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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What does it mean to “feel at home” while traveling?

It means staying in small hotels where the staff recognizes you and gets to know you by the end of your vacation! The number of rooms is often a good indicator of this. In our article on unique boutique hotels, you’ll find ten wonderful hotels with just 11 to 38 rooms. However, size alone doesn’t make a hotel feel like home.

Indicators of hotels with a family atmosphere include:

• Personal flair instead of anonymous service
• Hosts who are approachable and authentic. In most cases, the hosts are a family who are fully committed to their profession, and you will meet them every time you visit.
• Rooms were designed with attention to detail, not from a catalog. They reflect the hosts’ philosophy and personal taste.
• Few rooms
• Cozy atmosphere
• Regional cuisine is served, and your personal preferences are taken into account when it comes to meals.

Why are more and more travelers looking for exactly that?

In a world that constantly demands something from us—one that is digital, fast-paced, and geared toward efficiency and mass production—many people are developing a growing desire for authenticity. Rather than staying at faceless hotel chains, more and more travelers are seeking places where they feel truly welcome and can have meaningful encounters with people, cultures, and places.

Family-run hotels offer exactly that: personal interactions with the owners, insider tips on places to visit off the beaten path, and an atmosphere that feels more like visiting friends than staying in a hotel.

Slow Travel and the Counter-Movement to Mass Tourism

The concept of slow travel also plays a role, meaning traveling more consciously and at a slower pace. Stay longer, take in more, and immerse yourself more deeply. Last but not least, many choose these accommodations because they are often sustainably oriented. Rooted in the region, owner-operated, and committed to environmental awareness and social responsibility.

Four examples of familiar hotels with heart and that personal touch

#1 Relais del Maro, Liguria — Feel at home in the heart of a village

The Relais del Maro is actually the reason we came up with the idea for this article. When you arrive, you immediately sense that this place has soul. Elena Scalambrin founded and built the Albergo Diffuso in Borgomaro with her parents—not just as a place to stay, but as a project to revitalize their hometown.

The Albergo Diffuso concept places 14 lovingly restored rooms and suites across three historic family-owned buildings that once served as residences and commercial spaces. Skilled artisans furnished each room individually, using traditional techniques and paying great attention to detail. Here, you can live among the villagers.

You can go to the main house for meals and to use the pool. This place used to be a butcher’s shop. Elena is often available to assist you, and you will grow fond of the entire village community, including the mini market, the bakery, the hairdresser, and the small church with its dedicated pastor.

#2 Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt — Family-friendly, panoramic views, and comfort

Nestled above the car-free village of Zermatt, the Hotel Bella Vista boasts direct views of the Matterhorn and offers a harmonious blend of nature, warmth, and sustainability. This small, 21-room hotel is incredibly cozy! It is built entirely of wood and features hand-crafted furniture, an open fire in the lobby, and a Swiss stone pine room in the wellness area.

The Anthamatten family runs the hotel and will make you feel right at home. Fabienne Anthamatten, for example, can give you hiking and skiing tips. She knows secret routes where you won’t encounter anyone for hours. She can also explain how you can ski all the way to Italy, starting right outside the hotel—including tips for lunch stops along the way!.

Stefanie, her sister, will often greet you at the front desk, and when she’s not there, she’s probably leading a yoga retreat. As a trained yoga teacher, she brings an extra sense of calm and mindfulness to the hotel. Mother Anthamatten also has a significant influence on the hotel, particularly through her traditional recipes that the kitchen team adopted. (Tip: Be sure to try her Zermatter hay soup!) The family also has a real mountain guide and mountain rescuer in Simon Anthamatten. He is very active in the region and organizes the “Ultraks” trail running event, among other things.

• Tip: We recommend the newly renovated “Sky Lounge” rooms located in the attic, where you can see the mountain peaks from your bed through a skylight.

#3 Hotel Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony – Arrive, take a breather, and wish you could stay forever

The charming Eco-Hotel Okelmann’s in the small Lower Saxony village of Warpe is now run by the fourth generation of the Okelmann family. Sisters Kristin and Maren manage the hotel today with great dedication and a clear commitment to nature. Maren is a trained yoga teacher and singing bowl therapist who oversees the retreats and yoga classes offered there. Kristin, on the other hand, loves good food, a topic covered in our article on northern German cuisine.

Father Helmut is enthusiastic about the project, too. As a passionate cyclist, he enjoys offering personalized tour recommendations and has published his own routes on Komoot for guests.

With only sixteen individually designed rooms, Okelmann’s is a boutique hotel in the truest sense — manageable, personal, and intimate. Highlights include the small sauna in a converted shepherd’s wagon, the wooden whirlpool, and the delicious homemade cakes at Café Heimatliebe. Incidentally, the cake display doesn’t always feature what’s on the menu. Mama Okelmann likes to get creative, so new, unplanned creations often make their way into the café..

#4 Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol — a family hotel with lake access and a passion for books

On the shores of Lake Wolfsgruben on the Ritten plateau in South Tyrol lies the Weihrerhof, a place that exudes tranquility and is steeped in history. Run by the Pichler family, the Weihrerhof has only 23 rooms and offers opportunities for personal encounters and genuine relaxation in nature.

In 1967, Friedl and Zilli Pichler fulfilled their dream of owning a guesthouse with eleven rooms and a breakfast island built by Friedl himself in the lake. Today, Klaus Pichler and his family are the second generation to run the guesthouse, doing so with great dedication. Reading is one of the family’s favorite pastimes. You will find a bestseller library here that is open to guests. Manuela Pichler will be delighted if you browse through it and ask her for advice on your holiday reading. Or, you can go straight for a “blind date with a book.” The family has even published their own children’s book with stories about the lake. Fittingly, the style here is very cozy, with lots of wood, natural decorations, and lovely details.

#5 Naturresort Gerbehof — a lovingly run organic hotel

You will also find a family-run hotel near the famous Lake Constance – the Naturresort Gerbehof. It is not located on the lakeshore, however, but about five kilometers away in the middle of its own organic farm. The small, 40-room hotel is run by the Wagner family. You can meet Ursula, Bruno, and their children, Priska, Christel, and Ralph, on the website. Each family member has their own area of responsibility, and they all work together to provide passionate and dedicated service.

A vacation that’s like staying with friends

The small Green PearlsⓇ hotels featured in this article offer the comfort of a real vacation combined with the cozy feeling of arriving at a friend’s house. They offer homemade food, genuine recommendations, and plenty of space to relax. Best of all, you won’t even have to clear the table or wash the dishes at the end of the day. Sounds pretty perfect, doesn’t it?

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Here, you will find both. Together, we will take an in-depth look at sustainable travel, explore its background, and establish connections. You will also find useful tips in the article. But enough preface. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents: Sustainable Travel

A Look at Tourism

How does sustainable travel work?

What is sustainability and what does it have to do with our travels?

Sustainability today: Comprehensive and blurry

Environmental protection while traveling

Water consumption as a traveler

Sustainability meets animal welfare

Climate protection while traveling: Do you still fly??

Let’s talk about money – What our money does when we travel

Questions you can ask yourself before you spend your money

Excursus: The Green Pearls® network

Often overlooked: Social sustainability when it comes to travel

An alternative to traditional tourism: Slow Travel

Small steps also make a difference

Sustainable Travel – Different Experience

If you landed on our website, it’s likely that you’re someone who likes to travel themselves, right? Think back, where have you been? It varies greatly among members of the editorial team. Some of us have experienced distant parts of the world. Literally. Some people prefer to stay in Germany and Europe. What we all have in common is that we love discovering new places.

A Look at Tourism

When we’re traveling, and I’m sure you feel the same way, we’ve noticed that we can’t continue like before. It has been evident for some time that tourism is not the white, unsullied industry that it likes to be portrayed as. Mass tourism, short-haul flights, and water scarcity are just a few of the keywords associated with this context.

But, how can we improve? What are some ways we can discover other countries and regions without leaving a damaging imprint on the ground? In summary, how can we travel responsibly?

How does sustainable travel work?

This is the very question we want to explore in this blog article. We will do it in as much detail as we can. That is why we will begin by explaining what sustainability is and how it relates to our travel behavior. Of course, the topic of climate protection and air travel has its place as well. Lastly, we’ll introduce you to an alternative to classic tourism, and in part two of this series of articles, we’ll share with you tangible, tried-and-tested tips on how you might make your trip more sustainable.

Despite all the tips we’ve given you, there is one thing we don’t want you to forget: As a traveler, you will always have higher CO2e emissions and consume more resources than you would if you didn’t travel. Most cases, at least. The most sustainable way to travel would be not to travel at all. But sustainability has now taken on a greater meaning than just environmental protection.

What is sustainability and what does it have to do with our travels?

To answer this question, we must travel back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the term ‘sustainable’ first appeared and meant something like ‘lasting.’ The first proper definition of sustainability in today’s sense came from Hans Carl von Carlowitz. The chief miner faced numerous challenges, such as extreme deforestation, droughts, and bark beetle infestations, in his forests in the 18th century. Does this sound familiar to you?

Perhaps we should take another look at the 300-year-old textbook published by von Carlowitz. In it, he introduced the principle of sustainable forestry, which states that only as many trees should be cut down as can grow back. Von Carlowitz developed this method to ensure that future generations would still have access to wood.

