Discover Italy’s New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

By: Susan Van Allen

Extraordinary destinations for travelers are added every year to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In 2021, three of the new sites selected were in Italy, bringing Italy’s World Heritage Site total to 58—the most of any country in the world.

While many of Italy’s UNESCO sites from the past are packed with tourists, such as the Historical Center of Florence or Venice and its lagoon, these newly designated places are under the tourist radar.

Equally stunning and without crowds, these places give travelers a chance to blend in with the locals, immersing themselves in unique pleasures of bell’Italia. Their locations add to their allure, as each can easily be reached by short train rides from Venice or Florence, making them perfect for day trips.

For your consideration, from north to south:

Padua
*Italian National Tourist Board c/o GettyImages*

Padua’s Fourteenth-Century Fresco Cycles

Only a 30-minute train ride from Venice is the university town of Padua, a dazzling delight, where visitors can wander through the historic center’s piazzas, entering churches and civic buildings that were fantastically frescoed by artists in the fourteenth century.

As the UNESCO proclamation states, painters during that pre-Renaissance time brought a new image to Padua, giving it the nickname Urbs Picta, Painted City. The star of the eight frescoed buildings in the UNESCO group is the Scrovegni Chapel, painted by superstar Giotto. Entering, visitors are awestruck by vibrant colors and a striking style that captures powerful emotions.

More breathtaking interiors are to be discovered in Padua’s Baptistry, Palazzo della Ragione, and the Basilica of Saint Anthony, one of Italy’s most popular pilgrimage sites. To enrich the Padua fresco experience, there’s an app with fascinating commentary, and an inclusive ticket to see all eight sites.

Porticoes of Bologna – Piazza Cavour
*Photos Courtesy of BolognaWelcome*

The Porticoes of Bologna

Visitors to Bologna, in Italy’s central Emilia Romagna region, are enchanted by the city’s beautifully preserved medieval ambience, where sidewalks are sheltered with more porticoes than any other city in the world, totaling 62 km, or about 35 miles. The porticoes appear in a range of styles—from humble wooden structures to Renaissance loggias with carved stone columns and painted ceilings.

UNESCO calls these porticoes “expressions of Bologna’s urban identity.” Though their original purpose in the Middle Ages was to expand buildings to make room for the many university students coming to Bologna, today the porticoes serve to expand the city’s pleasures. On a practical level, they give protection for walks in rainy weather and provide cool shade on hot summer days. Moreover, they bring an easy-going elegance to the city, as they are perfect settings for sidewalk eateries or for musicians to casually set up and play Mozart concertos.

A traditional Bolognese experience is the 4-kilometer, 2.5 mile walk through the longest portico in the world, adorned with 664 arches, from the Porta Saragozza in the historic center up to the church of San Luca, where stunning views of the countryside await.

As Bologna is also famous for having the most delicious cuisine in Italy, it can be an ideal escape from the crowds of Florence, (only a 40-minute train ride away), to enjoy a classic lunch of Tagliatelle alla Bolognese.

Montecatini
*Italian National Tourist Board c/o GettyImages*

Montecatini Terme, a Great Spa Town of Europe

Mineral rich thermal springs have been enjoyed on the Italian peninsula since the days of the Roman Empire. Among Italy’s most famous places to “take the waters” is the Tuscan Art Nouveau town of Montecatini Terme, reached by an hour’s train ride from Florence.

UNESCO included Montecatini Terme amongst 11 “Great Spa Towns of Europe”, praising it for its history, since the 1700s, when the town developed as an international resort destination, combining medical studies with monumental spa architecture, promenades, and parklands.

Today there are two hundred spa hotels in Montecatini Terme that pump in curative waters, renowned for their beneficial effects on the liver and digestive system.

A favorite spot is Terme Tettuccio, a grand pavilion that sits in the center of Montecatini Terme’s beautifully landscaped park. Gorgeous marble bars with brass spigots disperse drinking cups of the cure, as local hipsters in their gym clothes and pensioners with their canes mill about. A jazz orchestra plays on the bandstand, there’s a bookstore, caffe, and inner gardens that blend to create a blissful Old World ambience.

To learn more, visit: www.italia.it or contact the Italian National Tourist Board in the US newyork@enit.it; losangeles@enit.it.

