Eco Holidays

posted by Catherine on Aug 24

Make Your Eco Holidays More Eco Friendly By Setting Your House To Work

Rather than leaving your home empty while you go off on your eco holidays - make it work for you - and for the environment.  I mean what’s more of an eco waste than an empty house?

Now we have all heard of ‘house swaps’ - but that means that you have to take your holiday in just the one place - and agree on how long for with the other person - but there are a few more options open to you while you are away.

1) Special Events:
If you live near a well-known location or event - why not coincide your trip to allow you to let out your home for a great price!

It’s not just about the ‘really’ famous places these days either as there a local festivals and events popping up all over the place these days.  Especially if you have a property right in the action - or far from it!

Peak season in the Lake District or the South Coast could be a great time to go away yourself.  Your home would be looked after, secure and making you some funds for next years holiday while you are still enjoying this years!

2) Your Front Garden:
Even before you go away, you could be finding a person who needs a parking space right about where you are living!

Thousands of people drive into work every day looking for that elusive safe parking spot where they won’t get a ticket.  What better place than your front garden!

If you can find a ‘tenent’ for your gravel before you head off then there is always someone visiting and leaving your home everyday while you are away - for added security - and you aren’t wasting that patch of land either!

3) Your Back Garden:
If you are lucky enough to have something great in your garden - like a tennis court, pool or riverbank or whatever - then why not consider ‘renting’ it out while you aren’t there?

Of course you could rent it out while you are at home too - but while you are away those resources are going to be wasted.  So share them out - either free or for a small fee if you like!

People also need a place to camp in small villages or remote footpaths - so maybe a small donation for your unused garden wouldn’t be too much trouble for you - maybe give a share to a neighbour who checks up on things too.

Obviously make sure that everything is safe and secure before leaving and that you are covered on any necessary insurance or health and safety things to cover yourself - as you sometimes need to these days!

Otherwise - enjoy your holidays knowing that they are twice as eco friendly as everyone else’s!

posted by Catherine on Sep 10

Here I continue with some other areas where I found it difficult to remain green while on vacation…..

On The Buses:
The buses ran very frequently and we didn’t want to hire a car so we stuck with public transport - however - there was a slight problem.

All the buses were churning out black fumes as they trundled along the badly laid streets over-filled with us tourists. Some said ‘12 standing’ but we were hanging out the door alongside another 20 or more people holding on for dear life.

There was no chance at all of us walking anywhere due to the excessive heat, but we were not going to be the only ones waiting for a newer bus to come along to satisfy our eco-needs!

The Hotel Itself.
Now this should have been a safe bet as we had searched it’s details before booking - but they don’t write everything down!

The towels were needlessly replaced everyday even though we followed the instructions to ’save water’ and hung them on the rails, and there were other little things that were not in the description.

For example the giant plasma TV screen in the reception lounge and dozens of little ones dotted around with hotel advertising on them. Then the total reception ‘re-furb’ where they replaced all the furniture overnight!

The main hotel had 3 separate lifts even though it wasn’t that big, and also had 2 separate buildings - each with their own lift too! But when you had got back from a day out and were sweaty and exhausted and with bags of shopping - did walking up to the 5th floor seem a sensible option! I can see why they put them in - or why people don’t like it when they aren’t there.

They also didn’t supply some of the basics needed for a kitchenette, so we had to go and buy all the missing things. So rather than the hotel buying bulk washing-up liquid for example and decanting it into the rooms when you arrived - they didn’t offer this - therefore forcing everyone who came here to go and buy their own.

Now, there were 41 self-catering rooms in our building and some people stayed for a few days, a week or 2 weeks. So it is possible that in the 2 weeks we were there over 100 visitors have had to go and buy washing-up liquid and scourers, etc…… And of course - the containers are too big for such a short time, so did people throw them away when they left!

So, Finally:
It’s alright to say that we should mention these things to our hotel or the stores involved, but many of it falls on deaf ears as I found out! Many hotels cannot afford to make the changes and many see no need as we readily accept what is there.

Over the years people have learnt to expect certain things and accept certain things, and so for a few decades yet, things won’t change. Unless you specifically book into a newly built eco lodge, energy-saving and environmentally advantageous things won’t be as standard. (And why visit a new-build when there were plenty of existing hotels about in the first place?)

Some things won’t change due to accessibility laws: for example, the lifts will have to remain for those with prams or wheelchairs; and the air conditioning for those who are old or young or otherwise unable to tolerate high temperatures.

We need to make some things ‘dirty’ like dropping litter and smoking in restaurants have been to make more people a bit more thoughtful when it comes to using the resources in hotels.

