Green Vacations

Green travels around the world

7 Top Green Practices Every Eco Traveler Should Know

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Shocking statistics about the current state of our planet force us to take a closer look at our actions that impact the environment while traveling. The good news: if each of us makes an effort in eco-friendly travel, that can have huge benefits for healing the planet. To do your part, follow a few of these green practices for sustainable travel.

Choose Eco-friendly cities

Some cities do a better job than others when it comes to sustainability. Look for places like Budapest, Hungary, which hosts eco-friendly events throughout the year. A good example is Copenhagen, which set a green goal to become carbon neutral by 2025. Supporting tourism to these eco-friendly cities encourages other places to follow suit and pass more green policies. 

Explore by bike

Renting a bike for a day offers a great way to explore a city at your own pace while also cutting back on air pollution. Best of all, many cities around the world have convenient daily bike rentals and safe paths around town. Portland, Oregon, for example, has city-wide bike pathways where you can stop at your leisure to explore. 

Bring Your Own (Water) Bottle

Annual consumption of plastic water bottles will exceed half a trillion by 2021, with 80 percent of those bottles likely to end up in landfills. By bringing a reusable water bottle, you can do your part to reduce the usage of plastic water bottles. Make sure to empty it before you go through security checks. Many airports allow you to fill your bottle once you reach your gate. Then you’ll have an eco-friendly water source while exploring the sites at your travel destination. 

Avoid plastic bags

Just as with plastic bottles, single-use plastic bags are destroying our planet, particularly when it comes to marine life. When you travel, bring along a reusable tote. That way, if you go shopping, whether for food, clothing, or souvenirs, you avoid creating more plastic waste…and save those adorable sea turtles in the process!

Screen for eco-friendly activities

While it might seem cute to hold a baby tiger or ride on an elephant’s back, many of these practices involve shocking animal abuses. Make sure to screen any activities such as these. Better yet, look for nature reserves or animal refuges so you can support the protection of our endangered species while on vacation.

Pack light

Sure, you might want your best outfit for every day during your trip. But each pound counts when it comes to air travel. The more the plane weighs, the more carbon emissions. So, make it a habit to pack light and bring only what you need. 

Support local

In a global economy, we take it for granted when international brands from home show up anywhere we go. But this requires shipping products across the world, which also produces carbon emissions and negatively impacts the planet. Instead, look for locally sourced businesses like breweries or restaurants. You not only support small businesses and their communities, but you also put your money toward sustainable trade.

The Five Most Bike-Friendly US Cities for Tourists

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With global consciousness on the rise, today’s society thrives on ways to save our planet.  Many supporting cities have chosen to go green. Tourists can explore a city, and all its beauty, by simply renting a bicycle through bike-sharing programs put in place throughout the US. Eco-friendly travel has never been so simple. Let’s take a look at the five most bike-friendly US cities for tourists and what makes them a pedaling paradise:

On a bike tour on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail

Chicago, Illinois

What better way to grasp an insight into the stunning Chicago scene than by riding along Lakefront Trail, a 20-mile trail with views of Lake Michigan. Tourists can embrace area history, art, and culture while soaking up the summer sun. You can even opt for an electric bike-tour, making exploring convenient and accessible for all. From thousands of bike racks scattered throughout the city to programs put in place by the local government that educates the public on bicycle safety and awareness, Chicago is a biker’s dream destination. 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Famous for harsh winters, Minneapolis presents an unexpected hotspot for tourists to explore on two wheels. With a magnificent bicycle infrastructure in place, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul support a huge cycling community. Over 200 miles of both on and off-street bike lanes makes it easy to cycle just about anywhere within these cities. City touring by bicycle has never been easier with the Nice Ride Minneapolis program put in place that allows anyone to access bike rentals throughout the city for as little as $6 for an all-day pass! Honored with the Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award by the League of American Bicycles, Minneapolis is up there with one of the best cities for cycling.

Portland, Oregon  

Portland hosts a perfect destination for pedaling. With an abundance of pathways for cyclists, public bike rentals and programs in place ensure bicycle safety. It’s pretty much a biker’s paradise. Tourists can freely ride through the streets of Portland admiring the scenery, and the city even offers free maps for support and guidance. Tourists can access over 1,000 smart bikes situated throughout the city, creating a convenient way to discover Portland’s beauty. It’s no wonder Bicycling magazine has crowned it as the nation’s #1 Biking City for several years running. 

