover something outside of the limits of their beach-front resorts and hotels.

What are the top sites?

- Cranbrook Flower Forest

- Bluefields Mountains

- Royal Palm Reserve

Where are you going on your next holiday? Don’t just hit the beach, make it an eco-trip!

Think raiding the breakfast bar at your hotel in order to give yourself a facial up in your room is over the top? Think again, your skin will definitely thank you for it, especially after a long trip. It doesn’t matter if you travel on the cheapest flights… your body still has to deal with jet lag and the stresses of travel! Continental breakfasts are good for filling your belly but also provide everything you need for a hotel-room facial. What do you need to get your skin feeling back to its normal self again? Weary traveller’s skin… don’t fret! This facial will get you looking great again in no time!

What you need:

• coffee maker
• packet of pure cane sugar
• yoghurt
• uncooked oatmeal
• uncooked egg
• lemon or orange
• water

How to do it:

Start by washing your hands really well. Then slice that orange or lemon in half, squeezing the juice into a cup of water. Use the corner of a facecloth to dap the citrus juice all over your face (avoid the eyes!). Next wet the cloth with warm water and spread the sugar on a corner of it. Lightly scrub to exfoliate the skin on your face and neck. Rinse your face clean.

Now for the steaming. Fill the coffee maker up with water, no coffee and turn it on. When it’s heated up, carefully lift the lid and place your face 20cm above the steam so that it’s comfortable. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes. Then it’s time to make a face masque.  Mix teh oatmeal with the egg and spread it all over your face. Remove it once it has hardened.

The final step is to apply the yoghurt, especially under your eyes. After a few minutes, rinse it off and you’re ready to take on the world again! Why pay big bucks for a facial at the hotel spa when the breakfast bar has everything you need to do one on your own in your room?

First of all, some blog management news:

** DO NOT LEAVE SPAM COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG. THEY ARE DELETED! IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE ARTICLE, THEN DO NOT COMMENT. PLEASE, LEAVE SOMETHING THOUGHT-PROVOKING OR AT LEAST SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE. THANK YOU! **

Sorry, for those that enjoy the blog and appreciate the content but I am tired of receiving dozens of spam comments every day about fake Vuitton handbags and Air Jordan Shoes. It’s ridiculous and out of hand.

Back to the topic though, Koh Kood. It’s an island many have never heard about but if you’ve ever travelled in Thailand you may have even been there. It’s an island out of someone’s dreams. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, it doesn’t have that “wow” effect like you may think but spending enough time here will unfold the charming lifestyle of this place. Off the tourist path, if you’re looking for a spot to relax, slow down and enjoy Thai culture with locals, instead of crowds of other Western travellers trying to do to the same, then head to Koh Kood.

To get there, you will need airline tickets to Bangkok. From there, travel down the coast and take a ferry heading to the island. Many fishermen and boats head to the island to collect coconuts and deliver goods to the locals here. So finding a boat crossing isn’t hard. It is the second biggest island in the Koh Chang archipelago but there is no direct airport access.

The problem most eco-travellers have with other islands like Koh Chang is that they are almost completely developed to cater to tourists and foreign money. There is even a 7-11 there! You can’t get away there. Which is why Koh Kood is the best alternative without really roughing it. It’s more rustic. While there are about 30 resorts on the island, they’re small-scale and offer comfy villa accommodations. Coconut and rubber plantations are the main industry here, then tourism.

What can you do here? Forget about internet and emails… there is none! Lay back and sip your iced lemon grass tea… the life here is simple and it’s delicious. You can rent scooter bikes to explore the other parts of the island or just hang back and swim, read, walk, kayak, eat. Rinse, and repeat. You get the deal, right?

While the island is in the midst of seeing a huge eco-lodge being built, the biggest hotel yet to hit the island with accommodations for up to 160 guests, it still remains untouched by Western influences. This is true for now, but with the new arrival of foreign companies and investments, this is bound to change quickly. Thinking about an island escape? Try Koh Kood in Thailand!

