Are night trains sustainable?

Since night trains are seen as an alternative to air travel, they can definitely be considered sustainable. Of course, railways also impact nature, but compared to cars and air travel, trains are the more environmentally friendly solution.

• For instance, according to the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), traveling by train from Zurich to Hamburg saves about 170 kg of CO2 per person compared to flying.
• According to its own figures, the European Sleeper is 12.5 times more climate-friendly than flying and 8 times better than driving on the route from Amsterdam to Berlin.
• Austria’s ÖBB night train (Nightjet) runs on 100 percent green electricity.
• The high comfort of new night trains (such as the new ÖBB Nightjets) with more space (= fewer passengers) and private bathrooms with showers is not necessarily an ecological plus, but it helps to make night trains attractive.
• Unlike cars and buses, trains do not emit microplastics into the air through tire abrasion. (There is not enough research on how harmful microplastics actually are, but it is clear that tire abrasion is the largest source of microplastic emissions).
• Night trains do not play a role in discussions and measures regarding noise pollution and noise emissions, as they are very quiet compared to freight traffic.

Night trains are growing in popularity

According to Tagesschau, in 2020 there were only 90 night train connections in Europe. In 2023, more than 200 connections. ÖBB recently announced that a further 24 Nightjets will be added by mid-2026.

The ÖBB Nightjet’s new night trains

At the end of 2023, the new ÖBB Nightjet trains started operating, offering even more comfort than the old ones and, above all, additional capacity! For us as passengers, this means more routes, more flexibility and more attractiveness. Reason enough for us to take a look at the facts:    

• The passenger cars for the 24 new trains will be developed by Siemens Mobility and delivered by mid-2026. They will be built in Vienna.
• The new trains are not intended to replace old trains, but to complement and expand new routes.
• New standards for smoothness, accessibility and bike transport.
• Another new feature are sleeping pods in the couchette cars, offering more privacy.
• Instead of 6 beds, there are only 4 beds per compartment in the couchette car.
• Each compartment in the sleeping car has its own bathroom with toilet and shower, which reduces the capacity considerably. Only 20 beds fit in a sleeping car.
• The new Nightjet trains are certified for a speed of 230 km/h. (This is slightly less than the speed of ICE high-speed trains, which travel at up to 300 km/h).

Why are night trains rightly becoming popular?

According to a survey conducted in 2024 by the German automobile club ADAC, 42 percent of Germans can imagine starting their vacation on a night train. The main reason: “Travel more relaxed and arrive refreshed.”

I’m a fan of night trains myself, and luckily I can sleep well anywhere. Personally, a night train has a touch of adventure to it and yes, I’m a big fan of “Tintin” (Les aventures de Tintin) where trains are often an important part of the adventure 🙂.

Another reason, of course, is sustainability, currently cited as one of the main reasons for the newfound popularity. This means that many travelers (like you?) prefer an environmentally friendly alternative to air travel. However, it is important to note that this is also supported by politicians. According to the Handelsblatt, ÖBB is profitable in Austria, but this was only made possible by subsidies from the Austrian government. The business is not considered “easy”. Deutsche Bahn, for example, discontinued its sleeping cars in 2016, and the French Thello night train followed suit in 2021. ÖBB is now filling the gap.

On the other hand, subsidies are also a problem when it comes to flying: while domestic and short-haul flights remain dirt cheap (due to factors such as a lack of taxation, etc.), a night train journey for the same route can quickly become very expensive.

New option: European Sleeper

In addition to the Nightjet, there is also the new European Sleeper. The initiative is organized as a cooperative and was launched in 2021 to great acclaim: the initial start-up capital of €500,000 was raised in just 15 minutes. There are now over 4,000 investors who have collectively invested more than €5 million. The European Sleeper already connects cities such as Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague—and more routes are in the pipeline.

In the next section, we take a closer look at what it’s like to travel through Europe in a sleeper car – with exciting night train routes and suitable sustainable accommodation.

“Traveling on our night train not only reduces your carbon footprint, but also gives you the opportunity to travel more slowly, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and connect with other travelers.” – European Sleeper

Across Europe by sleeping car – Four night train journeys + sustainable accommodation.

#1 By night train to Vienna (8 connections)

Vienna, the city of coffeehouses, parks and museums-a wonderful place for culture and surrounded by the most beautiful nature as well. Vienna is doing a lot when it comes to sustainability. The city aims to be carbon neutral by 2040 and is committed to zero waste, green mobility and sustainable construction. Due to its many parks, Vienna is also considered one of the “greenest cities in the world”.

Night train connections to Vienna

… on the Austrian Nightjet:

• Amsterdam – Münster – Nuremberg – Vienna
• Berlin – Dresden – Vienna
• Brussels – Cologne – Passau – Vienna
• Hamburg – Würzburg – Vienna
• Paris – Strasbourg – Passau – Vienna
• La Spezia – Milan – Vienna

… with the Polish PKP:

• Munich – Vienna – Warsaw

… or with Hungarian Railways MAV:

• Stuttgart – Vienna – Budapest

Sustainable accommodation near Vienna: Gut Guntrams 

Gut Guntrams is not in Vienna, but 60 kilometers away on the edge of the Bucklige Welt. However, the unusual floating accommodation is well worth a visit. Gut Guntrams is its own organic retreat with a small nature museum, crystal garden, farm shop and a farm specializing in the preservation of old fruit varieties. If you’re looking to relax in nature after a day of culture in Vienna, this is the place to be

To find out how to reach Gut Guntrams from the Vienna train station (continue to Pitten station), click here.

#2 Awake in Munich (10 connections)

The Bavarian capital of Munich offers a combination of big city and nature. The Isar River flows right through the city and there is the famous English Garden. The historic old town, Marienplatz, Frauenkirche and Nymphenburg Palace are all must-sees. Unfortunately, Munich plans to wait until 2050 to become carbon neutral. But at least there are climate-friendly projects underway.

Night train connections to Munich with

… the Austrian Nightjet:

• Amsterdam – Munich – Innsbruck
• Brussels – Aachen – Munich
• Hamburg – Würzburg – Munich
• Milan – Padua – Salzburg – Munich
• Paris – Munich – Salzburg – Vienna
• Rome – Munich 
• Venice – Munich – Stuttgart

… the Hungarian Railway MAV:

• Budapest – Munich – Stuttgart

… the Croatian Railways HZ:

• Zagreb – Ljubljana – Salzburg – Munich – Stuttgart

… or the Polish PKP:

• Warsaw – Krakow – Vienna – Munich

Eco-friendly accommodation near Munich: Gut Sonnenhausen

Munich is home to the Ecological Education Center, but if you want to see the ideas put into practice, head to Gut Sonnenhausen (about 30 kilometers southeast of Munich). Here, eco-pioneer and art collector Georg Schweisfurth has transformed a 120-year-old stud farm into a unique hotel surrounded by nature. Gut Sonnenhausen runs its own organic farm according to permaculture principles and uses only organic produce in the kitchen. However, the estate is difficult to reach by public transportation, so you will probably need to rent a car in Munich. You can choose to drive an electric car, as there are two charging stations on the property’s parking lot.

#3 Sleeping car to Milan (2 connections)

From the two cities mentioned above – Vienna and Munich – you can sleep throught to Milan. Italy’s fashion capital also has many famous addresses for sustainable vintage lovers. There is the Bosco Vertikale (Vertical Forest) – a green skyscraper in the middle of the city that stands for modern urban greening and biodiversity.

