Stylish, eco-friendly Willow Tree Barn is a fresh-faced, hotel alternative in Devizes, Wiltshire, England.

Opened this spring, the contemporary, self-catering property can sleep six people in three bedrooms.

Committed to the environment, the Willow Tree Barn owners focus on energy saving without compromising guest comfort.  At their village property, they use several methods to transfer water and sun into heat.

Willow Tree Barn features include:

• A water sourced heat pump which powers the under-floor heating;
• Pond mat located in Semington Brook which sends energy to the heat pump;
• Solar panels which provide hot water during the summer;
• Eco cleaning and washing products;
• Herb garden and
• Paintings by local artists.

For more info, visit Willow Tree Barn online.

Images courtesy of Willow Tree Barn

Fancy an eco-friendly horseback riding adventure?

If you’re a fan of PBS travel TV series Equitrekking, Darley Newman is also hosting new equestrian vacation company Equitrekking Travel.

Says Newman:

“I travel the world riding horses with local people to discover history, culture, wildlife and beautiful natural settings. Horseback riding is an eco-friendly, active way to explore a new area and with the right local guide, you can learn insider’s information not found elsewhere. Riding with local guides, which we promote, also helps strengthen local communities by supporting small horse businesses.”

Equitrekking Travel specializes in horseback riding adventures in Iceland, Jordan, Costa Rica and South America.  The company will often stay in family-owned environmentally-friendly inns and ranches, like La Salamora, a small working Uruguay estancia which is wind powered.

For more info, check out Equitrekking Travel’s site.

Photo credit: Chip Ward of Equitrekking

Green Caribbean resort Bucuti Beach Resort has launched a new, eco-friendly Experience Aruba Green Package.

On the white sands of Aruba’s Eagle Beach, the 104-room boutique resort for couples features Tara Beach Suites & Spa.  Known for its sustainable tourism, Bucuti has been recognized by the Caribbean Hotel Association and the International Hotel and Restaurant Association for its environmentally responsible hotel operations.

Says Ewald Biemans, Bucuti’s owner:

“At Bucuti, we are passionate about preserving the environment so we can share Aruba’s beauty and culture with guests for years to come.  The Experience Aruba Green Package will allow guests to experience some of the island’s spectacular sights, while also learning about our history and ecology. We hope this will help our guests develop a true sense of place.”

The Experience Aruba Green Package includes:

• A guided hike with a native park ranger through Arikok National Park.
• A tour of the Aruba Aloe factory to learn about Aruba’s oldest industry.
• An authentic Aruban dinner for two at the resort’s Pirates’ Nest restaurant.
• A full American breakfast buffet daily.
• Participation in the resort’s monthly beach clean-up and watching sea turtles hatch (seasonally).

For more info, check out Bucuti Beach Resort online.

Images courtesy of Bucuti Beach Resort

]]> http://www.travelinggreener.com/resorts/green-aruba/feed/ 0 http://www.travelinggreener.com/restaurants/sweet-nyc-valentines/ http://www.travelinggreener.com/restaurants/sweet-nyc-valentines/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:47:31 +0000 Sonya http://www.travelinggreener.com/?p=8495

Fancy a sweet Eco-Valentine’s in NYC?  Then make a reservation at green Manhattan restaurant Rouge Tomate.  The Michelin star rated restaurant has just announced its new February promotion Sweet Love Saturdays with Divine Chocolate.

From February 6 until February 27, those who dine at Rouge Tomate on Saturdays will receive a special box of Divine Chocolate and Passion Fruit Truffles as a gift from Executive Pastry Chef James Distefano.  Divine Chocolate is an eco-friendly, fair trade cooperative of cocoa farmers in Ghana, says the restaurant.

Rouge Tomate is also taking reservations for a special romantic Valentine’s Day dinner on Saturday, February 13^th.   The restaurant will feature their traditional a la carte menu under the direction of Executive Chef Jeremy Bearman and  a special $85 chef’s choice menu including 5 courses and champagne.  Roses and the Divine Chocolate and Passion Fruit Truffles will be given as Valentine gifts.

For info or reservations, visit RougeTomateNYC.com.

Image courtesy of Rouge Tomate

Furnaslake EcoLodge, Portugal

Are you a traveler who loves staying with locals in their homes?  Then you’ll want to check out the site Airbnb.com.

This “online marketplace of space” lets people and companies rent out everything from a castle in Britain to an  igloo in Switzerland to a villa in Costa Rica. There are listings from 101+ countries and 1,800 cities with varying nightly rates.

Airbnb has a growing list of eco-friendly accommodation options to “please your wallet and our planet.”   So far in 17 countries and 23 cities, these cool and eco-friendly stays include a treehouse, igloo and eco-lodge.  There is even housing available with fellow vegans on Airbnb.com.

Earthship Normandy, France

For more info, visit Airbnb.com.

Images courtesy of Airbnb.com

Have you always dreamed of  Spain’s Camino de Santiago?

Now, you can cycle the legendary pilgrimage in 2010 with Cycling through the Centuries (CTTC).  Based in Portugal, the family-owned, luxury cycling tour specialist strives to maintain eco-friendly and sustainable operations in Spain.

Says the company:

“For a thousand years since the bones of St. James were reputedly discovered in Santiago, common people, bishops, priests, kings, popes and saints have made this famous pilgrimage. Nowadays, the expedition is not as often religiously driven, but a personal journey and test to physical and mental endurance.”

