| With both energy costs and environmental | | | | green by patronizing one that matches your |
| awareness on the rise, more people are starting | | | | environmental ethic. |
| to rethink their approach to planning summer | | | | No matter where you stay you can also let |
| holidays. Armed with just a few bits of | | | | housekeeping know you're O.K. with keeping your |
| information, it's surprisingly easy to plan a | | | | same sheets or towels for a few days (most |
| satisfying summer adventure that's both | | | | hotels will have signs you can hang out.) You can |
| ecologically and fiscally responsible. Here are our | | | | also bring a reusable water bottle for everyone in |
| top tips to making travel plans that save money | | | | your group. |
| and lower carbon emissions. | | | | Green Activities |
| Travelling Green | | | | Entertain the possibility of experiencing different |
| How you get from point A to point B can be | | | | natural systems like a desert, river, lake, seaside |
| another opportunity to stretch your green | | | | or forest. State and national parks are also a |
| lifestyle. There are so many options, with | | | | great place to chill, especially with kids in tow. You |
| commercial aircraft probably at the top of the | | | | can create a holiday camping under the stars or |
| carbon impact list. Get creative! Explore options | | | | find a four-star retreat lodge with all amenities. |
| like a sailboat, whitewater rafting, or overland | | | | Either way, you'll be rewarded with the added |
| exploring on horseback. Green Tortoise | | | | bonus of creation's natural regenerative, healing, |
| Adventure Travel offers funky and fun sleeper | | | | and inspirational effects. |
| buses that stop at hot springs and beaches as | | | | If you're traveling to a city, see the local sights on |
| they travel from British Columbia to Mexico. | | | | foot, or rent a bike. You can also search for a |
| Try the Train: It might take more time, but you'll | | | | vacation by event (cycling, rafting, etc.) or by |
| see more countryside, avoid the hassle of airport | | | | location at |
| security, and feel good about contributing fewer | | | | Offset Your Impacts |
| greenhouse gas emissions. Rail travel uses less | | | | Carbon offsets are a way to lower the |
| fuel per passenger mile than cars or commercial | | | | environmental impact of a plane trip or other |
| airlines | | | | impact by investing money in companies that |
| Driving Lightly: Rather than put miles on your own | | | | plant trees, help to build wind farms, or develop |
| car, rent a hybrid electric vehicle or efficient diesel | | | | energy saving projects; basically paying for |
| car that you can even fill up with biodiesel. | | | | emission reductions to take place somewhere so |
| Green Accomodations | | | | that it offsets your own emissions. It's much |
| One way to make your vacation greener and | | | | better to lower your own personal carbon |
| healthier is to choose a hotel that's committed to | | | | footprint first, and then look at supporting |
| bettering its environmental footprint. Eco-resorts | | | | sustainable projects that sequester carbon |
| are available in most tourist destinations, and | | | | responsibly in other parts of the world. Be sure to |
| nearly every major hotel chain seems to be going | | | | check the credibility of the carbon-offset fund |
| green in one way or another. Help more hotels go | | | | you want to support. |