Jennifer:

World’s First Non-Profit Luxury Eco-Resort Announced

The Cacao Pearl, Palawan was just announced a couple of days ago and if it lives up to the hype it should be pretty darn cool – well, if you happen to be rich and possibly very well-known. The new resort was designed exclusively for Cacao Resorts by former film art director, Antonio Calvo (“Love Actually,” “Alexander”, “Pride & Prejudice”.) and is basically 60 off-plan private residences await “discriminating investors,” who want to own a chic eco-home with a conscience...

August 5th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Basic gear for eco-travel – small must have green extras

The other day we looked at some big green camping gear, but if you travel green anywhere, there are some little items you should have with you to maximize your trip’s green potential. A refillable water bottle: Plastic water bottles cost the environment dearly, and that cost doesn’t go away just because you go out of town. You have to get a refillable, reusable water bottle. PLUS if you’re hiking or trekking around site-seeing and trying new foods, and not drinking plenty of water...

August 2nd, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

First Winery in State of California to Reach Gold LEED

The HALL St. Helena has now become the first winery in California to hit the Gold LEED landmark. Not bad, and the perfect winery to visit if you like both wine and green. LEED is the internationally recognized certification system for measuring the eco-friendly aspects of a building or a community’s performance across various environmental metrics including energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality and stewardship...

August 1st, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Green Camping Gear

Some green camping gear is easier to come by than others – for example, green tents don’t rule, but there are plenty of solar powered tools (think shower or radio) available on the market. If you’re heading into the woods this August make sure you’ve got as much eco-camping gear vs. conventional gear as possible. NEMO’s Nano OZ Backpacking Tent – made almost entirely of recycled materials picked for their durability, longevity, and functionality. There’s...

July 30th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Backroads: Green Family Trip Advisor

Backroads is an eco-friendly travel agency with plenty of perks. An excellent new feature for families at Backroads is the Family Trip Advisor. The advisor walks you through some super fast questions about your family – ages of kiddos, when you want to go, if your family is moderately or super active, and so on. Then they calculate a few perfect ideas for your circumstances. I used the family advisor tonight to see what trips might pop up and mine were: The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone –...

July 29th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

35 eco-friendly travel tips – travel green!

Planning your eco-vacation… Know that where you visit and stay does make a difference. If you choose an eco-friendly hotel or other destination you’re making a statement that this is what matters to consumers. Choose an eco-friendly hotel, hostel, or resort. Consider a volunteer trip with an eco-organization. Plan an eco-friendly all-inclusive bus trip. Pick a trip that gets your family out into nature vs. out into an urban setting. Travel as close to home as possible. Before you...

July 26th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Eight Ways to Green Your Honeymoon

Your honeymoon may well be the ultimate trip of your life (or is that the marriage?), so you may as well make it not only memorable but earth-friendly. Following are some simple ways to ensure that your honeymoon leaves a smaller impact on the planet. Skip the honeymoon: It’s not for everyone, but skipping the honeymoon is one way to celebrate green. You could use the money instead to eco-remodel your home together or give a nice donation to your favorite green organization. Keep it short...

July 25th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Trail & hiking safety for families

Getting out into the wild and hiking are good green adventures for families. These sorts of trips are eco-friendly, great exercise, and healthy but if you’re going as a family, one with kids, there are some special safety precautions you need to take. Don’t go as an entire family of newbies. One or more of the adults in the group should have been backpacking and hiking before. It’s not as simple as it looks, and issues like setting up a tent, lugging packs, how much water you’ll...

July 22nd, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

New Green Hotel Indigo in San Diego

If you’re looking for a trendy and green vacation spot in San Diego, then the new Hotel Indigo may be for you. The Hotel Indigo is certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and features many green perks. Hotel perks include: A modern exterior and posh interior. Swanky rooftop restaurant and lounge. Phi Bar and Bistro, the on-site restaurant, uses floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light and ventilation in order to reduce energy costs. The restaurant’s...

July 22nd, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

AAA is going green

As both a response to and a driver for the greening of the hospitality industry, the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) 2010 TourBooks will now include an “eco” icon for lodging choices that are green certified. Good news for travelers who ave come to depend on the TourBooks for stellar travel information. Now travelers will be able to make greener travel choice as well. Eco eligible properties include ones that are AAA approved or Diamond rated and the property must also...

July 18th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Travel Green – Travel Into the Wild!

Now first things first, I’m not suggesting you go all nutty and head into the wild unprepared such as in the amazing, but ultimately badly ending book Into The Wild. Don’t do that. However, getting out into the wild is not only a greener travel excursion than hanging at a tourist trap, but it’s fun, educational, and an adventure. According to Wilderness.net, “Wilderness is the land that was – wild land beyond the frontier…land that shaped the growth of our nation...

July 15th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Are Green River Cruises & Ocean Cruises Possible?

Are there any eco-advantages to ocean cruises or river cruises? Cruises of all types, either by ocean or river are not eco-friendly. Green experts, organizations, and research, all agree that cruise lines significantly contribute to all sorts of eco-problems. For example, GreenYour notes… Cruise ships produce more CO2 emissions per person than any other form of transportation. A typical cruise ship can create one million tons of wastewater, 210,000 gallons of sewage, 35,000 gallons of water...

July 14th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Budget-minded and eco-friendly travel tips

If you think you have to spend thousands on an eco-spa or buy multiple rounds of carbon credits to have an eco-friendly vacation, you’re wrong. There are plenty of ways you can green your travel while sticking to a budget. Here are some tips: Think close to home: Even if you don’t live in a “green city” you likely still have local attractions, or at least in-state attractions that your family would enjoy. Start at your local city, then state travel / tourist websites to check...

July 12th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

The Solar Living Institute’s SolFest is Canceled

The one big annual event I usually want to go to is SolFest. This event is put on by The Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA each year. I haven’t been able to go the last two years because both years I was moving in August. BUT I still usually post about it, like here and here, because it’s an awesome festival. Sadly, if you were looking forward to this annual event you won’t be able to go because it’s been canceled. I went to check out the dates for this year’s SolFest...

July 11th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Locating the Best U.S. Green Cities for Travel

If traveling to a green U.S. destination sounds good to you, but you have no clue where to start planning, one of the best ways to locate your city is with annual green city lists. This is an easy three step process. You can easily find many lists online that highlight a city’s eco-friendliness, their air quality, or the amount of green spaces. Keep in mind that various sites and studies use different info to calculate how green a city is. For example, you may want to look at lists that highlight...

July 10th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

Can you have a green road trip?

Road trips just aren’t that eco-friendly. You’ve got a big hunk of metal on the road spewing emissions, lots of starts and stops, and all that gas use. Sadly, by car is my favorite way to travel. You get to stop at out of the way places you can’t stop at if you’re on a greener bus, train, plane, or boat. You’re more in control of your time and choices. Plus, it’s relaxing. Not for everyone I’m sure, but I think driving with the music on for long distances...

July 8th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More

The Happiest Greenest Place on Earth

If you’re thinking Disney Land, you’re way wrong. The New Economics Foundation recently looked at 143 countries and came up with an equation that weighed both life expectancy and people’s happiness against their environmental impact. After comparing all the countries, the foundation came up with a winner. But let me digress: Before we find out who that winner is, just a quick word. If you visit here often, you may know that Sonya has been heading up this blog since November of...

July 6th, 2009 | Green Travel | Read More