My top 5 Eco-friendly & sustainable destinations for 2021

One of the few upsides to emerge from 2020, is the renewed desire to re-connect with nature and the great outdoors.

The environment is certainly a subject that is important to many people, and over the last year especially, there has been more time to think about how the next holiday could be more Eco-Friendly.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica, in South America, is the perfect destination if you are looking for eco-friendly tourism and is currently on track to be the first carbon-neutral country.

Coastlines on both the Caribbean and the Pacific, as well as large areas of protected beauty and almost a quarter of the country still left a rain forest, are a huge draw for visitors

 The parks are UNESCO-protected and safeguarded against deforestation and logging, and home to lots of different species of wildlife and plants.

Costa Rica produces nearly 93 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, such as hydropower, wind, solar, and geothermal. With its many beaches and volcanoes, Costa Rica holds five percent of the planets total biodiversity.

There are many eco-conscious hotels and restaurants to choose from too, that support local communities and source from local farms….and there are even volunteering opportunities to experience the biodiversity & the local way of life.

Iceland

Iceland is a ruggedly beautiful and increasingly popular destination with glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs, and other impressive landscapes.

Iceland sets an example to the rest of the world and uses lots of geothermal and hydro energy to power its electricity. An eco-friendly lifestyle is easy because of the hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities that you can choose over driving a rental car.

Geothermal and hydro meet 81 percent of Iceland’s primary energy needs for electricity, heat, and transportation and Iceland is now a global leader in renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction.

Reykjavík is considered to be one of the ‘cleanest’ cities in the world and is home to 40% of Iceland’s residents, Geothermal energy powers all buildings in the city, heat the homes, lights the streets, and powers the greenhouses that produce most of the vegetables.…….a goal has been set of being entirely free of fossil fuels by 2050.

Iceland is the perfect all-year-round destination. View the Northern lights well away from any light pollution, or unwind in a natural heated pool…… a great place to visit for the environmentally conscious traveller.

I loved my trip to Iceland and can recommend tailor-making your holiday to explore all this beautiful country has to offer.

Norway

Norway is working towards a goal of becoming CO2 neutral by 2030 and is frequently voted as one of the best and happiest countries to live.

Norway is one of Europe's largest providers of hydropower and was also reported to have used waste as a key source of eco-friendly fuel, to power everything from homes to shops and schools.

Conservation is a big part of the culture and eight tourist destinations have been officially certified as sustainable by the Sustainable Tourism initiative.

Norway's glacial landscapes and stunning fjords are proudly preserved and you can even embark on a trip to the Arctic, to Spitsbergen to view wildlife in natural surroundings.

I experienced the midnight sun at the most northerly part of Norway……..such an amazing experience and a stunning country.

British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia, is a nature lover’s paradise and Vancouver is a city that embraces sustainability through public transportation, biking and pedestrian initiatives and using renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions.

Canada has long been known for its beauty but is now being recognised for its commitment to the environment and its sustainable tourism.

It is also home to many unique and connected ecosystems — including wetlands, deserts, forests, mountain ranges, plains, and tundra, and is also surrounded by three oceans, is home to some 50,000 islands all which contribute to Canada having the longest coastline in the world.

The country has taken large steps in sustainability through innovative government initiatives and the Green Tourism program. 

Many ‘excursions’ in Canada are more about having an ‘experience’, like kayaking alongside whales in their natural surroundings or bear watching in their natural habitat, rather than just sightseeing. When you are emersed in those experiences, you start to understand why preserving them is so important.

Canada also happens to be my favourite country!

New Zealand

New Zealand, is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular countries in the world and works hard to protect its natural beauty.

Over the last 20 years, it’s focus has been on becoming a more eco-friendly nation, through practising sustainable travel.

Much of the country is part of the national park system, and many areas are protected including Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Reserve

Largely considered a 'green' nation, with geothermal power accounting for 22% of New Zealand's energy (in 2015).

Whether you are admiring enormous glaciers, snow-dusted mountains or sampling wine at one of the vineyards, you can be safe in the knowledge that many tour operators are regulated to ensure that you are travelling responsibly.

For more information or to book your Eco-friendly holiday - get in touch!