Eco Holidays

posted by Catherine on May 22

We all know that 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity – so what’s special about today?

International Year of Biodiversity is a time where huge projects can be started, or completed. Many projects across the world take years and years of planning and can take up to 15 years to start to become effective – and according to climate change experts: we don’t have much time left.

So the idea of this ‘year’ is to highlight the need for research into biodiversity and the beginnings of a change in the way that we deal with climate change, extinctions and the environment as a whole.

So Why The ‘Day’?
Well, the day of Biodiversity is a time where ordinary people like you and you family can become involved in something much bigger without having to devote months of your life to field research, and without cracking out the cheque book!

Events across the world have been organised for today that involve the very simplest of events such as pond dipping – to show you what actually lives there; through woodland creation – to help what is already there; right up to scientific meeting and lectures discussing everything on the world agenda.

So today you could be introducing your friends and family to the whole diverse world out there – and hopefully making a difference to their future.

And What About Tomorrow?
Well, the future isn’t looking like it’s going to be as good as it has been in terms of many weather related things, such as farming and soil fertility.

I mean many people think of ‘bio-diversity’ as being about all the amazing wild animals and plants that we love to see in parks and zoos – but diversity also means in terms of ‘boring’ plants and animals too.

Take for example the ability of wheat to grow in certain weather conditions, and we all know that rice needs water to grow – but the weather could change all that and make these crops very difficult to grow in the huge amount that we currently do. So we need a diverse range of crop plants to take their place when we start to get short. If it’s to dry to grow rice – we need to find something that we can grow instead!

Then think about all the thousands of different bugs and creepy crawlies that live in the earth and under rocks and even feeding on other dead animals – we need thousands of them to get the job done! If not then the soil loses it’s fertility and we will be surrounded by dead animals and plants, festering in the sun!

The more species that become extinct, the less chance we and the planet has of finding a solution to our problems – whenever the arise. For example, imagine you have a serious disagreement with one mobile phone company – you can currently just go and use another one; there are plenty to choose from today.

But what if there was only that one phone company? What if you had to put up with their charges or go without a phone?

This is the scenario that many of our animals face today – and more will so in the future. If they can’t find the food type or the habitat or the nesting site that the need to survive – they will have only 1 choice: Move on and hope to find it elsewhere – or die.

Your Actions:
However you can stop this – in both the example and in real life.

If you make sure that there is always a vast array of choices for both your family and the wildlife in the world – then there will always be a second, third, fourth or fifth choice. So when species are faced with the effects of climate change or the results of human encroachment, they can evolve a different way to deal with it – like eating berry B instead of the usual berry A.

And we all know that when something is the only thing left – it will be in demand (it’s scarcity value) – and then it becomes very expensive and very difficult to get your hands on.

So by keeping the world rich in choices and full of variety – there will always be a fair spread for everyone involved. This is what sustainability is all about – and it can make a huge difference to humans and the environment.

So think about that today: Biodiversity Day

posted by Catherine on Apr 25

The Mediterranean is where most Europeans go for their short sunshine holidays – and why not? 

28 countries border the warm waters of this inland sea, and many others are within a short journey or flight.  And, with the current trends towards taking holidays closer to home – it is likely to remain popular and possibly see some new visitors who would normally travel long haul.

Where To Choose:
Listed below are 4 eco-resorts in slightly unusual locations not normally thought of for eco resorts.  None of them are in the countryside or surrounded by forests or mountains, but they offer a little touch of ‘eco’ without going to extremes.

1) La Ferme D’Augustin: near St Tropez – Southern France.
This delightful little resort is only 5 minutes away from the bustle of St Tropez, but has it’s own little beach just steps away from your room. 

It offers an authentic feel, and grows and uses much of it’s own produce for your stay.  Homegrown vegetables and fruits play a huge role in your stay – and the relaxed peaceful atmosphere makes it much more natural an more a part of the local area.

Water and energy uses are montitored and staff trained to improve even more.  Much recycling is carried out and the hotels own food and garden waste goes back into the earth to grow more seasonal fruits for the breakfast table!

2) The Victoria Hotel: Sliema – Malta
This boutique resort is listed as one of Malta’s Eco-Certified hotels, which means it meets or exceeds the criteria set by that country for ‘eco-friendliness’ as they say.

The Hotel has an Eco Committee who’s job it is to update and implement eco practices, which already include seperation of waste, reduction of eco un-friendly cleaning products and increase in use of eco-friendly biodegradable products along with maintenance of electrical stock and appliances to reduce energy and chemical leaks.

