Stefania is a 28-year old from Bologna, a beautiful city in northern Italy. 5 continents and over 35 countries later, she has swam in cenotes in Mexico, become a local at Chiang Mai, Thailand, traversed on an incredible road trip through the Balkans and managed to get lost in the worst part of many cities around the world! \u201cGreen is the new black\u201d is her motto. Via her blog and social media handles, she attempts to redefine the stereotype of the eco-traveller. She aims to show the world that sustainable travel can easily go hand in hand with a touch of luxury.<\/p>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\nSustainable travel to me means traveling while avoiding leaving a negative impact on the people and places I visit, and in fact trying to do the opposite, by leaving a positive impact of some sort on the local community and\/or Earth. In my particular case, I always like to remind people that sustainable travel doesn’t mean traveling low-budget and uncomfortably, sleeping in tents etc – sustainable travel can be adapted to every budget and travel style.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\nA post shared by STEFANIA | Travel + Lifestyle (@everysteph)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
I wrote my Master’s thesis on the sustainability of the fashion sector, and in that moment I started looking around me and saw so many opportunities for turning my life more sustainable. I had such a huge passion for travel, and when I started traveling long-term and living nomadically it only made sense to apply the same principles to the way I travel.<\/p>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n\n- Look for sustainable accommodation. Nowadays, there are incredible hotels, lodges, and glampings of all kinds and budgets that are certified and\/or create programs to help local communities and to protect the land they sit on. Choosing the right accommodation is a simple way to make sure your money goes to the right people.<\/li>\n
- Research the traditions and culture of the place you’re visiting before you visit, and make sure to respect them while there. It might seem such a given, but you’d be surprised how many people I see around the world dressed or acting in totally disrespectful ways to the locals!<\/li>\n
- Whenever possible, take public transport rather than taxis. There are many countries in the world where buses and trains work perfectly fine, and many times your feet do too!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Sign up for our monthly newsletter<\/p>\n
Your dose of travel fix – from hacks and deals to travel tips and everything in between, delivered monthly to your inbox<\/p>\n
Get Inspired Please enter a valid email Unsubscribe anytime <\/p>\n
Emily & Aaron | @twodustytravelers<\/a><\/h2>\nEmily and Aaron are lovers of ethical travel and off the beaten path adventures. A registered nurse and a teacher by day, they believe that travel can be a force for good. You’re likely to find them road-tripping through a new country, volunteering in support of local communities, and sharing the stories of the locals they meet. They are true blue believers of the fact that the choices one makes – what you pack, where you stay, how you spend your money \u2013 have a real impact on the future of your destination. They aim to help others travel in ways that help, not hurt, the astonishing world that we all share.<\/p>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\nTo us, sustainable travel means being aware of the consequences you have on the places you visit. We believe that all the choices travelers make \u2013 where you stay, what you buy, how you interact with locals \u2013 have a big impact over time. As travel becomes exponentially more popular and accessible, tourists have the power to destroy some of the world’s most beautiful places. We also have the power to preserve them so that future generations can enjoy them as much as we do.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\nA post shared by Emily & Aaron (@twodustytravelers)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
We started delving into sustainable travel after participating in a volunteer trip in Tanzania. That experience showed us that volunteerism often causes more harm than good, despite the best intentions. Once we began really looking into the impact that we have on the places we visit, we saw that all aspects of travel have an effect on local communities – especially when they’re repeated by millions of tourists each year.<\/p>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n\n- Keep wildlife wild. Steer clear of exploitative animals tours (like riding elephants, swimming with captive dolphins, or petting lions). Enjoy animals in the wild from a respectful distance, or better yet – seek out local animal rescues to visit and support!<\/li>\n
- Pick up after yourself and others. We never leave a beach or campsite without taking some trash with us.<\/li>\n
