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Green Travel

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Green Travel Offers Unique Experiences

Tired of all the green things you are hearing? I am. So, no lectures about travel carbon emissions, aircraft or environment. Let's just get right to how you can be a little more comfortable with your carbon footprint even if you have to travel. Just simple choices you can make when you travel.

Going green doesn't have to be complicated and time consuming. Nor does it infringe on your comfort. In fact, it helps you stay fit. As you walk or cycle to places, your body will thank you for it. It also gives you better experiences as you talk to the locals in the terminal, on the train and the bus. You definitely will have better stories to tell and your memories will be far richer.

Contents at a Glance

Go Green, Go for trains instead of plane...
Walk to Places
For those with no choice but to take the...
Bring a tote bag for your things
GoGreenTravel

Interested in green travel?

Some help to make those green choices

Go Green, Go for trains instead of planes

When you have a choice in your travel, public transport are always better

When you have a choice, go for trains. Not only will you see more of the countryside, you will also meet the locals and live some pieces of their lives. In many cases such as Europe, North America, some of Africa and some of Asia, you can book sleepers on trains and travel overnight. Not only will you save hefty hotel bills if you schedule your trip right but you often end up much closer to downtown. Often, next to a subway so you reduce your overall travel time as well.

At the speed they are traveling, planes add tons of carbon emissions. But often, there is no choice especially for long distance travel. So, buy carbon offsets. Some airlines offer these and even calculate the percentage you as a passenger in a particular flight need to offset. Carbon offsets are simply donations to support eco-friendly programs.

Yes, public transport are better. For tourists, there are always tour buses operating around the city. These are very convenient as you can just hop on and hop off when you see places you like to visit. In places where you don't have the local language facility, this is better than getting upset at a taxi driver who doesn't understand your directions.

Better still. Walk or cycle.

Travel Green, Go Cycling

Like to cycle?

Read this guide before you attempt cycling in places you are not familiar with. The best is to make sure your skills are up to it and you can get hold of a bike for the trips you plan. Better still, do this with a group. There are many bike tours you can book.

Knack Cycling for Everyone: A Guide to Road, Mountain, and Commuter Biking (Knack: Make It easy)

by: Leah Garcia, Jilayne Lovejoy

Amazon Price: $4.17 (as of 06/01/2012)

Walk to Places

When you Reach yoour Destination

When you reach your destination, park your car in your hotel and walk to places you want to see or take public transport. We did just that when we went to several cities in Europe. In Venice, you find people lugging big suitcases in the boat and it is possible. Hey, losing some of those extra pounds is worth it.

For those with no choice but to take the plane to travel

Take note of these green options

Planes burn more fuel in take off and landing so the fewer connections you have, the lower your carbon footprint will be. Of course, airlines love bringing you to hubs and many of the direct flights are more expensive. Sometimes, we just have to swallow the price for something we value more.

On shorter routes, check to see if there are turbo prop aircraft (with propellers) that service your route. You might see the word "Dash" in front of their numbers. These are nearly as fast (on short routes), quiet and often go into downtown airports. This saves you time and maybe you can just walk to your destination.

Go to your gate on time. Linger not in duty free shops or bars. It is not uncommon for airlines before take off to be calling for one or two passengers who have checked in but have not yet shown up at the plane's entrance. Maybe, that bargain is just too good to miss. Know, though, that the less time the plane spends idling on the ground, the less carbon dioxide emissions they put out.

Relieve yourself before and not on the flight

Make it a habit to do so before boarding a flight. While it is true that airplane toilets use around 10cc of water per flush and the water is treated and recycled, each flush in flight uses enough energy for a fuel efficient car to run for 10 kilometers. Just think about that.

Green Travel

Green Travel Offers Unique Experiences

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Interested in green travel?

Some help to make those green choices

Go Green, Go for trains instead of planes

When you have a choice in your travel, public transport are always better

Travel Green, Go Cycling

Like to cycle?

Walk to Places

When you Reach yoour Destination

For those with no choice but to take the plane to travel

Take note of these green options

Relieve yourself before and not on the flight

Bring a tote bag for your things

Avoid unnecessary packaging when you shop for souvenirs

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Pack Light

Try only hand carry

Choose hotels with well established green programs

Encourage other hotels to have one

Tips for a Greener Hotel Stay

Take note

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Unplug

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Adjust the thermostat

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Turn off everything when you leave the room

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Towels and Sheets

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Flush less frequently

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Use Do Not Disturb Signs Effectively

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Shorter showers and less baths

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Follow the hotel's recycling policies

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Use only one soap and move these around

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Watch these videos on green travel

Learn other tips

Research your destination for green tour operators

And for eco-tourism programs

Greening your travel

Which of these do you do in your travel?

Thanks for voting! Now invite your friends to vote.

When you travel, protect yourself from the sun

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Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.

Voila! Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!