The Greenloons Eco Travel Blog

It’s that time of year where thoughts turn to summer camps, festivals and vacations. 

Summertime has always been a great occasion for families to relax, reconnect and (re)discover historical sites, cultural traditions and natural wonders.  Fortunately, the United States has a wide variety of nature and wildlife focused activities that spotlight the country’s diversity of flora and fauna. 

Have you ever visited a foreign country that immediately felt like 'home' to you? Of course, the scenery, cultural customs, accents and food are all different than what you know. But, instead you experience a strange stirring of familiarity and comfort. I felt that way when traveling through Scotland last month – with the added benefit of sensing that time had slowed down for just a few days.

So many of us are on the hunt for bargains - whether they be food, furnishings or travel bargains.  For the extra money saved, some of us will drive an extra 30 minutes to get to the store, overlook the lack of quality, and in the case of sustainable travel even miss what makes a region unique.  However, did you know that if every family in the United States spent an extra $10 a month at a locally-owned, independent store (or B&B accommodation) rather than a national chain, it would put back over $9.3 Billion to the economy?  

After about 10 years of saying to each other 'I want to go there', my husband and I finally had a chance to visit Istanbul, Turkey a few weeks ago. While it's not a city that even claims to be sustainable or green-minded, the historical treasures of Istanbul are worth a visit perhaps in combination with a sailing or cycling trip along the coast.

I'm not sure any guidebook can fully prepare a person for the colors, sounds, tastes, smells and sheer diversity of collectibles offered while walking through the labyrinth (and archeological marvel) that is the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar of Istanbul, Turkey. For me, it was as I had imagined it to be and more.

Armed with a camera, some Turkish lira and open minds, we made our way on the jam-packed T1 tram line along the Bosphorus from Kabatas to Bayazit. One thing about Istanbul that must be understood is that it is an extremely congested city.

One of our eco-certified partners, EcoCamp Patagonia, has just produced its first infographic about the famed W Trek through Torres del Paine and we wanted to share it with our readers to give you a better sense of 7 day trekking experience.  

It is downright tough to plan an extraordinary family vacation these days. Assuming you find a convenient time on the busy family calendar, you have to be conscious about activity and meal preferences -- as well as your budget.

Tying in the aspiration that the vacation be educational or experiential may overwhelm the planning process altogether. However, that need not be the case with these four vacation planning tips.

When I first read this infographic on water usage from Loch Ness Water Gardens, I was amazed at how many gallons of water it took to produce one glass of orange juice (45 gallons) or just one egg (53 gallons).  It got me thinking that from a sustainable travel point of view, as healthy and fresh water becomes more scarce in many parts of the world, it would be relatively easy for me to forgo certain foods while traveling.  What do you think?  What would you try giving up during your travels? 

Tourism is the largest industry in the world and, as such, has the power to (positively or negatively) change lives and impact communities.  Along with that, Greenloons has consistently advocated the values of authentic ecotourism, namely, sustainable or responsible tourism activities that uphold community: 

Recently, I read an article on CNN entitled '3 undeniable reasons to explore Mexico' that discussed the notion that “the drug violence that grabs most of the headlines shouldn’t define a country so rich in world-class attractions”. 

Having visited the states of Chiapas in 2011 and Veracruz in 2012, I completely agree with that sentiment.