Sustainability today: Comprehensive and blurry

Our approach to sustainability has evolved and changed since then. Forestry’ is a term you probably don’t associate with it anymore, but maybe your cell phone case, clothing, or food. And yes, travel is also part of the equation.

There are many perspectives on what sustainable travel looks like. One definition does not exist. You won’t find one here either. Instead, we want to introduce you to the different aspects of sustainable travel and explain how they work. We’ll start with the most obvious aspect: the environment.

Environmental protection while traveling

As travelers, we should be aware that we can harm the environment. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t be reading this article. However, our environmental impact isn’t only made up of flights and travel-related exhaust fumes. For example, many people don’t realize that building a hotel can significantly disrupt the natural environment. This environmental damage forces plants and animals to look for new habitats. Therefore, renovating existing buildings is the best solution.

Monastery hotels are a good example of this, such as the Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bavaria, and Hotel Le Pavilion in Paris. By utilizing old monastery walls, abandoned buildings are given a new lease on life while preserving the culture and history of the community. If you want to learn more about this trend, you can find out more in our article on monastery hotels.

Water consumption as a traveler

At this point, there’s no reason to sugarcoat things. As frequent travelers, we use a lot of water.

• According to the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA), a tourist consumes approximately 350 liters per night in a hotel (compared to around 130 liters at home).
• The 2030 Report even estimates up to 2,425 liters per night for a tourist. This includes personal water consumption (showers, toilets) as well as swimming pools, golf courses, green spaces, etc.

Even if sustainable and environmentally friendly hotels and accommodations use water-saving faucets and use rainwater and gray water for garden irrigation, every guest still uses more water on vacation than they would at home. Not just for brushing teeth. That accounts for the least amount. Indirectly, we also use the water that is consumed in the restaurant, for the pool and for cleaning.

It’s cool when the hotel uses a natural bathing pond instead of a classic chlorinated pool, as the STURM in Mellrichstadt, Germany, does, for example. Furthermore, it provides a habitat for numerous animals. If flowering meadows with bee- and insect-friendly flowers are also planted, the hotel garden becomes a small, biodiverse paradise.

Sustainability meets animal welfare

Traveling and experiencing animals in their natural environment is one of the top experiences, especially for children. Whether they are wild animals on safari or domestic animals, seeing them in their natural habitat is incredible. However, travel can have a negative impact on animal protection. Visits to national parks ensure that they can continue operating. Our visits also demonstrate to the local population that protecting animals can be financially worthwhile. On the other hand, tourism can encourage practices that are not in the animals’ best interest, such as elephant riding or lion petting.

If you are interested in learning more about animal welfare while traveling and how you can make
your trip animal-friendly, you may want to check out this blog article. We’ve covered the topic in
detail here.

Furthermore, our article on wildlife on vacation provides specific vacation offers where you can experience safaris, diving, or national park animals in a sustainable way.

Climate protection while traveling: Do you still fly?

Travel and accommodation have been found to be the areas with the greatest environmental impact when it comes to tourism. That means that adjusting these adjustment screws has the biggest effect. You can find a selection of sustainable hotels and vacation rentals on our website. We not only present each hotel with its rooms and offers, but also with its sustainable initiatives and measures. This will give you an opportunity to get an overview in advance and actively contribute to protecting the climate by making environmentally friendly choices when it comes to accommodation.

By now, we are all aware that flying, especially short-haul flights, is immensely detrimental to the climate. Flight shame has become a term for when you get on a plane even though you feel bad about it.

How you can deal with flight shame, we have already discussed in tis blog article.

Other alternatives to flying are driving a car, taking a bus or train, cycling, and wearing walking shoes. Yes, we count the car as well. Although we wholeheartedly agree that car traffic must be reduced, if you look only at carbon dioxide emissions, then a fully occupied car with four or five people can sometimes even have the better balance than an empty train. However, the train still runs, and in addition, it offers the opportunity to spend time together with family or friends without having to concentrate on road traffic.

An alternative that many people are unaware of is the long-distance bus. In recent years, companies such as Flixbus have established a huge network across Europe, and their environmental friendliness is on par with that of trains! Find out more about sustainable vacations by long-distance coach here.

It is even more environmentally friendly to travel by foot or by bicycle rather than by car. The journey itself will become an adventure, and you will develop an entirely new perspective. By the way, this principle is the foundation of the Slow Travel movement. You can read more about it in the article below.

Let’s talk about money – What our money does when we travel

When we travel, we incur expenses. On accommodation, food, souvenirs, activities, and events. It is not without reason that tourism is one of the most important, sometimes even the most important, industry in many countries. It offers a lot of potential, if done right.

“Right” in this case means that our money benefits the country and the local population, and does not flow back abroad or to large, international companies. Experts here speak of the percolation rate, which indicates how much of the profits from the respective destination seep back out again. This happens, for example, through staying in international hotel chains, buying imported goods and eating at global franchises.

Another aspect is that we determine what we support through our purchasing or consumption behavior. What practices and behaviors do we support with the money we spend while traveling? Keywords here are production conditions, supply chains, payment of employees, exploitation of nature, and child labor, just to name a few.

Questions you can ask youself before you spend your money:

• Who owns the hotel or lodging I want to stay at? Is it family run? Locally owned?
• Who owns the restaurant? Who does the cooking? How are the employees treated?
• Where does the food come from? Was it grown locally? Or imported?
• Where do the souvenirs come from? What material are they made of?
• Does the event benefit the local population? Or is it cultural appropriation and exploitation?

Additionally, a sustainable economy also refers to the entrepreneurs in tourism. They should take care not to work only for short-term profit, but to think in the long term. That means taking into consideration the impact and responsibility of their own company, hiring local employees, and investing in environmental and social measures.

Excursus: The Green Pearls® network

At Green Pearls®, we want to advocate for more sustainability in tourism and help you do the same. That’s why we work with various partners around the world who offer sustainable hotels and vacation rentals. After prior verification and only if they meet certain sustainable criteria, which concern environmental protection as well as economy and social issues, they are allowed to be part of the Green Pearls® partner network.

This means that when you choose a Green Pearls® hotel or vacation home, you can be confident that your accommodations are sustainable. You can read exactly what makes each hotel or vacation home sustainable on its respective Green Pearls® page. For example, you can learn how the five-star Der Birkenhof Spa & Genussresort hotel in Bavaria is a pioneer in sustainable hospitality despite its luxury orientation; how the Aparthotel OLM Nature Escape in South Tyrol generates all of its energy from its own sources; how 50 percent of the employees at the Green City Hotel Vauban are disabled; and how the Hotel Luise in Erlangen makes its hotel rooms entirely from recyclable materials.

Often overlooked: Social sustainability when traveling

Both the economic and environmental aspects of sustainability are socially oriented. At first, this may sound very abstract, but imagine the following: You travel to any country, or even just another city. You arrive there, stay in a hotel, eat in a restaurant, and walk through the streets. You can also buy some souvenirs. Likewise, you drink water, swim in the pool, throw away your garbage, drive boat, cab, car. Then you leave again. If you tried to spend the money locally, then the money you spent stays there. What also stays there is your environmental impact, the missing water and the garbage.

And now imagine thousands, in some places even millions, doing the same. What do you think the effects will be on the local people?

Let’s take a look at the social impact of man-made climate change, which is not entirely innocent when it comes to tourism. The people who are affected by it are the ones who don’t contribute to it. People who don’t travel around the world three times a year.

Furthermore, there are also clear abuses in tourism, such as the exploitation of seasonal workers. You can find out more about this in this article on social sustainability in tourism.

An alternative to traditional tourism: Slow Travel

You might have heard of Slow Travel before, right? Over the last few years, countless books, articles, and podcasts have been published about it. The idea behind it is simple: Slow travel. The journey should be made to the destination. Putting achieving your goal above arriving at your goal. In this way, Slow Travelers are returning to the old definition of travel: being on the way from A to B.

Slow Travel grew out of the Slow Food Movement, which promotes the conscious cultivation, handling, and enjoyment of food. It was founded as an alternative to fast food. Slow Travel can be similarly compared with conventional travel.

Instead of considering the journey as a mere tool to reach the destination, Slow Travel considers it an essential part of the trip. On foot, by bike or by train, you experience the first adventures already before your destination.

The main thing, when you’re walking, is to stay in one place for longer. Because the longer we stay, the greater the benefit to the local economy. You’ll also get to know the local people in an entirely different way and discover places that other tourists miss. Perhaps the locals will even share with you one or two insider tips. 😉

Read this blog article for more information about slow travel and how a slow trip can look like. Furthermore, join us on an adventurous journey by train through Thailand!

Small Steps also make a difference

You might be thinking that’s okay, but there are just too many things to consider. Where do I even begin? That’s precisely how everyone started who is involved in sustainable travel today. The key is to take small steps initially. If the issue seems too large to tackle right now, start by booking sustainable lodging in your destination. Stay longer in one place instead of spending each day somewhere else. Actively choose vegetarian or even vegan meals. These are all small steps you can take to move in the direction of more sustainable travel.

Sustainable Travel – Different Experience

Travel is indeed a wonderful thing. We meet new people and discover nature. Unfortunately, however, our travel has an immense impact on the environment and people around the world.

It would, therefore, seem logical to say that, even if it’s difficult, we’ll give up traveling if we have to.