Find your dream vacation to Italy with a USTOA tour operator here https://ustoa.travelstride.com/trip-list/italy

About the author: Susan Van Allen is the author of 4 books about Italian travel, including “100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go”. She also designs and hosts Golden Weeks in Italy For Women Only tours, that give female travelers wonderful insiders’ experiences of the Bel Paese. www.susanvanallen.com

The Italian National Tourist Board – ENIT – supports marketing activities worldwide, promoting Italy as a unique and exclusive destination, aiming to increase the international tourist flow, while maintaining its high market share. The promotion is carried out with a corporate strategy conceived in Italy and implemented through its 28 offices abroad. In the next few years, Italy’s tourism development will be focused on a value growth to generate economic, social and cultural sustainability: enhance tourism supply, increase the value of the territories and businesses and market relevance.

Spain’s Commitment to Tourism Sustainability

By: José Manuel de Juan of The Tourism Office of Spain

Spain is one of the world’s tourism leaders, ranking second among the most visited countries. As part of this leadership role, the Government of Spain has launched an ambitious scheme that seeks to promote the transformation of tourist destinations towards sustainability in three ways: environmental, socioeconomic, and territorial.

UNWTO defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts to meet the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” Therefore, sustainable tourism is not a tourism product but rather a management principle that must be applied to any type of tourism product and destination.

With this concept in mind, the Spanish government plans to invest 1.9 billion euros in the next three years to support Spain’s tourist destinations in their transformation process to integrate environmental, socioeconomic and territorial sustainability into their offer and to develop resilience strategies to face the new challenges in the tourism ecosystem, from climate change to tourism overdemand to health and safety crises.

Specifically:

To diversify the offer of tourist destinations to help generate employment opportunities, redistribute tourism revenue, and promote territorial cohesion while disrupting the concentration of the demand, particularly toward rural areas, as well as to promote arrivals all year round.

To guarantee sustainability by reducing emissions, improving waste and water management, protecting and restoring ecosystems for tourism, and introducing actions to prevent or mitigate the effects of climate change.

Any municipality in Spain can present their plans to the Government to get their sustainability plans financed.

The type of plan will depend on the type of destination. Destinations will be divided into categories which will require different actions:

*Photos Courtesy of Instituto de Turismo de España (TURESPAÑA*)

Sun and beach destinations

Sun and beach destinations are currently facing a profound change, with consumers who are increasingly more informed, more demanding and who have more alternatives, and citizens who demand a better distribution of the socioeconomic benefits of tourism among local populations.

All this requires a strategy that reinforces the diversity of the tourism experience, the participation of the local population in the benefits of tourism, the reduction of its environmental impact, the contribution to energy efficiency, and the recovery of an environment where a wide range of travel experiences can coexist.

Rural destinations

Inland Spain has an enormous cultural heritage and rich natural resources. This endows it with great potential from a tourism standpoint and a wide margin for development.

A better integration of this territory in Spain’s tourism system will contribute to a seasonal adjustment, a disruption of the current concentration, and the distribution of tourism income. Spain’s plan for rural destinations is aimed at improving the quality of life of their residents, generating new job opportunities, revitalizing aged social spaces, improving industries and business, and contributing to the country’s strategy against depopulation.

Urban destinations

Urban tourism represents approximately a quarter of the international tourism demand towards Spain. The cities are also the main points of entry into the country through their airports.

Cities face considerable challenges: the renovation of their cultural and leisure offer and the integration of new pieces in that offer, as well as the need for maintenance and improvement of their historic centers; a balanced approach that takes into consideration the multiplicity of demographic groups that inhabit a given space or neighborhood and the expectation that each group has for that space (living , working, visiting, etc.); the need to expand and diversify areas of interest; and the need for digital tools that allow a better management of tourism flows and contribute to a more efficient management of the different services made available to them.

Independently of the funds that are available to the destinations, the Spanish Government has just announced a 170-million-euros project aimed at financing hotels and other hospitality facilities to become more energy efficient.

This is just a brief summary of Spain’s comprehensive plan for a more sustainable tourism industry, one that the country takes with great enthusiasm as we lead the way into a new era in world travel.

Find your dream vacation to Spain with a USTOA tour operator here https://ustoa.travelstride.com/trip-list/spain

Spain is a destination filled to the brim with hidden gems in nature, culture, and cuisine. Mediterranean beaches, green National Parks, historic towns filled with contemporary art, and fresh seafood paired with world class wine make it a top pick for American travelers.

Find more travel tips, news, and inspiration by visiting the Tourist Board of Spain.

Plan your visit with a tour operator by visiting https://ustoa.travelstride.com/trip-list/spain

Sustainability is Responsibility

Sustainability is Responsibility

By Terry Dale, President and CEO of USTOA

Strong and symbiotic partnerships are key to the sustainability mission. Here are a few of the many USTOA tour operators who have firsthand experience in building these types of relationships.

Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions launched a sustainable strategy framework named the Polar Promise that’s dedicated to protecting the Arctic and Antarctica. Working with scientists, community leaders, and innovators, Quark Expeditions contributes $500,000 USD each year through donations and funding for more research and development projects. Partnering with the Inuit Cruise Training Initiative, they hire Nunavummiut guides, while other training programs are available for people to become ambassadors of the polar region.

Intrepid Travel

In addition to many other sustainability initiatives launched over the years, Intrepid Travel released a free 10-step guide in 2020 that is designed to guide travel businesses towards decarbonizing their operations. As a B-Corp certified tour operator and carbon neutral company since 2010, they have offset more than 351,000 tonness of carbon emissions worldwide. During guided trips, Intrepid Travel prioritizes public transportation and minimizes the number of flights included in each itinerary. With expert advice and experience, they are helping other tour operators join the zero emissions movement.

Lindblad Expeditions

With more than 50 years of responsible travel experience, a focus of Lindblad Expeditions’ daily operations is to source food from local farmers and fisherman whenever its possible. In the Galápagos, they collected 27 percent of provisions locally in 2019. This supports the local economy and preserves the ecosystem by reducing the threat of invasive species entering through imported foods. With a strong sustainable seafood policy, they do extensive research to ensure that they are keeping oceans healthy and fish stocks constantly regenerating. In the assessment, they measure fish quotas, stock levels in ocean zones, method of catch, maturity levels, and feed.

5 Ways Travelers Can Support Local Communities Through Sustainable Travel

5 Ways Travelers Can Support Local Communities Through Sustainable Travel

Rachel Jordan is the Partnership Marketing Coordinator for Club Adventures, powered by AAA Exclusive Vacations®

“Take only memories, leave only footprints”. It’s an oft-used phrase, and while the travel industry is filled with them, every iteration of this specific one provides the same message: leave things as you’ve found them and minimize your impact. Small changes travelers make can have large effects, whether that be on the environment, on people, or the larger world around us.

As of 2019, travel and tourism accounted for just over 10% of the world’s GDP, or roughly $8.9 trillion USD, demonstrating how many countries have come to rely on tourism to support local economies. As we become more interconnected and this number continues to grow, the idea of minimizing impact and the necessary advocation for sustainable travel is more important than ever. For all of us travelers in a modern age, we are constantly in search of immersive experiences, trying our utmost to forge authentic connections, dive deeper into a culture, and find ways give back to the local communities that welcome us. But, as a destination becomes more popular with travelers all seeking the same kinds of experiences, there are positive and negative impacts, and it can be challenging to strike a balance in making sure the positive outweighs the negative.

But what does that look like? How do we, as individuals and businesses, support local communities through sustainable travel efforts? Here’s a look at how we can all get started, cultivating the kind of responsible travel that establishes a solid foundation of well-sustained destinations to enjoy for generations to come.

1. Travel with companies who involve locals

Truly sustainable companies keep sustainability in mind right from the get-go. They will be mindful when designing tours to ensure that as much money as possible will stay in the destination. These companies hire local guides, so the money earned by the guide stays within their family and is reinvested back into the community. These companies also seek out local restaurants and hotels, making the effects of visiting a destination more impactful on local businesses. The more you avoid the tourist “hot-spots,” the more money can help the overall economy. For example, at Club Adventures, on our Women Explorers trip in Morocco, we employ female guides and drivers. This commitment supports not only the local community, but also empowers an underrepresented demographic in the tourism industry.

2. Get involved with local, sustainable efforts

Many developing countries realize the impacts of industrialization and climate change, and while they may not have the infrastructure to switch to green energy, many have already established efforts that protect the local environment. With some research prior to your trip, you could plant trees in the Amazon or help clean up a polluted beach in Bali. There are countless ways to get involved, so spend your time doing some research to see how tangibly a business is taking an interest in local efforts, and how transparent they are about the effort and the benefit(s) to the destination.

3. Avoid creating dependent relationships

With great power comes great responsibility. The power of tourism dollars requires operators and travelers alike to ensure responsible allocation. In keeping with this belief, Club Adventures does not visit or encourage tourism to any schools or orphanages on any tour. This ensures that any child-focused organization does not become reliant on funds from tourism, which is a fluid industry and could negatively impact the organization should tourism monetary support fluctuate.