Images are from Flickr cc: Bennern and Marc oh!

Trips across the pond are most popular in 2011 than ever. Britons are not feeling the cinch of the financial meltdown and with a little more money in our pockets than alst year, we’re travelling. Whie long-ahul means ignifically contributing to greenhouse gases (hello, off-set carbon footprint!) you can make it up by visiting some of the greenest cities in the USA and discovering what they’re doing to minimalise their impact on the environmnet while still attracting tourists and travellers from around the globe. Just compare flights and you’ll see how affordable it is to spend your next holiday in the USA.

Don’t think it’s possible that the USA has “green” cities?

Thing again!

These are without a doubt the greenest cities in America, so take note!

• Austin, Texas
• Chicago, Illinois
• Seattle, Washington
• Berkeley, California
• Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Eugene, Oregon
• Oakland, California
• Boston, Massachusetts
• San Francisco, California
• Portland, Oregon

Sometimes it’s a lot easier to spew out travel tips on how to do things greener. But let’s be honest, it’s much easier to “preach” than to “practise.” On top of this, do the little things we do really make that much of a difference. Living a greener lifestyle has it’s ups and downs, recently came across an interview with a family of four living a zero-waste lifestyle… it’s so cool! But is it too extreme?

Anyway, without losing sight of what I actually wanted to post about… when it comes to travel little decisions make a big impact when it comes to travelling light. I don’t mean your backpack, I mean your environmental footprint. Surprise, you don’t have to give up your dream destinations either. If you’ve always wanted to lounge on a beach in Tahiti, go for it. Life is too short to miss out on these things. The twenty-first century has made it easy to travel abroad and affordable as well, so see the world.

It’s all about compromise. You can still travel far if you travel smart. And while the real solution would be to just not travel, for some of us that’s just not an option.

Here are 4 tips that will make a difference the next time you travel

1. Pack light. It’s a well known fact that the heavier the plane the more fuel it needs to get from point A to B. Pack a few day’s worth of clothes, they probably have washing machines abroad as well. One bag, c’est tout!

2. Stay with friends. Staying with a friend uses significantly less energy than staying at a hotel. The house will be heated/cooled in any case, so double up on resources and trade your stay for a home-cooked meal or a night out. Don’t have friends in your destination? Couchsurf!

3. Choose your souvenirs carefully. Bringing home a dozen Paris magnets isn’t totally smart. Choose original gifts that are practical… ones that won’t end up at the garage sale two years down the road. Or, just send postcards while you’re there. Old fashioned but look great on every fridge.

4. Travel by train. You may need airline tickets to get you to your destination. But once you’re there, take the train, unless your destination is within train distance. Slow travel is good travel, take advantage of the journey. It’s easy in Europe and picturesque too, what more could you ask for?

Image: leirvoll, Flickr.

How do you breathe fresh air in a city notorious for air pollution? How do you get a feel for nature while trapped in the confines of the city? South Africa is praised for its nature, its unsoiled coastline, beautiful mountains and culture. Johannesburg unfortunately misses the mark on being a generally green city but if you do happen to find yourself in the capital of South Africa, all hope is not lost.

There are a few places you can escape within the city limits to spend some time outdoors without the sound of car alarms and sirens ringing in your ears. Some are accessible from public transport, others you will need to hire a car to reach them. Above all, these reserves and parks will be welcomed after long flights to Johannesburg. Let’s take a look.

The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve

Approx. 680ha in size, the south side of Johannesburg is lucky to have a space like this. More than 150 antelope roam the reserve as do zebra, wildebeest, blesbok and springbok. These animals can be watched in the wild and the 40+ walking trails (ranging from easy to difficult) take you through a lush and green area through the Klipriviesberg hills.

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

You can get lost in this oasis in the Western Suburbs. The main attraction is the Witpoortjie Waterfall. The gardens themselves include both natural and manicured gardens. Although the garden itself isn’t very old, the area has been famous for beautiful landscape for two hundred years. Spot eagles and 220+ other bird species in their natural habitat.