However, that is too narrow-minded. Tourism impacts thousands of jobs and livelihoods around the world, and many people rely on us travelers for their livelihood. Especially in countries like the Maldives, there are very few job or income opportunities outside of tourism. Sustainable hotels like Gili Lankanfushi provide a stable income for locals, which encourages a change in mindset. Whether it’s local or foreign visitors, the mindset will be changed. Read here to find out what sustainable vacations in the Maldives can look like and how you can actively participate in a coral conservation project as a diver, for example.

In rural areas, they offer opportunities for sustainable development. The travelers staying at Relais del Maro, located in the small Ligurian town of Borgomaro, not only ensure the preservation of the historic buildings that house the family-run “Albergo Diffuso” hotel, they also support regional farmers, winemakers, and artisans.

In other words, we don’t have to stop traveling. We need to travel differently.

Sustainable travel does not eliminate these impacts. But when we travel sustainably, we make more conscious choices and don’t just accept our effects. We make conscious decisions to forgo flights, take more time to explore a country or place, and search for sustainable accommodations and activities. We strive to help you do that here on the Green Travel Blog and over at Green Pearls.

What’s your favorite way to travel? Do you travel sustainably? And what aspects of your trip are particularly important to you? You are welcome to share your thoughts and experiences below.

This is an update from September 27, 2022.

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Der Beitrag Sustainable travel at a glance: Background, facts and tips erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

In this article, you will find 15 proven tips for sustainable travel, collected by our travel-savvy editorial team and supplemented with insights from long-standing partner hoteliers who practice sustainability daily. Expect tried-and-true strategies and inspiration from real-life travel experiences. Make your next trip truly green!

Ready? Then let’s begin our sustainable journey!

If you are interested in the topic of traveling sustainability in general, we recommend this blog article. In here, we took a closer look at what sustainable travel is and why it’s so important.

Traveling sustainably from planning to returning home

Creating a sustainable trip is a big undertaking.  At first glance, it appears that way. Therefore, we have divided our tips into three major categories. This way, you can jump straight to the part that matters to you right now.

Are you in the middle of preparing for your next trip?? Do you know that sustainable travel starts at home when planning your trip and want to know what to look out for? The first part is perfect for you.

Are you sitting on your suitcase or already in the travel vehicle of your choice, and you would like to get in the mood for your sustainable stay on site? Would you like to take a moment to remind yourself of the most important things? To answer your question, we can go to the second part of the guide, where we help you make your trip more sustainable.

Are you returning home with a heavy heart and wondering how you can support sustainable accommodations, the people at your vacation destination, or a beloved organization back home? Or did you just return from a trip and find yourself thinking about how you can do better next time and apply the experiences you had? If so, take a look at the third part. Sustainable travel doesn’t end when we get back home.

Just here to gather inspiration? Take your time to look around, and feel free to leave a comment about what you liked.

Our 15 tops for sustainable travel (and a bonus tip at the end)

Sustainable travel planning

1.) Be honest about the purpose of your trip.

By this, we mean, before you even start planning, be aware of why you want to travel. Are you interested in learning about a particular country or culture? Are you interested in experiencing nature and wildlife, admiring special buildings or formations? Or is it mainly to get away from home or just to relax?

If you tend towards the latter, then maybe it doesn’t have to be a plane trip to the Canary Islands or Egypt, right? In that case, a nice and sustainable wellness hotel or vacation home in your region or country might even be a better choice.

Tip from Mara from the editorial team: Forget the bucket list

It is often hyped, especially in the social media, if you have an eternally long bucket list. I’m not a fan of that at all, because it tempts you to visit places just because you want to make a checkmark. So when planning a trip, you should always ask yourself: Do I want to go there because I want to see it? Or because others told to me that I have to go there?

2.) Pay attention to environmental seals and certificates during your research.

However, you should not trust them blindly because in principle, each company, each hotel or each provider can design its own eco-label and put it on its website. So, have a look around the site, too: Are the initiatives and sustainable measures clearly named and documented? Is the seal awarded? How transparent are the criteria?

Seals that are generally recognized in the tourism sector include TourCert, Viabono, GSTC, Swissstainable, and the Blue Flag for beaches and bodies of water.

There are additional certifications for accommodations: GreenSign, for example, as well as the EU Eco Label and various organic certifications. At Green Pearls®, you will also find sustainable accommodations that have been certified and must meet an extensive list of criteria to be accepted onto our information platform. Learn more about our criteria and what we look for in our partners on this page.

3.) Utilize expert knowledge

This tip seamlessly builds on the previous one, and you’re already implementing it. Finding out how to travel sustainably before your trip is the first step.

This includes researching how to travel sustainably at your destination. For example, what is the quality of the drinking water? What about public transportation?

If you feel overwhelmed, you can also turn to experts. Many travel providers are focusing more on sustainable travel, and social media is a good place to connect with other travelers and learn from their experiences.

4.) Get to know the culture and the language before

If you know where to go, you should also begin to engage with the country and local customs. This way you avoid (unintentional) disrespectful behavior and know in advance what you can and should be prepared for.

Tip from Nina from the editorial team: Hello, Please, Thank you.

I think you should at least try to know and use “Hello / Please / Thank you” in the local language. This shows respect for the people and you are more likely to get into contact.

Preparation is everything: packing, documents, arrival

5.) Plan your journey and avoid flights whenever possible.

By now, we are all probably aware of how harmful flying is to the environment. That’s why avoiding flying is often recommended in tips for sustainable travel.

Top tip from Hotel Klosterbräu, Tyrol: Green travel pays off

Some sustainable hotels offer special rewards to guests who travel by public transportation. At Hotel Klosterbräu, for instance, guests who travel by train can use e-scooters and e-bikes free of charge for the duration of their stay. Additionally, you will be picked up from the station for free by an e-shuttle. Incidentally, Seefeld station is the highest ICE station in the world, only three minutes away.

Think outside the box and see if there are other ways to get there. For example, how about taking the night train or a long-distance bus?

Here’s a tip from Mara in the editorial department: Find European train connections easily

Rather than searching for connections with individual providers in each country, you can quickly and easily search for and book train connections throughout Europe via The Trainline.

If you can’t do it without a flight, follow a simple rule of thumb: the longer the flight, the longer you should stay on site. That way, you also support the local population and economy in a more sustainable way.

Keen to explore Europe by train? Then take a look here!

6.) Less is more: about packing lists and zero waste

Yes, indeed: It makes a difference how much your luggage weighs! The less weight, the less fuel you use, no matter if you travel by car or plane. And your nerves are spared, too.

Tip from Katharina from the editorial team: Capsule Wardrobe

I actually go with a “Capsule Wardrobe” when packing – few pieces, all can be combined well with each other in terms of color and style. Depending on the length of the trip, I intend to wash out certain pieces. Find one-piece suits so practical and space-saving when packing (jumpsuits or dresses). I also like to hang up worn clothes and air them out—that works amazingly well, and the things then sometimes smell almost “fresh” again

And speaking of saving on luggage: Gone are the days of binders and folders full of notes and tickets. In most cases, tickets only need to be available digitally, itineraries can be saved on a cell phone, and important documents can be photographed or scanned and are always available via a cloud.

Tip from Stefany from the editorial team: Zero Waste Travel

Always on hand: a plastic bottle, a reusable coffee mug, a basket, and a jute bag. For car trips, we prepare food so that we don’t have to resort to packaged sandwiches or similar items.

Sustainable Travel: Tips for on the road

7.) Book sustainable accommodation

Apart from the journey itself, one of the most important aspects of sustainable travel is choosing your accommodation. Opting for sustainable accommodations can have a significant environmental and social impact. This is because sustainable hotels pay attention to renewable energies and water-saving measures. They also support the region, employ local staff, and are committed to environmental and social projects.

Top tip from Naturresort Gerbehof: Do without room cleaning and do good

Sustainable hotels are increasingly foregoing daily room cleaning and frequent towel and bed linen changes. Find out why this is important here. At the Naturresort Gerbehof on Lake Constance, however, foregoing room cleaning has another effect. For each cleaning that guests choose to skip, the hotel donates four euros to the children’s project Kinderdorf der Liebe – Sternenland (Children’s Village of Love – Land of Stars). The Klosterhof — Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Berchtesgadener Land — also generates many donations this way. For every room cleaning not requested, five euros go to the regional mountain rescue service.

8.) Use public transportation, ride a bike or walk.

Not only does your journey to your destination play a role in your ecological footprint, but so does your mode of transportation there. Try to use public transportation whenever possible. You could also rent a bike and explore the region on two wheels. As an added benefit, you’ll experience your destination in a completely different and more immersive way than if you were driving through it. You’ll also get to talk to the locals and experience their everyday life instead of staying in your tourist bubble.

Tip from Nina from the editorial team: Explore cities by foot

I walk a lot in cities. Depending on how long I stay, I can even start to feel “at home” because I get to know the area around my accommodations.

When taking city tours, you can ensure that they are led by locals or that the proceeds benefit the local community.

 

9.) Support the local population

When it comes to the local population, sustainable travel isn’t just about minimizing environmental impact; it’s also about social sustainability and supporting the people who live there. They don’t benefit at all if you only go on guided tours with foreign guides, eat in hotels or chain restaurants, and buy imported souvenirs.

