That's it, the summer holidays are here, and on the doorstep, the pebbles, the beach are not far away, the vanilla scents are already wafting...
NoireôNaturel found this excellent article on the web to think about your holidays differently!!! You will also find travel agencies that practice eco-tourism, in the meantime, here are some clever tips for having a "responsible" holiday...

Please note: NoireôNaturel is going into holiday mode, so don't be surprised, there will be no new articles in the first three weeks of August...
In the meantime, we wish you a good read anyway, also visit NoireôNaturel.com and above all, have excellent holidays, and don't be "green" (with envy), you need to have green holidays to preserve our beautiful blue planet!!!

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Eco-friendly Holidays

Going away for the holidays has become a necessity in our society. We travel more and more, to near or distant destinations. These trips and stays obviously have an impact on our environment. To enjoy your holidays while respecting the planet, here are some simple and easy-to-implement tips.

Before you leave

Everything starts even before you leave. Whether you're going for several weeks or just a few days, it's best to adopt certain useful (and economical) habits.
Unplug all your electrical appliances. If possible, empty your freezer and fridge beforehand to unplug them during this period, as these are the biggest energy consumers. However, if your freezer is not empty and you have to leave it plugged in, fill it, if necessary, with empty boxes: a freezer cools empty space, so the fuller the freezer, the less it will consume.
Also turn off your heating (besides, for summer holidays, it should have been off for a long time...). If you're going away in winter and want to avoid your home getting too cold, set the thermostat to minimum (for example, 10-12°).
Make sure to close your doors and windows properly - not just for thieves - also checking the insulation.
Also turn off the water (a sudden leak will hurt your wallet as much as the planet).

No need to go far

Spending holidays near home can also be an opportunity to rediscover your region or charming and lively tourist spots that you don't usually frequent during working periods.
Countryside areas, rivers, bodies of water, walks, events organized during the holidays... This way, you avoid spending too much money and fuel on transport while still getting a change of scenery and doing things you're not used to doing.
You can also prefer "nearby" places (Andalusia, Eastern Europe...) to more distant destinations (Phuket, Latin America...)

The art of travelling

For those who choose a distant destination but still want to act for the environment, it is better to opt for train travel, which is by far the most ecological mode of transport. And the earlier you book, the lower the price (for example, SNCF's "prem's" tickets).
Airplane journeys of less than four hours are the most harmful because a plane consumes a lot of fuel during takeoff, and short distances also mean more takeoffs. Airplanes produce the most carbon dioxide per person on these types of journeys, followed by cars, trains, and buses.
Taking a TGV between Paris and Marseille doesn't pollute more than a 25 km round trip to work... And you can Offset your CO2.

Choosing respectful accommodation

More and more accommodation options (hotels, campsites...) are changing their bad habits to better respect the environment.
They pay attention to water and energy consumption; they limit their waste production; they hire local staff...
These accommodations also try to create a healthy environment, for example by using more environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Inquire before booking, and prioritize those that offer the most ecological guarantees. Otherwise, prefer small local hotels or campsites over large resorts, which are big waste generators of water and energy.

Laundry

If you don't change your towels or sheets daily at home, why change your habits on holiday?
When staying in a hotel, ask that your bath towels, towels, or sheets not be changed daily.
Some hotels already do this.

Behaviour

On holiday, we sometimes forget some good habits... because we're on holiday, but the planet isn't!
For example, turning off the lights when leaving a room, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth...
Just because consumption is often included in the price doesn't mean it's okay to waste.
Similarly, we don't throw our papers and rubbish in our garden, so respect the places you visit (forests, beaches, historical sites...): use bins or put your waste in your bag until you find one.

Photos

Digital cameras have more than one advantage, no need to list them.
But have you ever thought about their environmental impact? No waste of paper and harmful chemicals; you only print the photos you're satisfied with.

Local transport

To visit a city or go to the beach, local transport can be more than attractive: no need to navigate an unfamiliar city, or spend hours looking for a parking space (or paying for one), or get back into an overheated car at the end of the afternoon.
Given the price of petrol, public transport is also more economical. Some hotels and campsites also offer regular shuttles to city centers or the beach.
Similarly, nothing stops you from getting around by walking, cycling... a little exercise before reaching the warm sand can only do you good.

Souvenirs

Who doesn't like to bring back a souvenir from their holidays?
However, nothing prevents you from checking where these gifts come from. Buying a "Made in China" T-shirt in Spain is not very Spanish...
Prioritize local products; you'll also be helping the regional economy.

Conclusion

Whether on holiday or at home, some small ecological gestures can make a difference.
Tourist status does not allow for doing just anything. Self-respect also involves respecting others, let's not forget that.
Holidays are an opportunity to visit magnificent places, so let's ensure they remain so, for those who live there and for our own pleasure.
Source: Eco-malin