If you are someone who, like us, wants to protect our planet in every way you can, sustainable holidays have crossed your mind before. You would also know that it can be pretty difficult to come up with a holiday idea that is both eco-friendly and full of great experiences. Well, we are here to tell you that Europe is home to a brilliant selection of options for sustainable travel, without having to make too many compromises on comfort and relaxation. Let’s dive right in!
Camino de Santiago walking holidays
Walking holidays are an increasingly popular choice for holiday-makers, offering a variety of different benefits. The name says it all – you spend your whole holiday walking from A to B, visiting and sleeping in multiple different towns. Camino holidays not only lowers your carbon footprint and supports the local economies, but is also a great way to spend time in nature, recharge your batteries, explore historical destinations, and even achieve spiritual growth. The best part is, there are lots of Camino de Santiago routes to choose from, so you can do it again in new places!
Cycling tours in the Netherlands
If walking is not your thing, perhaps cycling is? Netherlands is well-known as a bike-friendly country, where people use this sustainable mode of commute nearly every day. However, what many don’t know is that you can also find a variety of organised cycling tours across the country. During them, you can cycle through some of the country’s most lush landscapes and stay in eco-friendly lodges along the way for a fully guilt-free holiday. Since the country is quite flat, the cycling experience is also pleasant for people with different fitness levels.
Wildlife volunteering in Romania
Volunteering is a nice way to have a holiday that can also make an impact on the local communities. Wildlife conservations in Romania, for example, offer such opportunities for visitors, who can help them in monitoring and protecting their animals. You can even find a volunteering program in bear and wolf conservations projects, which is super cool! Some places may even provide you accommodation and meals, making it budget-friendly too.
Agritourism in Italy
The Tuscany region in Italy is home to lots of agritourism activities, including organic farms. If the peaceful surroundings and home-grown food sounds like the type of relaxation you would enjoy, consider staying on one of those farms. Here, you will be supporting sustainable farming practices and local communities, while also enjoying some of the freshest and most delicious Italian produce. Sounds like a win-win to us!
Eco-lodges in Norway
Norway is an amazing destination for its absolutely stunning nature, with breathtaking landscapes for mountains, fjords, waterfalls, glaciers, and, if lucky, Northern Lights. If you are planning to visit here, you can stay in one of the many eco-lodges and sustainable retreats that the country has to offer. They can be a great base point in the nature, from where you can easily access many hikes and other activities. However, they use sustainable practices to ensure minimal impact on the environment.
From walking holidays to volunteering, Europe certainly does not have a shortage of eco-friendly travel options. Happy planet, happy holidays!