Nightjet connections to Milan:

• Munich – Padua – Milan

European Sleeper connection to Milan:

• In planning

Sustainable accommodation in Milan: Hotel Milano Scala

The Hotel Milano Scala is located in the center of Milan (within walking distance of the famous La Scala Opera House and other attractions). It is the first zero-emissions hotel in Milan and powered by green energy from its own geothermal probes. The roof terrace is particularly beautiful, where you can enjoy a wonderful end to an eventful day.

By night train to Paris (2 connections)

The French capital has once again used the 2024 Summer Olympics as an opportunity to showcase its green initiatives – even cleaning up the water in the Seine, with new bathing-corners in 2025. You can now enjoy a relaxed (!) bike ride in Paris, with a 10-kilometer running route along the banks of the Seine. For an alternative Paris, Barbara Tascijevic-Porwoll, owner of Green Spirit Hotels, recommends a visit to the REcyclerie. A café, repair shop, gardening project and cultural center all in one.

The Berlin-Paris route is one of the brand new Nightjet routes launched in December 2023. Since then, you can wake up in France’s capital three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). You board the train at 6:55 p.m. at Berlin Ostbahnhof or 7:08 p.m. at Berlin Hauptbahnhof and arrive at Paris Gare de l’Est at 9:38 a.m.

Nightjet connections to Paris:

• Berlin – Frankfurt – Paris
• Vienna – Mannheim – Paris
• Paris – Munich – Salzburg – Vienna
• Paris – Strasbourg – Passau – Vienna

Eco accommodation in Paris: Green Spirit Hotels

There are two Green PearlsⓇ accommodations in the lively 7th arrondissement: Hotel Le Pavillon and Hotel Amélie. These small boutique hotels are not only centrally located (the Seine, Eiffel Tower, etc. are within walking distance), but they are also ecological and individual. You can nevertheless enjoy your breakfast in the quiet inner courtyard.

By the way, Belgian reporter Tintin and his companion Snowy were also in Paris! So you have a good chance of experiencing an adventure…

This is an update from July 26, 2024.

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Sustainable microcations – what to look for

A microcation (a portmanteau of “micro” and “vacation”) is one to four nights.

1.   How long is the travel time for a microcation?

A good rule of thumb is to allow 2 hours travel time. This distance will allow you to make a stress-free trip after work or early in the morning without much planning. 4 hours is acceptable if it is a comfortable train ride or an extremely worthwhile destination 🙂 Anything longer than 4 hours should only be done by night train or planned as a bike trip (keyword: the journey is the reward).

The ideas in this article are meant to inspire your next microcation. You can and should customize these ideas based on where you are and what transportation is available!

2. Choosing the right accommodation is essential – regardless of whether you are staying for a short or long period of time

A short trip (without a plane) is not the only thing that makes a microcation sustainable. As with longer vacations, your choice of accommodation also plays an important role. Sustainable Green PearlsⓇ hotels and vacation rentals rely on renewable energy, local organic food, and eco-friendly concepts such as zero waste or circular design.

3. Traveling sustainable means living sustainable

It also means making sure you use resources consciously:

• Less luggage means less emissions
• Visit local restaurants and shops instead of international chains and support the local community.
• Activities can also be sustainable – from nature experiences to eco-friendly city tours to sustainable spa options.
• For more tips on sustainable travel, check out this overview.

Microcation ideas for every taste

Whether you are looking for relaxation, new adventures, or a digital break – Here are sustainable inspirations for your next microcation:

#1 Wellness & Relaxation

Perfect for giving your body and mind a break. Sustainable wellness hotels rely on natural skin care products, environmentally friendly wellness areas (e.g. natural swimming ponds), green energy from renewable sources and advanced technology (e.g. use of waste heat). Complemented by healthy and regional (organic) cuisine.

Sustainable hotel tips:

• Birkenhof**** Spa & Genussresort (Upper Palatinate, Germany): Just want to relax and enjoy? The Birkenhof is a 5-star wellness hotel with a large natural swimming pond, several pools (indoor and outdoor) and a large sauna area. It also has a 2-star restaurant. Despite all this luxury, the hotel is fully committed to sustainability and operates its own combined heat and power plant, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions for electricity and heating.
• Hotel Klosterbräu (Seefeld, Tyrol, Austria): The Hotel Klosterbräu is also a 5-star hotel with pools and saunas, surrounded by the beautiful mountain panorama of the Alps. Built on the site of an old monastery, the hotel has a special charm with its vaulted cellars and candlelight. You will have a particularly sustainable vacation in the hotel’s nature rooms. These rooms were built with almost 95% local materials (e.g. clay plastered walls and wooden floors from the hotel’s own forest).
• SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA (Bad Herrenalb, Black Forest, Germany): Located in the climatic health resort of Bad Herrenalb, this hotel not only offers breathtaking views of the Black Forest, but also has its own mineral thermal swimming pool. It is known for its sustainable initiatives, such as hotel rooms made entirely of recyclable materials.

#2 Inner peace and strength

If swimming, sauna and relaxation are not enough for you and you are looking for something more spiritual, you can combine your microcation with guided yoga and meditation classes, forest bathing or TCM treatments.

Suitable sustainable hotels:

• LA VIMEA (Naturno, South Tyrol, Italy): Daily morning and evening yoga on the sun deck, a natural swimming pond, a saltwater pool, and 100% vegan cuisine -that’s what adults-only hotel LA VIMEA has to offer. The hotel also appeals to younger guests with its vegan focus and a special offer for Gen Z.
• Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten (Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, Germany): Located in the Moselle region, the Lifestyle Resort is completely designed according to Feng Shui and includes a TCM center for Far Eastern treatments. You can also incorporate these into your microcation, for example with a nutritional consultation and diet based on the 5 elements.
• Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa (Bayerisch Gmain, Berchtesgaden, Germany): Forest bathing (shinrin yoku) from Japan is said to be extremely healthy and healing. You can try it under professional guidance at Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa. (Read more about forest bathing in our blog article). The hotel also offers singing bowl massages.
• Naturresort Gerbehof (Friedrichshafen, Lake Constance, Germany): If you are open to alternative healing methods such as biomotivation according to Viktor Philippi, you will find it at the Naturresort Gerbehof on Lake Constance.

#3 Adventure & Outdoors

A weekend in the mountains or on the coast – microadventures are a great way to combine sustainable travel with nature experiences. Whether hiking, biking or wildlife watching, the focus is on conscious experiences.

Recommended accommodation:

• Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt (Switzerland): A family-run boutique hotel with just 21 rooms and direct views of the Matterhorn. Located in the car-free mountain village of Zermatt, it is the perfect starting point for a short nature vacation including hiking.
• Summit Lodges Pfunds (Tyrol, Austria): If you are not traveling alone on your microcation, but rather with friends or family, the Summit Lodges are two first-class vacation homes that can accommodate up to 6 people. The log cabins have their own wood-burning fireplaces, saunas, and are surrounded by Tyrolean nature. In addition to hiking, you can go windsurfing on Lake Reschen in the summer.
• Naturhotel Outside (East Tyrol, Austria): Naturhotel Outside is located in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park – Austria’s largest alpine national park – around the Grossglockner and other 3,000-meter peaks. The eco-friendly hotel has a top-notch restaurant (3 Falstaff Forks) and in-house hiking guides. Microcation Tip: Look for the “Big Five” of the Alps (ibex, golden eagle, bearded vulture, chamois and marmot).

