Low carbon now mainstream says green traveller

Trends predicted include rail and sail: sport: alternative classics: bike hire: overland adventures

Greentraveller has just celebrated its fifth birthday. Founded as a blog in October 2006 by Richard Hammond, Greentraveller has since grown into a website that now features over 500 green places to stay and over a 1,500 holidays reachable by train.

Accolades for the site come from the UK Sunday Times – who called it the first place to look for green holidays and the Guardian, where it features in the top best travel websites ever.

Richard Hammond, Chief Executive and Founder of Greentraveller, says: “The growth of Greentraveller reflects the huge number of holidaymakers who now wish to minimise their carbon footprint. Green is no longer extreme, it’s mainstream."

“The single most important decision travellers can take to reduce their impact on the environment is to seek alternatives to flying – that's why we’ve researched hundreds of holidays from hand-picked specialist operators that are reachable by train and/or foot passenger ferry services."

“Our holidays range from B&Bs in the Brecon Beacons and luxury hotels in Cornwall to innovative treehouses in Northern France, cycling holidays in Sardinia and wintersports holidays in the Alps."

“In 2012, we will be increasing the range of options for green travellers looking for an even wider choice of fabulous holidays. We plan to feature over 1,000 green places to stay and thousands of holidays in Europe that are reachable overland, as far north as the wilds of Scandinavia and as far south as the chilled-out riads of Morocco… less carbon, more fun!”

To celebrate our fifth birthday, Greentraveller’s team has come up with a prediction of the following Five Green Holiday Trends for 2012:

• Rail and sail adventures to the Med: Rail and sail trips to Ireland and Holland are already proving popular. In 2012 it’s likely travellers will try heading a little further afield, to the Mediterranean, by train and ferry. It’s possible to Rail and Sail to Corsica in under 16 hours by travelling through France on a high speed TGV and taking a ferry from Marseille to Calvie, Ile Rousse or Bastia; or Rail and Sail to Majorca by taking the superb overnight Train Hotel to Barcelona and then catching a quick 4-hour ferry across to the island.
• Learning an Olympic sport: We’re all going to be inspired by the athletes flooding into London next summer, so we think people are going to use their holiday time to have a go at an Olympic skill, such as learning to road cycle in the Shropshire hills: a long weekend that takes you through the ropes as it guides you down quiet country roads on two wheels: greentraveller.co.uk/content/beginners-cycling-weekend-shropshire; Learn to sea kayak in the Scottish highlands: a 5-day course that combines expert instruction with exploring some of the most breathtaking coastlines of West Scotland: greentraveller.co.uk/content/intro-sea-kayaking-nw-highlands-scotland; Learn to wild swim: Join the outdoor swimming craze by learning how to swim in open water on a long weekend swimming holiday in the Lake District: greentraveller.co.uk/content/weekend-swimming-lake-district-england.
• Seeing the alternative side of classic destinations: European holiday destinations are getting wiser to the demands of travellers who want unique experiences in places that are in harmony with the natural environment and local economy. Go stargazing in Tenerife: greentraveller.co.uk/star-gazing; take the train to a ski resort; go donkey trekking in France; see the alternative Ibiza on the island’s peaceful North coast.
• Hiring a bike for a day: Greentraveller City Guides provide info on how to pick up a rental bike in Berlin, Valence, Utrecht and more of our favourite cities. Watch this space, too, for the fast-expanding Electric Bike Network here in the UK. These whizzy machines make cycling accessible for everyone and can currently be picked up in the Lake District, Peak District and Devon: greentraveller.co.uk/electric-bicycle-hire-peak-district
• Going on an overland adventure for your gap year or sabbatical: Around the world tickets are becoming less popular as both belts and time is tightened. Consequently more people are turning to adventures closer to home for their break from work or study. Our top picks? Taking the train through France and Spain and a ferry across the straits of Gibraltar to catch the Marrakesh Express to the souks, mountains and desert of Morocco:; or enjoy the landscapes, people and cultures from West to East on a 9-day guided tour from London to Beijing by train.

Further info: http://www.greentraveller.co.uk

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Get your copy at a special offer price: HERE