Green Vacations

Green travels around the world

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.

 

Five Spectacular, Sustainable Italian Farmstays

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Italy is home to a very special kind of tourism.  Known locally as agriturismo, it’s what happens when the worlds of agriculture and tourism come together to create completely unique accommodation experiences.  Essentially, an agriturismo is a hotel located on a farm.  Agriturismos are dotted across Italy, from the vineyards of Tuscany to the olive groves of Sicily, and offer their guests the opportunity to learn about traditional ways of living, working and eating in Italy.  Agriturismo providers must be certified by the government before being allowed to use the title, so their visitors know that they are genuine, working farms that incorporate their products into the food they serve to guests.

Recently, some agriturismo operators have sought to differentiate themselves from their competitors by incorporating sustainable practices into their farming and accommodations.  These agriturismos are perfect for travelers who want to reduce the ecological footprint of their adventures.  Plus, they offer a more memorable travel experience than a standard hotel, and are often much less expensive.  We checked out five of the best agriturismos across the country that are committed to environmentally-friendly hospitality.

Agriturismo Poderaccio
Incisa Valdarno, Tuscany.

Located only twenty kilometers away from Florence, Agriturismo Poderaccio consists of an eighteenth-century farmhouse that has been divided into four private apartments.  The adjoining family-run farm produces extra-virgin olive oil and organic fruits and vegetables.  Agriturismo Poderaccio has won awards for its complete package of sustainable practices, including wood and solar heating, waste reduction and recycling, and water conservation in farming.  It is particularly well-suited to travelers who arrive from Florence via bicycle, as they offer secure bike storage and repair tools.

Agriturismo La Fontaccia
Rufina, Tuscany

Also close to Florence, Agriturismo La Fontaccia has three rooms and two full apartments in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse.  The surrounding farms and orchards grow olives, apples, cherries, persimmons and nuts, all of which are served according to the season in the on-site restaurant.  Solar panels provide all of the energy needed on the farm and in the farmhouse, and crops are irrigated using collected rainwater.  Inside the guestrooms, the majority of the furnishings are original or restored antiques, while any new fixtures were crafted by members of a program designed to provide employment to vulnerable people from the local community.

Agriturismo il Cavicchio
Rastignano di Pianoro, Emilia-Romagna

Agriturismo il Cavicchio’s farm is run by Federico (an Italian farmer) and his family, while the accommodation and its grounds are cared for by Latifa, a recent immigrant from Morocco. They offer five rooms and two apartments, as well as a communal living area and a swimming pool, only fifteen minutes away from the city of Bologna.  The accommodations were retrofitted to be energy efficient, with new insulation, double-glazed windows and a vented roof.  The family’s farm is certified organic and avoids the use of even natural pesticides.

Fattoria Mosè
Agrigento, Sicily

Fattoria Mosè has been welcoming guests to its family-run agriturismo for more than twenty years.  The current operators are the fifth generation of their family to have worked the surrounding fields, and some parts of the building date back to the middle ages.  They have six apartments with full kitchens available, as well as four traditional private hotel-style rooms.  Each day, a breakfast made from local ingredients is served, followed by a family-style dinner.  In addition to housing a fully-organic farm, Fattoria Mosè is committed to teaching its guests about sustainable practices.  Children who stay at the agriturismo are invited to participate in caring for the farm animals, while adults can sign up for cooking classes based on local, seasonal and organic ingredients.

Agriturismo Sant’Egle
Sorano, Tuscany

Agriturismo Sant’Egle is a unique agriturismo located beside the centuries-old thermal baths of Sorano.  The guesthouse was built in the sixteenth century, and today the surrounding farms grow distinctive organic crops including spirulina, saffron and stevia using biodynamic farming methods.  The “biopool” was constructed from natural, cement-free materials and uses a chlorine-free, salt-based system to naturally filter the pool’s water.  The nearby hot tub is heated naturally with local firewood.  Recently, an innovative underground multipurpose space was constructed from local materials like straw, clay and wood, so that guests can hold sustainable meetings and special events onsite.

 

Staying at an Italian agriturismo can be an enlightening experience.  Because these are actual working farms, there are some things you can do to make your stay more enjoyable.  Ensure that you have confirmed your arrival and departure times with your host in advance, as they may need to adjust their farming schedule to accommodate you.  If you have any dietary restrictions, inform your hosts in advance so that they gather and prepare foods that you will enjoy.  Finally, maintain an open mind.  Staying on an organic farm is different than staying in a chain hotel, and what it may lack in amenities or services, it will more than make up for in authentic Italian culture.

