Here are 7 things to consider when choosing a green travel destination.

1. Check Public Transportation Options

If your destination is a city that you’ll want to explore extensively, make sure there is a good public transportation system so you won’t have to take cabs or rent a car. Most cities have decent websites about their public transportation systems. You can also check travel forums and talk to other travelers who have been where you’re going. Better yet, rent a bike and use it as your primary means of transportation.

2. Look for Greener Accommodations

Choosing a low-impact place to stay is not only greener, it’s often less expensive. If the weather is nice, look for camping options. Otherwise, make sure there are hostels. If you’re looking at hotels, research the country’s hotel energy/environmental standards, then find a hotel that meets those guidelines. For more info check out Finding Environmentally Friendly Hotels through Green Accreditation Directories.

3. Scope Out the Area for Green Space

Are there nice parks in the town, or at least within walking or biking distance? What about lakes and hiking trails? There’s nothing better than waking up in the morning and walking out the hostel door onto a hiking trail. Of course, that’s not easy to do in all places. But if you love the outdoors, make sure your destination has options for green recreation.

photo credit: celesteh

4. Think About Walkability

Will you be able to walk from your hostel to restaurants and entertainment? If the town is spread out, see if there’s a concentration of places you want to see, then book a hostel near those places to make your trip more walkable. Walking is one of the easiest ways to reduce your impact.

5. Look at Chains Versus Local Business and Restaurants

Are there a number of local businesses you could visit? Or is the city overrun with McDonald’s and KFCs? Going to local grocery stores and restaurants is one of the easiest ways to immerse yourself in local culture. And part of the fun of traveling is experience new things, which is hard to do if you stick to what you know and what’s available back home.

6. Check Out the City’s Recycling Policy

With all of the plastic building up in landfills across the world, a solid recycling policy is increasingly urgent. Even some small towns and villages recycle, so pick a destination that has a policy in place. If you really want to visit a place that doesn’t recycle, avoid buying plastic and other recyclables while you’re there; stick to reusable items instead.

7. Decide if You’ll Really Get to Experience the Culture

A big part of being a green traveler is striving to understand different people, cultures, and history. On the surface, it seems that traveling inherently facilitates cultural understanding. In reality, it’s far too easy to live in a bubble, even when you’re traveling. See if your destination is one that seems to exist exclusively to cater to tourists. If it is, pass it up and look for something that will get you out of your comfort zone and into the culture of your destination.

Not sure where to start? Check out our list of Top Green Cities: Where to Travel Green.

What else do you consider when you’re deciding on a green travel destination?

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

7 Tips for Choosing a Green Travel Destination

I wasn’t sure what to expect of my trip to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, since I would be traveling with 50 teenagers. I went to Vancouver as a mentor to at-risk teens through a program of The Foundation for Global Sports Development. I’m so glad I kept an open mind because the experience was truly unforgettable.

First Impressions

As we wandered around the city on the Thursday before the Opening Ceremonies, the growing anticipation of the games was palpable in the air. The Vancouver metro area had transformed into a hub of Olympic excitement.

In less than 24 hours, the city would become an intersection of cultures, filling the streets with the sounds of different languages and dialects. However, despite all the differences, a common sense of joy, good will, and healthy competition was evident in everyone’s interactions.

Olympic Rings at 2010 Vancouver Olympics

The Cultural Experience of the Olympics

It was the cultural aspect of the Olympics that I found most appealing. We spent some time at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, which houses a fascinating collection of cultural artifacts and information. We also enjoyed Chinese New Year celebrations, and some of us were lucky enough to sit next to a group of costumed and very enthusiastic Swiss fans during the USA Men’s Hockey game against Switzerland.

One particularly exciting moment was when a bunch of the teenagers with my program, many of whom are from Mexico, got to meet the single Mexican Olympian! This friendly exchange of cultures is truly integral to the Olympic spirit.

Olympic Coffee Volunteer

How Green Were the Vancouver Olympics?

Vancouver did, in my opinion, a great job of hosting these Olympics, despite reported lack of snow (many interviewed athletes said the conditions were fine) and a few other incidents. In regards to hosting an environmentally friendly and inclusive Olympics, The Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) included the first-nation tribes and metropolitan residents as they moved forward to host what has been called the “greenest” Olympic games yet.

There was busing from Vancouver to Whistler and Cypress Mountain that reduced carbon emissions, spectators and residents were strongly encouraged to use public transportation (and many did!), and a variety of recycling options were available everywhere.