#4 Detox & Digital Detox

New content on your Instagram and TikTok accounts is the LAST thing you want on your mini-break? Then you might prefer the opposite: a digital detox. A few days without constant connectivity can work wonders. Conscious relaxation and offline activities will help you clear your head.

Tips for sustainable hotels:

• STURM (Mellrichstadt, Rhön, Germany): The redesigned (and award-winning) garden-view rooms deliberately forgo televisions. Instead, they overlook a large natural swimming pond. The Rhön Biosphere Reserve, with its rolling hills and exciting moors, is perfect for a relaxing vacation.
• Hotel Okelmann’s: (Warpe, Lower Saxony, Germany): We recently featured Warpe as a “hidden gem” on this blog. Here you can experience pure nature in a traditional family hotel with a barrel sauna and yoga classes. It’s the perfect place to unwind for a few days.
• Gut Sonnenhausen (Glonn, Bavaria, Germany): About an hour’s drive south of Munich, you’ll find Gut Sonnenhausen, surrounded by forest and farmland (managed according to the principles of permaculture). The renovated and restored former stud farm offers a relaxed atmosphere of eco-consciousness, tranquility and inspiring art.

#5 Romance & Togetherness

Rekindeling the spark in your relationship with a vacation is very popular. A microcation, where you spend some quality time together, is often all that is needed. With the right setting and accommodation, the rest will take care of itself.

Our hotel recommendations for a romantic getaway:

• Hotel Das Rübezahl (Füssen, Allgäu, Germany): Nestled among Germany’s royal castles, a forest, and a view of Neuschwanstein Castle, the setting is nothing short of magical. Hotel Das Rübezahl features a beautiful natural spa in front of the hotel, many romantic nooks and crannies, and top-notch cuisine by Erik Wendt.
• Lifestylehotel SAND (Timmendorfer Strand, Baltic Sea, Germany): The Lifestylehotel SAND, located directly on the Baltic Sea, offers romantic extras like the possibility to spend the night in a wicker beach chair on the roof of the hotel. You can read more about this in our blog post about a romantic weekend by the Baltic Sea.

#6 Cities & Culture

Are you drawn to the city? The hustle and bustle, the crowds, the museums, the cafes, the shops… The advantage of a city break is that you can usually get to your destination by train, bus or carpool in an environmentally friendly and affordable way. In the cities themselves, there is public transportation – or you can take your bike. Did you know that Paris, for example, has expanded its network of bike paths and is now a great place to explore by bike?

Hotel tips for a city trip:

• Green Spirit Hotels (Paris, France): In the heart of the centrally located 7th arrondissement, you will find three green pearls: Hotel Le Pavillon, Hotel Malar & Hotel Amelie. Hidden oases with green courtyards and organic food within walking distance of the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides and other highlights. Read more about a stay at Hotel Le Pavillon and a guide to eco-dining in Paris here.
• Hotel Milano Scala (Milan, Italy): Milan is not only the city of the Last Supper and Milan Fashion Week. It is also home to progressive contributions to sustainable urban development, a vegan scene, and the zero-emissions Hotel Milano Scala in the city center. In this article, we have compiled tips for a sustainable weekend in Milan.
  
• Green City Hotel Vauban (Freiburg, Germany): The university city of Freiburg, near the French border, has a great atmosphere. Located in the modern Vauban district, the sustainably-run Green City Hotel Vauban offers direct access to the tram and a free ticket for public transportation. Our tip: Ideas for a sustainable and affordable weekend in Freiburg.
• Hotel Luise (Erlangen, Germany): The Franconian university town of Erlangen, with its baroque cityscape, is an ideal destination for a “second city” visit (instead of Munich or Nuremberg). In this blog post, Laura Heufelder from Hotel Luise shares some insider tips for Erlangen.
  

Getting away from it all without having to fly halfway around the world is what makes Microcations so popular. We hope that we have given you some inspiring ideas. At the moment, the hotels mentioned are mainly from Germany. If you are looking for another region, check out the Green Pearls website.

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#1 Flying is the greatest climate sin, or: Those who fly cannot be sustainable

Aviation is not the primary source of emissions. According to an IEA 2023 report, the main source of carbon emissions is the energy sector, particularly the burning of coal. The report also shows that the use of renewable energy has already brought measurable improvements.

Even in a global comparison of transportation modes, air travel does not come out on top. As Statista calculated on the basis of the IEA report, air traffic is responsible for just under 3 percent of global CO2 emissions, while road traffic is responsible for around 16 percent. The reason is obvious: few people, about 10 or 11 percent of the world’s population, fly at all. According to one study, just 1 percent of this elite group of frequent flyers is responsible for more than 50 percent of aviation emissions.

But these facts do not change the fact that air travel is by far the most polluting mode of transportation. So flying may not be the biggest, but it is still a climate sin. Especially if you fly a lot or fly short distances.

Consideration of social sustainability

But it is wrong to say that air travel is inherently unsustainable. Imagine if people in the richest countries in the world only vacationed in their own backyards – the money would just stay in those countries. Tourism is a major contributor to the distribution of wealth. (In countries like the Maldives, tourism accounts for a significant portion of gross domestic product, according to GIZ figures).

Sustainability not only includes environmental protection, but also the social sustainability pillar. Of course, it is important to be mindful of where and what we spend money on when we are on vacation. After all, if we eat at international franchise restaurants, we can do the same at home. The effect is the same..

#2 The train is always late and useless as a means of transportation

We’ve all had the experience of the train being late – and because we were so upset, it may have overshadowed the times the train arrived on time.

In fact, in 2023, 64% of long-distance trains in Germany arrived “on time” (i.e. with a maximum delay of 6 minutes). Delays of more than 60 minutes or cancellations occurred in 2.4 percent of cases. Of course, there is room for improvement, but we cannot talk about “always”

Train punctuality in Europe – Germany ranks 12th

According to surveys conducted in 2022, Germany ranks 12th in Europe, while Switzerland is the European leader. 96.3% of its trains are on time. In Denmark the figure is 91 percent and in the Netherlands 90.5 percent.

The train is fast and comfortable

Many calculations show that you can travel faster by train than by plane – for example, from downtown Cologne to downtown Paris – the trip to and from the airport, including the entire check-in process, takes significantly more time. In terms of comfort, you can travel more comfortably in a modern train than in a row on an airplane (compare 2nd class and economy tickets).

Tip: Sustainable hotels often assist with train travel and, like the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, offer complimentary shuttle service, a first-class upgrade, or other amenities. Learn more in this article. Find the best night train routes here.

#3 Long-distance buses and carpools are only for young people

The Federal Environment Agency’s emissions comparison (2022) shows that long-distance coach travel is at least as environmentally friendly as train travel. As we have shown in our blog article on long-distance coach travel, coach travel is also very affordable and particularly suitable for city trips, such as to the zero-emissions Hotel Milano Scala in Milan (a great hotel with a roof terrace right in the city center) or to the Green Spirit Hotels in Paris (Hotel Malar, Hotel Le Pavillon, Hotel Amelié – all individual, sustainable boutique hotels in the central 7th arrondissement).

Carpooling also makes a significant contribution to reducing per capita emissions. And it is simply not true that if you are over 40, you can no longer travel by bus or carpool. In Germany, Flixbus has made long-distance bus travel attractive to the masses, and in other countries (I know this from Brazil, for example), long-distance bus travel is a perfectly normal way to travel for all age groups.