Tswaing Meteorite Crater

Also known as the Place of Salt, Tswaing was hit by a meteorite crater more than 200,000 years ago. It his the surface of the earth at 72km/h, essentially wiping out a huge area of where Johannesburg now stands. The impact creating a ring of hills, some 1.5km in diameter. The crater itself is 200m deep and is now a saline lake. It’s an awesome day-trip away from the buzz of the city.

Magalies Mountain Sanctuary Park

This private nature reserve is located 500ft. above Grootfontein valley. The park offers swimming in mountain springs, pleasant walking paths, mountain biking and other outdoor activities. It is 120 km west of Johannesburg and is 1000ha in size. Visitors are not limited to trails, the entire park is open for exploration and discovery. Are you a botanist at heart? Grab your fauna guide, this park is a paradise.

I’m always browsing forums looking for new ideas related to eco-travel and just living in a sustainable way. We’re all each other’s best resources when it comes to new information, experience and ideas gone wrong… what not to do kind of thing. France is a big destination for all of us living on the other side of the Channel, so when I saw one comment, the title of this post, I couldn’t help but jot it down for a later post (now).

Firstly, how can you be bored of Paris? Maybe this is an entirely different topic and maybe you’ve been there a dozen times but you can go to the Louvre more than once you know. What I love most about the French capital is perhaps that everything is always changing so besides the main monuments, there’s always a new café, restaurant, exhibition, etc. to check out. Go with friends, go with your sweet heart, go with your mum… each trip is a completely different one depending on your travel companions or even if you go solo. If Paris is a cheap jaunt for you, don’t let it bore you… jump in there with two arms wide open.

If you’re truly concerned about carbon footprints and getting out of the big city is what your little heart desires then the south of France is one of the easiest places to visit and keep your environmental impact at a low. Marseille for example is easy to reach without even needing to look for flights to France. Hop on a train, it’s a six and half hour trip from London’s St. Pancras Station. Once you arrive, you’ve got the Mediterranean right there, perfect for a little sun if you go in the right season as well as ferries to Bastia (a twelve hour trip, but totally worth it) in Corsica.

Mill about the island or spend your days exploring the French Riviera. When choosing France hotels in Marseille or along the coast, look for something chic but family-run, that’s your best bet at finding something that has a low impact and personal service.

Have you ever spend your holidays in southern France? Can you recommend some places to see? We’d love to hear from you.

It seems a growing trend in Thailand’s big city is to take sustainable village philosophies and apply them to city living in Bangkok. The eco-hotel, more seen in the countryside, is making its mark among skyscrapers and urban developments. It’s not just about green accommodations though, these hotels are offering advice on how to see this city in a whole new way.

You can’t avoid collecting some carbon credits on the flights to Bangkok but you can do your part to avoid collecting more while on your trip or holiday.

One travel writer who stayed at the Old Bangkok Inn said that instead of taking a taxi, the hotel staff gave her directions on how to cross town via long-boat and SkyTrain, making it in an impressive 30 minutes. Their priority is to also steer guests towards other and more alternative modes of transportation and they’re not the only hotel doing this.

Do you remember when the whole idea of eco-accommodations came on the scene? Memories of sleeping in tents with old woollen blankets to keep warm, eating meals cooked from veggies out of the proprietor’s own garden and composting your leftovers before spending the day exploring the hiking trails.

Today, you can find eco-hotels for the luxury traveller (glamping anyone?) and in the world’s biggest cities with views of skyscrapers rather than the forest! Being green isn’t just about being environmentally sound these days, it’s also about saving money. Motivations aside though, every bit makes a difference when it comes to conservation.

Have you ever stayed at an “eco-hotel”? Wondering if your hotel is actually as eco-friendly as they say they are?

Ask about their chemical use, energy systems, if they donate to local charities and community conservation efforts, and whether they actively educate guests about green practises.