- Learn about the Indigenous communities wherever you visit. Take your cues from how they treat the land.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Natasha | @lifeinminiaturepictures<\/a><\/h2>\nNatasha works in International Development with NGOs managing a variety of projects addressing women and youth empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, hygiene, water, and sanitation. Her Instagram feed is a fun mix of her travels and daily life in Sydney. <\/p>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\nTo me sustainable travel means travelling in a way that tries to minimise the negative impacts of travel whilst trying to maximise the positive impacts and consciously making choices that can benefit the places we visit. Sustainable travel is not just about the environment and your carbon footprint; it\u2019s travel that is not harmful to the places, people & cultural heritage of where we visit. It\u2019s travel that not only supports the preservation of the environment, local culture and history of the destination for the enjoyment of visitors now & into the future; but most importantly it benefits the local economy & those who live there.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\nA post shared by Natasha | Ethical Travel (@lifeinminiaturepictures)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
I work in international development & this naturally impacts the choices I make when I travel. Through my work I have witnessed first hand the impact of climate change in places that are on the \u2018frontline\u2019,as well as both the positive & negative impacts of tourism on communities & people. So it is important to me to ensure that my tourism does no harm, is respectful of & considers the culture and natural environment and contributes to the local economy. Tourism has an important role to play in lifting people out of poverty as well as contributing to a more inclusive world that respects cultural diversity.<\/p>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n\n- Eat local – Always try to choose independent locally owned & run restaurants. Not only does this ensure your tourist dollars are staying in the community & supporting local livelihoods but it also likely means less air-miles on your food as you\u2019ll be eating more traditional food that is locally available<\/li>\n
- Sleep Local – choose smaller, independent locally owned & run hotels & accommodation. Not only does this ensure your tourist dollars are staying in the community & supporting local livelihoods but it also often means they are more likely to use local resources & materials & are often more green than those hotels with formal eco credentials because of that.<\/li>\n
- Take a reusable bottle everywhere – we all need water & if you have a reusable bottle with you it means you don\u2019t need to buy water in plastic bottles when you\u2019re travelling. Some places of course, it\u2019s not safe to drink tap water, but a small investment in a water filter bottle like grayl means you can drink the water wherever you go.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"digital]()
Travel Reopening post covid 19 <\/p>\nTourist Attractions Reopening – Live Updates!<\/h2>\n
Find the current status of global tourist attractions and cultural hot-spots. <\/a> <\/p>\n
Jules & Christine | @dontforget2move<\/a><\/h2>\nJules & Christine met in early 2012 while volunteering at a non-profit in Pisco, Peru. After a brief friendship, their relationship quickly turned more serious and they ended up spending 6 months in Peru volunteering together, building houses that were destroyed by a massive earthquake. They are currently based out of Bali, the US and Australia for part of the year, but constantly taking trips to wherever their work and heart calls. Their goal for the blog – Don’t Forget To Move is to uncover the coolest destinations around the world and make a positive impact while traveling.<\/p>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\nSustainable travel means travel that has minimal impact on the people, environment and animal population of the destinations that you’re visiting. It means visiting new destinations and having new experiences that don’t negatively impact other communities. By being conscious of your traveling impact you can help support positive economic growth within foreign communities that allows them to prosper.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\nA post shared by Jules & Christine \u2708\ufe0f TRAVEL (@dontforget2move)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
As long term travelers and non-profit workers we’ve seen first hand the impact that unsustainable travel can have on communities. We want to help educate the traveling community about ways to not only travel sustainably, but also positively give back to the community that they’re visiting.<\/p>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n
As a sustainable and conscious traveler the biggest way you can make an impact is by deciding where you spend your money. Support destinations, tour operators and experiences that prioritize sustainable and responsible travel. Eat at locally run restaurants, support hotels and other accommodation options that are owned and operated within the community and book tour experiences with local guides that have a better understanding of the environmental impacts of travel. By spending your money on sustainable travel you not only help support the future of travel, but you also send a message to the weider travel community that this is what you want to see them change as well.<\/p>\n