I’m sure there are ways VANOC could have done even more to reach their green objectives, but this Olympics was a great step forward in environmentally-conscious thinking.

Green Vancouver and Olympics Resources

• The Sustainable Sport and Event Toolkit (SSET)
• Vancouver 2010 and Sustainability
• Vancouver’s Green Olympics: Exceptions that Change the Rules
• The Best of Us (video)
• Inuit Animation (video)

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

I Was There: Vancouver Olympics 2010

Fortunately, there are dog food companies dedicated to creating organic, healthy, holistic, and wholesome pet foods. Which is the best dog food? Here are the top six, complete with price comparisons.

Prices range from $1.13/lb (Canidae) to almost double that at $2.24/lb (HALO).

Wellness Dog Food

• Uses premium meats like deboned chicken, New Zealand lamb, and white fish
• Use high quality grains such as oatmeal and barley that provide essential vitamins and nutrients
• Adds selected botanical extracts such as green tea and lycopene
• No meat by-products
• No corn
• No artificial preservatives
• No artificial flavors, colors or dyes

Cost: $58.97 ($1.97 per pound) for a 30 lb bag of Wellness Super5Mix Complete Health Chicken Dog Food

Canidae Dog Food

• Nutritionally dense meals originate from meats processed in a human grade facility
• All natural, high quality, holistic pet food
• No corn, wheat, soy, grain fractions or fillers
• Naturally preserved
• Free-range and/or antibiotic-free meats

Cost: $33.99 ($1.13 per pound) for a 30 lb bag of Canidae Chicken and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance Dog Food

• Grain-free options for dogs with allergies
• No artificial preservatives, flavors, colors or bleached ingredients
• High in Omega 3, a natural source of DHA
• Natural ingredients to help rebuild a dog’s immune system

Cost: $63.00 ($2.25 per pound) for a 28 lb bag of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Dog Food

• Deboned chicken, lamb or fish is the first ingredient, which means there is more real meat than any other ingredient
• Wholesome whole grains
• Garden vegetables and antioxidant-rich fruit
• No chicken or poultry by-products
• No corn, wheat, or soy proteins
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

Cost: $43.00 ($1.44 per pound) for a 30 lb bag of Blue Buffalo Chicken and Brown Rice Adult Dog Food

Solid Gold Dog Food

Solid Gold may be the best dog food brand. When our puppy had chicken allergies, we fed him Solid Gold puppy food and the allergies disappeared.

• No chemical preservatives
• Specialize in the development of “low allergen” products
• Use USDA Choice meats, USDA grade I and II grains, and healthful monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils
• Never add animal or poultry fat to our products
• Use foil “barrier” packaging for all our dry food products, which means we don’t have to use chemical preservatives or flavor enhancers

Cost: $66.60 ($2.02 per pound) for a 33 lb bag of Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Adult Maintenance Dog Food

HALO Dog Food

• No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
• No gluten, wheat or corn
• No rendered meats, poultry or fish, animal or plant by-products
• Home-style recipe with easy to recognize and understand ingredients
• Natural sources of soluble and insoluble fiber

Cost: $69.49 ($2.24 per pound) for a 31 lb bag of Halo Spot’s Stew Wholesome Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food

Which is the best dog food?

The short answer is: the best dog food depends on your dog. If your dog has allergies, needs a special diet, or is a picky eater, you might have to try a few different brands of food to find the one that works for your pet. All of the above brands make holistic dog food with your pet’s well-being in mind, so you’ll be able to find a healthy dog food that works for your dog.

This post is part of our Green Travelers at Home series.

This post contains affiliate links. Prices are approximate.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Best Dog Food: Organic Dog Food Comparison

We’ll focus on everything from the best compost bins and green home repair to healthy pet and personal care products. The series launches today with a post called Best Dog Food: Organic Dog Food Comparison.

Are there other green home topics you’d like to see us cover? Let us know in the comments.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Launch of Green Travelers at Home

This year my obsession is even worse because the 2010 Olympics are in Vancouver, an eco-friendly city that I happen to love. In honor of the Olympics, here is our complete guide to Vancouver 2010 — from restaurants and things to do to green Vancouver and the Olympics.

Restaurants

Vancouver is home to a diverse population and its array of restaurant choices reflects that diversity. Don’t be overwhelmed by the endless dining choices — read these guides to find the best eats in Vancouver.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games – Where to Eat?

