Travel Lighter, Experience More – Packing Tips for the Eco-Conscious Traveler
Traveling light not only makes your trip more relaxed but also helps reduce your carbon footprint. Taking less may initially sound difficult, and the thought "But I need all this!" comes to mind. Contingencies and what-if scenarios often lead us to take more than we need. However, more and more sustainable accommodations offer rental services so you can be prepared for anything without having to pack half your household into your suitcase.
_____________________________
More luggage = more CO2
Did you know that the weight of your luggage has a direct impact on your emissions? Especially when traveling by car or plane, extra kilos mean more fuel consumption and therefore more emissions. So, by focusing on the essentials when packing, you can reduce your environmental impact and enjoy a lighter suitcase.
By the way: Weight also matters when you travel by train. But you probably pack lighter when you take the train anyway.
Lighter Luggage thanks to Rental and Hotel Services
Of course, packing light starts with a critical look at your clothing choices. Experience tells us that most of us pack way too much clothing. And just one more "emergency" pair of jeans can quickly add more than 1 kilogram of extra weight to your bag! To make packing easier, you can take advantage of the services and amenities at your sustainable accommodation. We'll show you how.
1) Local Rental Services
Whether you need hiking boots, a hairdryer, backpacks, or bicycles, the rental pool at Biohotel Grafenast in Austria has the right equipment for almost any situation. This saves space in your suitcase and you arrive more relaxed. Maybe that's a reason for you to take the train? After all, heavy and bulky equipment will be left at home.
Be sure to check with your accommodation to see what rental options are available. For example, the Relais del Maro in the small village of Borgomaro has a selection of board games for you to borrow. The Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol has a library (including a selection of blind-date books), and you will also find a hiking rucksack in your room to help you on your South Tyrolean adventure.
2) Sustainable Cosmetics in Hotels
Many sustainable accommodations in the Green Pearls® network use refillable natural cosmetics. So if you prefer, you can leave your toiletries at home and use the eco-friendly alternatives on site. At Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa, you can also look forward to solid shampoo and zero-waste bath products. For spa moments all to yourself.
3) Local Products for Lasting Memories
Some hotels even offer sustainably produced clothing or accessories in their shops. At your vacation destination, you will also find many shops and local businesses where you can pick up a souvenir or two. So, if you are thinking about buying something new for your vacation, wait until you get there. That way, you will have a souvenir to remember your trip by.
But be careful: we are not talking about the "souvenir" shops with mass-produced imports, but rather owner-operated shops with local and sustainable products! It's best to ask your hosts directly for recommendations.
An example of a small and carefully curated hotel shop can be found at the Lifestylehotel SAND. Hotel manager Marion Muller selects the products for sale with great care and a special eye on sustainability and regionality. The same goes for the sisters who run the cozy Hotel Okelmann's in Warpe, Lower Saxony. In the adjacent and equally lovingly run Café Heimatliebe, guests and visitors will find a concept store with all sorts of little things to take home - for two and four-legged friends alike.
But sometimes it just happens: at the end of a trip, you realize you packed more than you needed, or you bought something new at your destination and now your suitcase is bursting at the seams. Through the "Clothes Make People (Happy)" project at the Hotel Luise in Erlangen, Germany, guests can donate unused clothing on site instead of taking it home again to gather dust in the closet. To do so, you place the wooden coins provided in the room - locally made "tokens" made of MDF with ash veneer - on the items, giving them a second life. A classic win-win situation: your luggage is lighter and your clothes are given to people who can make good use of them. A sustainable approach that combines conscious packing with social engagement.
Less Luggage = Less Stress
Traveling light makes you more relaxed, and every item you leave at home has a positive impact on the environment. Many of our hotel partners can help by offering ways to literally lighten your load – and make more room for those special experiences.
_____________________________
TRAVEL: SPRING IN TENERIFE – TIPS AND DATES
During March, April, and May, Tenerife is in full bloom. Combined with wonderful temperatures of around 23 degrees Celsius, it is an ideal time to visit the Canary Islands. Here you will find important dates, tips, and addresses, as well as ideas on how to make your spring vacation in Tenerife as sustainable as possible.
WELLNESS: MINDFUL TRAVEL PLANNING
The benefits of travel start before you even leave the house! According to researchers, the very act of planning a trip has a positive effect on the psyche! The anticipation, the excitement, and of course, the dopamine rush when you click “book”! Through mindful travel planning, you can also make your next trip sustainable.
CULINARY: A CULINARY JOURNEY TO THE ALLGÄU REGION OF GERMANY WITH CHEF ERIK WENDT
“Honest and down-to-earth” is how the longtime chef at the Hotel Das Rübezahl in Füssen describes Allgäu cuisine. In the mountains of the German-Austrian border region, he says, you can get by with very few ingredients and rely directly on nature. Erik will tell you what you must try in the Allgäu.