4. Avoiding Animal Abuse

We’ve all seen those pictures of people riding elephants in India or Southeast Asia. As amazing as it might look on Instagram, many of these attractions are not treating these animals humanely. Sustainable companies and independent travelers alike should strive to not support these attractions, but instead specifically look for companies that have been strictly vetted to ensure they are treating the animals correctly, and do not allow visitors to touch or directly interact with local wildlife. Some of these companies may be rehabilitation centers, but still make sure to check if they have been thoroughly inspected before getting involved.

5. Practice green habits at home and abroad

Simple changes can truly make a difference, especially when the 40 million Americans who travel annually contribute to the change. Prior to our departures, Club Adventures encourages everyone to bring a reusable water bottle to exponentially decrease the use of single-use plastic. We advise to avoid getting plastic bags while shopping by putting souvenirs into your backpack, and to bring their own recyclable toiletries to avoid using one-use hotel containers.

At Club Adventures, we believe that sustainable travel should be the preferred style of travel, especially as our world continues to cope with over-tourism and climate change. Fortunately, sustainability is gaining wider traction across the travel industry as travelers start to dig deeper into who they travel with, and what impact their travels have on the world around them. Our suggestions are just the beginning to making a difference while traveling, but these small changes can have large effects. If we’re looking to take only memories, and leave only footprints, the work that comes along with that starts with each of us.

Rachel Jordan is the Partnership Marketing Coordinator for Club Adventures, powered by AAA Exclusive Vacations®. In her role, she assists with the implementation of comprehensive marketing strategies, while continually enhancing the strength of the Club Adventures brand. Rachel is also an avid traveler and blogger and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Global Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development. She continues to expand her comfort zone by exploring as many new cultures and destinations as possible. Follow her adventures on her Instagram account!

Club Adventures, powered by AAA Exclusive Vacations®, is a small-group adventure travel provider created for those who want to explore the world through a local lens. With global journeys 8-14 days long, group sizes are kept small (16 passengers max) and leaders are local. Get closer, go deeper, and create memories that will last a lifetime, all the with support of a trusted brand.

How You Can be Part of Sustainable Travel NOW

How You Can be Part of Sustainable Travel NOW

By Allegra Lynch, President of Authentic Vacations

When we think of sustainable travel, what comes to mind is the energy we use to go from one place to another. Exciting prospects are on that horizon. At the last World Economic Forum, many attendees arrived in jets powered by SAF—Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This fuel comes from refined plants or waste products as opposed to fossil fuels—it’s a lot more earth-friendly. How about going electric? We’ll see that for short flights by the end of this decade.

But sustainable travel is so much more, and that more can offset the carbon footprint. We just need to be aware, and active, around the other important aspects of sustainability.

Being considerate of the environment and contributing to local businesses are huge parts of the sustainable equation. Positively impacting a society is, too—that includes teaching, helping a community achieve economic freedom, and medical care. But let’s talk about what we can all do right now.

Whether we’re traveling for business, taking a trip we’ve dreamed about forever, exploring with friends and family, or venturing out solo on a whim, we can actively support sustainability. Our checklist includes using local transportation and lodgings , diving into the culinary scene, shopping for items by area artists and craftspeople, and encouraging communication. (And each is a unique opportunity to create memories.)

Step out of the familiar. Immerse yourself in the people, nature, culture, and customs of the places you visit. Doing this sends your happiness quotient soaring, and it boosts the well-being of the area you’re discovering.

I’ve been travelling for decades—my parents got me off to an early start. I consider that to be an enormous stroke of good luck. Travel has taught me to move seamlessly through various cultures, both abroad and at home. It has supported my ability to face challenges while remaining calm. It makes me, I hope, a more understanding person.

Travel shapes us. We become resilient, self-confident and empathetic. These qualities serve us in our personal lives, but they also create healthy, global interactions. We truly are one. We see our differences disappear when we travel with people and understand their cultures.

My earliest memories are of back roads. They were green and twisted, punctuated by homes with peeling paint and families on the front porch. Roadside stands, with farm women selling fresh jams and juices, were always worth a stop. I remember one stand where an ancient man, who sparkled, sold his hand-carved red birds. (I still have mine.) The money he earned went into a tin coffee can, and you can bet that money was spent in the grocery store down the street.

My wish is for travelers to experience their vacations, even if they’re in a big city, as if they’re on a back road. I want them to dip into local cultures and see life through new eyes. Harmonious relations are definitely part of fostering a green world, and strong communities support our drive for innovation and need for security.