Our money supports our values.

That means that every cent you spend is a choice for sustainable travel or against it. For environmental protection and local culture or foreign corporations. You have to be aware of that.

How you can sustainably support local people:

• Go to local restaurants and restaurants run by locals.
• Buy your food at markets, street stalls or directly from farmers.
• Sleep in family-run accommodations instead of big chain hotels.
• Move away from the popular tourist attractions. Not only will you experience new things there, you’ll also spread the benefits and positive effects further afield.
• Book tours with local guides. They know better and can tell you one or two insider tips 😉
• Tip.

Tip from Stefany from the editorial team: Do like the Romans

This means seeking out restaurants outside of tourist hotspots and enjoying local, fresh cuisine and traditional dishes. It’s also a great way to strike up conversations with locals.

10.) Conscious use of resources

The things that have become second nature to us at home (turning off the lights, turning off the water, etc.) are all too easily forgotten on vacation. But depending on the region or destination, it is particularly important to save water and energy. So: Turn off the light, shut off the tap, and switch on the air conditioning only when you really need it.

11.) Respectful treatment of people and nature

Part of sustainable travel is also respecting nature and the people whose home country you are visiting. This mean respecting the culture and following the rules of conduct. Here, for example, we’ve looked at how you can travel respectfully and appropriately in Thailand.

A tip from Hotel Luise in Erlangen: Zero Waste at the Hotel

Sustainable accommodations can help make your trip as environmentally friendly and respectful as possible. They may even inspire you to make improvements at home. The Hotel Luise in Erlangen, Bavaria, for example, has built rooms using completely renewable and recyclable materials. The hotel also offers “astronaut showers,” where the water is filtered and immediately reused. You can eat at tables made from recycled refrigerators, and the breakfast buffet is optimized for zero waste. Only a few grams of food waste per guest are produced.

Just like at home, you should also be mindful of nature and not leave any trash (no, not even banana peels!) behind when you go hiking. Even better, leave places cleaner than you found them!

Tip from Mara from the editorial team: Learn to say “no”

In some of the countries I’ve traveled to, it was nearly impossible to live a zero-waste lifestyle. Every purchase was wrapped in plastic bags. Sometimes, only one or two items were placed in a bag before the next one was pulled out. Learn to say “no” here. You’ll get the hang of it quickly. The same goes for straws, plastic cutlery, etc. If you’re friendly and do it with a smile, no one will hold it against you! If you’re too slow, just use the bag a second or third time!

12.) Get involved!

There are many ways to get involved during a sustainable trip, such as participating in beach clean-ups, visiting an animal sanctuary, or lending a hand with environmental projects. Ask your accommodations if they know of any initiatives or organizations you can participate in. Exercise caution when visiting animal sanctuaries. Our article on animal welfare while traveling covers what you should look out for.

However, you don’t need an organization to get involved. All you need is a trash bag and a little motivation. Simply pick up any trash you see while walking or hiking. If you don’t have a large trash bag, take the bag from your last shopping trip or at least one piece of trash with you and dispose of it. Small steps also lead to achieving your goal.

And then? What you can do from home

13.) Spread the Word!

A sustainable trip doesn’t stop when you leave your vacation spot. When you travel sustainably, the experiences are more intense, so you may need more time to process them.

You can use the awareness and energy you brought back from your trip right after you return. Often we have little time during the trip to truly recommend organizations and accommodations in detail. Now you can do that from home and reminisce all over again automatically.

Ways to endorse sustainable organizations,  vendors, and accommodations from home:

• Write Google and TripAdvisor reviews
• Tell family and friends about your trip
• Support the provider on Instagram, TikTok, and Co.
• Hotels usually have their review platforms: Take the time to leave a positive review there, too, if you were satisfied.
• Make recommendations among postings and blogs

14.) Compensate your emissions.

Your trip will not be completely emission-free. Sometimes, it is difficult or impossible to avoid CO2 emissions. However, you can offset these emissions through providers such as Atmosfair. This means you pay a certain amount, which these initiatives then pass on to sustainable projects that save or bind CO2. Pay close attention to how transparent the compensation company is. Caution is advised, especially with tree-planting offers. Other areas, such as renewable energy and switching to CO2-saving technologies, are often more effective contributions to climate protection.

However, “offset” does not mean that your emissions and resource consumption are actually reversed. Therefore, it is best to cause as few emissions as possible, or ideally, none at all. Only emissions that are truly unavoidable should be offset by you or the organization of your choice.

15.) Keep a lasting record of your travel experiences.

At the end of a trip, you too probably have tons of photos sitting on your memory card. What used to be photo albums are now professionally printed photo books for most people. Here, too, you can look for a sustainable production method, after all, keeping the memories is also part of a sustainable trip. The paper, for example, should be FSC-certified or even recycled. There are now also more environmentally friendly alternatives to the classic, mineral oil-based inks. By the way: If you already keep a travel journal during your sustainable trip, it will be easier for you to sort it later 😉

Tip from Katharina from the editorial team: Digital photo albums

I save my travel photos in a separate album and share them with my travel companions and family. This allows me to easily display my travel memories on my friends’ smart TVs or on my phone in a café.

Why you don’t have to be perfect—A final word

After hearing all these tips, you may feel like sustainable travel is an insurmountable challenge. Maybe you think that with everything you have to consider, traveling won’t be fun anymore. Maybe you’re thinking about all the mistakes you’ve made while traveling.

These thoughts have one thing in common: they slow us down. Instead of getting started, we do nothing. But small steps are enough. For example, you could refuse a plastic bag here or book a tour with a local company there. These actions add up to make your trip more sustainable and improve the world.

Our bonus tip for sustainable travel: You don’t have to be perfect.

Your next vacation doesn’t have to be the epitome of sustainable travel. Neither are ours! We want to inspire you to get started with our sustainable travel tips. Depending on where you are in your travel life right now, we want to help you either get started or keep going. If we all travel sustainably, even imperfectly, it’s better than if nothing changes.

So, what will you do first? Right now, choose one thing that you will do on your next trip. Don’t click away until you’ve decided! No cheating! If you’d like, share your choice with us in the comments or on Instagram!

FAQ: Nachhaltig reisen

“What does sustainable travel mean?”

Sustainable travel means minimizing your environmental impact by choosing eco-friendly transportation and accommodations, for example. In doing so, you demonstrate respect for nature, local cultures, and the people you encounter. The goal is for your trip to have a positive ecological, economic, and social impact on the region.

“Does sustainable travel mean giving up luxury?”

Contrary to popular belief, sustainable travel does not mean sacrificing comfort and luxury. Fine dining can include regional ingredients and vegan options. Spas can use green electricity, and luxurious suites can be made with eco-friendly materials. Natural cosmetics can replace conventional treatments without compromising effectiveness, and they often create an additional connection to the region when local products are used. Almost every travel experience has a sustainable alternative – without having to make any sacrifices.

“How can I reduce my carbon footprint while traveling?”

Choose the most climate-friendly means of transportation possible, such as trains instead of planes. Avoid domestic flights, and plan your itinerary carefully to save on travel. Stay in sustainably managed accommodations. Some Green PearlsⓇ accommodations generate all their own electricity using geothermal probes and solar panels, such as the Eco-Aparthotel OLM Nature Escape in South Tyrol and the Hotel Milano Scala in Milan. Other partners use 100% green electricity, which significantly reduces their carbon footprint even when saunas and luxury amenities are included. When eating out, look for restaurants with short supply chains. CO₂ offsetting can also be a useful final step.

“What modes of transportation are the most environmentally friendly?”

Excluding hiking and cycling, current calculations show that traveling by train or long-distance bus is the most climate-friendly option, as these modes of transportation have the lowest CO₂ emissions per person. Electric and conventional cars follow, but only if several people are traveling together. Air travel performs significantly worse, especially for short-haul flights. Cruise ships are the worst for the climate, causing the highest emissions per capita.

This article is an update to the original published on November 25, 2022.

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Der Beitrag 15 Tips for Sustainable Travel in 2024 – From travelers, sustainability professionals and tourism experts erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Sustainable vacation destinations near the equator

As a rule of thumb, the closer you are to the equator (the imaginary line that runs through the center of the earth between the northern and southern hemispheres), the warmer it is. Because of the sun’s position, there are no seasons here, but it is always warm – around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).

#1 The Maldives – 65 kilometers from the equator

The Maldives, with over 1,100 islands south of India, look like they are right on the equator. The closest island, Gan, is actually only 65 kilometers away, while Malé is about 465 kilometers away. They lie in the northern hemisphere.

Weather in Malé in October/November: In October and November you can expect a fairly constant temperature of around 90 °F (30 °C). October marks the end of the rainy season (May to October), with an average of two hours of rain per day during this month.

Sustainable accommodation: At Gili Lankanfushi, you will stay in luxurious villas built on stilts over the water. The coral reefs and colorful fish life make the resort a diver’s paradise. The resort’s sustainable initiatives include a coral protection project, which you can visit with the resort’s marine biologist.

#2 Indonesia – 555 km from the equator

Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands and is located in the Southern Hemisphere, about 555 kilometers from the equator. The most famous island is Bali, which is 935 kilometers away.

