5 Simple Tips to Have a Fun and Eco-Friendly Vacation
One of life's greatest pleasures is vacationing. Traveling reconnects us to ourselves, stimulates our senses with new sights, sounds, and tastes, and inspires us to be present, whether it's a relaxing stay-cation, a trip to the Caribbean, or adventures in the Far East. We've put together some easy ways to green your holiday travels this year to ensure that your memorable vacations are also environmentally friendly.
1. Consider the surroundings.
You don't have to travel outside of your country or state to have a good and relaxing holiday. Flights are one of the most polluting aspects of our vacations, so look into local activities that will fill your vacation needs—wineries, history, spas, and nature are all available almost anywhere! These vacations also help to benefit the local economy because you'll be connecting with a lot of mom-and-pop shops; they save you money, and they optimize your real vacation time because you won't have to deal with airport queues or jet lag!
2. Emissions from your flight can be offset or reduced.
If you ever decide to travel abroad, organizations such as ClimateCare will assist you in growing your carbon footprint. Some airlines often have much more environmentally friendly policies than others; see this website for some examples. Furthermore, if possible, take direct flights because takeoff and landing are the most energy-intensive parts of the flight.
3. Wherever possible, take public or sustainable transportation.
Taking public transportation, whether to get to your destination or to get around once you've arrived, provides more adventure, excitement, surprising views, and better reading time than driving a vehicle. If you really must rent a car, opt for an electric or hybrid vehicle.
4. Become immersed in community-based tourism.
A holiday centered on local culture and businesses is referred to as community-based tourism. Staying at a local woman's group's guesthouse or volunteering at a WWOOF farm (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) are two examples. Since the local community welcomes you instead of multinational companies, community-based tourism also offers a more authentic view of the food, history, and culture. When opposed to a chain hotel, this form of tourism is more sustainable because locals are less likely to affect their immediate environment.
5. Look for ecotourism companies.
Eco-tourism is a form of tourism that uses sustainable practices to provide visitors with attractions and lodging. It is related to community-based tourism. Eco-tourism can be found almost anywhere; for example, look for eco-lodges, which are typically built using green construction methods, buy local produce, and sell local handmade crafts. Greenwashing is common in these cases, so do your homework ahead of time to ensure that the host is truly green.
Taking a holiday to get away from the daily grind is extremely beneficial to our health. What's even better is that these suggestions are not only good for the environment, but they're also perfect for renewing ourselves and our perspectives. The best way to travel is to be aware of your surroundings, so ask the locals how you can be a more environmentally conscious visitor. Maybe you'll even leave the area cleaner than when you arrived!
Read next: 9 Summer Family Fun Activities
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