#4 Sustainable hotels are not stylish

This is not hard to prove. Just look at the Green Pearls® page! Many Green PearlsⓇ accommodations have won design awards. Recent examples include:

• The CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt received the German Design Award 2023. The Swiss hotel on the Matterhorn combines a cosmopolitan, natural style with a recurring nomadic element.
• The OLM Nature Escape in Sand in Taufers in South Tyrol is the winner of the IONIC Architecture Award 2024. The circular architecture of the eco-apartment hotel blends perfectly into the landscape and is also completely energy self-sufficient.
• The garden view rooms at STURM in Mellrichstadt have been awarded the Best Architects Award 24. They were designed by German architect Professor Matthias Loebermann, with whom the hotel has already collaborated on the design of the main building façade and some of the interiors. The hotel in Mellrichstadt features a natural swimming pond, a large snack garden, and you can enjoy a vacation close to nature near the Rhön Biosphere Reserve.

#5 Sustainable travel is expensive

Not true. Some aspects may be more expensive – organic meat, for example, costs significantly more than commercially produced meat. But the difference in quality is also clearly noticeable here, reports Manfred Rinner, junior chef and chef de cuisine at the APIPURA hotel rinner.

The APIPIRA hotel rinner on the Ritten is BIO FAIR South Tyrol certified, and although only organic food is used, an overnight stay in this sustainable hotel costs less than 100 Euros! This is made possible by the fact that the hotel works and calculates in a very optimized way and is run by the Rinner family as a personal heart project.

For more tips on how to travel sustainably on a budget, check out this article on low-budget travel.

#6 Sustainable hotels do not offer comfort and luxury

A spa area with a heated outdoor pool and sauna landscape naturally requires a lot of energy. But at a sustainable wellness hotel like Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol, that energy is 100% green electricity and heat.

The family-run wellness hotel uses an ultra-modern wood-chip heating system on the old monastery walls (currently provided by the town of Seefeld, but the hotel is planning its own system using wood from its own forest). In addition, the 5-star hotel receives energy from several photovoltaic systems and from green electricity suppliers that do not use fossil fuels.

At Hotel Klosterbräu, you will find a 3,500-square-foot spa area with a heated outdoor pool, a panoramic rooftop pool, seven saunas, nine dining areas, and all the luxurious bells and whistles, while always ensuring that materials, ingredients, and energy are renewable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

And, of course, this is just one of many examples.

#7 Sustainable gastronomy doesn’t use exquisite ingredients

We relegate another such statement to the realm of myth. According to the Oxford Dictionary, “exquisite” comes from Latin and means “selected. When it comes to ingredients and dishes, the word indicates that something is “excellent” and “of exquisite quality. It does not mean that something has been imported from 14,000 kilometers away.

Sebastian Obendorfer of Restaurant Eisvogel at Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort has two Michelin stars. Known for his reinterpretation of German cuisine, he and his family run the Bavarian 5-star hotel and 2-star restaurant with a focus on sustainability.

Or how about trying vegan fine dining? The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel on the Seiser Alm in the Dolomites in South Tyrol recently opened OMNIA, a modern restaurant serving high-quality vegetarian cuisine. It is run by renowned chef Aggeliki Charami.

#8 There is no air conditioning in eco-hotels.

It would be nice. After all, as Our World In Data reports, air conditioning consumes 7 percent of the world’s electricity and causes 2.7 percent of global CO2 emissions. That makes it just as bad as flying!

As we reported in our blog article on hotels that cool without air conditioning, sustainable hotels and resorts such as the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA primarily use modern construction and insulation techniques to ensure that the rooms have natural heat and cold regulation. Modern does not necessarily mean technical hybrid fibers. The ADLER Spa Resort Sicily, for example, has many rooms with clay walls, using a local building material to regulate temperature and humidity in a natural way. However, all rooms are equipped with air conditioning. The OCEANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife, on the other hand, does not use air conditioning at all and “cools” itself with the Atlantic Ocean right outside the door.

#9 Truly sustainable accommodations are hard to find

Well, we are happy to refer you once again to the Green PearlsⓇ website. Here you will find only sustainable accommodations and each hotel, cottage, chalet or aparthotel has a transparent list of green initiatives. Why not take a look? Transparent certifications are also very helpful.

#10 Sustainability is just a fad

The world’s population is exploding, global warming is scientifically proven, habitats are disappearing and animals and plants are dying out. Mountains of garbage are growing, resources are scarce… These are just some of the current problems facing our planet. The prognosis: the problems are increasing, not decreasing.

Therefore, it is impossible to stop thinking about our future and the future of our planet. We must take this into account in all areas of our lives, including travel.

The word “sustainability” may go out of fashion and be replaced by something else. But the issue will remain and become even more important.

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Extra tip: Book directly with the hotel and get help with your arrival

First, a general tip for green and fair travel: Book your accommodations directly through the hotel’s website. It’s no secret that travel sites like Booking.com take a commission from hotels when you book through them. So while you pay the same room rate, the hotels get less of it.

The sustainable accommodations featured in this article are all personally and individually managed and you can contact them directly – you will find links to their websites on the Green PearlsⓇ microsites that we link to here.

Our tip for traveling by train: Contact the hotel or vacation rental before you book (by email or phone). Tell them you are booking directly with them, that you are coming by train, and ask if there is anything they can do to help you travel green. Often there are special offers, such as a day of free e-bike use, or you can “beat” a free shuttle ☺️ Especially if you are staying longer, a sustainable accommodation will often meet you halfway.

How sustainable accommodations reward and support you when you travel by train

Upgrade to first class for the train ride to Zermatt

Car-free Zermatt in Switzerland is the perfect destination for a vacation close to nature by train. The Visp-Zermatt line is considered to be a particularly picturesque route through the Swiss picture-book countryside ( like a route of these routes that you can watch on YouTube to relax).

• For stays of three nights or more, the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt will pay for your upgrade from 2nd to 1st class on the Visp – Zermatt route.

The boutique hotel, with a small spa and views of the Matterhorn, is run by the Anthamatten family and is committed to sustainability in all areas (e.g. zero waste principles and regional organic products).

Free public transportation pass or guest card

Another great offer from eco-friendly hotels are free local transportation passes – so you can get around in a climate-friendly way during your stay.

Eco-friendly accommodation and transportation in Freiburg

The Green City Hotel Vauban in the beautiful German city of Freiburg im Breisgau is an example of this. The modern city hotel with its green facade is easily accessible by train. Take the train to Freiburg’s main station and from there the number 3 tram to Paula-Modersohn-Platz – the stop is right in front of the hotel.

• Upon arrival, the hotel will provide you with a free regional ticket for the entire RVF area for the duration of your stay. (This includes buses, trams and all Deutsche Bahn 2nd class trains)

Green PearlsⓇ hotels on the Ritten in South Tyrol offer you the RittenCard

The Ritten Plateau in South Tyrol is a popular destination for an active vacation in the Italian Alps. You won’t need a car here, as the entire region is exemplary in its commitment to environmentally friendly transportation. The RittenCard gives you free use of all local transport, including the historic mountain railway and the cable car to Bolzano, as well as free entry to some 90 museums, exhibitions and attractions.

• The family-friendly Hotel Weihrerhof* at Wolfsgrubensee on the Ritten will send you the RittenCard in digital form prior to your arrival. They will also provide free luggage transport from your home to the hotel and back.

“Thanks to our Green Mobility service, the car is a distant memory,” reports the ADLER Lodge RITTEN*. Here you also receive a RittenCard, as well as the possibility to rent e-bikes and hire experienced guides to accompany you on hikes or e-bike tours.

