Green Vacationing Tips

[Cass]

We often find in life that the things we enjoy the most are the worst for us. For example, when you were growing up, you may have had adults insist you eat your vegetables because they are “good for you.” At the time you were probably frustrated and perplexed. It wouldn't be until later in life, that you realized that this relationship with things does not only pertain to eating healthily.

If you have tried to adapt your lifestyle to be more Earth conscious, you have probably seen a similar relationship. For example, you may have asked yourself the question: Why are things that are the easiest to do, the most convenient, the most enjoyable, and oftentimes the least expensive, the things that tend to do the most harm to the environment? So, in the attempt not to make daily life impossible, we try to balance these things the best we can.

Our actions have an impact on the environment not only in our daily lives, but at special times too. For instance, when we go on vacation, we sometimes like to leave everything behind for a while, including the good habits we've incorporated into a lifestyle of living green. The following are some suggestions that you can use when planning a vacation so that you can still have fun and get plenty of rest and relaxation without taking a vacation from being green.

A simple solution to the dilemma of planning a green vacation would be to stay home. If this is done, you can simply maintain your everyday green routine. At the same time, you can allow yourself to do extra cleaning and household projects that may have been put off. By not traveling anywhere, you not only save energy resources that would have been consumed getting to and from your destination, but you will also save money.

Assuming that you do plan to travel somewhere during.... (http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/13286/)

[kaylaris]

Those are great tips, I try to be as green as I can but sometimes it is hard. What I've seen lately when booking a flight is the ability to buy carbon offsets at the point of sale, this is a great idea and I have been doing this any time I book a flight, it isn't that much money and although it may not make a difference but if everyone does it, it could make a big difference. :)

[bammer]

Good tips. One thing that I found on a recent trip was that I decided to walk instead of ride taxis or trains from one point to another. I had been to Manila many times and I even lived there for awhile a few years ago. Amazingly I notice things that I never saw before when I walked from one place to another. On a train or taxi the area goes by so fast but when I walked I was able to see things I never noticed before. I think this could also be true in a vacation. Often we go on the "package tour" and see parts but what do we miss from the bus or van?

[sapna]

Hey its great,What u said about green tourism is to stay at home. Dont u think that it will be difficult as kids must acquire some knowledge about different places ,about their climate ,life style , ...etc.If they are locked in homes they will become as A Frog in the well.

[greenpie]

yes i know what you are saying the is called "the modern cave". million years ago we got out of our caves and start to explore the world and now we are sitting at home and let the world come to us. i personaly dont find any reason to get out of my home.

[cheril]

well i am trying to be green.. I mean using and doing things that can help at least save environment ..good tips you've posted here..I am sure we become more aware of this green thing and how to do it in our specially way at home or anywhere else..

[Merana]

I don't think I would choose "staying home" as vacation... I love my home and spend a lot of time in it, leaving only when necessary, but once a year I'd like to take a short trip and see other places. Last year we went to Niagara Falls, it was beautiful.

[tecshift]

I think that those who enjoy travelling and are longing to go to a specific place should be able to do so, but they should be made aware of the impact that they have on the environment. Prices should be adjusted to include the environmental impact in the fair, not only the fuel price (which should gradually go up in time as well). I heard Richard Branson say that the UK government may impose a cap on airline travel. We have gone too far, everyboddy is just hopping away for a day or two for the sake of it. Travel to other countries should not just be sight seeing, it should also include getting to know the other culture, getting some very special work experience or learn a language. But this is personal choice. It is up to the market to offer these choices. I'd say, the market, i.e. the price will decide.

[Val]

Eventually travel will be very expensive, with much more electric vehicles and sailing ships. The travel going on right now is doing a great deal of environmental harm with extreme CO2 production.
With TSA, big city traffic, the expense, and crowds, travel sure isn't the fun it used to be. Most of the other cultures suck, with all their overpopulation. They just want your money. Nice "green vacations", "eco-travel"---what oxymorons!! Traveling to those lush islands of green eventually kills them with the thermageddon of methane turnover caused by human fossil fuel use.
http://www.cosmosmith.com/human_population_crisis.htm

[SunFusion Solar]

Go on hiking and bicycling tours - cant get greener than this. Basking in SF Fusion energy, feeling the breeze, not expending fuel or electricity.. Expect for the energy spent reaching the destination - it'll be just you, fun, and nature - perfect!