San Francisco, California 

San Francisco has supported bike culture since 1973, offering an array of routes suitable to all levels of cyclists. This pedaling paradise offers flat roads for those wanting to glide along and enjoy the scenery, as well as uphill battles if you want to challenge yourself to a good workout. By encouraging today’s society to explore the city by bike, San Francisco has created hundreds of miles of bike lanes, and cyclists here even have the privilege of a raised protective pathway on one of the city’s busiest roads. No matter which path you choose, you are sure to appreciate the views that San Francisco bike trails have to offer.

5 Ways to a Greener Flight

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Most travel by plane without giving a second thought about the impact that flight has on the environment. People think more about the excitement of seeing a new destination, checking in on time, or finding a spacious seat with plenty of legroom.

While the environment might not come to mind first, people are becoming increasingly conscious about the environment and their personal choices. Air travel accounts for about 2% of the total carbon emissions in the atmosphere. That is unless we make conscious efforts toward using environmentally friendly technology and greener flight choices. Keep reading to find some easy ways to make more eco-friendly choices when traveling.

Fly with Greener Airlines

Certain airlines prioritize sustainability more than others. When booking air travel, look out for a few of these carriers who work toward minimizing their carbon footprint.

Alaska Airlines 

Alaska Airlines consistently ranks as one of the most fuel-efficient airlines among US carriers. Their Greener Skies program at Seattle’s SeaTac airport, for example, has saved 87 gallons of jet fuel for each flight!

Jet Blue

JetBlue Airlines sets an example with its rigorous sustainability policy that aims to reduce carbon emissions, lower the use of fossil fuels, and cut wastes during operations. The airline uses 25% less water on board. Their planes also use energy efficient NextGen technology, saving 18 gallons of fuel per flight.

United Airlines

United Air has a commendable Eco-Skies program that emphasizes “fuel efficiency and carbon management”. United also partners with AltAir Fuels to research the development of biojet fuels, which could reduce carbon emissions by 60% or more!

BYOB

Bring your own (water) bottle, that is. We all know the troubles of carrying any liquids on board. But flights allow you to take empty water bottles, which you can fill up at terminals before your flight. Reusable water bottles cut back on plastic, which can pollute our waterways, contaminate soil, and harm animals.

Fly Direct

Believe it or not, over 25% of fuel gets used during takeoff. Once a plane reaches cruising altitudes, it becomes much more energy efficient. So when you can, fly direct to avoid wasting fuel during multiple takeoffs.

Book Economy Class

Sure, who doesn’t love some extra leg room on a plane? But less leg room and smaller aisles allow airlines to carry more passengers per flight. Economy seats may not have as much space as business or first class, but everyone benefits from the fuel of that flight, with lower emissions per person.

Fly with Fuel-Efficient Aircraft

When it comes to a greener flight, size matters. Small, twin-engine planes like Airbus A350s or Boeing 787 Dreamliners are more fuel efficient than giant four-engine planes like A380 or 747. When booking, fly greener by choosing smaller planes. Also, consider airlines that update their fleets with more fuel-efficient aircraft. 

Although aircraft contributes to carbon emissions, that doesn’t mean you have to stop flying. Increased awareness of greener flight options will help reduce carbon emissions and encourage the development of more environmentally friendly aircraft in the future.

London on a Self Guide Bike Tour

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London is a go-to destination for travelers from all over the world. We’re drawn to historic buildings like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. And why not? This cosmopolitan city is alive with history and grandeur.

But if you’re a frequent visitor to London, you may want to dive deeper into the city to discover its quirkier side. With a Santander rental bike on nearly every corner, there’s no easier – or more relaxing – way to get an intimate glimpse of the “other” London than on a self-guided bike tour.

Download the Transport for London (TFL) app to your mobile phone and choose Quirky London. You’ll find a unique self-guided tour for yourself or a group of family or friends.

Cross Bones Graveyard

Up first is Cross Bones Graveyard, the resting place of London’s historical misfits, outcasts, and paupers – including medieval licenced sex workers. There were approximately 15,000 souls resting here by the graveyard’s 1853 closing.

Today, it is a refurbished sacred memorial dedicated to the imperfect lives of all of London’s downtrodden over the centuries. The Southwark Mysteries are literary lore based on the famous Cross Bones Graveyard with performances at The Globe.

St. Bartholomew-the-Great

St. Bart’s is London’s oldest continuously operating church, founded in 1123. The church offers an oasis of calm in fast-paced 21st-century London. This living church was inspired by a dream of Rahere, a courtier of King Henry I, where St. Bartholomew came to him and told him where to build it.

The church welcomes everyone to admire its architectural beauty regardless of faith (or no particular faith). It’s also popular for frequent choral performances including lunchtime concerts.

