Event Announcement: Make Holidays Greener Week

2nd - 9th July is The Travel Foundation's second Make Holidays Greener Week, which aims to spread the word about how holidaymakers can help protect the local area and environment while heading off on holiday this year.

Here at greentraveller, we believe that the single most important decision travellers can take to reduce their impact on the environment is to seek alternatives to flying, especially when holidaying in the UK and/or in Europe. That's why we feature hundreds of holidays from hand-picked specialist operators that are reachable by train and/or ferry from the UK.

We also feature over 350 green hotels and other eco-friendly places to stay, from luxury campsites to 5-star hotels. These places have gone the extra mile to reduce the impact of your stay on the environment.

Our team of dedicated travel writers make sure that every single accommodation listed on the site is committed to protecting the environment, giving you the freedom to relax and enjoy yourself. From green hotels in England and self-catering cottages to exciting European adventure holidays, we ensure that the trips we feature keep the environmentally footprint of your holiday down to a minimum. 

What's more, we take that extra step and help you plan your journey by either train or ferry (or both). Check out our Plan your Journey by Train and Plan your Journey by Ferry sections to see just how easy it is to get around the UK and Europe using public transport. Greentraveller are also just about to launch an activities section that will help you to find local tours and activities near where you're staying so you can help support local economies.

As part of Make Holidays Greener Week, The Travel Foundation have suggested a few simple steps to help you ensure your holiday minimises the impact of your holiday on the environment and provides a positive impact, financially and culturally, on the local destination. It's about helping to make holiday destinations better places to live in as well as to visit. These include:

• Buying locally - buying local goods and gifts pours money back into local communities.
• Using water sparingly - save water by taking short showers and reusing towels and bed linens.
• Respecting local cultures and traditions - dressing and acting appropriately can get you a long way with local people.
• Booking trips with local tour guides - this will support the local economy and enrich your experience. 

>> More information on Make Holidays Greener Week

See also this foreword by Sue Hurdle (on the launch of last year's Make Holidays Greener Week)

The Cypriate village of Foini, one of the self-drive routes initiated by the Travel Foundation