Urban Diner: A Fine Guide to Eating and Drinking in BC

The New York Times: Eating Vancouver (read the comments)

Brian’s Favorite Eats: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Edition

Sightseeing

No matter where your interests lie, Vancouver will have something to entertain you. Check out these lists of things to do in Vancouver for ideas.

The Encyclopedia Britannica Blog’s Vancouver: A Travelers’ Guide to the Olympic Host City

Biking in Stanley Park: Vancouver, BC

Conde Nast Traveler’s Video: Vancouver, What To Do When You’re Not On the Slopes

The Calgary Beacon: Things to do in Vancouver

Culture and Arts at Vancouver 2010

photo credit: adrian8_8

Accommodations

It may be too late to find affordable accommodations during the Olympics, but if you’re visiting Vancouver after the games, you’re in luck. Vancouver has it all from hotels to hostels to bed and breakfasts.

Best Rated Hostels in Vancouver

Vancouver’s Sustainable Stays

Pacific Palisades Hotel in Vancouver (a Kimpton Hotel): Review

Finding Last-Minute Olympic Accommodations in Vancouver

Dog Friendly Hotels and B&B in Vancouver BC

2010 Winter Olympic Games

If you can’t make it to the Olympics, these posts will make you feel like you’re there — almost.

Vancouver Olympics 2010: Stunning Moments From February 15 (PHOTOS)

Google Sightseeing’s Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: City Venues

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Best Sites for Kids

Vancouver 2010 Olympics Blog: Travel Tips on Accommodations, Event Tickets and Lessons Learned

Last-minute guide to attending the Vancouver 2010 Games

Are the Vancouver Olympics really green?

Green Vancouver

With the array of local businesses, public transportation, and outdoor activities Vancouver offers, the green traveler should have no trouble staying busy in the city.

Vancouver in 2 (Eco-Friendly) Days

Grist: The 10 greenest and brownest things about Vancouver

Vancouver Olympics Get Green Transport: Electric Streetcars

LEED Platinum Vancouver Convention Center has North America’s Largest Green Roof

Rabble.ca’s Olympic guide to Vancouver’s tap water

Local Culture

Vancouver was already a culturally diverse city and the 2010 Olympic Games have taken that diversity to a whole new level.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Events: Aboriginal BC Culture

Vancouver a multicultural population, but is it all connected to Winter Games

PHOTO ESSAY: Canada Welcomes The World to The Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Whether you’re in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics or just visiting for the weekend, the city offers low-impact activities, accommodations, and dining options for every traveler’s taste.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Guide to Vancouver 2010: Winter Olympics, Restaurants, Sightseeing, Hotels & Culture

It turns out, it could. Falling icicles kill people all of the time — especially in Chicago and Russia. In fact, death by icicle goes back to at least 1776. Here are 10 chilling tales of people killed and injured by falling icicles, ice dams, and roof snow.

1. Boy in Devonshire, England, 1776

The son of a Parish clerk in Devonshire, England, was killed when an icicle fell on him and fractured his skull. His epitaph reads:

“Bless my i,i,i,i,i,i
Here he lies
In a Sad Pickle
Kill’d by an Icicle.”

2. Police Officer in Cassopolis, Michigan, 1903

In 1903, a police officer in Cassopolis, Michigan was killed when a “huge icicle which fell upon him… and cut off the top of his head.” Ouch.

3. Pastor in Michigan, 2001

A 48-year-old pastor, also in Michigan, was clearing icicles from his roof and loosened an icedam, which fell on him and killed him. The official was of death was “bilateral pulmonary thromboemboli due to crushed lower extremity due to falling ice.”

photo credit: justmakeit

4. 74 Muscovites in Moscow, Russia, 2001

In 2001, 74 Muscovites were victims of falling ice, including an 18 year-old boy who was “killed… by a falling shard at his military base.”

5. Donald Booth, Chicago, Illinois, 1994

A “microwave-size” chunk of ice fell off of a Neiman Marcus building in Chicago, killing Donald Booth of Wisconsin. The department store settled with his family for $4.5 million.

6. 5 People in Samara, Russia, 2008

In 2008, at least 5 people were killed by falling icicles in the industrial city of Samara, Russia.

7. Woman on Prospekt Yuriya Gagarina in St. Petersburg, Russia, 2010

A woman walking down Prospekt Yuriya Gagarina in St. Petersburg was struck by a falling icicle. She died on the spot. It’s been an icy winter in St. Petersburg and “more than ten people have been injured by icicles and more than 500 have sustained injuries from falling over in streets.”