The weather in Bali in October/November: Temperatures vary little and are around 88 °F (31 °C). The water temperature is 80,6 °F (27 °C). The rainy season starts in November. This means that it rains for one to two hours in the afternoon. Shorter showers of about 30 minutes are also possible in between.

When it rains in Bali, you can follow the local trend of “yoga in the rain”, go scuba diving, or visit temples.

Sustainable accommodation: Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa is a beautiful resort with Balinese villas surrounded by tropical plants, a pool area, a fine sandy beach and direct access to the sea. The resort uses a variety of environmentally friendly measures and offers eco-tours that respect the culture and customs of the area.

#3 Thailand (Phuket and Ko Phi Phi) – 860 kilometers north of the equator

Thailand lies north of the equator, but not far from it. The island of Phuket is about 900 kilometers above the longest parallel, and the island of Koh Phi Phi is only 860 kilometers above it. In total, Thailand has over 500 islands, some of which are uninhabited.

Weather on the Thai Islands in October/November: The temperature is fairly constant at around 86 °F (30 °C). October marks the end of the rainy season, although the rainy season means that it rains an average of 20 days a month with short, heavy showers. After that, the sun often shines, and since it is lush and green due to the abundance of rain, this is a great time to take beautiful landscape photos. November marks the beginning of the high tourist season.

Sustainable accommodation in Phuket: An extraordinary resort awaits you in the treetops of the Enchanted Forest at Keemala. There is also a large garden with local fruits, vegetables and herbs used in the cooking classes.

Sustainable accommodation on Koh Phi Phi Leh: Zeavola is a luxury dive resort offering PADI scuba diving courses. You stay in Thai-style bungalows surrounded by a true garden and forest paradise. Bird watchers will love it here.

Excursion: How much does it rain at the equator and when is the best time to travel?

The high levels of solar radiation at the equator throughout the year cause clouds to form and rain to fall. The “seasons” of the tropics are rainy seasons. There is a rainy season and a dry season.

The common assumption that the dry season is the “good season” and the rainy season is the “bad season” is not true.

By definition is the tropical rainy season

• in the Northern Hemisphere (e.g. Maldives) from May to October
• in the Southern Hemisphere (e.g. Bali) from October to May

But the rainy season can be cancelled. Or it can be stronger, weaker, earlier, later, shorter or longer than expected. (You know how it is with weather forecasts.)

Holidays on the Canary Islands in October and November

If you are looking for a vacation destination that is pleasantly warm (around 82,2°F (28°C)) and has many hours of sunshine in October and November, but not quite as far away as Thailand or Indonesia, then the Canary Islands are perfect. Generally it rains very little in the canaries – only a few days a year!

Warm and dry

Located off the northwest coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, the Canary Islands are about 3,000 kilometers from the equator. Due to their geographical location and the Gulf Stream, it is warm and dry all year round. Let’s look at two islands as examples: Gran Canaria, perhaps the best known of the archipelago, and Tenerife, the largest.

Weather in Gran Canaria in autumn: Gran Canaria is considered the warmest island in the fall. Even in November, the air temperature is usually between 73 ( 23°C) and 82 ( 28°C) and the water temperature is around 70 ( 20°C).

Green PearlsⓇ Hotel on Gran Canaria: The small boutique hotel Casa León – Royal Retreat is located inland and is surrounded by 10,000 square meters of gardens with native plants. There is a daily (free) shuttle to the beach and you can enjoy a wonderful break here.

Weather in Tenerife in October and November: “At this time of year you can spend the whole day outdoors, swimming in the sea and enjoying the gentle sun”, says the team of the OCÈANO Health Spa Hotel. In the fall, the temperature is between 62 and 70 °F (22 and 26 °C) and, as in Gran Canaria, the water temperature is around 80 °F (20 °C).

Sustainable accommodation in Tenerife: The OCÈANO Health Spa Hotel is located in the north of the island, directly on the Atlantic Ocean. The large panoramic windows offer an uninterrupted view of the sea. The health hotel offers an extensive sports and nutrition program.

Sicily: Hot summers, mild winters

Another recommendation for a warm autumn vacation is Sicily. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is located southwest of the Tip of the Boot. It is about 4,000 kilometers from the equator.

Weather in Sicily in October and November: In late summer it is still warm (around 77°F (25°C)) and the water is still pleasant for swimming. You can also expect many hours of sunshine. However, it rains more often during this time (expect about 8 days of rain per month).

Sustainable hotel in Sicily: The ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA will open in the summer of 2022 and is a beautiful, luxurious resort located directly on a natural beach protected by the WWF and accessible only from the resort.

Traveling in times of climate change

As you probably already know, global warming doesn’t just mean that it’s warming up a degree, it means that ecosystems around the world, from coral reefs to mountain glaciers, are being disrupted. The consequences are even more extreme. 2023 has been dubbed the “year of climate records” by Geo. In 2024 we had floods in Germany and a heat wave in Southern Europe with extreme temperatures of over 40 degrees (June 2024 was the hottest month in Greece in 164 years of weather records). In Brazil, people died from heavy rains, and in Mexico, water became so scarce from drought that the population, industry, politics, and farmers were drawn into serious conflicts.

The equatorial weather zone will shift

Also interesting (and alarming!) is that climate change will also cause climate zones to shift. At least that’s what researchers in California think. In their study, they predict that the equatorial rain belt will shift north over the Indian Ocean (Asia) and south over the Atlantic Ocean (South America). This could lead to increased flooding in southern India and drought stress in Central America.

To avoid further global warming, we must all work to reduce man-made greenhouse gases. Most of this concerns energy consumption and industry, but the tourism industry also needs to rethink. We addressed this issue in our blog post ” Are we still allowed to fly?

However, because sustainability is not just about carbon footprints, but also about social sustainability, for example in tourism, we believe that travel – even to far-flung destinations – remains important.

Balancing act

We hope that our little essay on climate and the destinations presented here has helped you plan your trip. By the way, being concerned about climate change and sustainability doesn’t mean you can’t plan your vacation based on where it’s “nice” at the moment. But it should encourage us all to make climate-conscious choices when traveling and to support accommodations that have already recognized this.

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Der Beitrag Heading south – Sustainable travel destinations for October/November (with guaranteed sunshine) erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

#1 Tourism as an economic factor

The tourism industry is an important economic factor – in some countries it is the most important. Your vacation sets your money in motion, helping to redistribute wealth and pay workers. Hotels are often large businesses with many employees, subcontractors, suppliers, etc. who also benefit from a financially successful hotel.

Unfortunately, not all hotels are sustainable and socially responsible, and often your money does not benefit your vacation destination at all. You may travel to a hotel in Thailand and your money ends up with an investor in the US or Japan. Some hotels employ seasonal workers who live in shabby accommodations (I was told this for a German island, for example).

By consciously choosing a hotel that operates in a sustainable and usually fair manner, you ensure that your money really benefits the region and creates fair jobs.

Support fair labor practices in hotels

One example is the Green City Hotel Vauban in Freiburg, Germany. This sustainable city hotel is an integration project, and half of all employees are people with physical and/or mental disabilities. The hotel has deep roots in Freiburg. Its shareholders are the Vereinigung Freiburger Sozialarbeit e.V. and the Freiburger Stadtbau GmbH.

Even abroad, you have many opportunities to use your purchasing power to help other people (instead of supporting their exploitation). At our Green PearlsⓇ partner Farmhouse Smiling Gecko in Cambodia, the luxury resort ensures the financing of the Smiling Gecko NGO’s training centers, school and organic farm, and also serves as a training center and employer itself.

#2 preserving resources

You probably already know this: Planet B does not exist. The idea that we could someday completely deplete our planet of all its resources, destroy all animal and plant species (and perhaps even entire populations), and live on Mars from then on is NOT realistic!

Fossil resources such as oil, coal and natural gas are finite. This means that they are taken from the Earth and then they are gone. Theoretically, these resources will eventually reform, but in the case of oil, for example, it takes at least 10,000 years for new oil to form from dead plant matter and plankton. We should all be aware that what we consume today will not be available to our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and future generations.

Renewable energy in the hospitality industry

In our opinion, one of the requirements for a sustainable hotel is to run on renewable energy. The least you can do is get 100% green electricity (something you can easily do at home by simply switching your electricity provider). But many hotels go further.

For example, our partner Hotel Milano Scala was the first Zero Emission Hotel in Italy. It is powered by geothermal energy, a renewable energy source that “significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” according to the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy. Other hotels and residences rely on their own combined heat and power plants, heat pump technologies, photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, and heat recovery measures to reduce their own consumption of fossil resources while minimizing CO2 emissions.

Upcycling and organic

Conserving resources is not only about energy, but also about buildings and furnishings. The HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu recently renovated its hotel rooms using a sustainable upcycling concept. Instead of buying new furniture, the existing solid wood furniture in the rooms was simply dismantled, the (outdated) decorations removed and the furniture reworked. The new composition created modern furniture without cutting down any trees! (You can learn more about this in this YouTube video by owner Marc Traubel and interior designer Sarah Stapelfeld)

Throughout Biohotel Grafenast you will find sustainable and natural materials such as solid wood and local stone. The eco-friendly hotel is also committed to organic farming and uses only organic food – whenever possible, directly from the region and from the hotel’s own “Sehnsuchtsgarten” (garden of longing). Short delivery distances mean fewer greenhouse gases, and the absence of pesticides helps preserve biodiversity.

