8 Ways You Can Travel More Sustainably This Year
The summer might feel like ages away but it’s quickly creeping up and holiday planning is underway. We certainly deserve it too after the last two summers of extortionate PCR tests, cancellations and flight restrictions. But before you start planning, it’s worth thinking about just how sustainable your blow-out vacation to the US, The Maldives or even city break to Edinburgh actually is.
Chances are it probably hadn’t even crossed your mind. While we’re all happy to swap our plastic water bottles for reusable ones and switch to a more eco-conscious beauty brand when it comes to mascara, it’s easy to forget it all when it comes to holiday planning. In a bid to help save our planet while still allowing ourselves to enjoy its beauty, make this 2022 the year you travel more sustainably.
If you’re wondering how you can, we’ve rounded up eight things worth thinking about while you’re planning your next trip.
Avoid flying where possible
It’s hardly a secret that flying isn’t the most sustainable way to travel. It produces greenhouse gases, helping to contribute to the global warming crisis we currently find ourselves facing. It’s been reported that it accounts to over 2% of the world’s global carbon emissions, so opting for a more sustainable alternative when travelling is beneficial.
If you’re whisking yourself away on a city vacation to Paris or even Edinburgh, opt for a train rather than catching a fly. While the train from London to Edinburgh might take a little longer and often costs more, environmentally it’s better for the planet. For trips from London to Edinburgh, try Lumo for cheap tickets coming in at around £30.
Let’s not forget travelling by rail can see you soak up some of the prettiest views across the world, from trips to Cornwall and Scotland, to Switzerland and Greece, and further afield too. For a luxurious trip, check out our guide to the world’s most blow-your-budget sleeper trains or relive your gap year and try Interrailing your way around Europe.
Ditch the giant suitcase
If you’re taking a giant suitcase just for a weekend away or week trip to Mallorca, you might want to rethink. You don’t need five different bikinis, eight pairs of shoes and twelve outfit changes. Challenge yourself to opt for a trip without the extra luggage and you’ll realise you really don’t need to take your whole wardrobe for a short break.
Plus, let’s not forget we’re all trying to do our bit to be more sustainable with our wardrobe and that shouldn’t be neglected when you go on holiday too. Ask yourself do you really need to buy yet another pair of sandals when you’ve already got three sat at the bottom of your shoe rack?
If you do need a new suitcase or holdall because yours is falling to pieces, invest in a sustainable option. Try Patagonia for a travel bag or Samsonite for a sustainable suitcase.
Here are some tips on how to be more sustainable in fashion this year.
Keep your own sustainable habits while you’re away
Holidays are for switching off from the everyday pressures but we shouldn’t let ourselves forget about all of the sustainable efforts we do in our daily lives.
Don’t buy an extortionate bottle of water from Heathrow Airport but instead bring your trusty reusable water bottle and fill it up instead. Bring your own bamboo knives and forks with you so you don’t have to use plastic ones from food stands. Small things like these all help you do your bit to help out when you’re travelling too.
Vacate in the UK
If there’s one good thing that’s come about since the pandemic, it’s the growth in our appreciation for the UK’s natural beauty. While we might not always have beautiful weather, the UK is home to beautiful crystal clear beaches, mountain peaks and pockets of natural spaces that we can explore, all without having to jet off on an airplane.
The UK is home to some stunning places, from beautiful beaches and seaside resorts to botanical gardens and even museums that are worth the train fare.
While you’re visiting these places, it’s worth looking for accommodation that’s also doing their bit for the environment. We love The Scarlet, the Cornwall hotel that’s home to stunning views over Mawgan Porth beach. It’s worth soaking these up from the hotel’s clifftop, responsibly heated hot tubs. For more inspo sustainable UK hotels, look here.
Visit places doing their bit for the environment
If you’re itching to go further afield, do your research into what countries, cities or even small coastal towns are doing in an effort to be more eco-conscious. As it stands, Denmark, Luxembourg and Switzerland are the three most environmentally friendly countries in the world, all doing their bit to fight different areas of climate change.
But there are other countries helping to do their bit too, whether it’s helping to protect the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to Formentera, the small island next to Ibiza and their efforts to promote sustainable tourism and raise funding for the conservation of the oceanic posidonia marine plant.
Stay in accommodation that’s making eco efforts
Just like you might be starting to research areas that are doing their bit for the environment, you might want to opt for accommodation that’s making eco efforts too. From reducing waste and plastic consumption to eco-builds, there are some really great sustainable hotels, apartments and options out there.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of the most luxurious eco hotels here and we even stayed at this simply sublime Portuguese hotel to see what it was all about.
Support local while you’re away
Steer away from the big chains that crop up in every country – you know who we’re talking about – and help out the community by supporting and shopping locally.
If you’re looking for little trinkets and souvenirs to take home to loved ones, buy these from small stalls and shops that hand make them. It’ll be more authentic and original, and it’ll help keep the locals in business and keep their creative dream alive.
The same goes for food shopping and restaurants. Immerse yourselves in the culture and sample the local’s catch of the day or try the region’s staple dish. Dine in local restaurants, drink at independent coffee shops and shop at small corner shops and try something new.
Volunteer instead
If you’re looking to go away for longer, why not immerse yourself in the local culture fully and volunteer while you’re away. There are thousands of sustainable initiatives going on all over the world, from the Amazon Rainforest to supporting sustainable agriculture, marina conservation to animal welfare. Make sure you do your thorough research first before jumping into anything.
