Green Vacations

Green travels around the world

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.

How to Choose the Best Eco-Tour

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Eco-tourism is booming in recent years, offering ethical and environmentally friendly options for those who want to explore the natural world while minimizing human impact. Companies offer eco-tours that might be anything from a trek through the Amazon to a hike up an extinct volcano. Deciding what part of the world you want to explore is the fun and easy part, but once you’ve figured out your budget and where you want to go, how do you choose the right eco-tour?

Here are a number of tips to consider when planning for your environmentally friendly vacation. Choosing an eco-tour isn’t easy, but it’s definitely worth it to keep these guidelines in mind as you make your decision.

Do your research

Make sure you really look at a tour company’s offerings and reputation before you book. A good way to get a sense of what people think of a tour company is through sites like TripAdvisor, which provide a free space for people to write their honest opinions about their experience with a particular tour or tour company. If you know someone who has been on an eco-tour before, ask for his or her opinions, too.

Don’t assume “green” buzzwords tell the whole story

Because eco-tourism is only becoming more and more popular, many companies try to get in on the trend by labeling their offerings as “green” or “eco-friendly” when their practices in fact don’t actually match up. Here again is where additional research can help – and it’s ok to call the tour company directly to inquire about their green practices. Asking questions about how and why they practice environmentally friendly tour operations can help inform your decision.

Look into local organizations

Some areas of the world actually have guidelines on what constitutes an eco-tour, and what standards or practices a tour company has to maintain in order to qualify as environmentally friendly. A quick search should be able to tell you if such a tour board exists, and you can use their standards to compare against the offerings of a tour company you have in mind.

Opt for smaller tours

Any tour company that advertises an eco-tour for big groups is being environmentally irresponsible. The more people that trek out into nature, the greater potential there is for damage to plants and animals. Smaller groups leave less of an impact on the environment, and they also provide a more enjoyable experience, so be sure to look into tour sizes before you book. Again, it’s ok to call the company directly to ask about this if the information is not on their website.

Investigate the accommodations, too

Often, eco-tours are totally immersive experiences that give you an opportunity to stay overnight in a natural environment. If this is the case for the tours you’re looking at, you should check to make sure that your lodging options are also environmentally responsible and sensitive to the local community. Attributes like sustainable building, natural materials, and a lack of disruption to the ecosystem are important considerations.

Be aware of the wildlife 

If your tour involves an animal sanctuary or an environment in which you may encounter wild animals, make sure that your tour operator isn’t going to offer or promise interactions with the animals. Any tour that advertises a chance to pet or feed local wildlife is not being responsible and actually poses a danger to the animals by risking them becoming reliant upon human assistance.

Find out how the tour company gives back

One of the central tenets of responsible ecotourism is that the tour company gives back to the community and contributes to the conservation of the environment. Whether that’s through donating a portion of their profits to preservation efforts, or hiring locals to help empower the community, make sure that your chosen company is actively helping out in some way.

If you take these factors into consideration when choosing a company for your eco-tour, you’ll be able to find a tour that’s truly environmentally friendly and ethically responsible to the ecosystem and people they interact with. Don’t forget to pay it forward after your trip, either! Your honest reviews about the company will help others make their decisions, too.

Why you should join a Ranger-led program in US National Parks

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If you want to see the real America, get out of the city and head for the Great Outdoors.

27 of the country’s 50 states have at least one National Park within their borders, and millions of people, both Americans and otherwise, choose to holiday in National Parks every year.

The first National Park to be created, in 1872, was Yellowstone, so vast that it extends from Wyoming into Montana and Idaho. Other popular US National Parks include Yosemite, with its stunning valley and the iconic El Capitan; Sequoia; Zion; Arches; Big Bend; Joshua Tree and the hot ‘n’ sticky Everglades of Florida. Covering many diverse landscapes, from parched desert to mysterious swamp, snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes to volcanos, the US National Park system provides protected habitats to an astonishing variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves, bison, alligators and bald eagles. These parks make for some of the very best holiday destinations in the USA.

The best way to appreciate the majesty of Yellowstone National Park is with a Ranger Program

National Parks are all about exploring the incredible scenery, whether you’re swimming or kayaking in a lake, hiking, mountain biking or horse riding along a network of trails, or just pausing for breath while fly fishing. But the system only works because it is managed to accommodate all of the ‘stakeholders’ – visitors; industry; tourism organisations; environmentalists and conservationists; government and, of course, the flora and fauna of the parks themselves.

What do US park rangers do?

A big part of successful park management is down to the Ranger service. These men and women perform a variety of essential roles, from helping injured animals to maintaining trails, enforcing regulations to educating the public. As part of this, most if not all US National Parks offer ranger-led programs that visitors can join.

Why join a Ranger-led program in a US National Park?

There are many different types of ranger-led programs in US National Parks, from tours of historic and heritage sites, to guided hikes and talks about wildlife.