They have also implemented low water usage bathroom and kitchen facilities, and improving irrigation in the gardens to conserve water alongside reducing pesticide use.

3) Locanda Della Avelle Nuova: Urbina – Central Italy
This accommodation is set in the heart of an organic farm who’s owners believe and work by the mantra: one should tread lightly on the earth.  It is also just a stones throw from the UNESCO Heritage Site of Urbina.

The owners currently grow most of their own crops, fruits and vegetables and raise their livestock 100% organically.  They make their own bread, pasta, jams and wines for guests meals.

Their green credentials include: solar power, composting, recycling, staff eco-training, reduced emissions, local conservation, using reclaimed materials and local staff and skills.  They also allow guests to use their horses to view the landscape rather than drive!

4) Desert Lodge: near Cairo – northern Egypt.
This hotel is one of the few eco-designed locations in Egypt – and really is a sight to behold!  Built in a traditional style by local craftsmen using only local and natural materials, this stylish hotel is spacious and clean.

The lodge is located to allow easy access to all the sights and the local community.  With walking, cycling and camel-back tours available – you can really explore with minimal impact.

Due to it’s desert location, the resort takes great pains to conserve water, and reduce consumption without affecting comfort.  They supply their water for guests in glass bottles rather than plastic and all their cotton furnishings are 100% Egyptian!

posted by Catherine on Jan 17

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Many travel writers now agree on what should be your benchmarks for selecting an ‘eco’ holiday and I have selected some of the easier to achieve targets and briefly discuss them below.

Eco-Holidays are not just about the environment anymore, they involve the whole community: all ages, all communities and all encompassing.

Gone are the days when you were praised for not washing your towels every day or seen as eccentric for volunteering abroad, these trips are becoming more and more popular – and people want to make sure that they are doing their best to support the places that they visit.

After all – we only visit the places we think are worth visiting – so why destroy them?

Listed below are 4 key areas that your eco holidays should score well on, and below there is advice relating to each one that you can easily achieve without too much effort on your part.

A) It should be fair.
This means that you are not just going somewhere for your own gains regardless of anything else, and your choice of accommodation of transport aren’t damaging either. You and your hosts are aware of their impact on that environment and you have taken this into account.

B) It should be community-centred.
By thinking about your impact on the communities in your destination, you are considering how your actions could affect their lives and or their future. Make sure that your hosts are thinking along the same lines.

C) It should be sustainable.
Ideally, your hotel/host/tour company should not be depleting or degrading their environment to the extent that future generations cannot enjoy it as you did yourself, or by destroying it completely.

D) Decisions should be ecologically sensible.
Your resort/hotel/host/tourguides decisions should offer the most logical choice for the destinations ecology. For example, offering a shower instead of a bath or offering travel by horse instead of 4-wheel drive!

Here are some simple steps to help you achieve these goals when travelling.

A) Take your vacation in your own country.
If you stay at home you are reducing your impact on the entire planet by not adding carbon emmissions to the already toxic skies or seas. You are also not likely to affect any communities other than the 1st world destination you live in, and that is better able to deal with your ecological demands and the waste that you generate.

B) Try to find different, less popular destinations.
By offering other destinations your tourist dollar, you are helping smaller communities to prosper. Many local people cannot get a store or hostel in the busiest locations as the rents are too high or they are dominated by foreign companies (like Cancun). By staying in these towns you can make a real difference to local communities and people’s lives.

C) Avoid travelling in sensitive areas without a guide.
If you wander into a nature reserve alone, for a start you may not see hardly any wildlife at all, but more worryingly, you will not necessarily know the correct paths and walkways. You may think it’s ‘ok’ to take that short cut through the trees, or to wade across that shallow pool – but you could be damaging the very environment you came to see. What if you make a ‘noticable path’ where you shouldn’t have and more people mistakenly follow it? Within months damage may be noticable and habitats destroyed.

D) Check that the food you eat is locally produced.
If you feast on US brand named food the whole time you are travelling – what are you offering to local farmers? By buying locally grown produce and locally made products you are feeding that money straight back in to the destinations economy. And who needs Hersheys chocolate bars anyway when there is so much tropical food to chose from?

Obviously these are only a few of the tips that you can take to make sure that you find yourself the most suitable eco holidays. And, there are many other things to consider when choosing your vacation, but this just covers a few basics for you.