Go Green in the Black Forest

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Freiburg is a characteristic university town situated in southwest Germany’s Black Forest, near the border with Switzerland and France.  As Germany’s warmest and sunniest city, it has harnessed its pleasant weather to power a blossoming ecotourism industry.  From natural supermarkets that generate more power than they use to eco-friendly hotels, and from organic restaurants to well-preserved natural hiking trails, Freiburg has something that will appeal to every green traveler.

Stay

Freiburg’s most eco-friendly hotel is Green City Hotel (Paula-Modersohn-Platz 5).  This three-star hotel is actually operated as a non-profit organization with a focus on environmental sustainability and community involvement.  The hotel’s furniture was handcrafted by local carpenters using sustainable ash tree, and the hotel avoids using individually-packaged amenities wherever possible.  The hotel serves a daily breakfast based on organic and locally-sourced foods and beverages.  To reach the city center, the hotel has a partnership with a nearby bicycle rental shop, or you can ride the #3 streetcar to Freiburg’s central train station.

Explore

To take in some greenery without leaving the city, head to Schlossberg, the tree-covered hill on the east edge of the historic city center.  You can hike to the top in about thirty minutes, following the path across from the Schwabentor city gate.  From there, you can simply enjoy the views, or head out on one of the longer hiking trails that begin from this hill.

To properly experience The Black Forest, use a local bus to travel to Schauinsland, twenty kilometers south of Freiburg’s city center.  There, you can take Germany’s longest cable car to the top of the 4200-foot Schauinsland peak.  The mountainous recreation area here is ideal for cross-country day hikes at easy and moderate difficulty levels.  The marked Herbal Discovery Trail teachers visitors about the historical medicinal uses of local plants, while the Schniederlihof Museum highlights the history of this part of The Black Forest.

Eat

Before you venture into the forest, make a stop at Alnatura Super Natur Market (Merzhauser 179) to pick up picnic essentials like organic breads, meats, cheeses and wines.  Alnatura is located inside the Sun Ship building, which was designed by Rolf Disch to be one of the world’s first buildings that produces more energy than it uses.  The Sun Ship building keeps energy usage down through ultra-efficient insulation and triple-paned windows, while generating power through a solar-panelled rooftop.

If you’re back in Freiburg in time for dinner, reserve a table at Das Kartoffelhaus (Basler 10).  This humble restaurant celebrates Germany’s favorite vegetable- the potato- in innovative ways.  The chefs work with local and seasonal potato varieties wherever possible, and enhance the rotating menu of potato dishes with other locally-grown vegetables curated from nearly twenty different independent farms.  Das Kartoffelhaus can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-intolerant diners.

Drink

When you’re ready to sample some of Germany’s famous beer, head straight to Hausbrauerie Fierling (Gerberau 46) to sample the house-brewed light beer, which has been made exclusively from certified organic ingredients since 1999.  At times, organic seasonal beers are also available on tap.

If beer isn’t your thing, you may be interested in a visit to the Weingut Landmann shop for a natural wine tasting.  Weingut Landmann is a local organic vineyard that produces red, white and sparkling organic wines from small-harvest grape crops.  Their shop is in the nearby Waltershofen suburb (Umkircher 29).

 

Best Sustainable European & UK Architecture

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The single most important trend in modern architecture is arguably the move towards sustainable construction. Green, eco-friendly buildings are changing our ideas not only about how construction can be achieved in more environmentally sensitive ways, but how we as humans use space in our communities. As more and more architecture firms advance new techniques for green building, our modern built environment functions in greater harmony with the natural world. In Europe, green building is closely linked to their plans for reducing human-caused climate change.

Regional organizations like the Architects’ Council of Europe put forth best practices and guidelines for how green building can be achieved by its member organizations, although the most popular green certification organization worldwide is BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). There are also a number of smaller organizations that endorse a series of international architectural prizes. For example, the European Commission offers the prestigious European Green Capital Award and the Green Leaf Award, which recognize European cities for their extensive efforts to include sustainable architecture in their plans for the future. The Emirates Glass LEAF Awards recognizes innovative design with a sustainable focus.

If you’re interested in exploring some sustainable architecture on your trip to Europe, here are a few examples of the best green buildings from the last few years. They range from private residences to office buildings, and prove that green is always better.