Stefan and Maria | @yuppies.on.tour<\/a><\/h2>\nStefan and Maria love writing about all things travel on their little passion project – the Yuppies on Tour blog. They believe that magic unfurls when learning about new cultures, exploring remote places and making new friends with people from near and far. Follow them if your love for travel marries with your respect for nature and you’d like to take a move towards sustainable travel.<\/p>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\nSustainable travel means to rethink certain habits we have when it comes to traveling. To be more aware that we leave a footprint everywhere we go which compiles of consumption (food, resources, items we buy) and thinks we leave behind such as plastic waste. Traveling more sustainable means to reduce consumption and waste as much as possible especially abroad and trying to shift the alternatives to reduce the carbon footprint.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\nA post shared by Stefan and Maria Travelblog (@yuppies.on.tour)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
The situation abroad in some countries is very bad. Especially in countries located at the sea plastic waste is a huge problem. If we can contribute at least a tiny bit of reducing the current situation we are already happy.<\/p>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n
The most impactful thing is to avoid flying. So whenever we can we change to other means of transportation even if it takes longer. In Europe and Germany as our home country we try to take the train whenever possible. The second most powerful thing is to stay local. Reducing flying but also staying within medium to low distance places is a great way to reduce ones carbon footprint. If you need to fly long distance there are ways as well: fly economy, fly during off-season and offset the CO2 of your journey.<\/p>\n
Katie & Ben | @twowanderingsoles<\/a><\/h2>\nKatie & Ben met on a snowboarding trip when they were 16 years old, got married 9 years later. Shortly after quit their comfortable jobs, booked an absurdly cheap flight to Colombia, and left behind everything that didn\u2019t fit into their backpacks. Their blog – Two Wandering Soles is a fun and inspiring website where they curate content around responsible and adventurous travel. Their focus lies on travel tips and money-saving advice for eco-friendly and sustainable travel on any budget.<\/p>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\nOftentimes, people boil \u201csustainable travel\u201d down to traveling with the environment in mind. But personally, we think it spans much further than that. We think traveling responsibly should also include thinking about your impact on the local community.When you travel, you inherently make an impact on the place you\u2019re visiting. It\u2019s up to you to make that impact a positive one or a negative one. To be blunt, if you\u2019re not thinking about the type of impact you\u2019re making, it is probably the latter. We\u2019ve certainly been there, and we continue to make mistakes. Our idea of what it is to be a responsible traveler is ever-evolving as we continue to learn and grow.But when you start seeing what a meaningful positive impact you can make on your travels, you\u2019ll quickly realize it\u2019s well worth the extra effort and planning.Here are some simple prompts to ask yourself as you plan your trip: Will the money I spend go to locally-run businesses, or is it supporting a giant chain? Am I going to an area that is dealing with a crisis of overtourism? How will my trip impact the environment: will I take public transport, stay at eco-friendly hotels, reduce my own personal waste?Traveling is a privilege, and as travelers, we believe it is our duty to travel responsibly and think about the footprints we\u2019re leaving behind.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n
Sustainable travel to me means traveling while avoiding leaving a negative impact on the people and places I visit, and in fact trying to do the opposite, by leaving a positive impact of some sort on the local community and\/or Earth. In my particular case, I always like to remind people that sustainable travel doesn’t mean traveling low-budget and uncomfortably, sleeping in tents etc – sustainable travel can be adapted to every budget and travel style.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n A post shared by STEFANIA | Travel + Lifestyle (@everysteph)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n I wrote my Master’s thesis on the sustainability of the fashion sector, and in that moment I started looking around me and saw so many opportunities for turning my life more sustainable. I had such a huge passion for travel, and when I started traveling long-term and living nomadically it only made sense to apply the same principles to the way I travel.