Escaping from our everyday lives is about relaxing, right?
To not have to worry about all the things we need to do when in our usual surroundings.
I know its so easy to just kick back + put in the least amount of effort possible.
We can also so easily be caught up in the adventure of it all that we forget about the things that are usually important to us and the planet.
BUT it is possible to still enjoy our travels AND not abandon our everyday eco principles.
To honour this year’s Earth Day I thought I’d share a few ways I try to travel with nature. Minimising our negative impact on it, protecting it + even sometimes enhancing it.
Slow / regenerative / sustainable / transformative / conscious travel all encompass these values:
- Love
- Compassion
- Respect for the Community of Life (also the first pillar of the Earth Charter)
How can we weave these values into a way of treading more gently while out exploring?
Let me count the ways…
1. Travel With the Seasons
I love visiting places where I know I’ll see certain native flowers in Spring or woodlands in Autumn.
The woods are a great place to wander all year round.
Most gardens in countries which experience 4 seasons are only open March / April – Sep / October.
Wetland areas would also be most rewarding to visit in the warmer months when they’re teeming with wildlife.
Some parts of the world have super blooms in Spring or when the first rains fall in desert areas.
Of course we all love the seaside, rivers + lakes. Head for quieter / calmer spots in the heat of summer.
The mountains are awe-inspiring places to appreciate natural beauty, reminding us how temporary our lives are on Earth.
I love the comforts of home in the cooler months punctuated with winter walks for fresh air + winter sun whenever it shines.
Winter in Southern Africa is known as the best time to see animals when vegetation is sparse + water sources are hot spots for game viewing. There is a down side to this. It’s peak tourist season so popular national parks can prove crowded.
Travelling with nature’s seasons instead of the busy holiday / tourist seasons is a much more pleasant way to travel in my humble opinion. Again some of us are tethered to kids school holidays so this may not be possible.
2. Go Slowly
Wander don’t jet set. Travel less often, but stay for longer.
Where possible choose sustainable modes of transport.
Go by train or boat instead of by plane or car.
I’ve yet to do this with my kids, but am really looking forward to when we do.
We recently opted for the ferry over to Scotland instead of flying which was a much more enjoyable experience.
Pre kids, on our motorbike trip from Ireland to Morocco, we took the ferry over to France + loved it!
Doing a slow journey by boat, train + bicycle is my big travel dream!
So much is missed when going by air. Slow travel on the ground + or by sea creates connection to the journey, people + place.
3. Seek Out Local Eco Places to Stay, Play + Graze
Do your research beforehand as much as you can.
Ditch the large hotel chains + find an authentic place to stay run by soulful local hosts.
Hosts have a wealth of knowledge about their local area.
Talk to fellow travellers + other locals to find off the beaten track places.
We champion these at The Gentle Travel Guide + have a few listed.
If you run a local eco experience, have a magic place to stay or a unique casual foodie spot we’d love to hear from you.
If you’re reading this + have recently discovered these please do let us know.
I’m naturally drawn to smaller, hidden gems which offer much more authentic experiences.
4. Roam Zero Waste
Don’t give up on your zero waste practices away from home.
Pack your reusables – water bottle, coffee cup, cutlery, containers etc. – and don’t forget to use them.
When you do buy something that’s packaged, reuse / repurpose the packaging if you can.
5. Leave No Trace
Be sure on your adventures to always bin your waste accordingly. Take it back with you if in a wilderness area.
Where possible recycle.
Stick to tracks minimising disturbance on the natural habitat. Ask advice from a knowledgable local guide of what protocols to follow when out in unfamiliar ecosystems.
6. Volunteer
Have you heard of an amazing way to travel if you have the time and freedom to, Wwoofing!
Volunteer your services and get free board + lodging! It can be one of the most rewarding ways to travel. I wish I’d known about it when I was younger.
You could also volunteer a day / 1/2 day when on your holidays to a worthy cause in the area. Rewilding / nature conservation projects are my favourite to get involved in.
Volunteering is one of the best ways to connect to local communities and their stories of the land.
Respect + Support Local
Always respect the local customs of the area you’re visiting.
Immersive experiences and supporting the arts of the region are a great way to understand its culture.
Research is key to ensure you’re supporting initiatives where animals, people + place aren’t being exploited.
If doing a grocery shop buy in season from local vendors instead of large supermarket chains.
When buying anything support the smaller local shops and crafts.
Above all be kind. If you’re frustrated because of a language barrier or you’re finding it difficult to understand unfamiliar customs, give yourself time to acclimatise and find someone who can help you overcome these differences.
Vegans + Vegetarians Never Fret
The Happy Cow app has your back! Fellow eco activist, Book of Leaves podcaster Ceara, recently introduced me to this amazeballs resource for vegans + vegetarians! It’s also a cool way to discover unique places to eat.
As always I’m no expert + can only ever write from my own personal experience. I’m by no means perfect either, I sometimes opt for the easier route. Especially when travelling with 2 young kids. I need to choose to be kind to myself too.
We can all do our best in the circumstance we’re in. I always write from my soul in the hope you may find something positive to takeaway from it which uplifts yours.
We are nature. By immersing ourselves in it + reconnecting with its rhythm we elevate our own wellbeing.
The ultimate is to enhance nature which in turn transforms us.