Greenty's Blog - The Best Eco-Resorts and Hotels

A green Aspen Meadows Resort

2012-02-02T10:29:00.000Z

The green-consciousUnited States just keeps churning out more green hotels, and in today’spost, another such green hotel is the Aspen Meadows Resort.

In the winter, the splendid and picturesque mountain town of Aspen is brimmingwith activities, portraying skiing, top shopping, dining and a variety ofcultural activities for everyone. And there is no better place to stay otherthan Aspen Meadows Resort. Dolce Aspen Meadows Resort provides excellentservices and comfort, and the meals served at Aspen Meadows Resort are ofsuperb standards. Excellent service aside, Aspen Meadows Resort has also many greeninitiatives to be proud of and which earn Aspen Meadows Resort a LEED Goldcertification. Aspen Meadows Resort has a geothermal heating system and energy-savinglight bulbs to reduce energy usage. Dolce Aspen Meadows Resort Aspen strives topurchase items which are recyclable in nature or recycled items. Energy andwater is monitored constantly to ensure that all usage is within reasonableamounts, with steps taken when levels are above limits set by Dolce AspenMeadows Resort Aspen.

Aspen Meadows Resort aside, there are many green hotels which have been rated recently too. These hotels may not be in the United States, so why not have a look if you are looking to travel to other countries, and want to do so in a green conscious manner. View on below at the list of other hotels rated recently!

Another World Bed and Breakfast

The Coho

The Greenstone Inn

Park Lane Guest House

Sinya on Lone Man Creek

Bentwood Inn

Treasure Mountain Inn

Eaglewood Resort & Spa

Emory Conference Center Hotel

The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread Racine

Airlie Conference Center

The Chattanoogan

Cheyenne Mountain Resort

Dolce Aspen Meadows Resort Aspen

Applewood Inn & Llama Trekking

Bear Creek

Clay Corner Inn
Alila Diwa Goa
Alila Jakarta
Alila Villas Soori
Alila Villas Utuwatu
Banyan Tree Bangkok

Six Senses and Evason Huan Hin
Evason Nha Trang

Evason Ma'in

Soneva Fushi by Six Senses

Soneva Gili by Six Senses

Six Sense Con Dao

Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi

Six Senses Laamu

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

Six Senses Samui
Six Senses Zighy Bay
Element by Westin Houston Vintage Park

Element by Westin Las Vegas Summerlin

Element by Westin Times Square

Element Lexington Hotel

Novotel Birmingham Centre

Novotel Cardiff Centre

Novotel Leeds Centre

Novotel London City South

Novotel London Excel

Novotel London Greenwich

Novotel London Paddington

Novotel London St Pancras

Novotel London Waterloo

Novotel London West

Novotel Manchester Centre

Novotel Manchester West

Novotel Milton Keynes

The Ring of Kerry, Ireland

2012-01-26T08:41:00.002Z

There are so many beautiful places to choose from if you are going to visit Ireland, and one of the most popular is the Ring of Kerry in the south west. If you are going to explore it, then most people start at the town of Killarney, a hive of activity in the summer and just as beautiful and inviting in the winter. Here alone there are many great places of interest, including Ross Castle and the gardens of Muckross House. If you are driving, then it is recommended that you travel anti-clockwise from here so that problems on the narrower stretches of the road can be avoided.

As you travel around the Ring of Kerry, you will see many beautiful sights. On the way from Killarney to Kilorglin, you will see Carrauntuohill which is the highest mountain in Ireland. Don't forget your camera as you can take pictures of this wonderful sight and display them proudly at home. You can gaze at them fondly while playing Party Poker or show them off to friends and family who come to visit. Continuing on your way, there are many small detours that you can take if you want to. This includes Valentina Island which you can access via a causeway. Here you will find many different types of sub-tropical plants, made possible by the Gulf Stream.

There are many interesting houses you can visit on the Ring of Kerry, as well as plenty of small, picturesque towns. The favourite place for many people is Ladies' View, which you will find towards the end of your journey on the road from Kenmare and Killarney. This is a beautiful place that was named after the ladies-in-waiting of Queen Victoria, as they visited it on 1861 during the royal visit to Muckross House, Killarney.

Sustainability in Tanzania

2012-01-26T07:21:00.004Z

Many travelers takes it a given that every lodge shall be, by their very essence, green in such a place as Tanzania. But it would be a way to forget that sustainability is not to be reduced to buying local and saving energy; it englobes a lot more of criteria and goals.
Because many travel companies, as well as local actors, see Eco-tourism as a pure marketing strategy, forgetting about the very goal of sustainability : preservation. According to the World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism should lead to the "management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems".
Luckily, others regard it as a genuine effort to imaginatively dispose of waste, employ and train local people, preserve the environment and support local communities.
You can check for successful examples here, lodges and hotels that manage the difficult task to combine comfort and natural preservation.

Towards green accommodations in Singapore? The Siloso Beach Resort leads the way.

2012-01-19T07:55:00.000Z

The Siloso Beach Resort, located within the island of Sentosa, in Singapore, is the example to follow regarding ecological accommodations hotels shall focus on providing.
Proving that going for green does not reduce the comfort customers are entitled to expect, this hotel has been logically rewarded with the most prestigious awards concerning ecological travels (Singapore Environmental Achievement Award,TUV Certification, Singapore Environment Council Award, Singapore Compact Award, Singapore Sustainability Award).
Their motto? Building with Nature. Looking at what they now propose to their customers, thinking differently would appear a clear waste of efficiency: pool filled with natural spring waters, room nested from the natural landscape, educational communication toward both their staff and their customers.
Check out for more directly at http://bit.ly/ybVwpi and understands how Green hotels and Singapore are meant to work together for the benefits of the whole travelling community.

5 Hidden treasures of green hotels in United States

2012-01-18T07:03:00.001Z

It’s abrand new year, and since my last post, many United States hotels with greenpractises have been unearthed since. These hidden green gems are greener than mosthotels, and therefore deserves to be mentioned in our greeenty blog.

Anemerald gem, aptly hidden in the Treasure Mountains, search and you shall find,the jewel in the crown, the Treasure Mountain Inn. Treasure Mountain Inn runsentirely on wind power, a strong statement in Treasure Mountain Inn’s intentionto go green and rely on renewable energy resources instead of fossil fuels. TreasureMountain Inn sees any item as brimming with potential to be recycled, andrecycles so often that it was nominated “Recycler of the year” in Utah for 2years running previously.

Picture courtesy of Felix Hotel website.

Up next,meet Felix the, wait for it, Hotel. The Felix Hotel does not simply puss aroundwith green initiatives. Instead, great deal of considerations goes into alloperations of the hotel, with emphasis stressed on minimal negative impact onthe environment. The Felix Hotel was delicately designed to be eco-friendly,and built in such a way that it is able to draw on the surrounding for its heatduring the winters. Someone best let the cat out of the bag, and spread aroundword that Felix Hotel is a serious contender in for the title of the “greenest hotel”.

By thesea, lays another hidden gem, the Viking’s Greenstone Inn.As it name suggests, Greenstone Inn has a harden resolve to be a thrivinggreen business, and it has done relatively well so far. The building itself wasconstructed with recycled materials and construction-waste forming a bulk of construction materials. A solar grid helps topartially power the Greenstone Inn, while also utilising advance technology toreduce reliance on fossil fuel energy.

Picture courtesy of Bentwood Inn website.

Nestledwithin Jackson Hole, and having a soft spot for lodgings in natural habitats, Ihad to include Bentwood Inn for a mention inthis post. Bentwood Inn fully runs on 100% renewable energy, while at thesame time still implements energy saving practises. Compact Fluorescentlightings are but one example, with timers to switch off heaters at regularintervals amongst other energy saving measures. Bentwood Inn happens tobe an enthusiastic advocate of green establishments as well, and works activelytogether with these associations to help bring about a greener environment.

Picture courtesy of h2hotel website.

As always, the last hotel is the best thereis, I reckon. When it comes to being green, h2hotel certainly can claim to be oneof the leading green hotels there are. The construction of h2hotel tookplace with great care given to the environment, with recycled materials beingthe most utilised construction material. h2hotel also purchased itemsonly from its nearby local start ups, and does so with the intent of reducingcarbon emission from transportation of goods. Solar panels can be found at thetop of h2hotel, and is used to heat the pool and water system. h2hotelmeasures are already impressive, but the hotel’s management believes that morecan be done, and I for one am excited to see further innovative implementationsof h2hotel!

So that’s my top 5 hotels in the United States unearthed recently! Below aremore hotels, which are doing their part to be green as well! Have a look!

The Eliot Hotel

Wigwam

FairmontBattery Wharf

FairmontCopley Plaza

HyattHarborside Hotel

HyattRegency Boston

HomewoodSuites Boston/Peabody

ThePalmer House Hilton

TheDrake

FairmontChicago Millennium

SuttonPlace Hotel Chicago

TheTalbott Hotel

HiltonAnaheim

Hoteldel Coronado

GrandCanyon Lodge at the North Rim

YosemiteLodge at the Falls

TubacGolf Resort & Spa

ScottsdaleResort & Conference Center

WestinKierland Resort & Spa

TheWestin La Paloma Resort and Spa

WestwardLook Resort

HiltonGarden Inn Phoenix/Avondale

AdobeRose Inn

TheFloating Stone

TenayaLodge

CoastsideInn at Half Moon Bay

h2hotel

Genevaon the Lake

MammothMountain Inn

SanctuaryBeach Resort

MacCallumHouse Inn

PortolaHotel & Spa

BroadStreet Inn

AsilomarConference Grounds

VintnersInn

TheFlamingo Conference Resort and Spa

Granlibakken

CasaOjai Inn

BrittScripps Inn

CatamaranResort Hotel and Spa

Chaminade

SycamoreMineral Spring

TheSaratoga Farmstead B&B

AnotherWorld Bed and Breakfast

The Coho

TheGreenstone Inn

ParkLane Guest House

Sinya onLone Man Creek

BentwoodInn

TreasureMountain Inn

EaglewoodResort & Spa

EmoryConference Center Hotel

TheJohnson Foundation at Wingspread Racine

AirlieConference Center

TheChattanoogan

CheyenneMountain Resort

DolceAspen Meadows Resort Aspen

TheInverness Hotel

ChâteauÉlan Winery

LansdowneResort

Green Ho Ho Ho(tels) Around The World.

2011-12-22T07:04:00.003Z

Ever wondered about the mystical Nicaragua? How about a laidback and peaceful holiday in Switzerland? What about the unknown and vibrantSlovenia? To spice things up a little, let’s throw in unique Morocco to the hat, alongwith exotic Argentina. With the festive season just around the corner, people are probably making plans to travel. In a bid to help you travel green, below are green hotelsfrom the various countries mentioned, and hopefully these green hotels will appeal to you!

Picture courtesy of Lahuen-Co Eco Lodge & Spa Termal website

For a really green travel, look no further than the Lahuen-CoEco Lodge & Spa Termal in Argentina. Thiseco-lodge was designed to be eco-friendly, and allows guests to enjoy a luxuriousyet green holiday. Lahuen-Co Eco Lodge & Spa Termal is powered partially by solar and hydro-electricalenergy, while water is reused. Guests are requested to refrain from bringnon-biodegradable materials, keeping in line with Lahuen-Co Eco Lodge& Spa Termal’s green policies.