Arrival: From the Bolzano train station it is a 5 minute walk to the Renon cable car. The cable car leaves every 4 minutes and takes you to Soprabolzano in 12 minutes. Once there, a shuttle from ADLER Lodge RITTEN will be waiting for you.

• Learn more about ADLER Lodge RITTEN’s Green Mobility concept.
  

The RittenCard is also included in the room price at the APIPURA hotel rinner and will be sent to you before you arrive. You can also reach the hotel from Bolzano with the Ritten cable car and from Oberbozen with the Ritten train – the “Rinner” stop is right in front of the hotel! If you are a bee lover, you will love the APIPURA hotel rinner: the hotel has its own organic apiary, there is a bee nature trail and organic honey is served daily at the breakfast buffet.

• Special: If you arrive by train, you will receive a 50% discount on the in-house e-bike rental at the APIPURA hotel rinner.

Eco-friendly hiking vacation in the Hohe Tauern National Park with a guest card

East Tyrol also has a guest card that allows you to use public transportation and offers free or a discount at many attractions. You receive one as a guest at the family-run Naturhotel Outside in Matrei. The hotel is an official hiking hotel with a hiking concierge and also offers a free shuttle from Lienz train station (there and back). A shuttle from Kitzbühel train station is available for a fee.

Complimentary e-Shuttle service powered by green electricity

If you travel by train, you are already traveling in a pretty environmentally friendly way. Now imagine being picked up at the station by an e-shuttle powered by the hotel’s green electricity – pretty green and convenient, isn’t it?

This is possible at the Hotel Das Rübezahl in Füssen (the train station is also located here). And once you are there, the best way to explore the picturesque Allgäu region with its panoramic view of Neuschwanstein Castle is on foot. Hiking concierge Bergbaschdi will be happy to assist you.

The Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort Hotel in the Upper Palatinate Lake District will pick you up at Schwandorf train station with its own electric shuttle. The hotel includes a large spa area with several saunas and pools, as well as the 2-star restaurant Obendorfers Eisvogel – you’ll find it hard to find a reason to leave the premises 🙂

At the Hotel Klosterbräu in Tyrol, you can order the hotel’s “Green Shuttle” (an electric Viano bus) for free throughout the Seefeld area. The Seefeld ICE train station is only 200 meters from the hotel, so you can easily walk there. However, the shuttle is worthwhile if you have heavy or bulky luggage, such as ski equipment or the like. The sustainable hotel complex within the old monastery walls offers a wide range of services, including wellness, its own brewery, yoga classes, a petting zoo and child care.

“The electric vehicle is a highlight for our guests,” reports the CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt. As mentioned above, the village of Zermatt is car-free, and apart from the electric vehicles, only horse-drawn carriages are allowed. The CERVO consists of several wooden chalets and has an award-winning design style.

Rail and Hotel: More eco-friendly hotels with shuttle services in Europe

To stay within the scope of this article, we will give you a brief overview of even more sustainable European hotels with shuttle services:

Germany

• The STURM in Mellrichstadt is a 5-minute drive from Mellrichstadt train station and offers a free shuttle service. The hotel has a natural swimming pond, a snack garden and a sauna area.
• The HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio in Balderschwang offers guests a shuttle service from the Fischen train station or the Hittisau bus station (for Swiss guests arriving by train from Bregenz).
• The Lifestylehotel Zum Kurfürsten – a wellness hotel with Feng Shui and TMC therapy – offers a shuttle from Wittlich train station. There is a fee for this service.
• Bayerisch Gmain train station is only 2 kilometers from the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa and will gladly arrange a taxi for you to the hotel. The hotel also has an E-Smart car rental service to help you get around.
• Gut Sonnenhausen is also surrounded by nature. The closest train station is Grafing, which can be reached by S-Bahn or regional train from Munich. The rest of the way is by taxi (at your own expense).

Austria

• The Biohotel Grafenast, high above the Tyrolean Inn Valley, will order a taxi for you from the nearest train stations in Jenbach and Schwaz. For stays of 3 nights or more, the Biohotel will also pay half of the taxi costs.

Italy

• “Traveling by train is becoming increasingly popular,” reports My Arbor*. The extraordinary tree hotel is located about 15 to 20 minutes by car from Brixen train station. Brixen can be reached by direct train from cities such as Milan, Verona, Innsbruck, or Munich. There is a pick-up service for guests from the station. (free for stays of 7 nights or more, otherwise a taxi will be arranged at a cost of 30 euros).
• The Relais del Maro* in Liguria is located in the small town of Borgomaro. Tucked away in the hinterland, there is, unfortunately, no good public transportation network here. But the hotel will help you reach the family-run Albergo Diffuso from Imperia train station with a partner taxi company. Once at the Relais del Maro, you can rent an e-bike for further exploration.

Eco-hotels in Paris and Milan

Of course, city hotels in European metropolises are ideal for combining train and eco-hotel. “Paris has 6 train stations, and depending on which direction guests are coming from, they arrive at the appropriate station. From Germany, it is Gare de L’Est and Gare du Nord,” says Barbara Tascijevic-Porwoll of the Green Spirit Hotels. The Amelie, Malar and Le Pavilion hotels are all in the 7th arrondissement, within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower.

By the way, Paris has done a lot to become more bike-friendly and has created many new bike paths! Of course, there is also the famous metro, which is an environmentally friendly way to get from A to B.

The marbled Milan Central Station is also accessible from all over Europe with direct lines. Here, in the heart of the city, lies the Hotel Milano Scala, Italy’s first zero-emissions hotel. All electricity is generated by geothermal probes.

From the train station to the hotel by bus, bike, or on foot

For our more rural partners, traveling by train is not quite as easy – but no less appealing for it.

“We recommend that you take your bike with you when you arrive by train. And then cycle the rest of the way from Eystrup or Nienburg station to us,” explain the host sisters at Hotel Okelmann’s in Warpe. The train stations are about 20 kilometers away and can be reached from Bremen or Hannover. There is also a lot to discover in the area by bike. The Okelmanns’ father is an enthusiastic cyclist himself and has entered several routes in komoot.

The Gut Guntrams in Austria can be reached from Vienna’s Pitten train station. From there, it is a 25-minute walk along a forest nature trail to Guntramsburg. The hotel’s website offers a beautifully designed map of the trail, complete with photos and arrows.

First by train, then by bus

The Pfunds in Tirol bus stop is just one minute from the Summit Lodges Pfunds, so you can catch the bus right outside your vacation home. The spacious log cabin has its own sauna and fireplace! During the winter there is also a ski bus to the ski area. The nearest train station is Landeck-Zams.

To get to the Naturresort Gerbehof by train, you must first get to the train station in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance. The station is 5 kilometers from the resort and there are buses to Ailingen every 15 minutes. The walk from Ailingen bus station to Gerbehof is 1.2 kilometers.

A little exercise in nature never hurts anyone, as they say! Alternatively, you can always take a taxi from the station to your accommodation. Either way, you are traveling in a climate-friendly way and keeping your carbon footprint small. Both by traveling and by choosing your accommodation. You may even find that you enjoy traveling by public transportation or bicycle and use them more at home.

*CIN-Codes: IT021011A1AE4737IT (My Arbor), IT008010A1NIWKHTTF (Relais del Maro), IT021072A1L46PNBHX (Hotel Weihrerhof), IT021072A1UOWUIDH4 (APIPURA hotel rinner), IT021072A1QCJQTLUQ (ADLER Lodge RITTEN)

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When you are lying on the beach like sardines in a can or standing in a queue in front of the ice cream parlor for half an hour, when crowds are blocking the view of local sights, that is inconvenient and annoying, but not considered as something dangerous.