The trip will begin in the Pyrenees above Pamplona then cross northern Spain, visit cathedral cities León and Burgos and make many pilgrim stops.  Each day, the tour will end with relaxing in monasteries, ancient pilgrim inns, small hotels and restaurants famous for their regional cuisine.

For more info, check out CTTC online.

Image courtesy of the National Tourist Office of Spain

Planning a trip to New Zealand?  If you’re going to Christchurch, take a look at cool, new eco-friendly Hotel SO.  The hotel is striving to become the “world’s most sustainable hotel” with green initiatives like its free electric car charging for guests and upcoming roof wind turbines.

Says Steven Dixon, hotel spokesperson:

“The electric car market is small now, but it will boom, and we like to be ahead of the curve. More importantly, it fits with our eco-friendly and progressive vision. This is just part of a number of initiatives aimed at being the most sustainable hotel in the world something we feel comfortable claiming as the energy consumed per room is dramatically lower than any comparable product.”

Guests at Hotel SO who are driving electric cars can park at the back of the hotel and plug their vehicle in for free overnight.  Staff also use a suite of “micro” electric cars for driving around the city and running errands.

The hotel’s design and operations include recycling, energy and water conservation and use of recycled, biodegradable and non-hazardous products.  It is planning to sponsor a Milford Sound conservation program focused on “protecting and growing populations of at-risk native New Zealand birds”.

Recently, the hotel was recognized at the 2009 HotelClub Awards, named the Best Superior Hotel in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific.

For more info, check out the Hotel SO site.

Images courtesy of Hotel SO

What will be the Top 5 Travel Trends in 2010?

Adventure and luxury travel website iExplore predicts these 5 travel trends:

It’s All About Value. “Bargain hunting will still abound in 2010 as consumers have been trained by the deep discounting of the past two years to seek out the lowest prices—however, in 2010 consumers will be willing to spend if they feel like they are getting a unique experience at a good price.”

Ecotourism Here to Stay. “Not a new trend, but will still continue to play a part in consumer’s travel decisions in 2010—consumers are looking for hotels and resorts that are eco-friendly as well as destinations like Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Belize that offer the opportunity to explore the rainforests, jungles and get back to nature.”

Baby Boomers Taking Experiential Trips. “Over 75 million Baby Boomers in the United States continue to shape trends. This is an active and affluent group and instead of just passing down their money, they are choosing to create lasting memories and spend the inheritance by taking their kids and grandkids on cultural and experiential vacations—hiking the Machu Picchu Trail, African Safari’s and Alaskan Adventures.”

Travel: Not a Game of Risk.  “Due to the uncertain economy and insecurity about jobs and investments, many more travelers are taking out trip insurance in advance of big trips.”

Unique and Customized Itineraries. “The customization trend that is so popular and prevalent in other consumer categories has hit travel. Consumers want truly unique and off the beaten path itineraries that cater to their passions and hobbies—for example: trips to Southeast Asia that focus on photography, cooking classes in Italy or fishing in Argentina with a private guide.”

More and more online eco stores are making greener travel easier for adventure to luxury travelers.  traveling greener is a huge fan of UK online shop Nigel’s Eco Store and its eclectic selection of green products.

Here are 10 of Nigel’s Eco Store’s solar gift ideas for all types of travelers:

1. Sun Jar Solar Light (shown above)

2. Solar Camp Shower

3. Power Monkey Explorer

4. Solar Tent Light

5. Solar Powered Shaver

6. Mini Solar Radio

7. Solar Cool Cap

8. FreeLoader Globetrotter Kit

9. Solar Car Battery Charger

10. POWERplus Stingray Mini Solar LED Torch

For more green gift ideas, check out Nigel’s Eco Store.

Image courtesy of Nigel’s Eco Store

]]> http://www.travelinggreener.com/websites/solar-giftideas-travelers/feed/ 0 http://www.travelinggreener.com/environment/10-ecofashion-sites-love/ http://www.travelinggreener.com/environment/10-ecofashion-sites-love/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:37:34 +0000 Sonya http://www.travelinggreener.com/?p=3573

Are you an eco-conscious traveler with style?   Take heart, eco-friendly fashion seems more available everywhere.

Around the world, companies are creating original designs from all types of greener materials including hemp, linen, organic cotton and wool, recycled polyester fleece, wild silk, bamboo and more.

Italy’s Cehoz.com recently sent traveling greener one of the company’s stylish, organic cotton t-shirts to review.  Soft, silky and comfortable, these  are Euro eco-chic answers to the classic black t-shirt.

The raw cotton used by Cehoz comes from organic agriculture in Turkey.  Spinning of the cotton, fabrics, weaving, dyeing and finishing are all done by an Italian organic certified company.

Cehoz.com allocates part of its income to NutriAid humanitarian organization and funds raised to Nets4Children campaign to buy mosquito nets to prevent malaria.  Cehoz.com is offering a special 5% discount for traveling greener readers: coupon 5J4yQe7,  Valid until 15/04/2010.

Here are 10 Eco-Fashion Sites You’ll Love:

1. Cehoz.com

2. EDUN

3. People Tree

4. SPUN

5. Junky Styling

6. From Somewhere

7. FIN

8. Ethical Fashion Forum

9. Ecouterre

10. EcoSalon

What are your favorite eco-fashion sites?  Share them!

Image courtesy of Cehoz.com