Travel Tips
Travel Sustainably
By Valeria Garibotti on 6th April, 2023
We’ve got a big topic to chat about. Environmental impact.
The travel sector rightly undergoes heavy scrutiny.
We rely on jets, trains, busses and boats – not to mention the impact of transfers, air con and hotel laundry. While we offset carbon from each Fleewinter holiday, there’s always more to work on to make travel more sustainable.
Travel has an undeniably positive impact on local economies, and we genuinely believe it is a force for good.
There are loads of tips and tricks that mean you can reduce your footprint when travelling. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourites for you.
THE BIGGIE: DITCH THE SINGLE USE PLASTIC
You most likely have reduced your single use plastic at home, so keep your good habits when on holiday.
Carly, our wonderful Asia specialist, travels in Sri Lanka and Vietnam with her own reusable bottle and asks the hotels she’s staying in to refill it with chilled, filtered water.
Daphne works with many African lodges who offer customers stainless steel bottles, a great way to reduce plastic whilst on a safari, but also a great souvenir.
And if you want to do a little extra, a lot of us at Fleewinter, including Ellie – our Mexico specialist – take solid shampoo and conditioner bars on holiday. No plastic – and doesn’t take up your liquid allowance on the plane either…
EAT LOCAL
Eat like a local! That’s Marbree’s motto when she is travelling to South East Asia. Eating locally grown fresh produce is one of the best ways to eat sustainably, it’s good for local economies and your soul.
The vibrant colours of fruit and veg in a market stall lift your mood and are great for your tastebuds, finally fruit and veg how it is supposed to taste! Why not ask the folks selling fruits to show you how to crack open a mangosteen or a rambutan? Besides trying something new and local, you could spark a conversation you’ll remember long after the holiday ends.
Try a plethora of dishes from regional recipes. Tiny pandan cakes in Malaysia, sago worms in Borneo, Pho in Vietnam or a vibrant veggie curry in Sri Lanka! Better for the environment and also your pockets, as these are often the cheapest options too!
GO NATURAL – DITCH THE CHEMICALS
Helen lives and breathes the ocean – no wonder she is Fleewinter’s sailing specialis – and she has ditched the chemicals loaded suncreams for good.
We are big advocates of sun cream (who isn’t!) but why not use a reef safe alternative? Make sure your choice has UVA and UVB protection so you can continue to dive in all holiday long!
And to protect you from those nasty insect bites? Daphne reaches for her fragrance free coconut oil, and Ellie swears by her citronella oil. Only a few drops go a long way.
ONLY BRING MEMORIES BACK HOME
Val is our Brazil and Chile expert and is a very keen diver. When on holiday, she gets in the water at the very first opportunity, usually in tropical places where the sea is warm and full of colours and life.
Fernando de Noronha is Brazil’s best place to dive, and no matter how tempting it is to pick up a shell or rock, she only leaves bubbles behind.
No matter where you are, whether on safari in Africa or on a heavenly beach, take only memories back with you and leave nothing behind.
SWITCH OFF
Some things are so simple they’re easy to forget. And when on holiday we want to experience a new found sense of freedom and relaxation so we might let go of good habits.
Turn off the lights and air conditioning when you leave your hotel room. If you know you are spending the whole day out exploring, there is no need to waste this energy.
And who changes their towels or sheets every day at home? When staying in a hotel, Marbree uses hers more than once – the water waste from hotel laundry is shockingly high and this simple step is an easy way to help reduce it.
WALK, CYCLE, TRAVEL LOCAL
If you love the outdoors like Sarah, our Sovenia specialist, choose destinations where you can cycle around, like the recently launched Slovenia Green Gourmet Route.
And no matter the destination, walk and take local transportation every chance you get.
You’ll see more of where you are, interact with people who might point you to somewhere interesting or off-the-beaten path, and know that you’re moving about as sustainably as you can. Some destinations, like for instance Singapore, have some of the world’s best public transport systems.