Why join one?

  • To understand the fascinating ways in which a park functions, from managing the landscape to coping with transport, and learning firsthand the challenges and joys of being a ranger
  • To discover how different ecosystems can coexist in harmony, the fragility of the environment, and how park visitors can help protect it
  • To learn how to stay safe while wandering around the park with potentially dangerous wild animals in the vicinity, picking up tips such as how to dispose of food properly
  • To learn about the plants and animals you seeing all about you – how to identify different tracks, droppings or leaves
  • To find out fascinating park history such as how Yellowstone is actually centred over a gigantic supervolcano (ulp!) or why Joshua Trees are so-called
  • To get out and about in beautiful natural landscapes accompanied by a professional guide who knows all the best routes
  • To entertain and educate your children – they can even become junior rangers for a day
  • To admire the breathtaking beauty of US National Parks during different seasons

How to book a Ranger Program in a US National Park

Every park should have its own seasonal schedules available on the individual website, such as this activity schedule for Yellowstone National Park.

Keep in mind that some activities such as Ranger-led hikes can be very popular, especially during peak season, so it’s worth booking in advance.

Some activities may need to be paid for, while others cost nothing but a donation is recommended.

How to holiday in an American National Park

  • Dress for the weather and terrain, but always remember that park weather can be extremely changeable. In the morning it could be fresh and sunny, by afternoon it could be snowing
  • Always be aware there are wild animals around you. Inexperienced hikers should stay on marked trails and if you do plan to go off them, ensure someone knows your route and when you plan to get back
  • Carry water with you at all times, especially in parks such as Joshua Tree, Big Bend, Badlands or Arches where temperatures can be extreme and there’s little shade to be found
  • Know when to visit National Parks – some routes may be closed off during winter for instance, while in the summer months some areas can be very crowded or mosquito-ridden
  • It’s a cliche but it bears repeating: Take only photographs, leave only footprints
  • Camp if you can, for the full park experience
  • Coach tours operate in many US National Parks, but if you prefer to make your own way around then consider mountain-biking rather than driving to help with congestion
  • Don’t expect to see everything in just one visit – and even if you do, you’ll probably find it impossible not to visit again

 

Why we loved the Jenny Lake Ranger Programs in the Grand Tetons

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We actually stumbled upon Jenny Lake by accident, and it’s scary to think that we nearly missed it, as this stunning body of water in the Grand Tetons National Park was one of the highlights of our road-trip through the USA.

Planning a visit to Jenny Lake, Grand Tetons National Park

Jenny Lake is a glacial lake, around 12,000 years old, and it is breathtakingly beautiful. You can hike around it, sail across it, swim through it and the water is so pure I’d be tempted to drink from it too. We (that is to say myself, my wife and our son) found ourselves a secluded patch of sand close to the main trailhead, shaded by spruce firs and conifers. We would hear other daytrippers and hikers walking past, but saw virtually no-one else the whole day. It was like we had our own personal lake.

Getting to Jenny Lake is a breeze. It’s actually one of the main focal points in Grand Tetons National Park, and therefore well-signposted, and with ample car parking close by from May to October. In peak season though, you need to keep in mind that this is a very popular area and so you want to be arriving early.

You can also camp near Jenny Lake and I really, really wish we’d done that because I can only imagine how good it would feel waking up to views of the lake and Signal Mountain, then taking a refreshing swim before breakfast.

Ranger Programs in Grand Tetons National Park

When you visit a US National Park you can usually join a Ranger Program, though in peak season you’ll probably want to book ahead. On our second day at Jenny Lake we decided that we wanted to understand the area a little better, as well as stretch our legs, and so we dropped by the visitor centre to see what kind of programs they had on offer that day. This also worked for us because our son had seen rangers wandering around when we’d visited other National Parks and he was interested to learn more about what they did.

Outside the visitor centre a ranger was entertaining a small crowd with a display of wolf pelts. He was explaining how the colour of a wolf’s fur can vary depending on where they live, and by the season, as a form of camouflage when stalking prey. Our son was thrilled when he was invited to stroke the various pelts to see how soft they were – he wanted to stroke a real wolf afterwards and we had to explain there might be a few logistical and safety issues preventing that!

We were so lucky that we were visiting just outside peak season, because we didn’t need to reserve a place on any of the Grand Tetons ranger programs. We joined a departing group headed for a short walk along the south shore to Moose Ponds. That was about three miles in duration, and the pace was fine for our five year-old son. It was wonderfully relaxing just to wander along the banks, with the ranger (think his name was Tim?) explaining the flora and fauna of Grand Tetons as we went.