Picture courtesy of Eco Hotel Locanda del Giglio website

Nottoo interested in travelling over to South America? Well then, how about arelaxing trip high up in the mountains in Switzerland. Hidden away from thebuzzing city, Eco Hotel Locanda delGiglio promises to redefine your definition of peace with a greenperspective. Enjoy the freshness of the air, and embrace the organic mealsserved at Eco Hotel Locanda del Giglio. Interested in starting abusiness? Perhaps consider the areas nearby Eco Hotel Locanda del Giglio, as Eco Hotel Locanda del Giglio promises to support sustainabilityand patronise local start-ups nearby.

Turning the style up, Bohinj Park Eco Hotel has to be mentioned if one pondersabout the yonder within Slovenia. Featuring state of the art facilities whichaid green initiatives, Bohinj Park Eco Hotel is definitely worth a visit forvisitors interested in going on a green holiday! This 5 star hotel has investedheavily in alternative energy systems, with an energy well used in heating upof the hotel. Bohinj Park Eco Hotel also emphasises on proper cleaningprocedures, stating that cleaning products may be bio degradable, but not allare eco-friendly, and that cleaning should strictly be done with eco-friendlyproducts only.

Picture courtesy of Touda Ecolodge website

Moving on, it gets greener and greener! This time, in Morocco, is thecritically acclaimed Touda Ecolodge. As with all eco-lodges, ToudaEcolodge too has energy saving implementations like energy efficientlightings, solar power, and low flush toilet to say the least. What makes ToudaEcolodge stands out is its commitment to the environment, with theplanting of at least 2200 almond trees. This is done with the hope of limitingsoil erosion, and giving the area around Touda Ecolodge a green and lushoutlook.

Saving the best for the last, I amdelighted to be able to present to you La Mariposa Eco Hotel. This hotel triesits best to provide comfort for guests, but ultimately warns guests that thepremise is extremely eco-conscious, and is limited in its facilities. La MariposaEco Hotel runs solely on solar power, with the energy stored in batteries.Energy depletion is a real threat, and guests are encouraged to practise energysaving habits while staying at La Mariposa Eco Hotel. Almost all items arerecycled, and mostly are as decorative items.

So there you have it, another 5 greenhotels to consider for a green holiday trip. Below are other recent hotelsevaluated by me, and hopefully they could be of interest to you! Merry Christmas, and have a happy holiday!

Villa Marelea

Dunas De Doñana Hotel

Gutshof Ziegelhütte

Hotel du Bowling De Millau

Zalesie Mazury Active Spa

Atacamadventure Wellness & Ecolodge

Oro Del Tempo

Eco Inn Colca

Savoy Sharm El Sheikh Hotel

Eco Eden Bush Lodge

Alfabia Nou Agroturismo

Resort Tororomba

La Torre del Visco

Bio- und Wellnesshotel Alpenblick

Biogasthaus Wanker

HSZ Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee

Q Hotel and Spa

Marisa Boutique Resort & Spa

Lahuen-Co, Eco Lodge & Spa Termal

Adalbert Ecohotel

Fuerte Rompido Suites Spa

Herdade Do Freixial - Turismo Rural

Mansfield Motel

Hotel de Admiraal

Eco-Luxe @ Mount Avoca

HI Hôtel Eco Spa & Beach

Delmar Hotel

Aloft Houston by the Galleria

City Lights Madison Avenue Suites

Llucmaçanes Gran Agroturismo

Grand Aygun Hotel

Pian Delle More

Agroturismo Mari Cruz

Bio Hotel Kolonieschanke

President Solitaire Hotel & Spa

The Big Blue House Inn Boutique Hotel

Agriturismo Bio Le Macchie Alte

Lagoa Eco Resort

Hotel Ungheria Varese 1946

Agrotourism Kalpic

Hotel Parc Belle-Vue

Menschels Vitalresort

Hotel im GVZ

Tiwa Ecoresort

Holiday Inn Express Paris-Canal De La Villette

Hotel WasserUhr

Desmond Tutu Center

BreakFree Rainbow Shores

Bio-GesundheitsFarm

Best Western Philadelphia Airport

Bio - Landhotel Zur Scheune

Agroturismo Son Galceran

HM Villas Paraiso del Mar

Agroturismo Can Guillem

Bio-Landhotel-Sellanger

Hotel Global

Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf

Wildwood Resort

5 United States accommodation that does green.

2011-12-12T03:16:00.001Z

Endeavouring to be theforerunners in all aspects, the United States are leaving no stones left unturnedwhen it comes to being a green country. Lawmakers have been strategising andimplementing various policies in an effort to combat rising carbon footprint,to make a green and healthierenvironment for the country’s residents. However, the United States government isnot the only one trying to be environmentally friendly and green, with the plentiful hotels in thecountry contributing by adopting various eco-friendly practises. Below are5 exemplary hotels that have made significant progress towards a green future.

Hyatt at Olive 8,source: Hyatt at Olive 8

What is located in Seattle is the chic-looking and luxurious Hyatt at Olive 8. The Hyatt at Olive 8 first priority is to ensureguests are provided with quality fresh air, making all windows operable.Low-VOC paints and non-smoking policies ensure that the air ventilating in Hyattat Olive 8 has not been contaminated by pungent smells. Hyatt at Olive 8was designed to utilise natural lightings, with 75% of the hotel accessible tonatural lightings, and thus reducing dependency on electrical light fixtures.

Besides the Hyatt at Olive 8, another hotel worth mentioning is the Mark Spencer Hotel in Portland. The Mark Spencer Hotel is famed forits luxurious settings which gives off a romantic vibe, and is ideal forhosting celebrations such as wedding events. With green initiatives such asbiodegradable key cards and purchasing products in bulk, guests celebrating ajoyous occasion at The Mark Spencer Hotel can afford to do so by beinggreen.

Bardessono Hotel and Spa,Source: Bardessono Hotel and Spa’s website

Stressed out by work? How about a trip to the Bardessono Hotel and Spa, where you are pampered by the excellent service provided whilerelaxing in the spa facilities. The Bardessono Hotel and Spa iscommitted to protecting the environment, and uses solar energy to generateenergy. Guests are served organic foods which are purchased from localproducers, thus encouraging sustainability.

Camp Denali,source: Camp Denali website

A family-run accommodation, Camp Denali has been top-notchin its green approach despite lacking the financial capability that of thelarger and richer hotel chains. Food waste are either composted, or fed to thesled dogs at the camp. To reduce carbon footprint, hydroelectric system andsolar power are used to provide the camp with energy.

Lastly, but definitely not the least, another accommodation in the wildernessis the Shenandoah National Park Lodgings, in Luray. If being away fromall form of communication yet enjoying a tranquil green holiday is your thing,look no further than Shenandoah National Park Lodgings. ShenandoahNational Park Lodgings has no Wi-Fi or phones available, while manygreen initiatives are in place at Shenandoah National Park Lodgings. Shenandoah National Park Lodgings wasbuilt with recycled materials, while recycling bins are placed in all rooms.All electrical appliances have been rated Energy Star, meaning that it’s allenergy efficient and does not use up unnecessary amount of energy when in use.

These are but a few of the hotels in the United States doing their part to go green. Below are more hotels which have recently been rated in terms of their green practises, and are worth a visit.

Hale Ho’okipa Inn Matawao
Orchard Garden Hotel
Hilton SF Union View
Renoir Hotel
John Hancock
Hotel Monaco
The Nines
Ace Hotel Portland
Doubletree Hotel Portland
Mark Spencer Hotel
Sequoia National Park
Bardessono Hotel and Spa
Hyatt at Olive 8
Comfort Inn and Suites
Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston

The Fairmont Green Partnership

2011-12-08T02:33:00.001Z

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is an active leader in the hospitality industry on environmental efforts and sustainable practices.

"The Fairmont Green Partnership" program has been created in the early 90's; Fairmont has then committed to reduce its hotels' impact on earth. Thus the Green program became one of the most significant values of Fairmont's policy.

Through The Fairmont Green Partnership, Fairmont hotels are commited to reduce waste (paper, cardboard, cans and glasses) and to conserve resources such as energy and water. In 2005, Fairmont increased its efforts on local development to "think globally and act locally" as Fairmont adapts to every hotel's location - for instance a project was launched by Fairmont in Hawaii with the University of Hawaii to promote and encourage coral reef protection.

Last but not at least, Fairmont offers "Eco-Meet" program for meeting planners to encourage environmental awareness. The program can be tailored depending of clients' needs among 4 main components : Eco-Accommodation, Eco-Cuisine, Eco-Service and Eco-Programming.

For more informations, please read the Fairmont Green Partnership Program.

Five notable Canada green accommodations.

2011-12-01T09:20:00.009Z

Canada is the second largest (landscape size) country in the world, famed for its spectacular sights and sports, most notably hockey. However, these are not all that Canada can be proud of. Over the years, the green initiatives undertaken by Canada and its existing businesses have been plentiful, with results being nothing short of impressive. Despite the plethora of green hotels, 5 Canada green hotels were particularly outstanding for their exceptional dedication towards a greener environment.

Source: E'Terra Resort website

For those seeking tranquillity, look no further than Tofino Eco Lodge and E’Terra. Both eco lodges are situated deep within the Clayoquot Biosphere Reserve and the Niagara Reserve respectively, making it an ideal location to engage with nature on a spiritual level. Green initiatives are practised fervently at both green lodges, with the E’Terra going as far as to reuse its swimming pool as a fire tank.

Source: Strathcona Lodge website

A gem hidden in Upper Campbell Lake is the Strathcona Park Lodge. Overlooking picturesque view of glacier carved valleys, big pristine lakes and mountain peaks, the beauty of the place tends to leave one mesmerised. Strathcona Park Lodge is an unique green lodge, with alternative energy being its source of power. Strathcona Park Lodge uses a micro-hydro system and solar power simultaneously, and plays a part in the fight to reduce carbon footprint.

Source: Brookstreet Hotel website

Next up, the Brookstreet Hotel located in Ottawa. A 4-star hotel, Brookstreet manages to blend in green practises with it services without compromising the quality of service. Brookstreet Hotel deserves special mention for its dedication towards going green with the full use of low-impact renewable electricity. Not many hotels can claim to have used alternative energy, and less so to be fully reliant on alternative energy.

Last but not least, is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified green hotel in Quebec, the Holiday Inn Express Quebec City. Part of the hotel used to be the base of a bridge, and recycled materials make up the bulk of construction materials. The roof has been designed to reflect sunlight, thus reducing the need for cooling amenities in Holiday Inn Express Quebec City.

Below are other hotels which have been rated recently by Greenty, and are just as good alternatives for a sustainable and green holiday stay place.

ALT Quartier DIX30

ALT Quebec

Emerald Lake Lodge

E Terra

Chic Chocs Mountain Lodge

Tofino Eco Lodge

Adara Hotel

Super 8 Trois-Rivières

L'autre Jardin

Rimrock Resort Hotel

The Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown

Four Seasons Vancouver

Wingate Calgary

Sawridge Inns Edmonton

Sawridge Inns Jasper

Sawridge Inns Slave Lake

Sawridge Inns Peace River

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The Westin Ottawa

25 Green hotel in Costa Rica

2011-11-08T08:11:00.005Z

Photo courtesy - http://www.encantalavida.com

Costa Rica is an example for ecotourism - the country cares about ecological problem and makes serious efforts to protect its nature and natural species. The deforestation is forbidden and the government promotes rural community tourism projects.