The National History Museum in London has put signs on their lifts suggesting, in a very polite way, that healthy people should really be using the stairs instead. A great start.

posted by Catherine on Sep 6

How can you stay healthy abroad when you try to be eco friendly?

I recently returned from a trip to somewhere a lot warmer than I was used to and I found that I broke nearly all the normal rules of eco friendly living!

We all know that it is not always possible to act as green as you usually do when away from home - but I found myself slipping up on holiday with many basic health issues. And I am a hardened eco girl!  However traveling with no-so-eco people made it harder.

Cold Drinks!
No matter how well prepared we thought we were, we nearly always needed to buy cold bottled drinks when we were out.

We had taken a thermos flask to keep our own drinks cool which we prepared in the rooms before we left - but we were not able to ever carry enough cold materials. This then resulted in us buying bottle after bottle of ice cold drinks.

This had more than 1 thing wrong with it as well.

1) It had to be cold otherwise it wouldn’t stop us from over-heating - so therefore it had to be kept chilled in the stalls and cafes we brought them from.

2) It was nearly always a small ‘handy’ size bottle as they tended not to keep or chill the larger bottles.

3) The stalls didn’t offer many brands that were not international brands. Some were bottled in the country but most weren’t - so we were feeding global companies.

4) There were very few recycling facilities by these stalls so once drunk (straight away as we were so hot) if it wouldn’t fit in our bags - it had to be thrown in the normal litter bin.

Air-Conditioning:
I know how bad using the air coolers are - and I rarely like to use them anyway - but other tourists have demanded them over the years and so they are ever present.

Annoyingly as well, retail customer service also seems to entail that stores leave their doors open to seem ‘welcoming’ so allowing all the cool air to flow out into the streets. Additionally, stores that didn’t have air-con were chilling all the western foods like chocolate (in mini but open fridges) so that we would feel more at home.

It felt awful to have been a part of creating that. However, it was virtually impossible to avoid stores that were using too much energy as nearly every store was doing so - and walking to a more environmentally conscious store to make me feel better would have physically made me feel worse - as it was so hot!

And no doubt I would have had to have brought another cold drink on arrival and then risk my shopping being ruined or melted by the heat while I walked home!

What To Eat?
While we did try our hand at the local foods and the local restaurants, we were self-catering and so had the opportunity to eat what we wanted - however not being at home or having the luxury of our normal kitchen equipment, we found ourselves buying small packets of pre-packed items rather than larger and fresher bulk items.

We also ate out a few times, only to find ourselves looking for the most frequented destinations - which happened to be filled with other tourists.

And to a certain extent the local products had no ethical buying chain that I could check out. I mean buying a locally made pizza slice could have a whole ‘bad’ process behind it.

For example, I had no way of finding out if all the ingredients were imported and if so where from. How were they cooked, stored or transported? How were the animals treated before they were used for my topping? Was it better to buy a western brand that I knew was flown across the globe but had acceptable preparation standards - or buy unbranded foods that could have been created with meat that was not ethically sourced, for example?

My Eco Dilemma continues in a few days with Part 2

posted by Catherine on Sep 2

Heading To South America for a bit of eco adventure!

There are some fantastic wildlife areas in Argentina and the country has so much to offer the visitor that I thought I would try to interest you in some of the eco lodges here that offer that little bit of uniqueness that you would expect from your vacation.

The following 3 locations are spread over the country and include stays in locally run estancia - a large ranch or farm estate.

La Alegría Eco Lodge - Misiones, Iguazu Area:

A small and personal destination submersed in the jungles and waterways of this ancient and wildlife-filled part of the country.

There are only ever a maximum of 6 guests so there is no overcrowding or overuse of resources. There is also little need to stock up with excessive amount of other supplies as the types of guest this attracts are not there for just a ’sunny vacation with all the extras’ - people come here to be at one with nature and to explore the many habitats in peace!

Accommodation is in log cabins, designed and heated in the traditional ways. The freshwater swimming pool is fed by a 100% hydraulic pump from the nearby stream and isn’t treated with chemicals.

Most of the meals are grown and prepared on site, and the hosts join their guests for all meals allowing for some great story telling and traditional celebrations! Your hosts Patricia and Marcelo are also experts on the local area and offer guided tours, horseback trails and other adventures.

Or they just leave you alone to find your own way or just relax in the pool!

Yacutinga Lodge - Misiones, Iguazu Area:

Not far from that lodge is this unique biological lodge that has links to a wildlife reserve and the work of the WWF - as a result it is a bit pricier!