<\/p>\n Sign up for our monthly newsletter<\/p>\n Your dose of travel fix – from hacks and deals to travel tips and everything in between, delivered monthly to your inbox<\/p>\n Get Inspired Please enter a valid email Unsubscribe anytime <\/p>\n Emily and Aaron are lovers of ethical travel and off the beaten path adventures. A registered nurse and a teacher by day, they believe that travel can be a force for good. You’re likely to find them road-tripping through a new country, volunteering in support of local communities, and sharing the stories of the locals they meet. They are true blue believers of the fact that the choices one makes – what you pack, where you stay, how you spend your money \u2013 have a real impact on the future of your destination. They aim to help others travel in ways that help, not hurt, the astonishing world that we all share.<\/p>\n To us, sustainable travel means being aware of the consequences you have on the places you visit. We believe that all the choices travelers make \u2013 where you stay, what you buy, how you interact with locals \u2013 have a big impact over time. As travel becomes exponentially more popular and accessible, tourists have the power to destroy some of the world’s most beautiful places. We also have the power to preserve them so that future generations can enjoy them as much as we do.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n A post shared by Emily & Aaron (@twodustytravelers)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n We started delving into sustainable travel after participating in a volunteer trip in Tanzania. That experience showed us that volunteerism often causes more harm than good, despite the best intentions. Once we began really looking into the impact that we have on the places we visit, we saw that all aspects of travel have an effect on local communities – especially when they’re repeated by millions of tourists each year.<\/p>\n Natasha works in International Development with NGOs managing a variety of projects addressing women and youth empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, hygiene, water, and sanitation. Her Instagram feed is a fun mix of her travels and daily life in Sydney. <\/p>\n To me sustainable travel means travelling in a way that tries to minimise the negative impacts of travel whilst trying to maximise the positive impacts and consciously making choices that can benefit the places we visit. Sustainable travel is not just about the environment and your carbon footprint; it\u2019s travel that is not harmful to the places, people & cultural heritage of where we visit. It\u2019s travel that not only supports the preservation of the environment, local culture and history of the destination for the enjoyment of visitors now & into the future; but most importantly it benefits the local economy & those who live there.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n A post shared by Natasha | Ethical Travel (@lifeinminiaturepictures)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n I work in international development & this naturally impacts the choices I make when I travel. Through my work I have witnessed first hand the impact of climate change in places that are on the \u2018frontline\u2019,as well as both the positive & negative impacts of tourism on communities & people. So it is important to me to ensure that my tourism does no harm, is respectful of & considers the culture and natural environment and contributes to the local economy. Tourism has an important role to play in lifting people out of poverty as well as contributing to a more inclusive world that respects cultural diversity.<\/p>\n Find the current status of global tourist attractions and cultural hot-spots. <\/a> <\/p>\n Jules & Christine met in early 2012 while volunteering at a non-profit in Pisco, Peru. After a brief friendship, their relationship quickly turned more serious and they ended up spending 6 months in Peru volunteering together, building houses that were destroyed by a massive earthquake. They are currently based out of Bali, the US and Australia for part of the year, but constantly taking trips to wherever their work and heart calls. Their goal for the blog – Don’t Forget To Move is to uncover the coolest destinations around the world and make a positive impact while traveling.<\/p>\n Sustainable travel means travel that has minimal impact on the people, environment and animal population of the destinations that you’re visiting. It means visiting new destinations and having new experiences that don’t negatively impact other communities. By being conscious of your traveling impact you can help support positive economic growth within foreign communities that allows them to prosper.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n A post shared by Jules & Christine \u2708\ufe0f TRAVEL (@dontforget2move)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n As long term travelers and non-profit workers we’ve seen first hand the impact that unsustainable travel can have on communities. We want to help educate the traveling community about ways to not only travel sustainably, but also positively give back to the community that they’re visiting.