I encourage travelers to welcome awe. When we’re filled with wonder, two things happen: We don’t have anxiety—wonder and anxiety cannot co-exist, it’s simply impossible. Here’s the second thing that happens when wonder is a player: We feel deep appreciation for natural beauty and we want to protect it. Walk through an ancient grove in Scotland, see a reindeer herd, and tell me you don’t care what happens to them. I won’t believe you!

Consider experiences and places off the beaten path that boost locals. Natural wonders, vibrant food scenes, arts and crafts, homemade music and festivals, and unique wellness opportunities are all elements of sustainable travel.

Here’s how to be part of the sustainable travel movement:

Buy local products.
Use local guides.
Avoid chain lodgings
Support local economies. (St-Georges-Market_Belfast.jpg)
Be a tidy traveler—don’t leave trash behind.
Enjoy fresh-to-fork foods. (Mushroom-Foraging-Leitrim.jpg.)
Look for flights with the fewest stops.

Last and definitely not least:

Accept kindness and spread joy. Nothing creates a healthier planet.

Allegra Lynch is President of Authentic Vacations, the US brand of Tour Partner Group. She sits on the board of directors for Tour Partner Group, a multi-national collection of destination management companies headquartered in London. In her role as President, she uses the latest technologies, paired with unique local in-destination products, to provide authentic travel experiences, with an eye on customization, to travelers worldwide. Her goal is to build healthy relationships on every level of the travel industry. Her joy is to travel mindfully and with curiosity.

Authentic Vacations specializes in creating customizable itineraries, featuring a variety of authentic experiences and accommodations. All are carefully vetted to ensure that every client has a unique adventure, one that they choose. As a division of the esteemed Tour Partner Group (TPG), Authentic Vacations is a leading travel provider for destinations across the globe. With its culturally-diverse staff of travel experts, and offices in Dublin, London, Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Scottsdale, and San Francisco, Authentic Vacations offers a level of personalization and client support that is unsurpassed in the travel industry.

Sustainable Luxury Travel in Africa

Sustainable Luxury Travel in Africa

By Sara Verk, Lion World Travel

Traveling is more than just visiting new places. It’s about the enriching experiences when we explore and learn about the history, culture and people of the places that we visit. We need to be aware of our environment, be ecologically responsible, travel lightly and not leave a large footprint on the land we’re exploring. We feel it is vital to protect the people, places and wildlife of Africa in order to be able to share it with travelers in the future. We are so happy that we’re not alone in this vision, as there are many safari lodges and hotels in Africa who are adopting eco-friendly and ethical business practices.

At Lion World Travel we are committed to supporting our partners in Africa who are serious about the environment. Here are five African lodges/hotels that have embraced the spirit of sustainable travel.

1. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Grootbos offers five-star luxury in the Western Cape and is a leading example of sustainable eco-tourism. The nature reserve is home to 791 plant species, including 100 endangered plant species, and 1000-year-old milkwood forests. The owners run an extensive conservation and horticulture programs to preserve the flora and have a true passion for the environment. They have even formed a Non-Profit Organization to help other hospitality businesses implement their own ‘green’ initiatives.

Grootbos Flower Safari

2. Mombo Camp, Botswana

Wilderness Safaris camp in the Moremi Game Reserve underwent a major renovation to bring the traditional camp up to modern design and environmental standards without disturbing the natural habitat. They even brought in an arborist to oversee the protection of trees and their roots. Mombo is 100% solar powered thereby reducing energy consumption and fuel, while a reverse osmosis water filtration system provides guests with high-quality drinking water. Grey water is treated in an above ground sewage plant, ensuring that the water is clean before being allowed to enter the natural environment. They only use approved eco-friendly detergents and chemicals.

Wilderness Safaris

3. Bushmans Kloof, South Africa

At Bushmans Kloof indigenous herbs and vegetables are picked daily from their organic garden and incorporated into dishes on the menu. All vegetable waste is composted, minimizing landfill contribution and reducing the need for chemicals to fertilize and enrich the soil in their garden.

There is a rich array of local indigenous wildlife here, including the rare Cape Leopard. Along with The TreadRight Foundation, Cheetah Outreach and The Cape Leopard Trust, they have purchased seven Anatolian Shepherd dogs to act as livestock guardian dogs to safeguard against these Cape Leopards.

Anatolian Shepherd dogs – Image: Bushmans Kloof

Bushmans Kloof is a member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, recognizing their dedication to preserving our planet’s natural and cultural heritage. They serve as a steward for more than 130 cave sites painted by the indigenous San people. Preservation efforts have helped the Rock Art earn distinction as a South African National Heritage Site.

