5 Ways to Travel Green this Summer!

Now that the weather is warm and the kids are out of school, it’s time for summer travel!  Consider making your next family vacation a green one.  We’ve got 5 tips for you to be environmentally friendly when you this summer – Travel Green.

1.  Before going on vacation, you can save money and paper by researching trips online or at the library rather than purchasing a guide book.  Visit our partners at Virginia Green for ideas on green tourism in Virginia.  When surfing the internet remember to only print important information needed while traveling, such as hotel confirmations or tickets.  Consider looking into modes of public transportation offered in the city you plan to visit.  Bus systems, subways, bike paths, or trolley cars are all more sustainable ways to get around than by car.  Not to mention you don’t have to deal with high gas prices or parking!

2.  While you’re searching the internet for vacation ideas, research eco-tourism.  This type of tourism focuses on local cultures and promotes environmental awareness.  Eco-tourism draws attention to environmentally sensitive areas around the world and pumps money into the economy of localities visited.  Some ideas for eco-tourism include visiting sea turtle preserves in Mexico, taking a tour of the Amazon in South America or visiting wildlife preserves in South Africa.

3.  If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on an international vacation, look no further than your closest state park.  Virginia is home to 48 state parks, so you should be able to find one to fit your interests.  Hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing and camping are all fun, cheap outdoor activities.  Most state parks offer canoe rentals at affordable prices.  You can also try purchasing used gear to save money and reduce waste.  Find your local sports consignment store to purchase gently used equipment or sell the old gear you no longer use.  After any trip, make sure you leave no trace.  Anything you brought to the park should be properly disposed of either as recycling or trash.  By spending time outdoors and admiring Virginia’s natural beauty, it is easy to instill an appreciation for nature and promote environmentalism to your entire family.  In honor of their 75th anniversary this year, Virginia State Parks are offering three free days for you and your family.  Make sure you visit the park of your choice on June 21st, September 24th or November 11th -13th to visit the park for FREE!

4.  Whether you are traveling by airplane or camping an hour outside of town, make sure you take green measures before leaving home.  Unplug appliances to reduce the amount of standby power used.  Close the shades to keep the house cool and adjust the thermostat to a few degrees warmer since no one will be home.  Set your lights to timers to reduce wasting energy and make it look like someone is home!  If you are going on a long trip, stop your newspaper delivery.  This will save you money and reduce wasted paper.

5.  Above all, the most important things to remember about summer travel are to go green and have fun!