These 25 Costa Rica green hotels are the proof of Costa Rica's involvement in ecotourism:

- Costa Rica Arenal Hotel

- Villa Blanca Cloud Forest

- Makanda

- La Paz Waterfall Gardens

- Xandari

- Orosi Lodge

- Rio Chirripo

- Sanchiri Mirador and Lodge

- Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

- Magellan Inn

- La Diosa

- El Memanso

- Waterfalls Costa Rica

- Finca Exotica

- Lapa'est TreeHouse

For more information, please visit Greenty.com, the Green travel Guide

25 Green Hotels in Mexico

2011-11-03T08:26:00.007Z

Mexico offers an important landscape's diversity from forests to lagoons, beaches and archaeological sites.

Photo courtesy of http://www.reycaribe.com/

It is one of the main reason for Mexico to increase its efforts on ecotourism - plenty of new eco-lodges in Mexico are now available and tourists are offered the opportunity for a green and responsible treat.

Here is a list of the 25 most eco friendly hotels in Mexico:

- Saladero Lodge

- Eco Paraiso

- Organic Yoago Mexico

- Hacienda Chicken Resort

- Sandos

- Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay

- Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Blanco

- Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan

- Pueblo Bonito Rose

- Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach

- Zahra

For further information visit Greenty about green hotel.

A new way to promote responsible travel by Voyages SNCF

2011-11-01T08:40:00.002Z

The French internet travel agency website, Voyages SNCF, is a leading example of green initiative.

In September 2011, Voyages SNCF launched the 5th edition of "Les Trophées du Tourisme Responsable" which means "the awards of responsible tourism" and it is the only event which supports responsible travel in France.

Since 2006, the event has been organised every year and the main aim is to reward those who are mobilizing for responisble travel. The 5th edition meet with success with more than 80 000 votes for 196 candidates.

Regarding the votes, the professionnal jury, composed of 60 experts of sustainable development and tourism, constitutes 50% of the votes. The other 50% is made up by visitors voting for their favorite candidate directly on Voyage SNCF's website.

It is the first edition where visitors can vote, the purpose is to encourage them to be aware of ecotourism and to prove that responsible travel is for everyone and for every budget.

It was also an occasion to reward French eco-hotels for their involment in sustainable tourism and their ecological footprint.

For more informations, please visit Les Trophées du Tourisme Responsable.

Five Hawaiian Eco-Resorts

2011-10-27T04:01:00.011+01:00

Thousands of years ago, the Hawaiian Islands were formed by undersea volcanoes. Today, the islands are now known for their pristine beaches and for being a great holiday destination for Americans and tourists alike. A unique feature about the Hawaiian Islands is that some of the nicest and most luxurious hotels on the islands are going green. Despite many options of green hotels, tourists can still find unique one-of-a-kind spots to stay in that also provide green living. Here are five hotels that are green, yet seemingly possessing something extra special.

Off the coast of Maui is the small island of Lanai. Known for being secluded and a place for relaxation, Lanai offers guests not one, but two Four Seasons Resorts. With one resort nestled away in the middle of the island, and the other sitting right next to the water, guests can choose where they would want to stay on the island. Both resorts run on a combination of solar and waste energy. They also both have world recognized golf courses that use a grey water system for maintaining. Check them out at Four Seasons Resort Lanai and Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

Known as the “heart of Hawaii,” Hanna Bay is for travelers looking for that authentic Hawaiian vacation experience. Located in the center of the town is the Bamboo Inn in Hanna Bay. With only three rooms offered, privacy is easy to come by. The rooms overlook the waterfront and the green valleys of the island. The inn is completely made out of bamboo, a sustainable product, and also has an organic fruit garden on site.

If guests want to be on an island with more going on, they can try the Maui Eco-Retreat. Set on the island of Maui, this eco friendly destination gives guests beachfront views and Hawaiian greenery in the same place. The inn runs completely on alternative energy and they also compost all waste. Guests can stay in a large house or have their own cottage.

The last hotel that I would like to mention is the Hedonisia Eco-Hostel and Tropical Farm Retreat. Located in the green community of Hedonisia on the island of Hawaii, this eco-retreat is not for just any average traveler. Guests can stay in a variety of accommodations that includes an old school bus, renamed the “love bus.” The hostel lives off the land, and uses materials provided by donations or other guests. Guests can even volunteer their services towards the hostel to get a special rate on accommodations.

Here are also some other green hotels recently rated in Hawaii:

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation

Ramada Plaza Waikiki

Ala Moana Hotel

Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel

Aston Aloha Beach Hotel

Nihi Kai Villas by Great Vacation Retreats

Poipu Kai Resort

Makena Beach and Golf Resort

Waimea Plantation Cottages

North Country Farms in Princeville

5 Green Hotels in Costa Rica

2011-10-13T03:20:00.005+01:00

NPR reported in 2008 that Costa Rica, one of the world’s smallest countries, said “it wants to be the first developing country to become carbon neutral — that is, to have zero output of carbon dioxide by 2021.” Costa Rica, which is a big tourist destination for internationals, is now growing in the eco-tourism sector, with several accommodation options becoming “greener” then ever before. I have rated several of these hotels and below are some that are worth extra noting.

Photo courtesy of http://www.costaricatreehouse.com/

My favorite one has got to be the Costa Rica Tree House Lodge and with a 4/5 rating, it is worth a visit. Located outside of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, the lodge is made up of a complex of houses and suites for couples or for group to rent. Guests can even stay in the Treehouse, which is literally built in a tree, but in lots of style. The owners are also trying to build a green community close to the lodge and they are currently selling lots to buyers looking to “go green.”

The Celeste Mountain Lodge is also worth checking out. Not only does the San Jose lodge have a 4/5 rating, but guests are able to plant trees, hike to see a volcano or go rafting in the river, all in one place. The Samasati Nature Retreat, with a 4/5 rating, is also a good destination in San Jose. Nestled in 250 acres of jungle and rain forest, the retreat offers a holiday centered on relaxation. They have yoga classes twice a day, and a studio over looking the valley.

Photo courtesy of http://www.gaiahr.com/

The next hotel that is worth a look is the five star Gaia Hotel and Reserve in Jaco, Costa Rica. This hotel, rated 4/5, proves that green luxury accommodations exist. This adult only hotel is for couples and groups looking to get away from everyday life and go eco-friendly, but without sacrificing anything.

Last but not least, is the La Leona Lodge located outside of Pavones, Costa Rica. The lodge is made up of tent-cabins giving visitors a chance to camp, but in chic style. With a 4/5 rating, this lodge is not only green, but gives guests the chance to enjoy the beach without breaking the bank at 110 USD per night.

Eco-friendly Hotels in Mexico

2011-09-28T04:22:00.009+01:00

Former Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari once said that a single tree in tropical forests of Mexico has “more different species than some European countries.” It is true, Mexico is a country with lots of ecological destinations for travelers looking for something other then the overcrowded tourist destinations. While researching hotels and evaluating their ecological footprint, I have found four resorts or hotels that are worth visiting. These hotels were graded according to their green features including their water usage, energy consumption, community outreach, and more. I have included two of the top green hotels in Mexico, along with two other hotels that I believe are unique in their own way.

Photograph contributed by Tubohotel: http://www.tubohotel.com/welcome/

My favorite hotel has got to be the Tubohotel in Morelos, about 45 minutes from Mexico City. The hotel is nothing fancy with only accommodation offered, however the rooms are what make it interesting, which are built out of recycled concrete pipes and are stacked on top of each other. Staircases lead guests up to their “tubo” which houses a bed inside. For only 40 USD per night, it is a perfect spot for backpackers looking for a good experience. The rating is only 1 out of 5, but this is due to the fact that the hotel has not built their restaurant or other facilities yet.

Photograph contributed by Prana del Mar: http://pranadelmar.com/

Another hotel that is worth checking out is the Prana del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, which is so eco-friendly that if guests purchase carbon offsets on their flight, the hotel will credit that amount towards massages or other excursions. Prana del Mar also runs on 100% solar energy, composts excess food and organic materials, uses only refillable water bottles, has servers that run on wind energy, and offers organic sheets, bath towels, and bath mats. Rated 3 out of 5, this place is great eco-friendly hotel that stays true to its name and runs at $230 per night, all-inclusive.

Rated 5 out of 5, these next two hotels meet all of my criteria for being a truly eco-friendly. The Balamku Inn on the Beach is located in Costa Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula. The resort has everything from biodegradable soap to composting waste units. They also help to protect engendered trees on the property which include palms, zapote, and also plant hibiscus, banana, mango, and papaya trees. For around 86 USD per night, this is a great getaway for travelers and will not drain the pocket book. The second hotel is The Fairmont Acapulco Princess in Acapulco. This five star resort runs at 140 USD per night and is recognized as one of the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine. The hotel has created a program called Eco-Meet which is a green conference planning option aimed toward reducing waste at large conferences. Eco-Meet educates attendees about environmental concerns and about venue options that conserve energy, water, and effective waste management.

On the right trek: Eco based tourism in Laos

2011-08-31T02:59:00.002+01:00

Guest post by Amanda Kidd

A small country, nestled in the lap of forests and mountains tells the story of Mother Nature and its bond with the humans. Laos, a small yet beautiful country in South East Asia sings green melodies from the break of the dawn till the setting in of dusk. The country knows its USP- the exuberant rivers, majestic mountains, flamboyant forests, adventurous rope bridges and to top it all, unlimited trekking opportunities.

Eco-tourism has always fascinated me. Just one tour and you are helping the nature and its inhabitants in a plethora of ways. Consciously or unconsciously you become one with the nature’s spirit. The purpose and objectives include that of educating the traveler, providing funds for ecological conservation and development, empowering the locals and getting to know the culture of a foreign land. Exploring places untouched by humans may awake your spiritual and aesthetic senses.

Trekking and hiking possibilities in Laos are countless. Since its population density is low and ethnic traditions diverse, Laos today boasts of one of the richest ecotourism networks in Asia. So pack up your bags and get ready to hit it. It offers something or other for every kind of tourist (those short-trippers as well as long-trippers). You can go for an exploration off the beaten track and visit ethnic villages, explore hidden caves and waterfalls, spot and study wildlife and bird habitats and probe into the ruins of ancient civilizations. The local guides (be sure to book one, you won’t regret it) have a vast knowledge of the local culture, wildlife, plants and other elements of nature.

You can book the guides via a guide service or even a tour operator. These treks are organized by provincial guide services and villagers. The ‘villagers’ are properly trained for this. The money you spend (most of it) goes to the local guides and the villagers (as should be the case with eco tourism). This monetary help ensures that they get paid for their hospitality services and training facilities. The fiscal benefit further trickles down to community development programs.

Trekking with the help of these guides is the best way to travel a Laos National Protected Area. These protected areas are the best designed systems in the world. Their constant urge to conserve these valuable natural sources has worked well to make it the best in the business.

If you are more of a ‘dig-those-ancient-wonders’ type, you probably can’t miss to embark upon a fruitful journey of visiting two UNESCO’s world heritage sites. This archaeological and historical site is soon to make its way in the list of famous world heritage sites.

Apart from trekking, tourists can do cycling through the amazing stretches of green forests, kayak or raft down the meandering rivers, visit the canyons, rummage around for unusual wildlife and hike to stunning waterfalls and hidden caves. And while you are wearing your sneakers out, do try to breathe in the vibrant culture that Laos has at display.

About the author: Amanda Kidd is a blogger who is a nature lover and a hard core traveler. Amongst all, Florida beaches are still her favorite and she is currently working on a post on most exotic honeymoon destinations.