#3 Promote nature and species conservation

Which brings us to the next argument: sustainable travel supports conservation. Take, for example, the Casa León Royal Retreat in Gran Canaria. This small boutique hotel in the interior of the island has created a garden of native plants on its 10,000-square-meter property and uses only natural pest control. Here you can see a variety of small animals, such as the Canary Island bullfinch – the original form of the domesticated canary!

The hotel uses a rainwater cistern system for irrigation. In another sustainable initiative, the family that owns Casa León Royal Retreat has leased a 40,000-square-foot piece of forest in the Balkans that is maintained but still largely untouched. This has created another protected area for animals and plants in this world, which also helps the climate.

#4 Experience the country and its people in an authentic way

Sustainable travel means going off the beaten track and visiting places away from the usual mass tourism destinations. This gives you a real opportunity to experience the country you are visiting and get to know the locals.

Albergi Diffusi is saving villages in Italy

In Italy, the Albergo Diffuso movement has helped save Italian villages from decay. An Albergo Diffuso is a hotel spread over several buildings in a village. You live among the locals.

Our Green PearlsⓇ partner Relais del Maro is a prime example. Owner Elena Scalambrin converted several of her family’s commercial and residential buildings into a 4-star hotel. Guests arrive at the main house with a reception for dinner (and the pool), but otherwise stay in lovingly decorated rooms in the middle of the village community. The hotel has helped keep the village bakery and other local businesses alive. Here you will be able to experience the real Liguria and see the positive effects of sustainable tourism at first hand.

#5 Learning to love nature

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love” – Baba Dioum, Senegalese forestry engineer and conservationist

It is easy to understand Baba Dioum’s famous quote, delivered at a biodiversity conference in India in 1968. As we showed in our blog post on insect extinction, many animals and plants simply do not have a strong “lobby”. We think of some bugs and algae as expendable. It is only when we understand the important role they play that we learn to love them and work to conserve them.

Guided hikes in the Allgäu

At Hotel Das Rübezahl in Füssen, you have the opportunity to discover nature with the hotel’s own hiking guide. “Bergbaschdi” will take you into the mountains and show you the flora and fauna. You are sure to discover things you would otherwise have missed. (Read more in our interview with the hiking concierge)

Experience glaciers live in Switzerland

Glaciers are also very interesting. These “eternal” masses of ice are the largest reservoirs of fresh water on our planet, and they are in danger of disappearing! Fabienne Anthamatten of the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt can tell you all about it. Her hotel has an 8,000-year-old larch tree that she found on a former glacier field. This means that the trunk was preserved in the ice for several thousand years and has now been uncovered.

On a trip to the glaciers, you can admire the fascinating masses of ice (there are still many kilometers left) and better understand the connections to global warming.

#6 Have a vision – and think about the future

Just being in the present moment is a beautiful mindfulness exercise. But you should also have a vision in your life. A vision is a motivating, positive idea about the future. And that’s what sustainable travel is all about.

According to the UN, sustainable tourism is:

“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts.”

So it’s thinking about the NOW as well as the FUTURE and taking responsibility for it. If you can do that, you’re doing pretty well. And what better way to learn how to do that and develop your own vision of the future than to travel the world sustainably and be inspired by other visionaries? If that’s not a good argument for sustainable travel, I don’t know what is?

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The difference between a health and wellness hotel

Wellness hotels promote health through relaxation and massage. Health hotels do the same, but in a health hotel you also have the opportunity to get a personalized medical assessment. The health programs offered are led by trained doctors and therapists.

           In the blog article “Health or Wellnesshotel” we took a closer look at this question.

Who is a health hotel for?

Since health hotels are particularly active in the area of prevention, a vacation at a health hotel is suitable for anyone who wants to do something good for their physical and mental health. However, guests who already suffer from various chronic or non-specific ailments often take advantage of what health hotels have to offer. For example:

• Obesity
• Digestive problems
• Irritable stomach
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Fatty liver
• High blood pressure
• Joint pain
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Sleep disorders
• Frequent or chronic fatigue
• Chronic illness (susceptible to colds, infections, etc.)

A health hotel is also ideal when you need to get back on your feet after a long illness and recovery.

Why should a health resort also be sustainable?

Sustainable health hotels, as represented by Green PearlsⓇ, also take care of the ecology with their holistic approach. This means considering not only the human being, but also his or her relationship to the environment, to nature.

As we discussed in our Insight “Is organic food healthier?”, the value of organic farming cannot be measured by the vitamin content of an apple. Instead, it is a larger concept.

Avoiding pesticides protects both groundwater and biodiversity. As biologist Dietmar Borbe says in our blog on insect extinction: “If we destroy everything at the base of a food pyramid, everything will eventually collapse”.

Environmentally friendly building materials, chemical-free cleaning products, organic food, fairly paid employees – the measures taken by a sustainable health hotel provide the right framework for taking care of one’s own health.

Four sustainable health hotels in Germany and Spain

Below we would like to introduce you to some of the health hotels that are also Green PearlsⓇ partners. Based on the program offered, you can see which hotel suits you best.

#1 OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel – Holistic recovery on the Atlantic coast

The OCÈANO Health Spa Hotel on the Canary Island of Tenerife has more than 20 years of experience as a health hotel. Its owner, Dr. Karl Matthias Rolle, is a physician, as was his father, Dr. Jürgen Rolle, from whom he took over the management of the hotel. The establishment of the F. X. MAYR CENTRE is one of the most important changes initiated by Karl Matthias Rolle. The center specializes in fasting cures and therapies developed by the Austrian gastroenterologist Franz Xaver Mayr.

Fasting Cures at the F. X. MAYR Center

During an F.X. Mayr fasting cure, the focus is on the intestines. According to the initiators, “cleansing, detoxification and strengthening of the intestines” is of central importance for the supply of nutrients, hormonal balance and the immune system.

When you sign up for a fasting program, you can use all the hotel’s wellness facilities (spa, pool, saunas, yoga room, etc.), but you live in a separate annex and do not eat with the other hotel guests. Instead, you will be surrounded by your peers, other fasting guests, and receive your own personalized fasting diet.

The period for such a fasting cure at the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel is:

• 10 days, 14 days or 21 days

Complementary therapies

In addition to therapeutic fasting, the health hotel also has a Thalasso center. Thalasso means “healing through seawater” and also incorporates other things that come from the ocean, such as seaweed.

In consultation with the medical team, a personalized program will be developed for you (to accompany a fasting cure or independently), which may include the following elements

• Exercise
• Diet & Nutrition
• Pain Relief

Optional additional therapy options are:

• Chirotherapy
• Autohaemotherapy
• Hematogenous oxidation therapy (HOT)
• Bloodletting
• Acupuncture
• Vitamin Infusion

As you can see, here you will have opportunities that a “normal” wellness hotel cannot offer you. However, you don’t have to give up that vacation feeling, because you are on the beautiful Canary Island, right on the Atlantic Ocean! Walking along the promenade, shopping and sightseeing are absolutely allowed! 🙂

#2 Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa – Health Hotel in the Berchtesgadener Land

A sustainable and highly recommendable health hotel in Germany is Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa, run by Dr. Andreas Färber and his wife. Here, too, you will find a combination of a wellness hotel (1,500 square meters of spa area with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, etc.) and an integrated health center.

Concept medicine in the health center Artemacur

As Dr. Andreas Färber describes in an interview with us, the holistic concept is very important to him, both in medicine and in ecology. The focus is on the development of a health and life concept based on scientific knowledge and individual living conditions. So, you don’t get a “one size fits all” offer, but you develop your very own concept that you can integrate into your everyday life.

The Artemacur Health Center includes

• General Medicine
• Internist
• Psychotherapist

Medical expertise is then complemented in the hotel with the areas of

• physiotherapy
• and nutritional medicine.

In addition to therapy, prevention also plays an important role.

Health programs and services offered

• Nutritional advice + diet
• Bioelectrical impedance analysis (scientifically recognized method of measuring body composition, i.e. body fat percentage, etc.)
• Liver fasting according to Dr. Worm
• Intermittent fasting
• Concept medical consultation
• Burnout prevention
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• ABI screening (vascular ultrasound)
• Pulmonary function test
• Pain managementSchmerztherapie

Located on the border of Austria (Salzburg), the hotel with its panoramic view of the Alps will also appeal to culture vultures. For example, there are regular full moon concerts, jazz or readings.

#3 TCM at the LIFESTYLE Resort Zum Kurfürsten on the Mosel River

If you would like to try Chinese medicine instead of conventional European medicine, or if you are already a believer in Chinese medicine, we can recommend the LIFESTYLE Resort Zum Kurfürsten.

Located in the medieval town of Bernkastel-Kues on the Moselle River, it offers wellness combined with Far Eastern teachings. For starters, the entire hotel (including the 4,000-square-foot spa area with several pools, a natural swimming pond, and a sauna area) is designed according to Feng Shui. There is also the diet based on the 5 elements.

Traditional Chinese medicine practice in the hotel

The TCM Center is located in the same building, so it makes sense to combine your TCM treatments with your stay at the Health Hotel. For example, you can have a nutritional consultation and then eat more “yin” or more “yang” foods based on your personal recommendations. At the Lifestyle Resort you will find the 5 elements in all meals and buffets (i.e. many warm and natural foods without industrial processing).