The buildings are made of local materials and set in harmony with natures shapes, totally integrated and the wildlife habitats are literally on your doorstep. Each of the fantastic and spacious rooms has it’s own private and uninterrupted view of the forest outside.

The outside comes inside here, and fallen trees and plants fill the reception and rooms - making it a bit quirky. Almost everything used is from the forests - yet only 4 out of the 570 acres of this pristine wilderness are inhabited by the buildings.

Activities here range from helping out with surveying, planting of indigenous trees, to awareness courses on the natural resources and guided walks. There are thousands of trees, plants, birds, insects and mammals to find in these forests and the funds from your visit will help to make sure that they remain there!

Rincón del Socorro - Esteros del Ibera.

This delightful 12,000 hectare former cattle ranch has been amazingly transformed into a nature reserve by it’s current owners. Using identical resources and techniques they have restored the farm house over 2 years - but adding the modern touch.

Covering both wetland and savannah habitats there will be plenty of places you can just get away from it all by yourself - or get immersed in the whole wildlife packages that the hosts offer.

There are plenty of activities on offer, including horseback riding, canoeing and wildlife watching - and nearly all activities are included in the price so you can make the most of it all. Sit yourself down in the tack room for a traditional drink of afternoon ‘mate’, of wander around the wonderfully restored buildings.

Meals are mainly local and organic and the meat is free-range - well, there is no shortage of land here! Using local traditional foods and gourmet dishes for meals, there is something for everyone, and the local wines will no doubt go down a treat!

posted by Catherine on Jun 17

This amazing and secluded eco retreat is the perfect haven for those seeking to get back to nature or just to get away from everything. A perfect eco holiday!

Nestled in a valley and surrounded by great mountains is the Kw’o:kw’e:hala eco retreat. This eco retreat will no doubt be a world away from where you are at the moment!  Surrounded by wooded hills and Indian Reserves on the Coquihalla River and just across the US border on Highway 1 - you won’t have to fly here - your journey being park of the vacation.

What Makes It ‘Eco’?
Their theory of ‘back to basics’ is a great starting point for this resort, as it suggests that there is a stepping back if you like from the compulsive and consumer world that we face everyday.  There is very little here to stress you out!

They also offer the chance to live in an environmentally friendly way as everything you require on your vacation has been chosen specifically for it’s eco-credentials.  You don’t have to worry about the consequences of this or that - they have done all that for you.  You know that you can relax and enjoy yourself without destroying the very place you are visiting.

Food is another pleasure here.  They offer slow food, whole food, simple food - all organic of course and much grown on site!  With their chefs working for you - all the meals are not only good for the planet - but healthy for you too!

They even offer vacation packages that include your choice of ‘learn a new eco skill’ courses.  For example, a course on how to make home-made gifts, how to grow your own vegetables and how to make jams and jellies!

What Can You Do There?
Well, the main attraction could be to do absolutely nothing there!  Just to relax in this isolated location beside the creek and away from anything disruptive or noisy.  The resort only has a handful of buildings here so it has a low impact on the area and guests can only hear to sounds of the forest rather than hoards of other guests charging around!

The relaxing Wood-Fired Sauna which stores it’s heat for days is included in most of the packages, along with the wood-fired hot tub.  There are riverside hammocks, shared washroom block, central kitchen and dining area.

The Accommodation:
There are 3 main cabins around the grounds, as well as the shared buildings.

Forest Cottage is surrounded by trees - as it’s name suggests, and is the most private of the 3 cabins here.  It is actually an entirely recycled building so to speak having been moved from another site and upgraded using unwanted wood from a nearby mill.

Homestead Log Cabin is the largest cabin and is in an open area to allow you the views of nature and everything passing by.  The cabin was built nearly 100 years ago and has quite a local history!

Othello Cottage is the final cabin - but no less eco!  Made from building from the old Kettle railways in the early 1900’s with it’s original Shakespearean name!

It overlooks the river and has an eco toilet and outside solar shower facilities to tempt you outside! 

There is also the The Riverside Nest, which is a large tented ‘room’ outdoors where you can sleep under the stars - day or night - just you.

Anything Else?
The resort has won a Responsible Tourism ‘Ethical Escape’ excellence award, and is part of the WWOOF Canada association of organic farming and outdoors.  Recently, the Organic Earth Magazine voted Kw’o:kw’e:hala as one of the ‘5 Best Eco Getaways’ in Canada and it has also been awarded 5 Stars by Eco Hotels Of The World.

On a more personal note, they offer advice to all guests on the use (or the non-use) of electrical appliances like hair dryers and straighteners - and also over zealous toiletries and perfumes!

There is also the added bonus to those seeking peace and quiet that it will be children-free!  Unless the whole site is booked by 1 family or group - children are not allowed on site - all 7 acres of it. 