4. Chobe Game Lodge, Botswana

At Chobe Game Lodge, they are leading the way in responsible tourism with a variety of sustainable tourism initiatives including a fleet of electric safari vehicles and electric solar-powered safari boats – a clean and quiet way to enjoy a boat safari.

Chobe Game Lodge

Chobe Game Lodge has embarked on a multitude of environmental and social projects to ensure the long-term sustainability of the lodge. They recycle 15,850 gallons of grey water every day which irrigates the lush green surroundings. Approximately 95% of Chobe Game Lodge’s waste is sorted and recycled! The 800 foot+ boardwalk and deck are built from recycled timber-plastic decking and the poles sourced from a sustainable forestry operation. The decking is maintenance free, removing the need for harsh cleaning chemicals.

5. Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, Namibia

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp prides itself on being eco-friendly and conservation conscious. The camp is 100% solar-powered, using innovative eco-friendly systems to break down wastewater. Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp supports the Namibia Desert Lion Conservation and assists with protecting a unique population of desert-adapted elephants. The Camp is also a center for research and conservation of the desert-adapted lion and brown hyena, plus they have partnered with the neighboring communities, so that ecotourism can benefit the people of the area.

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

With so many great initiatives in Africa, why not choose a more sustainable safari option? Choose a travel company that is committed to reducing any negative impact a trip might have on the destinations you visit and consider an eco-friendly property.

Some final tips – pack a reusable water bottle and carry bag. Avoid using single-use shampoo bottles and avoid using plastic straws. Have a great (sustainable) safari!

Create your own custom safari, or sustainable Africa vacation package with Lion World Travel. For more than 55 years, Lion World Travel has been making safari dreams come true. We Love Africa and wish to share our passion with you! Our travelers have come to expect exceptional wildlife encounters, five-star service, and the best affordable luxury safari experiences. Visit www.lionworldtravel.com to start planning your journey to Africa.

9 Ways To Preserve The Polar Regions For Future Generations

9 ways to preserve the polar regions for future generations

Aspiring polar explorers learn about sustainability and conservation on polar voyages with Quark Expeditions

By Doug O’Neill, Quark Expeditions

It was one of those travel moments that was both Instagram-perfect—yet simultaneously soul-stirring. I stood on the deck of Ocean Adventurer as it sailed into Krossfjord, a 30-km long fjord on the west coast of Spitsbergen in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Most of my fellow passengers were at breakfast so I had the deck to myself, with my camera at the ready, my eyes peeled on the horizon for my first glimpse of Lilliehöök Glacier, and my ears alert for the signature thunder of glacier calving.

In the midst of all that anticipation of nature’s drama unfolding before me, I was suddenly overcome with a sense of quiet, a stillness that brought with it a razor-sharp clarity of my surroundings. My mind began to run through an inventory of every stunning image I had experienced in the days leading up to this moment: the sculpted icebergs, the expansive glaciers, the snow-capped mountains, the long-abandoned historic sites, the polar bears prowling along the ice edge, the reindeers that cantered past me when I was on a shore landing, the walruses that gazed at me as I kayaked 30 metres away, of the whales spotted from the ship, and of cliff-tops covered in thousands of nesting Brunnich’s guillemots.

And in my private polar epiphany, I was overcome not only with an intense appreciation for this pristine polar wilderness before me but also with a desire to protect it for every future visitor who came after me.

This realization was by no means unique to me—it’s a moment shared by many who visit the Arctic or Antarctic. And this raised a fairly basic question: what can guests do to help preserve the pristine polar regions?

For this answer, I turned to my colleague, Lyndsey Lewis, Operations + Sustainability Manager at Quark Expeditions, a long-time sustainability advocate and one of the forces behind Polar Promise, Quark Expeditions’ holistic sustainability framework for protecting the polar regions.