8. 7-year-old Boy in Springfield, Vermont, year unknown

An icicle hit a 7-year-old boy in the head while he was playing outside. He “suffered traumatic brain injuries,” but survived.

9. 8 Chicagoans in Chicago, Illinois, 2000

At one Chicago hospital, at least 8 people were treated for falling ice-related injuries in 2000.

10. 55-year-old Woman in Stockholm, Sweden, 2010

Proving that wintertime weapons need not be sharp and pointy, a 55-year-old woman in Stockholm, Sweden’s vertebrae were crushed by snow that fell off of a roof this year.

Further Reading on Falling Icicles

• Death Served Up Cold
• Beware Dangerous Winter Icicles
• Saving the world from falling icicles
• Death by icicle

So if you live in a cold climate — especially one in Russia or the midwestern United States — beware of roof overhangs with seemingly innocuous icicles. It only takes one falling icicle or ice dam to do serious damage.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

10 Chilling Tales of People Killed by Icicles Around the World

My favorite vacation involves packing up a small tent, a backpack and some food and heading out with my husband for a hike or a bike ride. Even if we only manage a few days away, I really enjoy the seclusion, and the time to think and talk. It feeds our relationship.

I love the quote, “Take only photographs and leave only footprints” and I always make the effort to leave the environment exactly as we found it.

On our last walking trip, we took our dog. It was quite a learning curve, because although we’d traveled with our dog many times, this was the first time we’d tried a green vacation with our dog.

1. Use Biodegradable Poop Bags

I always pick up my dog’s droppings when we’re out and about. Plastic bags can last a long time in the environment, so I made sure to purchase biodegradable poo bags. That way, if we were out on the trails, I could pick up the poo and bury it off to the side of the trail, and I’d know I wasn’t harming the environment with plastic.

2. Keep Your Dog on a Leash

I know our dog is well behaved, and would come back when he’s called, but I never let him off leash when we’re hiking. Dogs are predators, and their instincts are strong. Our dog is a whippet, and if he saw a small creature run across his path, he would be off after it, and would have a very good chance of catching it.

For the sake of the birds and wildlife that live in the forests, I keep him restrained. No doubt he’d rather be running loose, but I’d feel dreadful if he killed something.

photo credit: cogdogblog

3. Know How Far Your Dog Can Walk

We can walk for miles with our dog. However, walking does limit how far we can travel. If we want to take him further than he can walk, we either need to take the car, or find an alternative means of transport that is dog friendly, as well as environmentally friendly.

Enter the bike dog trailer. This neat little trailer attaches to the back of a bicycle, and is safe and comfortable for a dog to ride in. When we stop for the night, it converts to a kennel for him to sleep in. It’s not cheap, and you do need to train your dog to relax in it, but if you’re going to make a habit of biking trips with your dog, it’s a great investment.

4. Don’t Give Your Dog a Bath (Unless He Stinks)

Dogs can become quite dirty while they’re hiking. They love to roll in dust and mud, and they find the aroma of dead animals particularly appealing. I’ve found that the less I bathe my dog, the better his coat repels dust and dirt. So, save water, don’t bathe him and the natural oils in his coat will allow you to brush the dirt off him.

Of course, that doesn’t apply to “eau de dead animal,” in which case you really do need to shampoo him. Try to choose a dog shampoo that contains no parabens or sodium lauryl sulphate.

5. Think About Bug Bites

Depending on where you live, hiking along forest trails may leave you and your dog susceptible to attack by biting insects, including ticks and mosquitos. There are many shampoos and sprays that contain natural insecticides such as tea tree oil or neem oil which will help to repel insects, without the need to apply chemicals to your dog. Take care with natural oils because natural doesn’t necessarily mean non-toxic.

We found that it really doesn’t take too much effort to enjoy a green vacation with our dog. A bit of forethought means we can share our trip with our four legged family member, while taking care of our environment. That’s a win-win situation.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

5 Tips for Hiking with Your Dog: A Green Vacation for the Whole Family

From packing light and hypermiling to travel photos and water bottles, here are some of our most popular posts from 2008 and 2009.

