The average person in Britain already travels 10,400 km each year, a figure that does not include flights abroad, so how can you get away on a break while remaining environmentally conscious?
Where the journey is an adventure
Mile-for-mile, air travel is the most environmentally damaging form of transport there is – so the simplest way to travel in a ‘green’ way is to avoid it altogether.
There are plenty of alternatives. Loco2 is a recently launched web tool which allows you to plan and book rail travel from any British station to anywhere in Europe. Taking the train may be slower, but you’ll travel guilt-free and have a rich travel experience before you even arrive at your destination (not to mention getting an early start on that holiday reading).
The much loved InterRail scheme takes the concept of train travel itself as an adventure to the next level, allowing near-unlimited rail travel across 30 European countries across a set number of days. Adults can get passes from £239 for 10 days (under 25s travel at a reduced rate) and embrace the freedom to go where they please on an unforgettable transcontinental adventure.
For those of us who prefer a more rewarding, low-stress alternative to flying, which brings us closer to the world we live in and reduces our contribution to climate change, there is The Man in Seat Sixty-One, a site explaining how to travel comfortably & affordably by train or ferry. http://www.seat61.com/
Finally, travel provider Bike Express makes European cycle touring holidays a breeze. Their coach-and-trailer set up whisks you and your bike to a variety of departure points on the continent.
Staycations
Don’t miss the wealth of opportunities on our own doorstep. If you like the idea of skiing, surfing, treking, farm stay, city break, or wildlife holidays without the need to fly, websites like VisitBritain highlight much that is possible without leaving the country
When you arrive at your destination, instead of staying in a hotel, why not use a global service such as AirBnb that allows you to stay in an individual’s property rather than an anonymous bed & breakfast? Linking up with an independent host can help you have an authentic experience of a place from the eyes of a local. Renting out your own home to travellers while you’re away could even make your trip pay for itself.
Make your money go further
Once you’ve decided where to go, another consideration for anyone wanting to make their break as ethical as possible is spending. Tourist pounds spent on independent businesses, markets and operators can bring benefits to people at your destination. Use a guide like the Ethical Travel Guide published by Tourism Concern to find out how to benefit your host community through your stay.
If you do fly…
In 2012, emissions from international aviation have more than doubled since 1990. However, If you do take the plane, there are a number of things you can do to minimise your impact. These could include travelling light by packing less or investing in a carbon offset to account for your air miles while also enabling social and humanitarian benefits in another part of the world.
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