Discover Bang Krachao in Bangkok

2011-08-24T08:19:00.004+01:00

Enjoy the sightseeing in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, one of the biggest city of the country that shows the whole Thai cultural wealth.

Despite the fact that Bangkok is a polluted city, the government is aware of the important impact of ecotourism for their economy, as ecotourism attract a lot of tourists, especially from Europe.

They are making effort by participating in climate change negotiations, however restrictions about CO2 emissions are not plan yet.

The hope of having a "green" Bangkok is held out by students and Thai youth as they feel concerned by the future of their country. Thus, their main aim is to promote sustainable development and to develop and design appropriate ecotourism program, as they consider ecotourism's concept as a future income for local people and society.

Nowaday, they are increasing their effort to save "Bang Krachao", the last green space in Bangkok. Students from the Faculty of Architecture have a project: to develop Bang Krachao as a famous ecotourism spot of Bangkok. Several students coming from different part of the world came at the beginning of August to define ecotourism opportunities and to develop a roadmap in the park.

If you want to find more information about it, check it out on Greenty

National Parks in Vietnam

2011-08-16T07:55:00.004+01:00

Vietnam is one of the most preserved country of the South Asian part, thanks to their large of natural resources.

Thus the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism has decided to increase its efforts in ecotourism, one of the fast growing form of tourism, as the Vietnam begins to be one the favorite travel destination in the South East Asia.

One example of preserved city is Ba'Vi, a city close to Hanoi, which is located near the National Park, with almost 12 000ha.

With more than 812 plant species, 40 mammal species and 114 bird species, Ba'Vi is one the favorite spot for tourists to do bird watching and trekking.

Tourists are pleased to pay an extra price for conservation when they are visiting ecotourism places. Money will be used for conservation activities and help local communities to live and work for those places.

If you need more information for ecotourism spots, please visit http://www.greenty.com

Jaws escapes the frying pan...

2011-08-16T05:38:00.004+01:00

FOOD NETWORK AGREES TO STOP COOKING SHARK MEAT

More than 30,000 people join online campaign against serving shark meat

NEW YORK, NY - Activists are encouraged by the Food Network’s recent decision to erase all shark recipes from FoodNetwork.com after a viral online campaign, demanding some real change.

Conservation activist Jessica Belsky started to promote shark conservation during the popular “Shark Week” television series. Less than 10 days after the launch of the online campaign, the Food Network removed all shark recipes from its Web site and released a statement on the future use of shark at the network.

“As a policy, Food Network and Cooking Channel do not incorporate or showcase recipes that involve animals on endangered species list or the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch list, with the recent addition of sharks to those watch-lists, we will make sure that future content does not highlight shark as an ingredient. We understand there are many species with sustainability concerns, and we make efforts to stay informed and pass that information onto our audience.” - Susan Stockton, Food Network Kitchens

More than 30,000 people joined the online campaign, many of them joined in after the Food Network had already made the above commitment.

“We’re thrilled that the online platform has successfully connected people who care about the future of sharks to the Food Network, a brand that has a tremendous impact on popular culture,” said Sarah Parsons. “This is hopefully the first step in a longer partnership, and we’re excited to see where it goes.”

Over 650 people had left their comments on the online campaign website.

“Not only are sharks vital (and arguably the most vital) participants in ocean ecosystems, they are also among the world's most endangered species,” wrote one of the members Annie Tasson. “There is no reason for the Food Network to use its public platform to support the consumption of shark meat.”

Many sharks are threatened with extinction, with some species’ populations plummeting by as much as 90 percent in recent years. Sharks are listed on the “Red/Avoid” section of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch guide, along with more than 20 other species of fish like bluefin tuna, Chilean sea bass, and orange roughy.

Aside from sharks many other species of ocean life are threatened by the consumption of seafood by the global population. Dolphins and whales are still some of the controversial animal species suffering from maltreatment, however this change may work as a domino effect over time! Eco travellers unite, and travel green; this can make a big difference to our wildlife!

[Guest] 5 Florida Hotels That are “Going Green”

2011-07-07T10:17:00.001+01:00

Thinking of finding affordable car shipping rates to make your annual snowbird trip down to Florida? While using auto transport companies may be considered one way to go green, did you know that the hotel you stay in is another way you can contribute to a more eco-friendly existence?

From low-flow showerheads to low-flow toilets, recycling and serving water at hotel restaurants only when requested, more and more hotels are taking the green plunge to make the earth a healthier, happier place to live. The following is a list of 10 Eco-friendly hotels in Florida that are paving the way to a more eco-friendly travel experience:

Plantation Golf Resort & Spa, Crystal River, Florida | With a focus on water, energy and solid waste conservation, this hotel spa/resort is a proud member of the Green Hotels Association as well as the Rues Selection of Eco Friendly Hotels Worldwide.

Clifton South Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida | This two-story, 35-room hotel generates an eco-conscious atmosphere with features and amenities such as: dimmable LED lighting, reflective roofing, energy efficient windows and rooms that are equipped with an occupancy sensing energy management system. Additionally, many materials used in the hotel's construction are also eco-friendly, such as: drywall and carpeting fabricated using recycled content, interior pain containing ZERO volatile organic compounds and mattresses composed of 100% renewable materials. For more of the hotel's impressive Green features, see the source link earlier.

The Shore Club, Key Biscayne, Florida | Boasting hand-woven tribal rugs, original terrazzo floors and other elegant hand-made furnishings from around the world, this hotel was the first hotel on South Beach to earn the Green Lodging One Palm Certification from the state of Florida. The Green Lodging Program was first established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with the intent of recognizing and rewarding environmentally conscientious lodging facilities within the state.

Saddlebrook Resort, Wesley Chapel, Florida | Recognized by the DEP as a Florida Green Lodging Property and awarded with the "One Palm Certification," the Saddlebrook boasts more than $50 million in renovations to make it a more eco-friendly travel destination. Some of their improvements? A new laundry service featuring biodegradable detergents; customized linen services in which guests decide whether or not they would like their clothing laundered; individually-computer-controlled rooms that keep the temperature set correctly when you are not there; Electric carts for golfing.

The Colony Hotel, Delray Beach, Florida | A founding member of the "Green" Hotels Association and having won the prestigious Green Business Award from Florida Atlantic University in 1996, The Colony Hotel continues to encourage, promote and support ecological consciousness in the hotel industry. Examples of eco-friendly features at this hotel include: the elimination of styrofoam food containers, aerosol spray products and plastic trashcan liners as well as the use of non-toxic cleaning materials. Other changes that this hotel has made include: no smoking, using eco-friendly construction materials in renovation projects and the use of live plants to clean interior spaces.

About the Author: Janelle is an avid travel enthusiast and blog manager for one of the leading car shipping companies in the United States, National Transport, LLC.

Eco-Friendly Travel in the Caribbean? Look No Further Than Belize

2011-06-28T07:30:00.003+01:00

When most people picture a Caribbean vacation, they envision fruity cocktails, sparkling poolside lounging and luxurious resorts decked out with amenities. The green traveler brings a different perspective to the table. While the idea of an eco-friendly Caribbean vacation may not seem attainable, green getaways are certainly attainable in many tropical destinations, including Belize.

The rainforests and rugged terrain of Belize offer a haven for the outdoorsy traveler. The supply of natural adventure is never-ending in this country, although one may be surprised to find that campgrounds aren’t easy to come by – but if you seek it, you will find it. Whether you’re interested in pitching your tent in the pit of the wilderness, or would rather camp out near civilization, Belize eco-tourism offers options to please any earthly traveler.

While camping amongst nature may seem like the most obvious choice for sleeping under the stars, Belize vacationers will find that many hotels allow campers to set up on their property. In fact, some lodging facilities have areas designated specifically for camping guests. This is a great option for the tourist who is looking for eco-friendly accommodations without leaving the comforts of modern amenities. For the best experience, consider accommodations like the Midas Eco Resort in San Ignacio, which offers $4 campsites, or $34 cabanas.

If you’re looking to truly rough it, you will be able to find rugged camping throughout conservation and national areas. Hiking through the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary promises to deliver lasting memories as you trek through the world’s only jaguar sanctuary, but keep in mind that permits are required for campers wishing to set up a private campsite. Alternatively, you may opt for the dorm-style lodging offers at the Quarn Barn. Other great locations for outdoor camping include Five Blues Lake National Park, or the Half Moon Caye National Monument. Additionally, Mountain Pine Ridge offers a haven for outdoorsy travelers, with hiking, horseback riding, swimming, caving and more.

Many travelers may dream of spending their Caribbean vacations bathed in luxurious amenities, but for some of us, the adventure is more about getting in touch with the world around us. Whether you’re interested in eco-friendly lodging, or pure camping, Belize enables the nature loving tourist to seek out the beauty of wilderness. When planning your next vacation to Belize, consider your green travel options.

About the Author: Katie Boue is a Cuban-American writer who studied at Florida State University's Creative Writing program before setting off on worldly adventures. An avid rock-climber and photographer, Katie has a passion for exploration. Her recent adventures include briefly living along the southern coast of France, eating her way through northern California and an upcoming road trip throughout America in search of the best climbing spots. She currently writes for a network of Caribbean travel guide sites.

New Destinations on Greenty.com

2011-06-28T02:30:00.004+01:00

Dear Readers,

We are happy to announce a lot of new eco-destinations on Greenty.com available here in our new eco-hotels sitemap

New destinations include great tourism destinations such as

eco-hotels in France

eco-hotels in Germany

eco-hotels in the US

eco-hotels in Italy

eco-hotels in Switzerland eco-hotels in Australia

eco-hotels in the Maldives

eco-hotels in Canada

eco-hotels in Costa-Rica

We are happy to hear your feedback , whether you are a eco-hotelier , a eco-blogger, or a eco-consumer

happy eco-traveling !

The Greenty.com team

Beach House Maldives- Restoring the Coral Reefs of the Maldives

2011-06-19T03:08:00.008+01:00

June 2011- In keeping with the old adage 'leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos' Beach House Maldives, a Waldorf Astoria Resort offers its guests a perfect memento of their stay: a patch of coral reef to call their very own.

For $150, the luxury resor's coral reef regeneration project allows guests to select and "plant" a small area of coral reef in the Indian Ocean where it will grow and thrive. Particularly popular with newlyweds and honeymooners at the resort, the creation of a path of reef only takes about an hour, although the benefits will last a lifetime.

"Coral reefs are one of the most spectacular and fragile environments on this planet", says General Manager Frederic Lebegue. "Coral that takes decades to grow can be destroyed so easily which is why we support this project to transplant and re-grow the coral at Beach House Maldives, a Waldorf Astoria Resort."

The coral reef regeneration project is spearheaded by Seamarc, a Maldives-based marine consultancy who has developed a successful coral propagation technique that shows remarkable growth. The resort's resident marine biologist harvest living but damaged or threatened corals from the surrounding waters. These are then attached by guests to a lightweight pyramidal substrate frame structure and transplanted in the resort's lagoon thereby replenishing old habitats and creating new areas of a reef. Guests can follow the progress of their reef by logging into a dedicated website where they watch it as it grows throughout the years.

As well as being one of the world's best holiday souvenirs, planting a coral reef makes a significant social and environmental impact on the country. "The Maldives depend on tourism and fishing which are the two largest contributors to the economy, both of these industries rely on the continued existence of healthy, vibrant reefs that are as appealing to tourists as they are to the fish that live in them. It is also important to remember that a coral reef surrounding an island protects it from wave action and erosion," says Lebegue.