Dragen Children’s House (Denmark)

This modern kindergarten is a sleek example of thoughtful and conscientious design. Conceptualized as a place that encourages green living and creative pedagogy, many features are environmentally friendly while inspiring children to be active. Without elevators, for example, children climb a series of staircases and ramps to navigate the building. The Dragen Children’s House only requires a small amount of energy, uses solar energy to heat their water, and incorporates a heat recovery system to minimize energy waste.

Environmental Learning Center (Amsterdam)

When you start with a mission that’s all about making sustainability a central focus to your visitors, you end up with a building like this one. This Dutch community center epitomizes the best in sustainable design. With features like a series of solar panels, a recycling heat and cooling system, and even bird houses that are designed to reduce the impact the building has on disrupting local ecosystems, the Environmental Learning Center incorporates a variety of green building tactics.

Passive Logements Wauters (Belgium) 

This chic Brussels building, the first built to passive standard, is actually a private house. Encompassing two duplexes, this visually compelling structure utilizes a number of green building techniques and features. Building materials were selected for their minimum impact on the environment, and construction practices were calculated to meet standard green criteria. The building also employs geothermal and solar technologies, and achieves near energy independence.

Unilever Headquarters (Germany)

Located on the Elbe River in Hamburg, Germany, the international headquarters of Unilever is uniquely adapted to its environment (it’s actually shaped like a boat) and creatively designed to suit the company’s needs. Design features include wide-open spaces, easy access to various locations within the building, and communal spaces intended to encourage interaction. Green features include the use of natural light, natural ventilation systems, wind protection, and passive and active energy generation.

Badenerstrasse 380 (Switzerland)

A housing development in urban Zurich, the Badenerstrasse 380 is a prime example of design that takes into consideration not only the needs of its future inhabitants, but also how to meet those needs in environmentally friendly ways. The building is built mostly from wood and other natural materials, so it doesn’t create industrial pollution with the creation of artificial materials. All tenants even sign an agreement that they’ll practice an energy responsible lifestyle!

ECOstyle Warehouse (Netherlands)

Part of a community that aims for total carbon neutrality, the ECOstyle Warehouse in Oosterwolde was built for a company that itself has a great ecofriendly pedigree: they distribute educational kits about renewable energy and water efficiency. The building also employs solar technology and air-to-water heat pumps to regulate internal temperatures. They also recycle and purify rainwater.

United States Embassy (England)

Embassies aren’t just about security these days – they’re also about sustainability! The U.S. Embassy in London is a model of the new direction the government should take when it comes to green building. Solar arrays on the roof and heat pumps in the ground supply heat and power to the building, reducing their reliance upon a stressed power grid in busy London. They also recycle wastewater (at an onsite treatment plant) and use it for flushing toilets.

River Plaza (France)

This Parisian residential space has actually been recently renovated not once but twice, the second time being entirely focused on improving their use of green features and sustainable. It’s BREEAM certified, so they meet the highest in modern standards for green building on an international scale. The renovations have improved interior air quality and noise, as well as the outdoor spaces (with the inclusion of a lovely and eco-friendly green wall).

Torsplan (Sweden)

Located in what used to be a completely industrial area in the Swedish capital, Torsplan is a multi-use building that meets diverse community needs. It encompasses office space, restaurants, and a gym. Their most significant green features include individual HVAC units per floor, which helps to reduce heat waste in a big building, and their concrete construction, which also works to keep the interior temperature regulated.

Central Bank of Ireland (Ireland)

This Dublin-based bank is actually the first office building in the entire country to achieve an “outstanding” BREEAM rating. It’s an incredibly energy efficient building, with a 70% reduction in energy consumption over standard Irish building regulations. A mixed-mode ventilation system improves air quality, and offers a combined heat and power source. The design also utilizes natural light to reduce electricity consumption, making for a striking exterior as well.

Top 10 Green Cities Around the Globe

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Our world is working to be a greener place every day. With new sustainability initiatives that include everything from green building to recycling to organic farming, there are plenty of ways that individuals and corporations can make a difference for the environment. If you’re looking to continue your environmentally responsible practices on your vacation, then it’s a good idea to take a look at the green reputations of your destination before you go.

There are several factors that go into determining how “green” a city is. First and foremost is their commitment to reliance upon renewable energy, eschewing fossil fuels as much as possible in favor of solar energy, geothermal energy, and even biofuels. Another important criteria involves their adoption of green policies, whether that has to do with citywide recycling regulations or building code adjustments that require new construction to adhere to sustainable construction guidelines. However, it’s not just about the objects in the city, it’s about the people, too. Cities that promote green lifestyles by encouraging biking or walking instead of driving, and offer healthier and more environmentally friendly diet options like organic food and farmers markets tend to rank higher on these lists.