The Golden Boy of Pye Corner

The iconic statue of the Golden Boy marks the end point of the 1666 Great Fire of London. The fire was said to start in a small bakery and burned for four days destroying 13,000 homes, 90 churches, 44 livery companies, the Royal Exchange, and the original St Paul’s Cathedral. The statue was built as a cautionary reminder to Londoner’s to avoid gluttony, thought by Christians 350 years ago to be the reason God allowed the fire.

Huntarian Museum

The next stop on the Quirky London bike route is the Hunterian Museum. It is situated inside the Royal College of Surgeons. Here you’ll find strange collections of both non-human and human pathological and anatomical specimens, historical medical instruments and models, and sculptures and paintings. It spans four centuries of medicine, surgery, and natural history, as well as the arts. The museum hosts regular educational programs for London school children and is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Neal’s Yard

The last, and possibly most fun stop is Neal’s Yard. It’s a quirky little street of colorful shops and cafés with plenty to explore. You’ll want to photograph this tiny courtyard surrounded by brightly colored shops. You’ll find loads of interesting things from raw chocolates and British cheeses to divine skincare products and vegan-friendly cafés.

The Five Most Bike-Friendly European Cities for Tourists

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There was a time when travelers in Europe had few transportation options.  Namely, they could choose between expensive taxis, or public transit systems that were often inconvenient or confusing.  It’s 2017, though, and many major European cities have introduced an innovative, eco-friendly alternative: public bicycle rentals.  Through these programs, locals and tourists alike now have access to a zero-emissions mode of transportation that gets them directly to their destination (and helps them stay in shape!).

Biking in Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Every day, residents of Copenhagen collectively cycle more than one million kilometers.  That makes sense, as bicycle is the preferred mode of commuting for more than half of the city’s workers.  Now, visitors can join in the packs of cyclists thanks to Copenhagen’s Bycyklen electric bicycle rental program, which has bikes stationed at more than 100 spots around the city.  Each bicycle is equipped with a tablet where you can register for the program or follow GPS directions to navigate around the city.  While a range of subscription options are available, most travelers will prefer the Pay as You Go Plan, where every hour of use is charged a flat rate of DKK 30 (approximately €4).

London

London’s bicycle rental program, Santander Bicycles, is one of the simplest programs available.  No registration or membership card is required.  Just head to one of the 750 docking stations located across the city, and use the touchscreen system to pay for your rental with your bank card.  It costs €2 to use the system for twenty-four hours.  Within that time, each trip that you make is free for the first thirty minutes.  Once your trip exceeds thirty minutes, it’s €2 for each thirty minutes more.  Santander Bicycles partnered with Transport for London to identify the city’s most scenic bicycle rides, including one route through the city’s famed Saturday markets and another through London’s most beautiful gardens.

Madrid

Madrid’s public bicycle rental program is brand new.  Called biciMAD, it offers more than 2,000 electric bicycles that can be picked up and dropped off around the city (with most stations being concentrated in busy tourist neighborhoods, like Puerta del Sol and La Latina).  When Madrid rolled out this program they initially limited use to locals, but now tourists can get in on the action with an “occasional card”, which is valid for one, three or five days.  The system will put a hold on your credit card until your rental period is over, so make sure you have at least €150 credit available (the hold will disappear a few days after you return your last bike). The first hour of use costs only €2, and each hour after that is €4.  You can earn bonuses by renting your bike from a very full station, or returning it to one that has few available bikes.

Paris bikes for rent

Paris

Paris has a number of different bicycle rental options, but the most extensive is certainly Vélib’, which includes more than 23,500 bicycles that are stationed at almost 2,000 stops around the city.  If you stay in the heart of the city, you’ll never be more than 300 meters away from the next Vélib’ station!  Short-term subscriptions (€1.70 for one day, or €8 for seven days) can be purchased at every bicycle station.  Your first thirty minutes on the bike are always free, while the second half hour costs €1, the third half hour costs €2, the third half hour costs €3 and every half hour after that costs €4.  Vélib’ also offers affordable guided cycle tours through a partnership with Paris Zigzag.

Vienna

Vienna’s bicycle rental system is called Citybike Vienna.  For travelers who don’t have an Austrian credit card, online registration through the Citybike Vienna website works best.  After registering you can immediately head to any of the city’s 120 stations, where inserting the card you used to register will unlock one of the system’s 1500 classic, pedal-powered bicycles.  Your first hour of each trip is always free, the second hour is €1, the third hour is €3 and subsequent hours cost €4.  The most popular routes for tourists include circling the city on the Ringstrasse Sightseeing Bicycle Path and journeying along the banks of the city’s most famous river on the Danube Canal Bicycling Path.