But: The infrastructures of popular cities are at their limits, as visitors crowd the streets, and the rents of residents increase immeasurably, because more and more housing space is used for holiday accommodations. Overtourism is a phenomenon that is certainly not relaxing. Just as these crowds of tourists strain your nerves, they strain the much-desired travel destinations, the nature as well as the people.

 

Two billion tourists expected in 2030

In 2017, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) released projections predicting 1.8 billion tourists worldwide in 2030, an unprecedented high. According to a press release issued by the Italian National Railway Company (FS) in 2023, it is now even expected that there will be 2 billion tourists in 2030.

 

According to the UNWTO, the main challenges facing global tourism include:

• Pollution
• Waste
• Explotation of labor
• Prostitution and child abuse
• Depletion of natural rescources

 

 

 

 

Travel must become more conscious in times of overtourism

Crowds of tourists also mean great amounts of waste. In 2016, the UNESCO considered including the Inka Mountain citadel Machu Picchu into the List of World Heritage in Danger. The reason: a waste management crisis. Around 2,000* tourists daily leave vast quantities of waste at Machu Picchu and its transport posed a huge logistical problem. Due to a waste compacting machine at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel the crisis could finally be averted. The machine can process up to 14 tons of waste that is transported by train to recycling plants. For this initiative, Inkaterra received the German travel award “Die Goldene Palme”.

New rules for visiting Machu Picchu in 2024

*While in 2018 there were still 2,000 tourists per day, now there are already 2,500 tourists per day. This means that the flow of tourists has increased by 25 percent in the last five years!

From 2024, visits to the ancient Inca city in Peru will be subject to new rules to protect the World Heritage site. These include:

• Plastic ban
• Ban of alcohol
• No smoking

Machu Picchu can only be visited on a guided tour, to control the flow of tourists and compliance with the rules.

Do it differently – with an increased awareness

Not leaving any waste behind would be even better. For example, using your own refillable bottle can help to reduce the vast amounts of PET bottles. In general, you should ask yourself on every trip: how does my behavior affect this place? And how can I make sure that the impact is not a negative one? A great way to counteract overtourism is discovering new places. For example, the Cloud Forest surrounding Machu Picchu is at least as spectacular as the mountain citadel itself, but certainly not as crowded. Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel offers guided tours, where you have the opportunity to enjoy the peace of this natural wonder and learn a lot about the flora and fauna of this area steeped in history and the sustainability projects by Inkaterra Asociación (ITA).

Tourism in Thailand – the good and the bad

Thailand is one of the destinations that is still associated with images of beautiful nature overrun by tourists. For example, in our blog post Sustainable Travel in Southeast Asia, we described how overtourism has destroyed the coral on the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi Leh. The story began when the island was used as a location for the Hollywood film “The Beach,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. After the movie was released in 2000, up to 5,000 visitors traveled to Maya Bay every day. In 2018, this mass influx was punished: 90 percent of the corals there were damaged. Subsequently, the bay was completely closed to visitors and only reopened in 2022 (after a four-year recovery period).

Our Green PearlsⓇ partner Zeavola is also located on the island of Ko Phi Phi Leh and is actively involved in the conservation and replanting of coral reefs. As a diver, you can even take an active part. And if you don’t already have a diving license, the resort offers certified PADI courses that not only give you a diving license, but also teach you a lot about Thailand’s underwater world.

Community-based tourism in Thailand

Thailand is one of the destinations that is still associated with images of beautiful nature overrun by tourists. However, numerous sustainable projects demonstrate that there is also another way of traveling. One of them is the village Tung Dap in Thailand. It has recently been recognized by Green Destinations as one of the top three in the “Best of Cities, Communities & Culture” category for its commitment to the protection of the local culture and tradition, the involvement of the local community into tourism and its efforts against exploitation, human rights violation and mass tourism.

Stop overtourism: Real-life instead of a show for tourists

Tung Dap is a rural homestay initiative, where visitors are welcomed into the village during the time of their stay, learn more about the country and its people, and get involved in the community’s daily life. Examples of these unique local experiences are cultural activities that allow being close to nature like fishing and vegetable growing. The award-winning community-based tourism initiative Andaman Discoveries organizes recommendable tours to Tung Dap. In our blog post Green Vacation in Chiang Mai – live like the locals! you can read more about community-based tourism in Northern Thailand.

Mass Tourism in Europe – Sights on the Limit

The world’s most visited: the Eiffel Tower

With approximately 7 million visitors per year, the Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the most visited monuments in the world. That translates to about 20,000 visitors a day. Unfortunately, there are hardly any times when it is not crowded. So, if you really want to climb the Eiffel Tower, I recommend visiting at night – you will see Paris lighted up and be able to see that the city is star-shaped.

Fortunately, the city of Paris has already developed ambitious plans to become one of the greenest cities in Europe.

If you want to visit the metropolis, we recommend the small, sustainable Green Spirit hotels in the 7th arrondissement (not far from the Eiffel Tower). The Hotel Le Pavillon, the Hotel Marlar and the Hotel Amélie have all been created from old existing buildings and pay attention to organic and fair trade products as well as a healthy quality of air.

Read our blog post Green Christmas in Paris for more ideas on sustainable travel in France’s capital..

Just like a fairy tale, right?

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany. During the summer, the rooms that once belonged to only one person, King Ludwig II, are visited by over 6,000 people a day. It is up to you to decide whether you want to see the inside of the castle or whether a view from the outside will suffice (you can only see the whole building from a distance anyway).

Around the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, you will also find wonderful opportunities for gentle tourism. Hotel Das Rübezahl is now in its third generation of family ownership. It is committed to environmentally friendly transportation, green energy and waste avoidance. The hiking guide Basti explains the local flora and fauna to tourists and raises awareness for nature.

Avoid overtourism – what you can do

• Take action on Instagram: Some travel bloggers (e.g. from SoulTravel) have already criticized that posts like “why a trip to X will explode your Instagram feed” promote mass tourism. Such posts are only about the “shot” for more popularity and no longer about traveling itself. Instead, show Instagram something not everyone has seen. Without geotagging, of course! When consuming, you can also make sure to follow sustainable travel bloggers and influencers who advocate mindful travel.
• Travel in the off-season: Especially if you’re not tied to school vacations, it’s better to travel to popular destinations in the off-season. When it’s less crowded, you’ll have more time to enjoy yourself as well.
• Travel longer: Air travel produces a lot of CO2 and shouldn’t be booked for a short trip. By staying longer, the destination can profit more from you as a tourist..
• Choose lesser-known destinations
• Photograph respectfully and share your photos thoughtfully: This means: refrain from using geo-tags and exact names of places. If you visit attractions or sights that are affected by mass tourism, point out the problems this causes in your description (keyword: Venice).
• Engage with the culture of the country
• Visit/support local sustainable projects (e.g., environmental protection, animal welfare, social issues)
• Choose sustainable accommodations

“The vision of travel we are committed to is one that benefits not only the traveler, but also the places we visit.” – SoulTravel Travel Blogger

The future of traveling

Above all, community-based tourism means that instead of a staged show for tourists, you experience authentic local everyday life. At the same time, community-based tourism provides a source of income for the locals, thus improving their quality of life. We think: This should be the future of travel.