9 ways to be kind to the planet on your next polar voyage

By Lyndsey Lewis, Operations + Sustainability Manager

Pack and use only reusable bottles (the only option when on a voyage with Quark Expeditions), coffee cups and reusable bags that you can take home with you.
Choose refillable toiletry containers or non-plastic packaging that are free of microbeads. Your Quark Expeditions cabin is equipped with refillable dispensers of body wash and shampoo.
Don’t introduce non-native species. Pack clean gear, including clothing, footwear, and bags. Decontaminate boots before leaving and upon returning to the ship by using the provided Virkon disinfectant bath.
Bring a reusable waterproof bag to protect your camera and/or phone from the elements. (Avoid single-use plastics at all times.)
Don’t dispose of waste during shore landings. Where waste is unavoidable, bring along a reusable bag and carry the waste back onto the ship to be disposed of properly.
Support local communities in the Arctic: Purchase goods from local artisans during community visits in the Arctic, but don’t purchase important goods like groceries and supplies as stock is limited and deliveries are rare.
Follow the environmental and conservation guidelines established by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), who outline strategies, policies and behaviors to protect the polar regions.
Place a bid during our onboard auctions: proceeds from our onboard auctions support polar research and conservation groups.
Become a Polar Ambassador. Talk to one of our Expeditions Team about becoming a Polar Ambassador. This program teaches you how to make changes to reduce your carbon footprint every day. It’s also your way of educating your respective communities on the importance of protecting the majestic polar regions.

Quark Expeditions is the leader in polar travels. Quark Expeditions has been taking global travelers on immersive journeys to the Arctic and Antarctica for almost three decades.

5 Easy Ways To Be A More Responsible Traveler

5 Easy Ways To Be A More Responsible Traveler

By Intrepid Travel

Do Your Pre-trip Research

One of the first steps to traveling more responsibly is to conduct pre-trip research. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the country – including its religion, the local rules and values, and the cultural and social norms – to learn what is appropriate behavior while you’re visiting.

During your research, you should consider tour operators and travel companies that support the local economy by using local guides and supporting local businesses, hotels, restaurants and other services. Book with companies that have strict sustainability and animal welfare guidelines and who also give back to local communities, to ensure you are traveling in the most responsible manner and also using your holiday as a force for good.

Offset Your Trip

While tourism is responsible for about eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is also responsible for a lot of good in the world. Travel allows us to learn about other cultures and their everyday lives and challenges, brings income to communities that rely on tourists and makes us all more open-minded.

Instead of choosing to not travel, consider reducing your footprint and offsetting the impact of your travels. Some airlines offer you the opportunity to offset your flights, and you can also choose to travel with carbon neutral companies who will offset your trip on your behalf.

For instance, for less than the cost of a Netflix subscription, you can commit to a subscription service that helps the planet, through the company Offset Earth. Starting at $6.50 per month, you can part of the climate crisis solution. Offset Earth partners with climate projects all over the world to offset carbon emissions on behalf of subscribers and, as a bonus, plants trees. By committing to a subscription plan via the Offset Earth x Intrepid page, Intrepid Travel will match subscribers’ tree for tree, meaning for every tree planted through Offset Earth, Intrepid will plant one too, effectively doubling your offset contribution.

Behave Like a Traveler, Not a Tourist

While it might be okay for you to act or wear what you please at home, in many countries it is disrespectful to show too much skin or do certain things in public. Using a tour operator that employs local guides to assist you along the way is a great way to learn more, but it’s good to follow a few basic rules too. As a rule of thumb, travelers should abide by the following:

Be prepared to cover shoulders and knees and remove hats when in traditional areas and places of worship.
Always ask permission before taking photos of local people.
Don’t participate in direct interaction with a wild animal, such as riding elephants, or support any attractions in which animals are used for performances.

Support Local Businesses

By choosing to invest your money in local services you are putting money directly into the local economy and supporting local families. Eat local food, use public transport, hire a bike or walk where convenient – you’ll meet local people and get to know the place. Shop from traditional artisans and for locally made products, helping keep traditional crafts alive and favor local products over imported items. By default, you’re also lowering your carbon footprint since the businesses are likely to source their supplies locally. Not only is this style of travel responsible, it will also make your travel experience that much more authentic.

Leave Nothing Behind

Minimizing your waste and impact is one of the easiest ways to be a responsible traveler. Travel with some basics: a reusable cup, a water bottle, a metal or bamboo straw, reusable cutlery, and a fabric shopping bag. You can even buy water purifiers that filter out harmful bacteria, making bottled water less necessary. Plastics and other products aren’t biodegradable, so it’s important to be mindful of how much waste you’re producing and ensuring it’s being disposed of properly. Take care of the environment as you would your own home.

Intrepid Travel is the worlds largest B Corp certified adventure travel company. The company offers more than 1000+ trips in more than 120 countries and on every continent. A world leader is sustainable small group adventures, all of Intrepid’s trips are carbon-offset and designed to truly experience local culture – to meet local people, try local food, take local transport and stay in local accommodation. For more information: www.intrepidtravel.com

Sustainability the New Trendsetter When Traveling to Africa

By Chelsea Todaro, Public Relations Specialist with The Travel Corporation

Safaris, sight-seeing and authentic food are all the rage when travelers think about vacationing to Africa, but what about leaving a positive impact that lasts a lifetime?