Beach House Maldives, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is located on the pristine, lagoon-ringed Haa Alifu Atoll and is fringed by powder-white beaches and complemented with an unspoilt jungle-filled interior. The 35-acre resort compromises 83 Maldivian-style villas, three restaurants, three bars, and a luxurious spa. Each villa comes complete with a private pool and butler.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL POST : The Gecko-Villa

2011-05-24T05:26:00.003+01:00

Name: Gecko Villa

Full address: Baan Um Jaan, A. Prjak Sinlaphakom, Udon Thani, 41110 Thailand

Contact name: Got Daeng

Tel: +66-81-9180500

Email: info@geckovilla.com

Web: http://www.geckovilla.com

The Thai Villa

Located in rural Northeast Thailand, in Udon Thani province, Gecko Villa is a spacious holiday villa, with a private swimming pool that overlooks the adjoining rice paddies and plantations. A local Thai family living in a nearby village meets and greets guests at arrival to transfer them to the property and look after them during their stay, allowing immediate and direct interaction between guests and indigenous villagers.

The villa itself comprises three king bedded bedrooms, a large living and dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, a walled garden, ample wooden decking and a private pool with uninterrupted views of rice paddies, sugar cane plantations, woodlands and meadows. Holidays at Gecko Villa are fully catered, with delicious, freshly prepared Thai and Isan food prepared using locally sourced ingredients – many from the property itself, where mango, lemongrass, basil, pea eggplants, rice, chili, mint, spring onions, banana, limes and more are grown organically. There is no additional charge for meals and drinks at the villa, and guests may also learn how to cook some of the local specialties themselves.

The hosts are happy to involve guests fully in the local way of life and to show them the area, or should guests be looking to simply relax and unwind, they will be left to enjoy the property in complete privacy. Activities such as Thai cooking classes, visits to local schools and temples, tours of the listed wetlands of Nong Han, of the stunning local lotus lake, or excursions to the museum of Ban Chiang may all be made free of charge.

Eco Initiatives

At Gecko Villa, rainwater is collected and used extensively. As there is no mains supply of water at the property, an environmentally aware and sustainable approach to water conservation is applied de facto.

The swimming pool is salt based to avoid the use of chlorine.

Waste is recycled wherever possible, and a particular effort is made to encourage the local community to avoid littering and environmentally unfriendly waste disposal practices.

Electricity is metred and we encourage guests to minimize the use of air-conditioning. Power efficient, energy saving fittings and equipment are used.

The wood used in the construction of Gecko Villa is local “Pradoo”. It is heavier than teak and twice as hard and is resistant to termites, grows rapidly, and is well suited to the soil of the Northeast. Most importantly, it is a local and sustainable tree that has the advantages of teak without the environmental implications.

The roof of the building and its extensive balconies are raised and sheltered in the typical architectural style that is designed to ensure maximum cooling breezes and ventilation, & shelter from the tropical sun. Whilst the appeal of modernity has encouraged many Thais to choose a western styled home set on the ground, Gecko Villa believes that such a tendency is merely one of fashion and does not match the construction design with local requirements – ventilation, flood avoidance, termite risk reduction, etc. Gecko Villa aims to show that inherited architectural traditions can be usefully and attractively preserved.

Gecko Villa has a deliberate policy of countering deforestation. To date, this has involved acquiring 20 rai (8 acres) of adjoining mature woodland originally destined for felling and conversion into rice paddies, in order to help maintain the eco-system and natural wildlife. This acquisition was directly funded with revenues from the operation. A further 20 rai site of unproductive rice paddy adjoining the property has been totally replanted with trees. Reforestation is crucial in the Northeast of Thailand, historically a vast area covered with thick forests that were originally felled for the wood and then for conversion into rice paddies, upsetting not only the local habitat of indigenous flora and fauna, but also placing an enormous strain on water requirement in this drought prone region. Whilst it is considered that the methane production of rice paddies has been overstated, the need for reforestation is clear.

The locals have traditionally lived off the land, rather than simply on it, and local villagers are employed to show guests traditional hunting and food gathering techniques, and how these can be preserved only if the natural balance is maintained and pollution avoided.

Gecko Villa favours the supply of local food. They have their own organic fruit and vegetable orchards, as well as an organic herb gardens. These are supplemented through the purchase of locally grown produce. The rice served to clients is quite literally from their doorstep, and has not passed through the hands of the city traders.

Guests may also be introduced to the copious supply of local alternative sources of traditional sustainable protein such as insects, snails and frogs if interested!

Gecko Villa aims to protect and preserve local traditions. An interesting example is the use of banana leaves as a food wrapper – whilst modernization has led to a dramatic and unbridled use of plastic bags in the kingdom, traditionally food has been wrapped, cooked and served in banana leaves. These are of course totally biodegradable and there is a constant supply.

Responsible, Sustainable Tourism

All revenues generated at Gecko Villa are retained by the local villagers participating in its operation. As such, these families are direct stakeholders rather than employees. They are all from the surrounding villages and have enhanced access to medical care thanks to the operation. Revenues from Gecko Villa have been used to provide a better education for 4 children to date.

One of Gecko Villa’s main achievements has been preventing the typical separation of families and the migration of parents to Bangkok or further afield in seeking unskilled employment far from home. Traditionally, young children are left with aging grandparents, as parents seek temporary work in the capital, returning only for the rice harvests. Gecko Villa has enabled several families to stay together, promoting stability and a secure, local and individually empowering source of employment.

Rates

Gecko Villa is rented on a “whole Villa, all-inclusive” basis. Thus whether you are a couple or a family of six, visitors are assured of the entire property to themselves. Rates include free airport transfers, all meals daily at the property (cooked by the hosts), drinks, laundry, and local trips.

1-2 guests: THB 6,800 / night

3-4 guests: THB 7,900

5-6 guests: THB 8,900

The minimum stay is only 2 nights.

STAY GREEN WITH STAYCATIONING

2011-05-12T03:41:00.000+01:00

Rumor has it that most probably the royal couple are staying in UK for their grand honeymoon plans. If this is true, their decision might just set the trend for UK travelers nationwide to embark on local vacations and keep greener travel plans.

The palace officials had cautioned them not to jet-set on a pricey foreign holiday when many British are still struggling to come out from the recent economic crisis. “William and Kate are acutely aware that in these difficult times being seen to take a luxury honeymoon would not look good and send out entirely the wrong signal," Britain daily mail reported.

So it seems that they will be off to the gorgeous, albeit less-known Scilly Islands near the Cornish coast.

The five islands of the archipelago include St. Mary's, St. Martin's, and St. Agnes.:

St. Mary's is the most populated, but unlikely to be the destination of the couple who surely will want a bit of privacy after their very public wedding. And for that, the islands of St. Agnes and St. Martin seem to be perfect.

St. Agnes is a beautiful island that is known for its gorgeous beaches and its quaint feel. The island has everything William and Kate could want, including homemade chocolate and ice cream and farmers markets to wander through.

St. Martins is also a very private island with cafes, a pub and one hotel. William and Kate might enjoy strolling through St. Martins winery while tasting some of the local wine as well as having a romantic afternoon picnic in the island's flower farm. St. Martins also has the beach that was voted best beach in the U.K. - Great Bay.

Plus, a visit to Scilly Islands will be a trip down memory Lane for William who has fond memories of a family holiday taken there with Charles, Diana and Harry in 1989.

With all of the rumors surrounding the Isles as a possible place to see Prince William and Kate there in the near future, the official tourism site has tripled its amount of traffic. The tourism industry hopes this rise in popularity turns into more weekend bookings.

And a trendsetting green, moneysaving, sustainable staycation.

Useful Tips to Keep Green While Traveling

2011-05-05T08:29:00.004+01:00

1. Choosing a green hotel

There are a number of websites that list environmentally friendly hotels, B&B's and lodges around the world; these are a good place to start. Keep in mind that each site has its own guidelines for rating properties, so you'll want to do your homework to make sure that the hotel meets the standards you're looking for.

A few questions to ask before booking your hotel:

Is the hotel locally owned and operated? If not, is it at least staffed by local employees?
What kind of recycling programs does the hotel have (aluminum, plastic, paper, gray water, composting)?
Do guests have the option to reuse towels and sheets instead of having them changed every day?
What programs does the hotel have to reduce consumption? Examples include energy-efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and showers, and alternative energy sources like solar or wind power.
How does the hotel contribute to the local community?

2. During your stay...

Even if you're not spending the night in an ecolodge or green hotel, there are still several easy steps you can take to make your stay more eco-friendly.

Keep your showers short, and shut off the water while you're brushing your teeth.
When you leave the room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, television, lights or any other electric devices.
Reuse your sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day. Many hotels will not replace your towels if you leave them hanging up neatly; if you're not sure, write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk.
Bring your own toiletries and drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided. If you do use the hotel's toiletries, take them with you and use them at home or during the rest of your trip.
Know your hotel's recycling program and sort your trash accordingly. If your hotel doesn't recycle, consider taking your empty bottles or other items home with you to recycle them there.
Give your hotel feedback. Express your appreciation for any eco-friendly programs it currently offers — or if it doesn't, encourage the management to go green in the future.

3. Getting around

Transportation — particularly air travel — is where most travelers have the biggest environmental impact. According to USA Today, a flight from New York to Denver produces as much carbon dioxide per passenger as an SUV produces in a month. To minimize your environmental footprint, try the following steps:

Offset the carbon emission produced by your flight.
For shorter trips, take the train instead of flying — especially in Europe or other regions where train service is fast and frequent.
When renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle that can comfortably accommodate you. Decline any "free upgrades" (which will cost you more in gas).
Rent a hybrid car
f your personal vehicle is large and not very fuel-efficient, consider renting an economy car instead. You'll save gas and avoid putting miles on your own vehicle.
Whenever possible, use public transportation instead of a taxis or rental cars. Better yet, walk or bike.

4. Responsible sightseeing

When it comes to visiting the world's most beautiful places, the old adage rings true: Take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but footprints.

Travel with a tour operator that's environmentally responsible. Before you book, be sure to ask about group size (smaller groups tend to make less of an environmental impact), whether the tours are led by locals, how the tour operator gives back to the community, and what kind of lodging is included.
When hiking, always stay on marked trails and maintain a safe distance from any animals you encounter. Deposit your trash in marked receptacles or take it with you when you leave. Light campfires only in established fire rings and be sure they're completely extinguished before you leave.
When snorkeling, do not touch the coral or stir up sediment, as these actions can damage the reef's fragile ecosystem.
Try to buy local products whenever possible instead of those that have been flown or shipped in from overseas. You'll support the local economy and get a taste of native cuisine. Do not, however, buy souvenirs or other products made from endangered animals or plants — in most cases you can't get them through Customs anyway.
Treat the locals with respect. Learn a few words in the native language, be open to cultural differences, and read up on the area before your trip so you're sensitive to issues of dress and behavior.
Consider taking a volunteer vacaton to give back directly to the place you're visiting.

Gardening for your life: five exciting reasons- and one downright scary one- you should learn to grow food this year.

2011-04-24T03:01:00.007+01:00

Want to go eco this year? How about taking up a new hobby; gardening?! Ellen LaConte explains why this is nt only fun but extremely efficient as well. Go eco this year!