For travelers in search of the greenest cities to visit, this list represents that top 10 green cities across the globe from recent evaluations by environmental organizations. While there’s no authoritative list, these cities consistently rank highly and fairly represent global green practices.

Reykjavik, Iceland

This distinctive European capital runs almost entirely on renewable energy. The availability of geothermal energy goes a long way towards meeting the city’s energy needs, reducing the need for fossil fuels to below 1%. Their future goals include improving public transit and reducing the need for commuting via fossil-fuel burning vehicles, increasing the availability of public greenspaces and preserving the already extensive park system, and reducing pollution across the board. Reykjavik is also a hub for researchers working to improve upon green technologies. Plus, the Icelandic government funds a significant amount of climate change research.

Bristol, England

Not only the UK’s greenest city in recent years but Europe’s as well (in 2015), Bristol is an up-and-comer on the eco-friendly scene. Their Bristol Green Capital organization is dedicated to making Bristol a low carbon city that offers green living options to all its residents. They consistently achieve high environmental standards like a reduced carbon footprint, use of renewable energies, and widespread sustainable building practices. They also have a very good air quality that is only improving with the increase in cycling commuters and the expansion of greenspaces.

Portland, OR, United States

Portland has some serious green credentials, not least of which involves their use of renewable energy: they utilize 20% more renewable energy than the national average! As far as greenspaces go, they offer 250 miles of bike and walking trails, plus a number of parks and a couple of botanical gardens. Much of their new construction adopts sustainable building practices, and there are even entire real estate agencies devoted to providing green living options. And of course, there are plenty of green eating options, too, like farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants.

San Francisco, United States

A leader among American cities that strive for green living, San Francisco has been promoting intensive recycling efforts for several years now, banning plastic bags and making citywide recycling mandatory. They encourage zero waste production among their businesses and residents, and offer educational programs to help people learn about healthier, greener lifestyles. They also have a high number of people who bike or walk to work, and an extensive number of parks like the iconic Golden Gate Park and nearby Muir Woods. And of course, they’ve been a leader in sustainable dining for a long time now.

Vancouver, Canada

With aspirations of being the greenest city in the world by 2020, Vancouver is currently Canada’s most eco-friendly urban area. Greenspaces are abundant here, with more than 200 parks (including the gorgeous, waterfront Stanley Park) to provide residents with fresh open space to exercise and play. New technologies like solar-powered trash compactors are everywhere, and new buildings consistently rank among the most sustainable constructions in the country. They also offer community resources to help everyone from citizens to corporations to make their practices greener.

Malmö, Sweden

This Swedish city makes it onto the list for their massive wind-energy park; it’s actually the world’s third-largest facility of its kind. They also offer a significant amount of greenspace to their residents, which contribute to fresh oxygen production. One district to highlight is the Western Harbor, which runs on 100% renewable energy through the use of various alternative sources of energy like wind and solar power. Most construction in this neighborhood utilizes sustainable building practices, and commercial operations run on biofuels.

Freiburg, Germany

This popular German city has one major unique thing going for it when it comes to being green – the entire city is literally car free. Because of roadways that have barely been expanded since the city’s founding, car traffic is impossible and residents get around the old fashioned way. Other green efforts include ubiquitous solar panels, recycling programs, and the increasing availability of locally sourced food. They also aim to substantially reduce carbon emissions by 2020.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Winner of the European Green Capital title, Copenhagen has a lot to be proud of when it comes to green living. Because they’re also a major tourist destination in Europe, they strive to make green living accessible not only to their residents, but to their visitors as well. Recycling and organic food initiatives are common, and the city itself works to reduce carbon emissions, encourage sustainable building practices, and promote healthier lifestyles among its residents.

Stockholm, Sweden

Much of Europe’s greenest architecture can be found in Stockholm, so it’s no surprise that it ranks on the list of greenest cities. They have incredibly low carbon emissions compared to other major European cities, and have recently achieved a complete revitalization and rehabilitation of their waterways. New initiatives encourage the use of bikes for transportation, to endorse environmentally friendly food production and distribution, to improve recycling practices, and to reduce carbon emissions.

Oslo, Norway

Oslo has been making it onto green lists for nearly a decade now, and has been consistently one of the most sustainable cities in spite of its massive population. They have one of the lowest rates of greenhouse gas emission among comparable European cities, and all new construction adheres to green guidelines. And while many people walk or bike to work and school, those who don’t can take advantage of hydroelectric-powered public transit.