Many people may wonder what sustainability travel is, but African Travel, Inc. defines it well with trips offered alongside ME to WE and The TreadRight Foundation.

Sustainability travel simply means ensuring your vacation to make travel matter. In partnership with The TreadRight Foundation, African Travel’s mission is to have a positive impact on people, wildlife, and the planet for generations to come.

How could you pass up an opportunity to vacation and make your travel matter?

African Travel, Inc. has a variety of safari vacations that include sustainable travel such as a four-day trip to Kenya, a one-day trip to Tanzania and a 10-day trip across South Africa.

Help Future Generations in Kenya on a ME to WE Trip

African Travel Safari Specialist, Marsha Carroll helping build a library at WE College in Kenya

(Photo Courtesy of African Travel, Inc.)

While vacationing in Kenya, you will have an unforgettable community experience in the northern Maasai Mara. You get to dive deeper into Kenya’s vibrant culture and landscape, rather than just taking exotic photographs of the elephants, lions and rhinos (which you can still do!).

While in the Maasai Mara, you help rural communities to break the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term community development by investing in primary education, clean drinking water and sanitation, health care services, agriculture and alternative income projects.

What makes this unique from other experiences?

You CAN WITNESS IN PERSON the positive impact you will bring to these villages. While on a guided walking tour of a local primary school, you get to see the difference between an old school structure and a new working school built by WE Villages.

Other culturally immersive experiences of the trip include learning about daily life in a rural Kenyan village, learning the art of traditional Maasai beading from local women and visiting a local market and health center. You can then roll up your sleeves and work with Maasai and Kipsigi community members to build a new school.

But it’s not all work and no play. Of course, you can still enjoy the majestic scenery around you with exquisite lunches and dinners with a view of the sunsets and mountains.

Volunteer in Tanzania for a Day

Students with desks made by African Travel, Inc.

(Photo Courtesy of African Travel, Inc.)

Guests who are staying at Gibb’s Farm in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Highlands area have an opportunity to devote a morning to sawing, hammering and sanding with skilled carpenters to create school desks and other needed furniture. At schools in this area three to four children typically share ONE desk, so creating new furniture will change their daily lives at school. This is a very rewarding way to participate in village life and support children’s education.

Help Save Rhinos in South Africa

Rhinos at Shamwari Game Reserve

(Photo Courtesy of African Travel, Inc.)

On African Travel’s Majestic South Africa safari vacation, you will stay at Shamwari Game Reserve and learn about the important conservation work done by people like Dr. Johan Joubert, the reserve’s director of wildlife.

Just visiting Shamwari will directly help the rhino conservation efforts. When travelers book this 10-day journey, African Travel will make a donation in the couple’s name, contributing to continued rhino conservation efforts and the building of a new rhino boma at the reserve, which opened in April 2019. The rhino boma is a safe haven to rehabilitate injured or orphaned rhinos until they are strong enough to be reintroduced to the wild. You’ll also learn about Shamwari’s innovative anti-poaching program, which includes micro-chipping rhinos and using a micro-light “Bat Hawk” aircraft for aerial surveillance

These are only a few options to help the communities in Africa but knowing you can have an enjoyable vacation while also having a positive impact can be invigorating and life-changing. So, come to Africa to relax, sight-see and #MakeTravelMatter.

Interested in learning more about African Travel, Inc.? Visit www.africantravelinc.com.

For more than 40 years, African Travel, Inc. has helped travelers discover the magic of the wild. “We Know Africa” because we create extraordinary and unforgettable five-star experiences for each guest’s individual needs. From relaxing in spectacular luxury to touching an ancient culture, your African dream awaits you. Our knowledgeable and dedicated experts, who have lived and traveled extensively throughout the continent, will open your eyes to a new and exciting world. Placing local offices in Africa and our headquarters in the U.S. has earned us an enviable position of influence that will leave you knowing Africa like we do. We’re committed to making travel matter by supporting the environment and the local communities we visit through our partnership with The TreadRight Foundation. As a proud member of The Travel Corporation (TTC), a family-owned company with more than 100 years of expertise in luxury travel, we ensure exceptional service every step of the journey. For more information and inspiration, visit www.africantravelInc.com.