Spring has sprung, and if you're looking for a good way to "go green" this year, here's a suggestion. Don't stop at planting a tree, attending a rally, or giving to your favourite conservation fun. Instead, make 2011 the year you move beyond symbolic gestures and engage with the Earth in the most primal, profound, and productive way possible: by learning to grow your own food.

It's interesting to me that people work so hard to acquire the skills we need to make the living, yet most of us neglect the most basic, essential, and valuable skill of all: the ability to feed ourselves. We depend almost totally on other people to provide the nourishment that keeps us alive.

When you ponder the implications- especially in an economy that seems to be hanging on by a thread- you can see it doesn't make a lot of sense. For this reason and many others, I'd love to see more people vowing to experience firsthand the miracle of growing food.

Plenty of people dabble in gardening, of course. A survey by the Garden Writers Association revealed that 38 percent of Americans grew some of their own vegetables in 2009, a number that reflected a growing percentage of under- 40s, many of whom dragged or coaxed their kids to get down and dirty, too. And apparently something like 37 percent of food gardeners aim to expand their gardens this year.

While these aren't bad numbers, I would rather see that 38 percent reverse itself into 83 percent. Growing your own food, brings with it a hue variety of benefits. Even if you discount the ever-more-plausible specter of economic collapse, it's hard to deny the gifts that gardening brings to your life:

1. It's a source of fresh, delicious, wholesome food. Guess what most people list as their first and primary reason for growing some of their own food? That's right: the food itself. Fresher, healthier, tastier - especially if its grown organically, without toxic chemicals- homegrown food is just closer to what food is supposed to be about. It doesn't just keep you alive; it makes life worth living. And it keeps your body as happy as your taste buds.

Whats especially pleasing is that so many young people still have a taste for fresh and homegrown, for live and soil- burn, hand- harvested and heirloom. Contrary to what modern taste mavens have written, the young haven't all gone over to the artificial strawberry- flavored column.

2. It helps us get more satisfaction. Seventy- one percent of young people, and at least that many older vegetable gardeners, spend hours on their hands and knees in proximity to earthworms and ants because they get some kind of satisfaction out of it. Part of that satisfaction is doubtless chalked up to tasty food and bragging rights. But a large part of it is owed to the ancient, unshakeable, bred-in-the-bone sense of competence and self- reliance that comes from providing for yourself and your loved ones and friends something that you and they absolutely need.

These are feelings most Americans have lost since they've come to depend on "the economy" to supply them with food. They are bone-deep feelings we share not just with those hearty, self-reliant, colonial Americans we're so proud to trace ourselves back to but also with the first humans that figured out that maybe if they left those apple seeds where they lay, maybe scuffed a little dirt over them or scattered a handful of those self-sown wheat seeds where the light and soil were better, why, darn, miracles would happen over which they had some control. On-demand food, 10,000 B.C. style.

3. We're up for downtime. Gardening's hard work. It takes concentration and focus. But for most Americans, the break from artificial lighting and air, plastic plants, a chair that may or may not be ergonomic, multitasking, 24/7/365 exposure to interruption, and other demands is more like a vacation than work. Sixty percent of the young vegetable gardeners in the Garden Writers Association survey said that's why they gardened: it relaxed them.

When you're in the garden, you're working on plant and wind and sun and rain time, not clock time. If you let yourself be fully present to what the garden needs from you, you're automatically attuned to Life's more leisurely time frames, not the customary frenetic human ones.

4. It's a spiritual thing. The original sacred texts of most of the great spiritual traditions begin in or refer to some sort of garden. Most of the world's spiritual teachers have taught us how we should live in the world and with each other by using gardening metaphors and parables. So it is any wonder that for many, the garden, even one created in pots huddled on a patio on the fifteenth floor above an urban street, triggers a spontaneous, instinctive connection with that larger Life within which we have our lives and that ineffable Source of all that is, which makes new life arise out of something as unprepossessing as a seed.

Gardening makes us partners in the ongoing Creation. Like other forms of what feels like playing and praying at the same time, gardening is something that can be done alone. Its depths and pleasures are, however, amplified greatly by being shared. Where I live in the Bible-belt south, it would be safe to say "the family that breaks clays together, stays together."

5. It keeps us fit and healthy. Bend and streth, bend and stretch. No doubt about it, gardening is one of the best ways to get and stay fit even before it offers up bounties of food that, if we eat them instead of what we pick up on the way home or have in a box in the cupboard or bag in the freezer, amplify fitness. Whole muscles groups you didn't know you had get worked out at least seasonally in the process of digging, turning, hoeing, raking, sowing, weeding.

"Infamous twentieth century homesteader, vegetarian, and gardener Helen Nearing like to say, "gardening is an adult sport." It is also an aerobic and isotonic one. And, since she didn't have children, she couldn't have known that they take to gardening like doctors to golf courses.

6. And last- but certainly not least!- It might someday save your life. Here, without a doubt, is the most compelling reason of all to get proficient at growing your own food. As I explain in my book 'Life Rules', the entire global economy is too big not too fail. Dwindling resources, climate instability, sky rocketing prices, and other red flags point to a future in which the cheap, abundunt, and readily available food we currently enjoy may no longer be there for us.

As hard as it is for most Americans to imagine, there may come a day when grocery store shelves are bare. If and when that day comes, the ability to grow your own food will no longer be a hobby but a survival skill.

Even if the worst doesn't happen, a society that's not disconnected from its food production is a healthier one in general. And when you consider how easy it really is to grow your fruit and veggies- in backyards, on vacant lots, in community gardens, and in patio pots- there's certainly no reason not to.

Gardening takes skill, but seeds, soil, earthworms, more billions of microbes than you can count, rain, and sun do most of the work. The food is built into the seed and is called out of the seed by the other five. To take charge of our food supply again, we just need 83 instead of 38 percent of Americans and hopefully 100 percent of the world to bring seeds into contact with them, love' em a little, and wait. Plus with all that money you save on food, perhaps some extra for a fantastic eco holiday to Asia or anywhere else in the world?!

-------------------------

As memoirist, magazine and book editor, and freelance writer, Ellen LaConte has been published in numerous magazines and trade journals on subjects ranging from organic gardening and alternative technologies to the evolution of consciousness, democracy theory, and complex systems. After three decades of homesteading in Connecticut and Maine, she gardens now on half-acre in the Yadkin River watershed of the Piedmont bio-region of North Carolina.

WATCH OUT FOR BALI GOING GREEN

2011-04-20T08:14:00.004+01:00

Now, what crosses your mind upon the mention of Bali? Pristine stretches of white sandy beach? Rolling waves of sparkling cerulean sea? Foreign tourists surfing from sunrise to sunset and then off to some cursing on the night-clubs-packed streets? Think again.

The island is home to a wide range of natural treasures, including lush expanses of mountainous forests as green as emerald, sloping down gently to reveal magnificently terraced rice fields - with their yellowish, humble paddy shoots nodding sleepily under the gentle nudge of the occasional sea breeze. The air is ripe with hopeful serenity, the scent of freshly cut wild grass, and the ever-prevalent whiff of burnt incense from last night's prayer offerings. As opposed to the festive seashore, perhaps there is almost nowhere else on earth as spiritually soothing and as invigoratingly greener (literally and figuratively) as Balinese mountain side.

Among those seizing the opportunity to offer ecotourism experience to environmentally-conscious travelers is the new Bali EcoVillage - an eco-lodging project set up amidst the isolation of Bali's tropical greens.

Bali Eco Village is committed to give you an experience like no other resort will offer. Geared towards cultivating your spiritual development and environmental awareness, staying in Bali Eco Village is like embarking on a peaceful spiritual retreat that will synchronize your yin and yang after extended exposure to the hustle-and-bustle of the stressful city life. Do enjoy a weekend or two here to get the most out of your holiday break!

Here are some of the resort's ecological engagement :

Created using natural materials and employing traditional craftsmen, Bali Eco Village aims to be a completely sustainable tourism facility that will enhance the environment and show villagers and guests a new way of moving towards a sustainable future.

The resort is working towards complete self-sustainability. Buildings are almost entirely built from bamboo combining experimental with age old techniques.

Giving back to the community is a large part of the purpose of Bali Eco Village where we provide employment opportunities, training and education. The education vision is for a future that is sustainable in order to preserve this unspoilt environment.

Water for cooking, bathing and drinking is all locally sourced and the water for the gardens recycled. The river itself has been used to harness energy that is distributed to different parts of the resort.

An organic farm provides the vegetables for the resort and free-range pigs and chickens are raised for use in the restaurant.

Waste management: Bali Eco Village utilises waste segregation and works hand in hand with Eco Bali collecting and recycling the waste. We inform and make local villagers sensitive to waste management so that these skills become part of their daily lives.

And the list of the resort's top activities :

horse riding, jungle-trekking, bathing in the sacred river, practicing traditional offerings, organic gardening, visiting waterfalls, elephant riding, tree-top adventures, outdoor cycling, and many more. Yoga classes and spiritual meet-ups are frequently conducted, and there are plenty of opportunities to interact with like-minded travelers from all over the world.

Still more delish goodness :

The resort is armed with longtime experience with hospitality and homegrown cuisine.
Their chef will tempt you every day with his homemade breakfast (breads, jams, fresh fruit, juices, cereals, yogurt and eggs), a menu full of Mediterranean and Asian dishes, home made pastas, bread and focaccia and delicious cakes and desserts.

The organic gardens and green houses that provide our vegetables will be pleased to let you pick them up for your own salad!

Guests at our Ecolodge have plenty of comfortable places for sitting, play together or relaxing. Their living salon, lushly furnished with sofas, chairs and tables is perfect for reading and writing and enjoy the fireplace.
Have some binoculars close by to check out the bird that just perches on top of the tree next to you. Observe the biggest world butterfly’ Atlas’’ by night. Relax on their 400 square meters terrace where you can enjoy offerings of afternoon teas served with homemade cakes and biscuits, or star watching at night in front of the terrace!

Choice of accommodation comes in the form of full bungalow or standard room option.

Visit baliecovillage for more details.

For more ideas on eco tourism, visit the greenty website.

Wild Asia's Responsible Tourism Initiative- Sustaining South-East Asia

2011-03-11T03:51:00.005Z

Wild Asia organizes and manages a tourism industry program named Responsible Tourism Initiative; unique amongst any other sustainable tourism events. Annually, a greater number of tourists hit the road under an ever expanding umbrella of an increasing number of low cost carriers and various newly discovered destinations. However, following this boom in commercial tourism are the concerns regarding possible negative impacts on the environment, local communities, and natural wildlife. Responsible Tourism (RT) is aimed at reducing this impact by promoting practices that contribute back to the local communities, preserve natural ecosystems, and the natural history of the regions.

When asked how Wild Asia makes RT a reality, they answered enthusiastically, "We do this by creating rewards, promoting, sharing, and inspiring change from within the travel industry in order to make a difference. Every year, we run an Awards program called the Responsible Tourism Awards; now in its 6th year. These Awards culminate at a regional platform in ITB Asia Singapore were tourism experts and industry leaders come together to network and contribute innovative ideas and possibilities."

As tourism increases across the globe, the need for sustainable management amongst every form of tourism operator is essential to maintaining a healthy environment. Individuals, families, and even companies are increasing their travel significantly. "It is important that we all consider our impacts on the environment and choose accommodations carefully so we do not lose the cultural and natural gems that tourists come to Asia for in the first place", says Dr. Reza Azmi, director and founder of Wild Asia.