In the afternoon, we joined a talk by another ranger (Liz?) about bear safety. You’ll find both black bears and grizzly bears in Grand Tetons and although the chances are they will stay as far away from people as they can most of the time, if you’re going hiking then you always need to have your wits about you. So we learned the basics of bear safety from Liz, about how talking or singing as you walk lets the bears know you’re coming so they don’t get any nasty surprises, how to deploy bear spray if needed and, worst come to worst, what to do in the event of a bear attack. I happened to look at my son at this point and his eyes were gleaming, as he hung on the ranger’s every word – strange kid.

Why you should try Ranger Programs in US National Parks

As someone with a passion for ecotourism, I’m a huge fan of the Ranger Programs that operate in many American National Parks. If people are going to protect these pristine environments then we need to understand them, and the knowledge that rangers build up through years of exploring trails, monitoring animals and vegetation, is an invaluable resource.

The other reason I think Ranger Programs are so great is as a way of educating and entertaining children. My son was just five when we visited Jenny Lake, but he was absolutely enthralled by the talks we were given, and thoroughly enjoyed the nature walk too. He probably learned more about wolves, bears and glaciers in that one day that he’ll pick up from books or school in the next few years, because it was all right there in front of him. You just can’t beat this kind of hands-on learning. If we’re ever lucky enough to go back to the States, I’ll enroll him in a Junior Ranger Program for a day so he can experience life as a park ranger – he’d love it.

Best Green Travel Accessories

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So you want to plan an environmentally friendly vacation. You’ve chosen a hotel that reduces water waste and serves organic food. You’ve opted for an airline that offers drinks in recycled cups and minimizes food waste. You’ve even chosen the ideal destination to encourage your love for the environment. But to take that last little step towards the perfect green vacation, you need to make sure your travel accessories are the most eco-friendly options on the market.

While green technologies are ever evolving and it can often be difficult to keep up on the latest in sustainable design, there are a few key characteristics to keep in mind when choosing an ecofriendly accessory. For one, the use of natural or recycled materials is essential. Reusing existing materials (especially those that would otherwise damage the environment like plastic) is an important factor in reducing pollution and waste. Another factor is whether or not the product is culturally responsible or sensitive: was it made by local artisans, or sold by a company that’s run by or works with locals? In a related consideration, does the company donate some of the profits to charitable or environmental organizations?

If you take into account these qualifications when choosing a green accessory, you’ll feel better about what you buy and how you use it. Here’s a list of a few popular and useful travel accessories to consider for your next trip.

Sleep masks or pillows made from recycled material

Comfort when flying (especially to faraway destinations) is important. But what’s even more important is making sure that your favorite accessories are good for the environment. Airplane pillows in particular are often made of synthetic material, so be sure to look out for one made of recycled or natural materials.

Water bottles made out of recycled or sustainable materials

Eco-friendly water bottles have been a big thing for a while, so these should be easy to find. Companies like SIGG (which is a leader in healthy, environmentally friendly bottles) offer products in a wide array of styles and colors, so you can be fashionable and eco-friendly. They even make special patterns for kids, so the whole family can get in on being green.

Journals from recycled or chemical-free paper

The best parts of travel are the memories you make along the way. Record those memories in an eco-friendly journal made from recycled or natural paper, so you’re reducing environmental pollution. Plus, they come in a wide variety of patterns and sizes, so it’s easy to find one that speaks to you. Companies like Paperblank also donate a portion of their profits to charitable organizations.

Luggage or bags that are made from environmentally friendly materials

There are actually several companies currently producing luggage or other bags made from recycled materials. Again, here you’re reducing your impact on the environment by choosing something that isn’t made from artificial materials. Many of them are also lighter and easier to use than standard luggage, like the super environmentally friendly LiteGear.

Ecofriendly Gadgets

With consumer interest in ecofriendly gadgets on the rise, there are plenty of companies producing everything from water-powered alarm clocks to tech made partially from bamboo (like external hard drives and laptops). You’ll also find a lot of solar-powered options, like headsets and media players. These gadgets range widely in price, too, so there’s no need to drop a ton of money for sustainable and recycled goods.

Rechargeable batteries

While most of our technology these days relies upon rechargeable batteries, on the off chance that you have something that does take AAs, opt for rechargeable varieties. The materials that batteries are made of can be very toxic to the environment in landfills, so the fewer batteries that we dispose of, the better.

Travel or hiking gear from ecofriendly materials

If your green vacation involves hiking or backpacking, you’ll want to make sure these bags are environmentally friendly, too. Companies like Eagle Creek, Osprey Packs, and Timbuk2 offer products from recycled and ecofriendly materials that are designed to last and last, ensuring that there’s no need for frequent replacements and the subsequent waste.

Environmentally friendly toiletries

Even your toothpaste makes a difference when it comes to your impact on the environment. Anything you put on your body from soap to shampoo is not only better for you, but also better for nature when it’s organic and chemical-free. Because beauty and health product companies have been working to encourage the development of natural products for a while now, you’ll have plenty of options, too, from Tom’s of Maine and Burt’s Bees to smaller companies.