Planning a vacation is always a fun activity for families looking for their next adventure. For eco-friendly households, one important aspect is to reduce the carbon footprint created by travelling. There are many ways in which families are able to retain their environmental ethics and still have a wonderful vacation.
The first problem to overcome is the method of transportation you choose. Airplanes are huge contributors to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you have no option but to fly, then try to make some changes in the way you travel once you reach your destination.
Use bicycle rental programs to explore; this is the perfect way to go sightseeing and it is great for your health, too. Make use of public transportation like buses and trains, and wherever possible travel on foot. You can discover many wonderful locations which would have otherwise been missed, simply by walking around.
Choose your accommodations carefully and you will be able to enjoy the stay with a clear conscience. Many companies are now adopting greener policies and they often advertise this on their websites.
Look for hotels that use wind or solar energy to run their heating, cooling and electric. Make sure that your hotel also organizes recycling of waste and cuts down on energy emissions whereever possible in the everyday running of the hotel or guest house.
Take part a local environmental program that has been organized for visitors and locals. You might learn new methods of living a greener lifestyle while sharing your systems with others. You can also spend money to support local businesses whenever possible, instead of opting to go with giant tourism companies.
Consider a trip to the rainforest where you can spend the night in a tree top, or under canvas. Here, you will have the opportunity to see the effects of climate change and civilization's effects on the plants and animals firsthand. In addition, these trips will also often show you how it is possible to live in such a way that no energy is wasted.
There are a variety of green vacation opportunities for every individual and every family. Look for activities that have a low carbon footprint and support the local community. Eco-friendly vacations can be educational, inspirational and exciting.