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A storehouse of knowledge, a haven of peace and living history

Bibliophilia, [the]: from the ancient Greek βιβλίον biblíon “book” and φιλία “friendship love”; translated, therefore, “love of books” refers to loving and collecting beautiful, rare or historically valuable books.

Libraries encompass much more than places where books are kept. Often they are also places of work, a meeting place for people of all ages, origins and social classes, and provide space for readings and other events

Libraries and sustainability

Borrowing is more sustainable than buying. Sure, few things come close to the smell of a new book or the feeling of opening the pages for the first time, but how many books do we buy only to read it once and then realize we’ll probably never read it again? At the library, you can borrow works (or read them on the spot) and then if you really like them, you can always buy a copy.

Libraries are always a go-to place for travelers, too. Especially on long-term trips, they are a constant when staying in ever-changing places. They provide a place to stay, electricity, and usually Wi-Fi. 😉

But many libraries are also worth a visit simply because of their beauty and thus have the status of a landmark in some places. For example, the library of Trinity College in Dublin. Or the Abbey Library in the St. Mang Monastery near Füssen.

Place of interest: Library

St. Mang Monastery Library

The monastery of St. Mang is only a few minutes away from the sustainable Hotel Das Rübezahl. It was named after St. Magnus, who shaped the history of the town of Füssen with numerous miraculous deeds.

The former Benedictine monastery was founded almost 100 years after his death in the 9th century and houses, among other things, a beautiful library. You can admire it during a visit to the museum! You cannot borrow anything from this historic library, however. Not only that, but you’ll have to transfer that to the small but nice library in the hotel Das Rübezahl.

Maria Laach Monastery Library

This is also a monastery library, yet the history is different. Of course, Maria Laach monastery also had a library from the very beginning, but with the dissolution of the abbey at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the former library was also dissolved. Only a fraction of the Maria Laach manuscripts could be located until today.

With the Jesuits, books moved in again. Firstly, however, they built a new library room, oriented on monastic architecture as well as on contemporary style.

However, the present library, or rather its contents, dates from the years after 1892, after the Jesuits had to leave the area and the monastery was taken over again by the Benedictines two decades later. Meanwhile, an old stable of cows had to expand the library space. Some 260,000 books have their home at Maria Laach Monastery and can be admired in the considerable stacks with galleries and spiral staircases. Since the library is part of an active monastery, you can only visit it by appointment and with a guided tour. But it is definitely worth it!

By the way: If you are coming from the north or west to the Lifestyleresort zum Kurfürsten in Bernkastel-Kues, you will almost pass the Maria Laach monastery. From there, it’s about an hour’s drive to the hotel, from where you can explore the

Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris

As a book lover, you are in seventh heaven in Paris anyway with the numerous small bookstores and cafés. Despite all the distractions, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the National Library of France on Rue de Richelieu. It was created in the 17th century from a merger of several buildings, including the Palais Mazarin and the Galerie Mansart. Today, it houses over 30 million documents, books, and papers from the past and present. You can also find prints, photographs, letters, coins, and music.

If you stay at the sustainable Hôtel Le Pavillon during your visit to Paris, the National Library can be perfectly integrated into a city tour. From there, it’s just a good 30-minute walk across the Seine, past the Louvre, and along the Jardin du Palais-Royal. And there you are. You can book guided tours of the library and its museum. The tour itself is free of charge (as of November 29, 2022). For the reading rooms, however, you need a reading, culture or research pass.

Abbey Library of St. Gallen

It is one of the oldest and most beautiful libraries in the world! A must-see if you are in Switzerland or around Lake Constance. More than 170,000 books and manuscripts are kept here, including early medieval writings, what is probably the oldest drawn blueprint in the world, and the oldest German book: a manuscript of the Nibelungen saga. Oh, and the library has a mummy, too.

The library’s baroque architecture is particularly impressive. Not for nothing is it considered one of the most beautiful library buildings in the world. The splendor of the baroque will probably strike you at first. But don’t forget to look at the details, such as the centuries-old fir wood floor or the individual paintings and pictures, which, for example, depict the scientific care of the monastery.

If you’re vacationing at Lake Constance, you most likely won’t be able to avoid a visit to Sankt Gallen anyway. It’s only a few minutes from the sustainable hotel in Wartegg Castle, but even from the German side of the lake, you’re not long away. And a ferry ride across the lake is part of it anyway 😉 In Germany, the nature resort Gerbehof welcomes you and invites you to return to nature after the pomp and ostentation. A welcome contrast.

Book Lending: Library

Leaving aside the fact that every library is beautiful in its own way, you wouldn’t call the vast majority of them a sight to behold. They’re primarily a place where you can check out books. Even many hotels offer you as a guest a small selection of books that you can borrow for your stay. These often include the works of regional authors, non-fiction books about the history and sights of your vacation spot, as well as practical books such as hiking guides or guides. At Hotel Das Rübezahl, you will also find the fairy tale of Rübezahl. 😉

Also in the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio you will find a selection of special books on the hotel’s themes: mindfulness, detox, architecture and yoga, in addition to works of fiction. At Okelmann’s Hotel in Lower Saxony, the two hotel managers select books based on what they themselves like to read. Thus, in addition to the topics of yoga, mindfulness and spirituality, books on nutrition, health, gardening, and nature can also be found in the hotel’s small library. The books are also allowed to be taken home in case you don’t manage to read through them during your vacation.

If you are on vacation at Maslina Resort on the Croatian island of Hvar, you can discover a personal selection of the hotel owner in the library there. These are mainly books about art, culture, and travel in English, French and, of course, Croatian.

Exchange shelves or “Sharing is Caring”

A special form of library are so-called book exchange shelves or book swaps. The principle is simple and sustainable: In a public cupboard, you find different books that other people have put there. You choose one and take it with you. In return, you put one of your books in the cupboard. But don’t worry if you don’t have one at hand: Often more books are brought than taken.

In the Bad Herrenalb spa park in southern Germany, there is a public bookshelf. So, you can stock up on new reading material right before your visit to the park.

Also in Bad Herrenalb is the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. The team there has taken up the idea and adapted it for their employees. In the internal area, there is a swap box that helps clothes, books and other items find a new home.

„Blind Date with a Book”

Maybe you already know the principle from your local bookstore. With Blind Date with a book, you buy a book wrapped in paper with only a brief note about the genre or the first sentence. You don’t see the cover, and you can’t read the blurb, so you might get involved with books you would never have picked up otherwise.

At the Weihrerhof, the team led by hotel manager Klaus Pichler has taken up this approach for their hotel guests. In addition to the bestsellers in the house library (which, by the way, have all been read beforehand by the head of the house), guests can go on a blind date there. A hint is just a short note from a staff member or the hotelier’s family. Cool idea!

The books are packed in wrapping paper, which can easily be recycled 😉 

Retreat: Library

As indicated at the beginning, libraries are much more than book lending. They are retreats and places of silence and relaxation. Libraries are natural spaces of silence. There you can retreat from the hustle and bustle of travel and process your experiences.

At the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt, you can review your hikes with the illustrated books and mountain guides. Perhaps another guest will play the piano while you do so, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

In Wartegg Castle, you can sit down in the reading room with a cup of tea and either enjoy the view of the sunrise. Or you can use the direct access to the east terrace to feel the first sunrays of the day directly on your skin.

Libraries are magical places. They preserve knowledge, conserve it and pass it on. To achieve this, they create spaces that are more than repositories. On your next trip, refer to the library at your vacation destination. Maybe you will be surprised.

