Green getaways: travel tips With Fine Living TV's Stephanie Oswald

October 9, 8:14 AMAtlanta Green Matters ExaminerJill Elizabeth Westfall

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Stephanie Oswald

Stephanie Oswald is the Host of All-Girl Getaways on Fine Living TV, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of travelgirl magazine, Former CNN Travel Correspondent, and Anchor of CNN Travel Now. During her time at CNN, Oswald specialized in adventure travel, filing reports from Europe, South America, Asia and the Caribbean. One series took her into the depths of Papua New Guinea for a rare look at the Huli Wigmen. In her personal travels, this mother of two has hiked the Inca Trail, spent time diving at the Great Barrier Reef, journeyed through India and reached the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Her favorite destination is Mont-St.-Michel in Normandy, France.

Green living is a topic dear to my heart and it’s an issue that we address regularly in travelgirl magazine. From eco-friendly jewelry to home furnishings — and of course eco-travel tips, I think it’s important to show our readers ways they can incorporate preservation of the environment into their daily lives.

Eco-travel is also a hot topic for All-Girl Getaways, because there are so many women out there who want to make a difference. One of my favorite episodes of the show profiles a group of scientists with a genuine passion for protecting the Earth. Determined to bring that feeling with them on vacation, they planned an eco-trip to Hawaii, stayed at an eco-friendly resort and arranged to work on some environmental projects during their holiday. It’s a wonderful example of how women around the world are using vacation time to take a break from everyday responsibilities, bond with each other — and still follow their passion to make a difference in the world.

Tybee Island

As a mom, I’m excited about raising my kids to respect the environment. Children learn what’s right from watching mom and dad — so if you are practicing ways to save the Earth, your kids will do the same. Any child can be taught not to litter, to be sure to turn off excess lights, and to not touch the coral reefs while snorkeling. My three-year-old knows where the recycle bins are and what goes in them. She’s well on her way to being an eco-friendly travelgirl.

“Green” Travel Tips:

My first piece of advice to anyone planning an “Earth-friendly” getaway tied into a resort or specific hotel is to make sure that the place touting itself as “Earth-friendly” really has some eco-friendly policies in place, and is not simply jumping on the “go green” bandwagon to attract environmentally-conscious travelers. Before you book, ask them what they are doing to help the environment. Do they have a recycling program for guests? Do they re-use sheets and towels per guests’ discretion? Do they have solar power?

A few websites where you can research appropriate accommodations are: The Green Hotels Association (www.greenhotels.com), the International Ecotourism Society (www.ecotourism.org) and Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravel.com). You’ll find lists of legitimate eco-friendly destinations around the world.

There are also ways you can officially offset your impact. Websites such as www.carbonfund.org have “carbon calculators” that will help you determine what your carbon footprint is and make a financial contribution to offset that impact. Money goes toward projects such as tree plantings or installing solar panels.

 

Recommendations for Green Destinations

Costa Rica used to be the “poster child” for green vacations. A lot has changed there in recent years, but there are still some fabulous ecofriendly resorts. You must do your homework before booking a place. However, travelers who are looking for the next ideal eco-destination should look to Nicaragua, Uruguay and Ecuador. These are destinations that have strong ties to the natural environment and are welcoming to the traveler who wants to cherish the Earth. 

 As far as the “greenest” cities in the continental United States, I would say Seattle, Denver (and nearby Boulder), Austin and Sedona, Ariz. are top choices. In these places the local community has an overwhelming commitment to taking care of the Earth, preserving green spaces and generally keeping its environmental impact in check. In turn, that feeling spreads to tourism, so when you travel to these places, you find hotels, resorts, spas and tourism boards with legitimate green programs; you see tour operators that function with minimal impact; and you find chefs and restaurant owners committed to recycling, organic farming and staying loyal to local produce.

Excerpted from "Green Matters for Everyday Living: Better Ways to Build, Buy, Travel & Save" (GreenLiving Books, available for presale through Target and Amazon). All rights reserved.