Quite pointedly Wild Asia remarked, "For those who think that travelling responsibly does not concern them; think again. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, by the year 2020 one out of every eleven jobs will be tourism related. Furthermore, Asia is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Thus it is vital to become aware of the travel industry and the impacts it has economically, culturally and environmentally. The RT Awards acknowledges those who are working towards conserving local culture and environment while boosting local economies."

In a few final words Wild Asia sends out and invitation to all, "Wild Asia's 6th Responsible Tourism Awards will be beginning soon and we would like to extend the opportunities for you to be part of this event in 2011. Whether you are an individual who would like to find out more about sustainable destinations and accommodations in Asia, or an accommodation operator who wishes to enter the awards, or perhaps you may be part of a company who wishes to support the Awards, Wild Asia urges you to get involved. The Responsible Tourism Initiative and Awards is a very unique program that anyone can participate in and it is your support that truly makes a difference."

For those interested in participating, supporting or sponsoring the Awards contact Sarah Mayer at greenty.com@gmail.com and you will be redirected to the proper source of information.

About Wild Asia
Wild Asia is a social enterprise working with businesses and communities to promote best practices for a sustainable future. Our hope is that through meaningful engagement, we can minimize adverse impacts on the environment, ensure that local communities are engages and that local cultures are respected.

About Greenty.com
Greenty is the First Green Travel Guide; ensuring that every hotel you pick is selected and recommended as an ideal eco hotel, and located at the perfect eco destination to suit any eco conscious traveler's needs.

Don't let Asbestos get the best of us- A guest blog by Krista Peterson

2011-02-11T00:56:00.005Z

Ecotourists are by definition individuals who want to travel in an environmentally responsible way, experiencing the best that both nature and human ingenuity have to offer. While most environmentally conscious tourists would rightfully hesitate to travel to a city full of smog and other man-made air pollutants, they may not stop to consider that certain naturally-occurring substances may be just as dangerous. One such substance is asbestos. Because the presence of asbestos in the air makes it dangerous for humans as well as animals, asbestos is considered a pollutant and ought to be avoided abroad as well as at home.

Asbestos was (and in some places of the world, still is) used to fireproof a wide range of materials, particularly in factories and the shipbuilding and construction industries. It is usually not dangerous when bound up in other materials – such as insulation, wall panels, flooring tiles, and many more – but when these products become broken or damaged, they can release asbestos fibers into the air and water. If breathed in or ingested, they can cause serious health problems including cancer. Mesothelioma symptoms, a cancer of the lining of the lungs that can nearly always be linked to asbestos exposure, often go unrecognized until the disease has progressed into its later stages when it is highly resistant to traditional treatments.

While many countries have in fact banned the use or import of asbestos, many – especially in the developing world – have not. A 2009 U.S. Geological Survey report named China, India, Russia, Brazil, and Thailand, in order, as the world’s largest importers of asbestos. In these countries, asbestos is primarily used in construction, adding strength and heat resistance to materials but also making them dangerous. The largest exporters in the world, countries where large deposits of asbestos ore can be found, include China, Russia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and even Canada. As a casual and conscientious traveler, you are unlikely to encounter dangerous amounts of asbestos in the air or water, but it is still highly advisable to steer clear of construction sites, factories, or mines.

It is also important to pay attention to where you stay. In 2004, the International Ecotourism Society published a list of standards for environmentally friendly hotels that can act as your guide as you plan your accommodations. While the list doesn’t mention any specific contaminants, it does emphasize the need for these hotels to be free of pollution, and that includes asbestos. If your hotel is in a country that mines or imports large amounts of asbestos, considering calling ahead to ask whether the building or buildings are undergoing renovation. If this is the case, you may want to reconsider staying there. Additionally, your room should be in good repair and free of damaged or exposed construction materials. Mesothelioma symptoms are serious, but they are also avoidable if you pay attention to your surroundings and pick your hotel with care.

Krista Peterson is a recent graduate from the University of Central Florida. Currently still living in Florida. An aspiring writer with a passion for the health & wellness of our community & our environment. She tries to live her life the greenest and healthiest way possible and enjoys writing on the topic to help spread awareness of this lifestyle. In her free time, she enjoys reading, doing yoga, and playing with her 3 dogs.

Green Traveller: Four Tips for More Eco-Friendly Travel

2011-02-09T01:16:00.007Z

If you love to travel, there are a few things you can do to reduce your impact on the environment. Our guest writer, Isabel Clift has come up with four tips for more eco-friendly travel and commonsense ways to reduce the carbon footprint of any journey…

1. Replace flights with trains, coaches and even cars

If you’re going on a short-haul break, replace the flight you might take with an equivalent coach or rail journey. An entire journey by these means uses a fraction of the fuel used up by a commercial flight during take-off and landing, resulting in a far lighter carbon footprint for your trip. If you’re renting a car to make the journey, go for a lower-emission hybrid model, and take all passengers in one car rather than splitting the group between two vehicles.

Flights are often unavoidable for essential long-haul journeys. If you have to fly, take non-stop routes rather than journeys with connecting flights, as this means less fuel spent on take-offs and landings.

2. Pack with an eco-conscience

There are three small but essential items that will instantly make your luggage greener. Don’t leave home without…

A canvas tote bag: use for carrying market shopping and souvenirs you’ve picked up, instead of opting for plastic bags.
A water pouch: unlike plastic bottles, water pouches are hard-wearing, easy to carry around (you can roll them up and put them in your pocket when empty) and safe to re-use again and again. Buying endless bottles of water on excursions becomes a thing of the past: simply fill your pouch with drinking water and you’re ready to hit the streets.
Refillable toiletry containers: fill travel-sized re-usable containers with shampoos, conditioners and other toiletries from home. This means you don’t need to buy more mini-sized products to take on holiday with you, or use the toiletries provided at hotels. Wherever you can, use organic products and those that are kind to the environment.

3. Choose a greener destination

Some destinations are a greener choice than others. For example, it’s always more environmentally-friendly to stay close to home then it is to go abroad – as your transport time is shortened, your trip’s carbon footprint is considerably lightened, too.

If you do have a burning desire to leave the country, you can try to counter-balance the emissions spent getting there with choosing a relatively eco-friendly destination. For city breaks, choose places with environmentally-responsible goals and infrastructure: Vancouver, for example, draws 90% of its power from renewable resources. If you’re looking for a rural getaway, consider a volunteering break spent living and working on an organic farm.

4. Support local business and culture

Vote with your wallet to support local livelihoods. Shun chain stores in favour of local markets and independent shops and go to festivals, exhibitions and events that showcase local and traditional arts, crafts and achievements. These boost the local economy and give back to the people that make the destination a unique place to visit.

Ready to travel greener? See more eco travel tips here.

About our guest author: Isabel Clift is a travel writer and blogger for AnyTrip.com, a travel company based in the UK. She lives in London, loves vintage fairs and organic food, and tries her best to balance a love for travel with an eco-conscience!

The Green Khmer- Discover Ecotourism in Cambodia

2011-02-07T04:17:00.006Z

Siem Reap is one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia. Most tourists associate this beautiful region with the Angkor Wat Temple Complex which spreads across an extensive area throughout the countryside. Nevertheless Siem Reap has seen its fair share of the horrendous Khmer Rouge Regime, and its effects are still present amongst the population. Landmines are still scattered throughout the region, all too often set off by a remote farmer tending to his land or adventurous children chasing each other through the dense forests. Due to the war many were left poor, homeless, or badly injured and unable to provide a sustainable income. As a result desperate measures were taken to ensure some form of salary and support their family and survival.

The forests and monuments often carried the weight and sacrificed their sustainability for this survival mechanism. Fortunately, Siem Reap has been turned around and has become one of the top destinations for ecotourism. Aside from the sustainable approach to the region’s natural beauty, community projects have been established to aid the less fortunate individuals who suffered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. However, many individuals are often underprivileged as a result of the poor circumstances, and are given an opportunity to establish a promising future.

One of the well known and much visited projects is that set up by Aki Ra who was a former child soldier, trained in disabling land mines. As a result he has set up the Cambodia Landmine Museum and Relief Facility. This not only gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the historical landmines, various weapons, and tactics utilized and retrieved from the countryside. It also provides a facility that aids children affected by mines and poverty helping them meet basic needs such as a home and schooling opportunities. Furthermore the museum employs adult amputees and offering their family with an income. There are various other projects that attend to children suffering from impoverished conditions, as orphans or physically abused. Many of the organizations attend to the values that were lost during the Khmer Rouge regime such as the arts, education, family, and age-old traditions.

For those who seek a more environmental option, the Sam Veasna Centre for Wildlife Conservation is one of the several responsible tour organizers that explore the natural beauty; flora and fauna of Cambodia whilst benefiting the rural communities. You can visit the sanctuary where you may see the endangered Ibises, as well as an astounding number of other bird species, even a possible glimpse at the Eld’s Deer. At the regular feeding territory of the endangered vultures you can watch them dine up close and personal. The funds go to local projects such as wells, roads, or school buildings whilst the visitors are accompanied by English trained guides who provide you with expert information on the wildlife and the environment.

Since there are countless projects and each one unique and significant in its own way you can contact us to gather more information about Siem Reap, or Phnom Penh, and other locations Around Cambodia and the various projects they provide.

Thinking Vegetarian in Mongolia? Think Again! A Vegetarian Survival Guide to Mongolia by Matthew Lynch

2011-01-27T01:48:00.007Z

Vegetarians beware.

There may be plenty of vegetarian dining options in Ulaanbaatar, the capitol city of Mongolia, but if you are planning a trip to Outer Mongolia, make it a short one. Or bring lots and lots of your own food supplies.

Let me take you to Tosontsengel, in Northwestern Outer Mongolia, where we are treated to an old-style Mongolian Barbeque …’A Feast For Kings’:

The sheep is slaughtered using the traditional technique - I’ll spare you the gory details here, but just imagine that scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and you’ll get the picture.

First course is a rich mutton broth made from the water in which the internal organs have been boiling away for the last three hours.

Second course, you guessed it, the organs are presented to the guests of honour first – slopped into a steel bowl and placed at your feet with the handle of a large, sharp knife that has been made for meat-eating pointed in your direction. Dive in and carve off a piece of lung, kidney, or heart for your dining pleasure.

The organs are the most nutritious, and therefore the most highly prized part of the animal. Mongolia freezes over during their long, harsh winters, and the nomadic herding lifestyle has evolved in response to act as a family’s energy store through the cold months; hence Mongolians’ love of meat, meat, and more meat…

…Third course? Another version of mutton broth, to cleanse your palette – this one richer than the first, if that is possible, made from the water the rest of the carcass has been simmering in for the last three hours…

Don’t forget the condiments! Pickled green tomatoes, potent wild onions, zesty pickled beetroot, and perhaps some baby boiled potatoes. Mongolia’s growing season is short, and conditions harsh [try growing vegetables in the Gobi Desert!], so if you are lucky enough to be served veggies in the countryside than know that you are truly being treated as royalty.

Fourth course is slightly more recognisable cuts of meat served up in another bowl, with more knife handles pointed at your belly so that you can hack a chunk of meat from the bone you’ve picked. Wipe the grease from your hands on the leather bridle which is passed around the yurt; clean your hands and keep your hosts’ riding equipment soft and supple at the same time.

Take another sip of the traditional, ubiquitous salty milk tea called ‘tsu-te-tse’; milk is another highly nutritious product of the nomads’ animal herds, and is preserved by making it into cheeses and yoghurts. Diluting milk in tea is another way to stretch this precious resource further. Then, brace yourself for the next course.

