Getting away from it all

Amy Golledge

08 July 2011

All this rain makes me glum. I'm pleased we're getting much-needed water for gardens, crops and reservoirs, but the sun-seeker in me is pining for a holiday.

The Sun recently dedicated its Saturday travel pages to eco-friendly breaks with some tips on ethical behaviour whilst on holiday and some green holidays and accommodation ideas.

They also touched on travel, looking at the first flight using biofuels and opportunities to offset. At Friends of the Earth we know that these options don't cut the mustard. So what can you do to reduce your carbon footprint and have a sustainable break?

The train is a great place to start. We all know air travel is no friend of the earth, but that doesn't rule out going abroad altogether. I know lots of people who've taken the train and have made the trip as much a part of the holiday as the destination itself. Check out Eurostar to get across the channel and explore their connections across Europe beyond Paris, Lille and Brussels. Their Tread Lightly programme aims to further reduce their carbon emissions by 35% and reduce 25% of emissions from their supply chain. For independent train travel advice, Seat 61 is a must-see website.

Another very useful travel resource is Organic Holidays, a directory of organic accommodation options across the world.

Friend of the Earth's shop is offering a hefty discount on Cool Camping. See here for lots more green travel advice and tips.

Whilst I am desperate for some sunny weather, I'm also exploring more budget-friendly UK holiday ideas. Having looked into it I can tell you, I wasn't short on options: I could house swap or sofa surf, camp or climb, cycle or train, even volunteer with conservation projects. There are many very environmentally friendly adventures to be had.

So I'm investing in some fake tan, buying pretty wellies and getting better acquainted with my umbrella.

Amy Golledge, Communications & Media Team

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