How to spend a more environmentally friendly holiday?

Ecotourism has become a hot topic when it comes to travel. Most tourists, in fact, increasingly seek to spend their vacations with respect for the environment. 

Despite the desire to spend green vacations, many travelers encounter several obstacles, starting from the lack of information on how to travel responsibly (not only in the planning of the trip but also during the vacation itself!). 

So here are some tips for responsible tourism, starting from the best destinations to some best practices to help you become a little more green. 

The best green cities

First, let's see where to go to have a greener vacation. Here are our top five destinations to visit in Europe, with a focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and eco-friendly transportation options:

Copenhagen 

One of the most successful models of a green economy, this Scandinavian superstar has long been at the forefront of ecotourism. Denmark was one of the first countries to promote environmental legislation, and this is clearly evident in the cleanliness of its capital, which is criss-crossed by bicycle paths. Copenhagen also has a rich history, an extraordinary harbour, beautiful architecture and incredible museums.

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Stockholm

Not to be outdone by its close neighbour, this Swedish city was awarded the first European Green Capital Award in 2010. Once again, you will visit the main attractions on foot or by bike, but don't worry if you have to take the bus or taxi, many of these transports are powered by biofuel. In fact, the elimination of fossil fuels is planned by 2040. When you wake up in Stockholm, you will smell not only coffee, but also clean air. Don't forget to visit Hammarby Sjöstad, a famous environmentally friendly neighbourhood.

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Reykjavik

We are staying in the Nordic countries because Iceland has long been at the forefront of the fight against climate change. This is not surprising, as it is here that some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world can be found, located in close proximity to the Arctic Circle. And you'll see it again on this trip, as everyone is encouraged to use more environmentally friendly means of transportation, such as bicycle paths around the city. Natural resources are also used, such as geothermal wells (which you can discover by visiting the hot springs), which are used to supply the city with electricity.

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Amsterdam

Apart from its canals, the capital is probably best known for its bicycle paths. In fact, a staggering statistic tells us that there are more bicycles than inhabitants in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has also been a pioneer in sustainable development, introducing hundreds of charging stations for electric cars (so be sure to be very careful when crossing roads). This helps to combat climate change and reduce harmful emissions.

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Berlin

In Germany, self-sufficiency is taken as seriously as in Berlin, where Germans love their housing estates. Despite its sprawling size, it is one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Europe, with a large number of gardens, parks and forests. Long regarded as one of the most alternative places in the world, the love of cycling, recycling and vintage clothing can be seen in every street. Berlin also has many bicycle paths and a cheap public transport system, making it easy to visit everything from the Berlin Wall to the Brandenburg Gate.

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5 tips to make your hotel stay more sustainable

• Reuse towels: while we all love room service, changing towels and sheets results in high consumption of water, energy and, of course, detergent. Follow the tips for reusing towels if you are staying for several days and it will make a difference. 

 

• Turn off the lights and air conditioning when you go out: although some hotels already have measures in place, if in doubt, turn them off. 

 

• Recycle as soon as you can: rather than throwing plastic in the trash, ask the front desk if there is a place where you can recycle it - chances are they have a safe place to dispose of it.

 

• Stay where environmentally friendly services are available: for example, many places offer bike rentals or serve only organic food. If they want to improve their environmental credibility, this should be at the top of the hotel description. 

 

• Stay in an area that is easily accessible by public transport: consider what you will be doing while you are there. For example, if you are planning to visit a lot of places in the centre of the city, stay close to the city so that you can walk or take a bus to get there, which will limit your need to take a taxi. 

 

Other useful tips for a green vacation

In addition to choosing a hotel, there are other things you can do during your vacation to support environmental stewardship. Here are some tips to become a more responsible tourist:
 

• Choose local products: eating local food is not only a good idea to learn about local traditions, but also to try to combat the impact of transporting food. This goes for local producers and stores as well. If you're looking for souvenirs to take home, choose local products if possible rather than mass-produced products from other places. 

 

• Take care of the environment while on vacation: we've already talked a bit about recycling and finding out how to pick up trash at the hotel. When you go out try to pay attention to where you leave your waste and use public transport, carpooling or bike rental to get around (it's another great way to reduce your impact on the environment).

 

• Support less touristy places: the concentration of too many people in certain locations affects the ability of cities to respect the environment. One way to discover something new and reduce the impact on the environment by reducing the number of people in one place is to prefer less famous and touristy destinations: in this way you can support a smaller reality and at the same time "lighten" the pressure on the most frequented ones.

There are many other things you can do in your own small way to help the environment, these are just a few tips to start with, but it's already something! Ready to become an ecotourist?