The sunny beaches of Virginia
The growing green movement has taken over the way many American families eat, clean and manage their households and now, thanks to the rise in green travel destinations, holiday.
Focusing on their environmental footprint, many people have switched to Vegan lifestyles, raw and organic foods, natural cleaning products and energy-efficient appliances and electronics. As the trend grows, even vacation destinations have incorporated healthy and environmentally friendly alternatives for green travelers.
Throughout North America, green resorts have shot up allowing green households to enjoy their vacations without worrying about harming the environment and without giving up special amenities like hot tubs and spas.
Sandswept – Virginia Beach, Va.
This ocean front rental has won environmental awards form the US Green Building Council, Hampton Roads Green Building Council and the Green Building Council of Tidewater Builders Association. Green features include energy-efficient lighting, heating and laundry as well as specialized water faucets, toilets and showers to save water.
Still, vacationers won’t have to skip out on luxury for green living. The residence also includes a rooftop deck, gas fireplace and jetted tub with air massagers. The Sandswept property offers guests more than 3,000 square feet of living space with bed space for more than 15 visitors. Additionally, the property is pet friendly and features a gas BBQ grill for healthy cooking.
Fond Doux Estate – St. Lucia
Located in a tropical paradise, this 19th century estate offers an eco-friendly vacation to travelers. This green resort offers the only organic estate on St. Lucia through eco-building practices. Guests can even tour the Cocoa plantation seeing how an organic farm functions.
Still, like many green travel destinations, the Fond Doux spares no luxury for its guests. The estate offers 10 cottages with balconies and garden views. The estate also features three pools for guests to enjoy during their stay. Located 45 minutes from the international airport, the estate offers scenic views and easy access to many tourist areas on the island.
Aurum Lodge and Cottage – Alberta, Canada
With six separate living areas, the Aurum Lodge functions as a Bed & Breakfast and even offers evening meals. With its proximity to the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, the lodge offers the perfect location for nature lovers with plenty of green holiday activities. The park allows travelers to partake in hiking, biking, canoeing, climbing, snowshoeing and many other outdoor activities.
In addition to its plethora of outdoor sports, the lodge also offers green living with energy-efficient utilities and water flow regulated plumbing. The lodge also recycles and composts to create an all-around environmentally friendly vacation. For green eaters, the B&B even offers vegetarian options at each meal.
While many people think of excess when they think of vacations, green travel destinations are popping up everywhere around North America. As the environmental movement continues to grow, green vacation options are sure to increase.
Felicia Baratz-Savage is a travel blogger and writer that contributes regularly to Cooks & Travel Books.
(cc) Jason Pratt