The fifth course you will not have seen before: the boiled sheep’s stomach, bulging with its mystery contents, is presented on a platter. Your host produces his knife with a flourish, and deftly opens the sac to reveal… the sheep’s head, whose lips have been drawn back into a macabre smile when its hair was singed off in preparation for your meal.

A couple more slices of his knife, and the tripe bag opens to reveal the sheep’s shins and hooves, which have also been singed, and stuffed in along with the ‘happy’ head, whose jaw now drops open with a dull ‘thud’, turning its grin into a toothy guffaw.

But wait, there’s more! …the fatty tail pad has been scooped out, filled with minced meat, sewn shut and boiled next to the stuffed stomach for the last three hours - it is this part that was considered to be Ghengis’ favorite meal – A Feast Fit For The Khan.

Vegetarian Survival Guide to Mongolia:

Cling to the first piece of meat offered to you and nurse it through your entire meal. If you pick this bone clean your hosts will only offer you more.

2. Hold your breath when sipping the organ stew. Have some bottled water or fruit juice nearby in your canteen to wash the taste out of your mouth.

3. Beam with delight when offered pickled vegges or [on the very rare occasion] green salad to encourage your host to offer you more.

4. Sit next to a friendly carnivore whom you can offload your meat dishes upon when nobody is looking.

5. Clap your hands like a madwoman when the yoghurt appears. If you do this well, it will be lovingly prepared with clotted cream and sugar as you swallow back your drool. Your belly will thank you for this.

Dewalokam- India's Green Nirvana

2011-01-19T04:52:00.004Z

Dewalokam Farmstay Retreat will attend to the needs of guests with such precision, detail, and desire that you will feel as if you are the only individual staying here. The warm service and smiles offered by the well-spoken and understanding locally employed staff offers you a taste of India’s excellent customer service minded nature. Their knowledge of Dewalokam’s grounds and India’s natural resources surrounding the lodge reflects the time and effort spend in the training procedures to ensure customer service excellence. Furthermore, it shows the dedication behind green travel and Dewalokam’s insistence behind establishing a place that will provide sustainability and minimize the destruction of precious natural resources.

In order to remain a fully functioning, comfortable, and sustainable eco retreat, Dewalokam hosts its own collection of animals, and farm gardens to supply the guests and staff with a broad selection of local and organic food. This carefully selected, grown, and tended produce is transformed into mouth-watering meals tailored to perfection and giving the guests a generous serving of Indian delicacies. The farm produces its own vegetables, fruits, dairy, honey, meat, and fish to ensure hygienic and healthy food items to choose from. The guests may even chose to discover the farm work for themselves by exploring the fields and helping out the local farmers in sampling their own evening dinner. One may even be guided on a spice walk, be taught about the various spices that Dewalokam grows for its ayurvedic herbal treatments. Follow this up by a relaxing ayurveda treatment or a yoga class.

If you prefer a more adventurous form of activity, Dewalokam offers total emergence into India’s natural wonders. Discover the mystical jungles by organizing a day of forest trekking and discover the soothing sounds of exotic birds, or be amazed by the thousands of fruitbats that call the forest home. Or discover the thundering waterfalls hidden amongst the luscious greenery. Perhaps a guided tour on a bamboo raft, while enveloped by nature and allowing your eyes to feast on the many birds and junglelife, satisfies the senses.

If you wish to relax and retreat, you may do so in one of the hammocks located around the grounds, as you sway along with the steady breeze and listen to the only sounds that breaks the natural silence; the songs of birds.

The rooms function on alternative forms of energy, water is conserved, and all natural resources are managed to minimize waste. If you happen to be too full after the taste bud tingling meals, any scraps will be offered to the compost facilities. Your comforts will not be sacrificed while saving the environment. Comfortable and hygienic rooms and privacy alongside the beautiful swimming pool is what you may expect from this pristine natural haven.

Recycling Buenos Aires: A guest blog by Ely Key

2011-01-10T01:52:00.003Z

BUENOS AIRES--As a means of exploring one of South America’s biggest cities, I ran.

I passed zipping cars disobeying traffic laws, father and son duos juggling hacky sacks for cash, and parillas--Argentine barbeques--spilling their sweet smoke into the streets.

Eventually I found myself on the outskirts of the city drawn to a warehouse surrounded by a chain link fence with a grassy dirt road leading up to its entrance. There was a pile of junk out front made up of car parts, plumbing pipes, machine motors and random metal scraps.

Tending to the pile were young men and women, sifting through it, organizing it into like parts. "Is this a recycling plant?" I questioned, and then there was the triple double-take. Beyond the amounting pile of parts, there was a billboard tower with gigantic ants crawling up it. They were made from ingredients of the "junk" soufflé just to my left.

Argentina’s recent history is characterized by political turmoil, economic crisis, and skyrocketing unemployment. While Argentina has been focusing on recovery, developed countries have been spending most of their effort attacking global climate change and incorporating sustainability into their political strategy.

Sustainability is based on the concept of using the earth’s natural resources in a manner that sustains the world's current lifestyle while not depleting our natural resources for use by future generations. A sustainable practice is usually comprised of three main aspects: profitability, social and economic utility, and environmental soundness.

In the United States, the "green movement" has become the face of this effort, an overall positive effort but one that is, unfortunately, undercut with green washing (things that aren't actually green), and overly expensive products. Although Argentina voluntarily agreed to the Kyoto protocol, an international environmental treaty aimed at reducing green house gas emissions, the emissions believed to be the leading cause of global climate change, not much has been achieved on the Argentine environmental front. Very few experts look to South America for inspiration and leadership in the green movement. With this in mind, I began to examine the warehouse.

As I turned away from the ants, a squat scraggly man who looked like he had swallowed a yoga ball, cigarette in hand, red wine in the other, 2 p.m. on a work day, said "hola." I asked if I could come inside. He told me there was a five-peso entrance fee. "I'm running," I said. "I don't have anything on me."

"Dame sus zapatos" (give me your shoes) he said, laughing ruggedly and opened the door at the same time, welcoming me in. I looked down at my $100 kicks and chuckled. This man was the artist, Carlos Regazzoni, and landlord. He had squatted the abandoned warehouse and adjacent land 10 years prior, and convinced the city, through his art, to donate the space to him.

Inside there were a few more young people cleaning up the old wooden floor of the warehouse and working on their own art. I was the only visitor. There was a brick oven at the South end of the building, except instead of bricks and a ceramic dome, the structure was made from metal scraps and what appeared to me to be the top half dome of an air vessel. There were chairs and tables and they were all different shapes, sizes, and colors.

One of the chair legs was even made with the bottom of a golf club. The sliding doors in the back were wide open, allowing natural light - not coal or oil based electric light- to fill the area. There were paintings from various artists hung on the wall with wire dangling from old copper pipes. I asked to use the bathroom and found that the toilet paper holder was a an old plumbing pipe that held the wads of softness perfectly in spinning position and had a metal cap that could be screwed on and off to change the roll. Every last detail was an item that was re-used, and every last detail was perfectly functional in its role.

"This is a pretty large space. It must take a lot to heat it," I questioned.

"We throw on double sweatshirts and drink hot cocoa with whiskey. Pretty easy actually," Regazzoni said.

As groups of visitors filtered in, I decided to stick around for dinner, which I had agreed to pay for at a later time since I didn’t want to give up my shoes and planned on returning. The young men and women who had been scattered around throughout the day working on their own art or cleaning up the space, were now preparing food in the half-dome-air-vessel oven, and waiting on the visitors. They were earning their keep in return for the opportunity to be part of the art community and have access to materials, space, and inspiration.

Dinner was some of the best milanesa--an Argentine dish where meat is pounded into a thin slab and breaded with seasoning--I have tasted. Peering into the kitchen, I saw that they were taking food scraps and putting them into a composter. They used the compost to fertilize a garden in the back that they in turn harvest for the meals they cook. To top it off, when the workers waited on us, they acted, playing different characters in preparation for a play they were to put on the following week.

Regazzoni's recycled sculpture art is innately a form of recycling at the least. But more so, the entire concept of taking someone's waste and turning it into beauty, inspiration, and furniture, all part of a self-returning learning environment, cuts deep into the true idea of sustainability. An example that is not limited to only those who can afford it, but with resourcefulness and creativity is accessible to everyone.

Regazzoni's warehouse would certainly not get a United States Green Building Council LEED certification. But in comparison, the carbon footprint of turning the existing space into a community center, self-supplied restaurant, theater, gallery, and garden using all un-processed recycled materials was a multitude less than the carbon footprint of building the Getty Museum in L.A., a LEED silver rated building. Though the Getty is an incredible museum, Regazzonis’ warehouse is ranked right up there with it in my book.

Sustainability was unassumingly and genuinely captured in Regazzoni’s space and in a developing country. There, it was unforced and free of smoky mirrors; something we in the U.S should consider in the face of a popular, sophisticated, positive, but sometimes misleading "green movement.”

Ely Key is a sustainability consultant and writer. He was named “One of the Top Ten People to Watch in the Green Movement by the Pacific Coast Bustines Times” and is currently working on a documentary titled HORATIO. He recently returned from a trip to South America.

www.elykey.com

Blog: http://www.elykey.com/work/blog

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ely-key/b/76a/852

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas...

2010-12-16T03:49:00.002Z

The holiday season is upon us and it would only seem fit to discuss the impact some of our Christmas traditions have on our environment. Most of us will be travelling during this time; whether a long deserved beach holiday in the tropics, or an adventurous road trip to visit the family and spend Christmas with them. So, how do you go about travelling such distances without wreaking havoc on the environment? It is fair to say that planning a trip to Fiji, for example, would involve air travel; unless you were to set aside several months to get there the green way. It is hard to avoid airplanes if you plan a long distance trip, so putting that aside, how can you be green at your holiday destination?

1. First off, check-in at an eco-friendly hotel. In the rising eco-tourism economy plenty of reliable, safe, and fantastic places have sprouted in the region. Surely, there should be something to satisfy your senses; luxurious, simple, cozy, kid-friendly; you name it. And when you find something; don’t be afraid to spread the word and let us know!

2. Take the public transport in your country of destination. Not only will it save you plenty of money, you’ll be surprised what you can find when you emerge yourself in the local way of life. You often arrive at destinations which are much less touristy, and undiscovered by the commercialized sectors of the city.

3. Choose green activities. Hire windsurfing equipment over a jet-ski; not only will it be much less disturbing to the underwater world, you won’t be polluting the oceans with toxic engine wastes. Go for a bicycle ride or hike through the lush landscape instead of staring out the window of a taxi.

4. Seek out the eco-friendly tours, there are plenty around and if you consider the pollution levels from a full daytrip; it may encourage you to put in that little effort and tour the green way. You can find information at local tourist offices around the place you stay and often your eco-hotel will offer their own trips and activities designed to leave nothing but a memory of your own to be remembered.

If you can start by introducing just these few tips in your travel plans, it will make a big difference.

Of course not all of us are planning on an airplane trip; some will visit family and drive down to spend Christmas with them. Well, how about taking a bus? You will not have to drive, pay for gasoline, and cost the environment. Even with the kids you will not run the risk of being distracted when they quarrel in the backseat. Plus, for your own safety; we all know the holiday season still brings about plenty of raod hazards, whether the weather conditions or the many irresponsible drivers out there. I know I’d feel much safer in that big, tough bus. Do the right thing, do the green thing.