The following treatments are available at the TCM Center:

• Nutritional counseling / dietary changes (according to Yin Yang, 5 elements)
• Body analysis with printout
• Acupuncture treatment
• Herbal therapy (herbs selected individually for you; you can take the mixtures home with you. The herbs are taken as tea (decoction) or powder and there are also herbal baths).
• Cupping (for chronic pain and severe tension)
• Relaxation and exercise with Qi Gong and Tai Chi
• Lymphatic drainage
• Sound bowl massage
• Tunia and Guasha TCM massages

Chinese therapy is combined with a European approach so that it does not seem too foreign in the German Mosel landscape.

#4 SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA – Wellness hotel with Selfness Center

Bad Herrenalb in the Black Forest is a climatic health resort with healing waters and thermal springs, making it the perfect place for a health vacation. Here you will find the sustainable Green PearlsⓇ Hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. Featuring its own thermal swimming pool and saunas, it is mainly a health-oriented wellness hotel, but the attached Selfness Center offers a range of services for physical and mental health.

Fasting in the Black Forest

You can book a one-week fasting vacation at SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. The following are offered:

• Fasting cure according to Dr. Buchinger
• Fasting cure with alkaline diet

During both retreats, you will receive daily support and lectures on healthy living. There will also be fasting walks, forest bathing, and other supportive activities.

Resilience training and mindfulness

Another area is mindfulness, which you can also practice on vacation. For example with

• Sound massage according to Peter Hess
• Meditation
• Hypnotic dream journeys

Special offers for a resilience vacation (3 or 6 nights) can be found here.

Health hotels offer both conventional medicine and naturopathy

As you can see, there are sustainable health hotels that employ trained doctors. These doctors perform scientifically recognized medical examinations and are allowed to prescribe prescription drugs. Other hotels follow an alternative medicine approach, focusing on alternative or Far Eastern healing methods that are not scientifically proven to work, but have brought relief to many people.

Which health hotel you consider suitable for you and which methods you hope will benefit you the most is entirely up to you.

A vacation at a health hotel is often simply about taking stock of your own health, taking a step back from your daily routine, and thinking about what you can do to live healthier in the long term.

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The most important rule for sustainable travel: Planning

Yes, you read that right. If you’re traveling on a budget, or can’t or won’t go overspend, you need to plan and book a lot of things in advance. First and foremost, your transportation and accommodations. Sure, you can get lucky with last-minute bargains, but in most cases you will end up paying more elsewhere. For example: You book a dirt-cheap last-minute flight (never mind that flying is unsustainable!), but you have to pay a lot for your last-minute accommodations because there are hardly any options left, all the low-budget options are fully booked, or only the terrible accommodations are available.

So remember: If you want to travel on a budget, book early! Spontaneous bookings are expensive!

However, that doesn’t mean you have to plan your entire vacation in advance. It’s great to just go with the flow when you get there, talk to the locals, and then decide what you want to do!

Tips for your budget

When planning your low-budget trip, the first step is to determine your budget. How much can you spend? And how much do you want to spend? You should also be clear about what is important to you. For example, if a decent hotel is important to you, plan to spend a little more on that and a little less on activities that cost money. If certain (and expensive) experiences are more important to you, you may want to cut back on your accommodations.

Either way, write your thoughts down! Believe us, it makes a difference to have your budget in black and white next to you as you plan, not just in your head!

Low Budget and sustainable travel: Planning questions

How would you like to travel?

Planning a city trip? Want to enjoy a beach vacation? Go hiking? Experience nature? Think about what is important to you.

Sustainable because: You think about your trip in advance and can make sustainable decisions from the start. For example, you don’t fly to Bali for a beach vacation because that’s what everyone else is doing, but you choose a vacation in Italy or Croatia.

Where do I get what I want?

Some destinations are cheaper than others because, for example, they are not yet overrun with tourists. Or because costs are generally lower than in your home country. Examples of such destinations are Albania, Croatia, or, if you want to go further afield, Vietnam

Sustainable because: By traveling to less touristy areas instead of the popular hotspots, you help spread out the flow of people and counteract mass tourism. You also support the economy of a destination that would otherwise not benefit as much from travelers.

When do I want to travel? Or even: Does it really have to be high season?

Of course, if you are tied to vacation times or the like, you have little choice. But if you have a choice, it’s better to travel off-season. Accommodations and activities are often less expensive and it’s less crowded. In the low season, which follows the high season, almost everything is still open (restaurants, activities, etc.). The further away from the high season you travel, the cheaper the prices will be, but the more restaurants and other places may be closed.

Sustainable because: Similar to choosing a destination, by traveling off-season, you not only help your wallet, but also spread out the tourist traffic over a longer period of time. In addition, you support the usually highly seasonal income of the owners and provide them with a more reliable income.

Travel: Affordable and sustainable options

How do I get to my destination?

The journey is the reward” applies not only to slow travel, but also to planning a sustainable budget trip. Having this mindset is literally worth its weight in gold. If you treat your trip as part of your vacation, you will be more relaxed about the whole thing. Trust us 😉 So plan your trip, check out the trains (if you book early, they are usually not that expensive), or if you drive an (e-)car, plan to drive a little slower (saves fuel and CO2) and make a stopover for long trips. The cheapest option is often the long-distance bus. And since the network is constantly expanding, it has become a real alternative in recent years! According to recent surveys, it is also as environmentally friendly as the train. You can read more about this in our blog article about long-distance bus destinations in Europe.

Sustainable because: Traveling by train and bus is the most environmentally friendly choice. Buses are usually the cheapest, but trains can also be quite inexpensive (if you book well in advance). However, we understand if you don’t want to (or can’t) rely on trains and prefer to travel by car. However, you can still apply the slow travel principle 😉

 
Where and how do I want to stay?

We know where we want to go, when we want to travel, and how we want to get there. The only thing we don’t have is a place to stay. For travelers on a budget, there are many options, from couchsurfing, housesitting and wwoofing to hostels or hotels. It all depends on your personal preferences, expectations and time constraints. Since we know hotels best, we’ll focus on that.

As always, the best time to book is early! Some hotels even offer discounts if you book early! Check out the deals and packages the hotels have available and ideally choose a room with a small kitchenette or opt for an apartment or house with a kitchen so you can cook for yourself. You can often get special rates for longer stays. When in doubt, it is always worth asking the hotel directly (and booking anyway).

Sustainable accommodation for less than 100 euros

Sustainable accommodations are available for almost every budget. Even in the heart of Paris, Green Spirit Hotels offer private rooms and organic breakfasts without breaking the bank. You can also find cozy, family-friendly accommodations at the APIPURA hotel rinner on the Ritten in South Tyrol, where rooms start at €89.00 (including half-board).

Sustainable because: You know us: we firmly believe that choosing sustainable accommodations (along with how you get there) is at the heart of sustainable travel. Whether it’s budget, luxury or anything in between.

What do I really want to experience?

To avoid tourist traps, long lines, or worse, missing out on your personal must-do or must-see, we recommend thinking about it in advance and building it into your budget planning. You can often book time slots for attractions or museums in advance and even get online discounts! (Some museums and similar places now even require you to do this!) You can also check out tourist passes from home and see if they are worthwhile for you, and you can compare tour providers if you want to take a particular tour. Of course, this does not apply to everything, as there are bound to be a number of (local) operators who are not represented on the Internet. Keep this in mind and find a good balance between planning and booking in advance and being spontaneous when you get there.

Sustainable because: Research the area around your destination in advance. This will help you learn when certain attractions are packed so you can avoid those times. You may also find an insider tip or two for local restaurants or tour operators that you would not have found otherwise, and you will generally get a feel for your destination. You’ll also be less likely to be tempted into unsustainable activities once you get there. After all, you have a plan – one that you can and should be flexible with 🙂

Sustainable travel “on a budget” is not complicated

Budget travel in general, and sustainable budget travel in particular, requires a higher level of planning than if you were going on a spur-of-the-moment adventure. In most cases – don’t get us wrong!

With all the planning, there is only one thing to remember: Have fun! Don’t just look at your budget once you get there; stay spontaneous and open to opportunities to experience your vacation spot or destination authentically. You can lay the groundwork for this with sustainable budget travel planning.

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But simply avoiding the popular vacation destination will not solve the problem – tourism not only provides a livelihood for the majority of the island’s inhabitants, it also helps fund preservation projects. Here we introduce you to the Maldives and show you what a sustainable vacation in the Maldives can look like. In addition, we will introduce you to Gili Lankanfushi Eco Resort and other sustainable initiatives and projects.

The Maldives are in danger!

The Maldives consists of 26 atolls with nearly 1,200 coral islands. The capital, Male, one of the highest points in the archipelago, is only 2.40 meters above sea level. The islands are threatened for several reasons:

• By 2050, about 80 percent of the Maldives could be uninhabitable. This is what the Maldivian ambassador to the EU, Omar Abdul Razzak, says in this interview with FR.
• Rising sea levels threaten a large part of the country’s territory. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations states in its IPCC report: “Sea levels will rise between 0.43m and 0.84m by 2100”. However, it also states that a rise of 2m by 2100 “cannot be ruled out”.
• Fresh water is extremely scarce in the Maldives. Natural freshwater is only available from freshwater lenses, which are drawn from wells. However, most freshwater is extracted from saltwater, which is an energy-intensive process. Rising sea levels and more extreme weather with flooding could make the few freshwater lenses salty and unusable.
• Earthquakes and tsunamis are a threat to the Maldives due to its geographical location (seismically active zone).
• Corals suffer from the warming of the oceans. Their death upsets the natural balance and affects the entire ecosystem.
• Marine debris is increasingly washing ashore in the Maldives, creating a huge garbage problem. (The NGO Parley, run by Shaahina Ali, is committed to tackling this problem).