Quiet.

posted by Catherine on Dec 7

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I thought I would start off with an article about the basic things to look out for when booking your eco holidays and adventures.

Obviously there are extremes for the most eco friendly holidays out there, but I am just offering a few of the essentials that can make all the difference to the environment you are travelling to and the wildlife and people who you will be sharing it with.

1) Choose a destination you care about.
If you make sure that you are travelling to a destination that you know a lot about or want to explore for the first time, then you will be spending your well earned money supporting eco holidays in that area - ultimately making that people working in that destination treat tourism (and their environment) with care. 

It’s the whole demand circle - if loads of people want cheap sun and sand, then you get a Cancun (loads of high rise hotel blocks crammed onto a sandy peninsula).  If people demand (and pay a bit extra for) ecologically and environmentally friendly small destinations - then that is what they will supply.

2) Consider a recommended location.
Ideally, you would travel to a location that had been recommended by a friend or other trusted source.  Not only does this save the destination from having to advertise their location to thousands of potential holiday-makers, but it keeps the feeling friendly - and lets the staff and managers there that they are treating their customers with great customer service - so they will repeat that for your holiday, hoping that you too will pass on the good word.

3) Select your agent well.
If you are booking your eco holidays through an agent, make sure that they offer flexible packages and are not sending huge numbers of people to the same locations.

Most reputable tour operators will fly you scheduled to your destination, keeping travel groups to a limited few (no more than 12 really).  They will normally also offer an English-speaking guide or escort to be with your group at all times, and have everyone travel together on internal transfers.

Many specialists such as Audley Travel and the Kuoni Group can even offer individual travel, basically your group only throughout the trip.  They also offer a personal service for any extras that you may require, such as tailor-made specialist trips.

If you book an ‘eco-holiday’ with companies that normally offer package deals or cheap vacations, then the destination may well be only eco-friendly on paper.  Even if the hotel is in ‘the jungle’ and uses recycled rainwater and grows a lot of it’s own fruit - with 500 paying guests at a time running around the chlorinated pool with a fountain splashing down a rocky slope - it’s not actually an eco-friendly destination.

4) Contact your choices in advance.
If you have selected one or two locations that you like, make sure you contact the owners/managers in advance.  They should respond to your email, phone call or letter promptly and answer any questions you have.

Ideally, they would also offer you advice that they feel will make your vacation even better or your travel plans run more smoothly - even if you didn’t ask for it.  This shows that they have great experience with tourists and have found that certain things work and other things don’t, and they want your trip to visit them to run as smoothly as possible.

5) Go independent.
Make sure that the hotel you select is run independently and preferably by a company that is resident to the country your are visiting.  This way, your host will not only know more about the location and places of interest, but they will have made a network of other suppliers and local tour operators that they will recommend to you as necessary.

The money you spend in the resort will therefore go to benefit the local area and families as and when they are employed by guests or the hotel itself, but your money will not leave the country and fly back home before you as with many package destinations and all-inclusive resorts.

Although such destinations do employ local staff, they are not benefiting local people or the communities they are located in.

6) Research the location and resources of the Hotel.
Many companies like the attention that being ‘eco-friendly’ attracts, so make sure you check their credentials before you book with them.

Where are they located exactly, and does their building or complex fit into the environment well (are they all below the canopy level?, are they made of local materials? where does their sewage and litter all go?) 

Are they located close to the kind of environment you want, for example are they in a cloud forest, on a beach, in the mountains?  Don’t let the name of the lodge or hotel confuse you in this as destinations will often use key words to attract guests (such as monkey lodge, rolling waves hotel, canopy cottages), but could not actually offer that item - or are about an hour away from it….

Do they use all their own energy supplies, like solar panels, recycled river or rain water, composting toilets, limited lighting and wood burning stoves or bio-fuel?

Do they grow their own food supplies and farm animals?  If not, is all food from local suppliers?  If they offer specialist diets such as gluten-free alternatives etc, are these imported - if so do you personally pay for that privilege or does the hotel (and environment)? 

Do they ask you to take all your own litter away with you, or offer sensible alternatives to waste?

7) And finally - Is there anything you can offer them?
Not a necessary part of anyones holiday, but fun none the less. 

Has you hotel or lodge got a local school or project that you could help out with while you are there?  Could they link you up with an environmental group who are doing some work in the local area?  Are they associated with an educational establishment that you could offer your skills to or you could learn from?

If you are there becasue you love that location and that environment, then why not offer to help out and improve what’s already there - at no extra cost to you but of huge benefit to them.

Hope you have a great time!