Travel Tips & Tricks

Ultimate Guide to Packing Light: 45 Tips to Lighten Your Load

10 Best Countries for Vegetarian or Vegan Travel

Shades of Green Travel

The Extreme Hypermiling Guide: 450+ Tips to Increase Your Miles Per Gallon and Save Gas

10 Free Ways to Learn a Language

11 Common Foods to Naturally Relieve Illness while Traveling

photo credit: BotheredbyBees

9 Tips for Learning a Language in a Foreign Country

End of Back to School Green Travel Basics: Index of Posts

Find Cheap Airline Tickets: Cheat Sheet

25 Days to Green Travel: Index

Travel Gear & Reviews

10 Christmas Gift Ideas for the Traveler Who’s Not Traveling

Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Smackdown

Ultimate Guide to Thrift Store Shopping: 34 Tips and Tricks for Travelers

How to Choose a (Healthy) Water Bottle: 34 Resources

Eat, Pray, Love Book Review and Favorite Quotes

Travel Stories

Volunteering at Chacra Millalen: The Argentina Organic Farm Experience

Bike & Wine Tour in Maipu: It’s Better After a Bottle

Best Steak Ever: The Argentina Parrilla Experience

Long Term Travel: Too Much Time to Think?

Argentine Cuisine: 17 Foods You’ve Gotta Try

Travel Photos

Monkeys & Exotic Birds: Animals of Tikal National Park in Pictures

31 Reasons to Travel Green: In Pictures

photo credit: art_es_anna

World’s Largest Rodent & Other Exotic Iguazu Falls Animals

Southern Right Whale Watching off Peninsula Valdes in Photos

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Best of Go Green Travel Green 2008-2009

Since then, we’ve been featured on Newsweek, Forbes, Los Angeles Times, MSN Money, National Geographic, PC World, Kayak, and Lifehack. We were even named one of the [London] Times Online’s Top 100 Travel Sites for 2009.

We couldn’t have done it without our fans. Thanks for your support!

As we celebrate our two year anniversary, we look back on the past and forward to the future. With that in mind, tomorrow we’ll post the Best of Go Green Travel Green 2008-2009.

What are your favorite GGTG posts? Let us know in the comments.

photo credit: vmiramontes

Thanks for reading Go Green Travel Green.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Happy 2 Year Anniversary, Go Green Travel Green!

Overall, I loved staying at the Copley Plaza. Here’s why, from an eco-friendly point of view.

Recycling bins in rooms

The only other hotels where I’ve seen abundant recycling options are Kimptons, so I was glad to see that the hotel recycling bin is catching on. The Copley Plaza’s recycling bin was right next to the trash can.

Elegant staircase makes you want to skip the elevator

Many hotels, especially modern ones, hide the closed-off staircase in a a dark, concrete stairwell. I’ve often stumbled upon dirty dishes and trash stashed in hotel stairwells by housekeeping staff for pick up later. Not so at the Copley Plaza. The grand, open staircase is made of beautiful stone and the bannister is ornate.

Staff don’t wash towels daily unless you request it

Almost all hotels these days have a “save the planet by reusing your towel” sign, but, as Elizabeth pointed out, many hotels don’t adhere to it. The Fairmont Copley Plaza did, which was much appreciated.

Historic building

There’s something that just feels right about staying in a building constructed in 1912 in one of the oldest cities in the country.

Efficient rooms

The rooms at the Fairmont Copley Plaza are by no means austere; in fact, they are quite opulent — ours had a chandelier. But because hotels built in the early 20th century weren’t typically sprawling, most of the rooms are more compact than modern hotel rooms. Smaller rooms require fewer resource, which is greener. But don’t worry. The tall ceilings and historic details make the rooms feel quite spacious.

Excellent location

Our hotel sat across the street from a Copley Square, a lovely green space that is home to Trinity Church. Right across the street is the famous Boston Public Library. Two blocks away is the Boston Common and the start of the Freedom Trail. We walked from the hotel to the Freedom Trail and toured the North End without ever hopping on the T. For further away destinations, there are two T stations less than two blocks from the Fairmont Copley Plaza; Copley Station on the Green Line and Back Bay Station on the Orange Line.

Nearby local restaurants

While Newbury Street and the surrounding area is best known for being a high-end shopping destination, there is no shortage of local eateries mixed in. We found excellent Vietnamese and Indian restaurants and an ice cream parlor. Venture to the North End and you’ll find an abundance of excellent Italian.

Have you stayed at the Copley Plaza? What was your experience?

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Fairmont Copley Plaza: Boston, MA Hotel Review