As you can see, the problems of the Maldives are closely linked to climate change. So the most important thing you can do for the Maldives (even from home) is to live a generally sustainable life, keep your carbon footprint low, avoid waste and plastic, and support climate-friendly policies and projects.

Can a holiday in the Maldives be sustainable?

This question is probably asked by everyone who thinks about a trip to the Maldives. A long-haul flight to the islands in the Indian Ocean is an ecological problem. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, a flight from Germany to the Maldives and back has a “climate impact of about three tons of CO2 equivalents”. (This is the equivalent of driving a mid-range car about 15,000 kilometers). Nevertheless, we believe that travel to the Maldives should not be demonized.

Tourism is very important for the country. It is the main source of income. According to GIZ, the Maldives receives 90 percent of all tax and customs revenue from tourism. The money helps to clean the beaches of marine debris, build sea walls, promote renewable energy, etc.

Therefore, not traveling to the Maldives, or even banning travel to the Maldives, is not the answer. Instead, we advocate making a conscious decision to travel to the Maldives, addressing your impact as a tourist, and making your trip sustainable. We will show you how to do this using Gili Lankanfushi as an example.

Sustainable Maldives Vacation at Gili Lankanfushi

The sustainable luxury resort of Gili Lankanfushi consists of 45 eco-villas on the water and is committed to environmental protection (no disposable products, economical use of water and electricity) as well as social projects. These include purchasing local products, training staff, and supporting a school.

Maldives: A strong commitment to marine life

In addition to this commitment to everyday hotel life, there are many exciting environmental projects initiated and supported by the hotel. With Gili Veshi, Gili Lankanfushi has opened a marine biology center that promotes research and gives you the opportunity to get involved: Here you can participate in monthly coral reef clean-ups, help with seagrass planting, or assist with coral colonization.

If you want to learn more about Gili Lankanfushi’s sustainable diving projects, we already wrote about them on this blog article about sustainable diving vacation.

Close encounters with the greats of the sea

A special feature of the Maldives: With a bit of luck, even snorkelers can get close to whale sharks – at up to 13 meters in length, they are the largest sharks in the world – or be surrounded by majestic manta rays. One of the most famous sighting spots is Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll. During the western monsoon from May to November, plankton collects in the funnel-shaped lagoon and magically attracts the animals. Up to 200 manta rays and 20 whale sharks have been spotted here simultaneously! To protect the animals, resorts and dive centers in Baa Atoll have joined forces with the NGO BAARU, which sorts and disposes of marine debris.

Sustainable vacations in the Maldives: take action for the corals yourself

Without coral, the Maldives would not exist, as the islands are part of atolls, ring-shaped coral reefs. Only healthy reefs can help counteract the effects of rising sea levels and the sinking of islands into the sea. However, the effects of climate change and heavy pollution have already destroyed a large part of the reefs. As a result, some resorts are working on specific projects to help corals recover. At Gili Lankanfushi, you can watch marine biologists grow new corals and learn about these special creatures at regular lectures. As a scuba diver, you can also get involved underwater, for example by cleaning the Coral Lines.

Get to know the country and its people

Most travelers do not know how people live in the Maldives. This is not due to the ignorance of the diving and swimming tourists (as one might think), but is a political decision. Since the Islamic country opened up to tourism in 1972, a clear distinction has been made between islands for tourists and islands for locals.

Contrary to what is often assumed in the West, Islam itself is a very tolerant religion. The motto is “Lakum Dinakum, wa lia Din” (for you your religion/way of life, for us our religion/way of life). This means that you can enter the Maldives as an unmarried couple, sunbathe in a bikini, drink alcohol, etc.

Originally, tourists were not allowed on native islands, and natives were not allowed on tourist islands, except as workers. This has since been liberalized.

Gili Lankanfushi is located in the North Malé Atoll. If you want to meet the locals, you can either go to the capital Male or take a boat trip to Dhiffuhi Island. About 1,000 people live here. There are three mosques, two schools, shops, cafes, a hospital, farming and fishing. Alcohol is forbidden here and although there is no legal dress code, you should dress more modestly out of respect (Men: shorts up to the knees, women: shoulders, neckline and knees covered).

A sustainable vacation in the Maldives is not just a nice-to-have

Luxury, palm trees, white beaches and a turquoise sea are the hallmarks of the Maldives. But this image is being threatened by unscrupulous tourism and reckless travel decisions. Sustainable travel to the Maldives (and other island paradises) is an absolute must. So if you decide to travel to the Maldives, plan a longer stay and get involved in a country that definitely has too much to offer for you to just visit the beach in front of your hotel 😉 .

This article is an update of January 2018

Read more: THE JOURNEY IS THE REWARD: REACHING THESE 5 ECO-HOTELS IS AN ADVENTURE

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This is the ninth installment in our “Tips for a sustainable weekend getaway” series. Every three weeks, you can expect a new green idea on our blog!

Vacation naturally and enjoy the lifestyle

The Baltic Sea is wonderful in any season: the sea, the horizon, sandy beaches, dunes, wild oats and fresh air. Many good reasons to grab your partner and a beach bag and head to Timmendorfer Strand. Timmendorfer Strand is a real hotspot on the Baltic Sea thanks to its magnificent promenade. See and be seen. Well-kept, sophisticated.

Here you will find the sustainable and special Lifestylehotel SAND, which we want to recommend to you in this blog article.

The hotel is located on the second row of the beach and is super beautiful, bright and stylish, designed with natural materials and beach feeling in mind.

Friday: Starry sky over the Baltic Sea in a sleeping beach chair

After work it’s off to the sea! A plan that promises to be fun.

For travel to Timmendorfer Strand, the following options are available:

• BlablaCar and Flixbus (cheap and sustainable option)
• Train (Timmendorfer Strand station)
• By car

Once you arrive at the SAND Lifestyle Hotel, you can check into your room, freshen up and head straight to the beach for a stroll. Either on the promenade or barefoot down to the water. Along the promenade you will find many restaurants to start your weekend with a cozy dinner.

Sleeping in a beachbed

Back at the hotel, you have the option of sleeping on the comfortable and sustainable COCO-MAT mattresses in your hotel room or booking the beach chair on the roof terrace (available until October) and spending the night under the stars. (The beach chair used to be on the beach, but unfortunately the local authorities often shone their flashlights in it, so it was moved to the roof of the hotel 😉 )

“A warm and cozy atmosphere, an open-air setting, a glass of sparkling wine, private atmosphere, letting your soul drift, forgetting time for a few hours and escaping from everyday life – that’s what we call true luxury“. – Marion Muller, owner of the Lifestylehotel SAND

Saturday: Late breakfast and beach day

You can sleep in on Saturday morning. After all, SANDBreakfast is available until 1 pm!

At the front cooking station you can order egg dishes made with fresh organic eggs and enjoy a rich breakfast buffet with regional organic products.

After a hearty breakfast, it’s off to the sea. If it’s warm enough, you can swim or play other sports like volleyball and frisbee, write love messages in the sand (and take pictures of them), take selfies, rent a beach chair, read, and relax.

Dinner recommendation: „”We recommend the restaurant “Bartmans Kitchen” within walking distance to our SAND guests” – Marion Muller, Lifestylehotel SAND

Excursions in Timmendorfer Strand

If the beach is too windy, too hot, or too cold, there are plenty of things to do:

#1 Kurpark

The Kurpark is a park in Timmendorfer Strand with trees, flowers and green meadows. Here is also the Trinkkulturhalle in a round glass building. Admission is free and you can see works of art by performance artist “Anja”.

#2 Fishing harbor of Niendorf

Niendorf has a beautiful fishing harbor where fishermen go out to sea in the early morning hours and later sell the day’s catch. There is a small kiosk where you can get refreshments and watch the boats.

#3 Sea Life

One of the biggest attractions in Timmendorfer Strand is Sea Life. The aquarium is home to around 2,500 marine animals, with sharks and sea turtles being the main attractions. Of course, Sea Life is not really sustainable. However, the Sea Life Trust is involved in a number of projects for marine sanctuaries, species protection and clean seawater. Still, you should think carefully about whether you want to support the aquarium – or whether you would rather dive into the Baltic Sea with a mask and snorkel to watch the fish 😉

Sauna on the roof – at the Lifestylehotel SAND

Before spending your second night at the hotel, you can round off an eventful day with a visit to the sauna. The sauna at Lifestylehotel SAND is located on the roof terrace, which makes the visit even more special. Afterward, treat yourself to a refreshing homemade iced tea and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. After all, you are booking the sauna just for the two of you.

Sunday: Enjoy the sea one last time

Check-out is at 11 a.m. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel, have breakfast until 1 p.m., and maybe go to the beach before you end your weekend at the Baltic Sea and start your journey home full of new impressions and energy.

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