<\/p>\n As a sustainable and conscious traveler the biggest way you can make an impact is by deciding where you spend your money. Support destinations, tour operators and experiences that prioritize sustainable and responsible travel. Eat at locally run restaurants, support hotels and other accommodation options that are owned and operated within the community and book tour experiences with local guides that have a better understanding of the environmental impacts of travel. By spending your money on sustainable travel you not only help support the future of travel, but you also send a message to the weider travel community that this is what you want to see them change as well.<\/p>\n Stefan and Maria love writing about all things travel on their little passion project – the Yuppies on Tour blog. They believe that magic unfurls when learning about new cultures, exploring remote places and making new friends with people from near and far. Follow them if your love for travel marries with your respect for nature and you’d like to take a move towards sustainable travel.<\/p>\n Sustainable travel means to rethink certain habits we have when it comes to traveling. To be more aware that we leave a footprint everywhere we go which compiles of consumption (food, resources, items we buy) and thinks we leave behind such as plastic waste. Traveling more sustainable means to reduce consumption and waste as much as possible especially abroad and trying to shift the alternatives to reduce the carbon footprint.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n A post shared by Stefan and Maria Travelblog (@yuppies.on.tour)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script] <\/p>\n The situation abroad in some countries is very bad. Especially in countries located at the sea plastic waste is a huge problem. If we can contribute at least a tiny bit of reducing the current situation we are already happy.<\/p>\n The most impactful thing is to avoid flying. So whenever we can we change to other means of transportation even if it takes longer. In Europe and Germany as our home country we try to take the train whenever possible. The second most powerful thing is to stay local. Reducing flying but also staying within medium to low distance places is a great way to reduce ones carbon footprint. If you need to fly long distance there are ways as well: fly economy, fly during off-season and offset the CO2 of your journey.<\/p>\n Katie & Ben met on a snowboarding trip when they were 16 years old, got married 9 years later. Shortly after quit their comfortable jobs, booked an absurdly cheap flight to Colombia, and left behind everything that didn\u2019t fit into their backpacks. Their blog – Two Wandering Soles is a fun and inspiring website where they curate content around responsible and adventurous travel. Their focus lies on travel tips and money-saving advice for eco-friendly and sustainable travel on any budget.<\/p>\n Oftentimes, people boil \u201csustainable travel\u201d down to traveling with the environment in mind. But personally, we think it spans much further than that. We think traveling responsibly should also include thinking about your impact on the local community.When you travel, you inherently make an impact on the place you\u2019re visiting. It\u2019s up to you to make that impact a positive one or a negative one. To be blunt, if you\u2019re not thinking about the type of impact you\u2019re making, it is probably the latter. We\u2019ve certainly been there, and we continue to make mistakes. Our idea of what it is to be a responsible traveler is ever-evolving as we continue to learn and grow.But when you start seeing what a meaningful positive impact you can make on your travels, you\u2019ll quickly realize it\u2019s well worth the extra effort and planning.Here are some simple prompts to ask yourself as you plan your trip: Will the money I spend go to locally-run businesses, or is it supporting a giant chain? Am I going to an area that is dealing with a crisis of overtourism? How will my trip impact the environment: will I take public transport, stay at eco-friendly hotels, reduce my own personal waste?Traveling is a privilege, and as travelers, we believe it is our duty to travel responsibly and think about the footprints we\u2019re leaving behind.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\nWhat inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n
\n
Emily & Aaron | @twodustytravelers<\/a><\/h2>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n
\n
Natasha | @lifeinminiaturepictures<\/a><\/h2>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"digital](\"https:\/\/cdn-imgix-open.headout.com\/blog\/COVID\/Insights+\/Screenshot+2020-06-30+at+1.16.00+PM.png?fm=pjpg&auto=compress&w=125&h=125&crop=faces&fit=min\")
Travel Reopening post covid 19 <\/p>\nTourist Attractions Reopening – Live Updates!<\/h2>\n
Jules & Christine | @dontforget2move<\/a><\/h2>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n
Stefan and Maria | @yuppies.on.tour<\/a><\/h2>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\n
What inspired you to consciously make this switch?<\/h3>\n
What are the 3 simplest things one can do to be a green traveler?<\/h3>\n
Katie & Ben | @twowanderingsoles<\/a><\/h2>\n
What does sustainable travel mean to you? <\/h3>\n