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Value resources

Sustainable architecture encloses two sustainable aspects: If we take on the one hand old, already existing buildings and renovate these, we might talk of “building recycling.” This avoids valuable materials to be decontaminated and pollutants be released during demolition. Besides the historical structures are conserved. On the other hand buildings –old or new – can have an environmentally friendly building substance, for example, natural and renewable materials for an efficient insulation or integration of natural energy sources like geothermal energy. For sustainable architecture the regional aspect plays an important role! Local architecture not only appreciates the regional culture, but the region is also reflected. Wood houses in areas with a lot of forests, clay facades in meager regions and stonewalls in craggy areas. Moreover, local architecture implies that the ways of delivery remain short, because all materials are available on site. Strictly speaking, sustainable construction requires engaging local construction companies. This also protects jobs in the region!

Stone by stone

The Sagna Rotondain the Piedmont is a charming example of how old structure and a piece of history can be revived. Only the foundation walls were received from the historical hamlet, which dates back to the 17th century, when the today owners bought the property including masonry. With a lot of love they breathed new life into the small village and today rent out energy-self-sufficient holiday apartments. To save energy the rental apartments are insulated with natural materials, cork and lime.

Surrounded by history

The first CO2 neutral hotel in Milan is accommodated in a historical town villa. During the renovation of the building Hotel Milano Scalaintegrated energy-efficient insulation as well as geothermal energy which contribute, beside other measures, to a climate neutral operation. In Paris, Hôtel Le Pavillonis located in a small, restored cloister. Old and new merge to a creative colorful accommodation located in the shade of the Eiffel Tower. The historical cloister walls were restored taking sustainable building measures into account, and at the same time to avoid electromagnetic radiation. With the help of special windows and wall color your sleep is protected from radiation! Read more in our blog!

Regional material

In the Dolomit Homesregional materials meet modern design. The owners built all apartments as well as the Dolomit Boutique Hotelin respect to energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Sheep wool and wood-wool serve for the insulation. Besides, the modern façades and interior arrangement consists of regional wood. The holiday apartments in the Dolomites are a good example to start planning buildings right from beginning eco-friendly to contribute to sustainability.

All that deals with the esteem of the existing, the native country and the appreciation of the future equally – ecologically friendly and local architecture preserves the environment and supports the economy! And it looks magnificent 😉

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City trip: Hot chocolate instead of iced coffee

Visiting cities is popular during summer when sitting outside watching the hustle and bustle of the city. However, high season often affects cities negatively since visitors need accommodation, food and produce waste. At the same time, the environment is polluted and the rental market for residents tightens. Queuing for hours and being unable to see the attraction due to numerous selfie sticks – that’s not how you image your city break, isn’t it? Thus, off-season city trips are worth considering: Whether romantic days in winterly Paris staying at the Hôtel Le Pavillon or savoring the first cocktail on the rooftop terrace of the Hotel Milano Scala in spring. A perfect city trip does not require high season! (By the way, find more tips for a green stay in Paris on our blog).

Beach vacation: building snowmen on the beach

Spending the winter months on northern beaches does not include swimming, but is best for tranquility and slowing down. After a long walk at the Juist’s beach, vacationers can warm up in a Thalasso bath at the Strandhotel Kurhaus Juist. Guests of the Lifestylehotel SAND enjoy the breathtaking view of the Timmendorfer Strand from the hot whirlpool on the rooftop terrace in winter.

Hiking vacation: Gold mountains

Summer hikes are wonderful! However, numerous vacationers on site might disturb dreaming of tranquility and solitary hikes. In fall, you won’t meet as many people in the mountains. So, why not escaping grey November marveling Indian summer in the Alps? You will find breathtaking hiking paths and biking trails in the mountain scenery near the Berghotel Rehlegg in Berchtesgaden and the Dolomit Boutique Hotel in – as you may assume from the name – the Italian Dolomites. Another highlight during fall is the Maira Valley: On 1,700 meters, Sagna Rotonda is located amidst the wild valley. Surrounded by untouched forests, you can spot deer with a bit of luck!

Holiday during the monsoon season: Lush greenery

Not traveling countries during the monsoon period is often recommended. Consequences are overcrowded and polluted holiday regions resulting in closure of beaches, for example, such as Maya Bay in Thailand famous from “The Beach.” Traveling during the monsoon seasons is often times beneficial for some reasons – the more it rains, the greener it is! You can explore the impressive landscapes best on Koh Samui at the green hotel The Tongsai Bay between September and December and on the Phi Phi Islands at the Zeavola Resort between April and October. In Peru, nature around the luxurious eco-cottages of Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica flourishes most December through May.

Ski vacation: Escape the slopes

Overcrowded ski slopes make it hard to enjoy winter sports. However, from a sustainable perspective, skiing off-season does not make sense since supplying ski slopes artificially uses up many resources. If you love snow-covered mountains, but want to avoid crowded slopes, how about an eco-friendly alternative? How about snowshoe hikes through the National Park Hohe Tauern guided by the Naturhotel Outside?

Off-season travel has one advantage above all: Exploring a destination without mass tourism. And that is what holiday is about – enjoying a peaceful vacation.

Der Beitrag Off-season travel: evade mass tourism erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Joyeux Nöel!

The charming sustainable city hotel Le Pavillon is situated in the heart of Paris, the city of love. Located in the 7^th district within walking distance of the Seine, the Musée D’Orsay or the Champs Elysées, the former monastery is considered as an insider tip. The 15 rooms are lovingly furnished and you can tell from the sumptuous organic breakfast that the hosts do not originate from France. Barbara and Tommy Tascijevic are Germans, but they have been living here for 30 years. The French have a festive dinner on Christmas Eve and exchange gifts the next morning, on December 25^th. Since this does not correspond to the Tascijevics’ idea of a cozy celebration, the couple escapes from Paris to their German family in Den Haag. “We always celebrate Christmas in Den Haag, with the family of my sister Annette, who lives in the Netherlands and besides is Webmaster of our hotel group Green Spirit Hotels,” Barbara tells us. “It is always a very lively and joyful celebration due to my two nieces, who are seven and twelve years old, and their cousins, a great celebration with the entire family – really nostalgic including a typical Christmas Eve and children’s eyes shining full of excitement.

Feliz Navidad!

The Peruvians usually celebrate Christmas together with the whole family. In provinces such as Cusco, the main road is transformed into a kind of street festival: traditional craftsmen present their skills while locals are buying presents. Here, travellers also find enchanting souvenirs such as small statues or dolls, colorful scarfs or blouses, candles and floral wreaths at little cost. In contrast, the boutique hotel Inkaterra La Casona, located not far from the center, offers festive contemplation. The hotel staff celebrates together with the guests and the nature of the celebration varies according to the guest’s nationalities. A festive, typical Peruvian dinner and small gifts are essential, while everything else depends on the travellers’ wishes and customs.

By the way, we at Green Pearls^® are going to donate for the foundation Off Road Kids, this year. Those who are living on the streets at Christmas have a particular difficult time. Taking sustainable action for the future means giving aid to the next generation. That is why we support this organization, which demonstrates commitment through professional street workstations in Berlin, Dortmund, Hamburg and Cologne as well as offering a nationwide online counseling program including an emergency hotline. Since 1993, more than 4.000 street kids and young homeless persons got help here.

Read more: CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN THURINGIA

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Der Beitrag Behind the scenes – How do hotel professionals celebrate Christmas? erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.