Green Holidays

Fit the following Eco-Destinations into your UK green holiday……

If you are going to take a holiday around the UK - soaking up the sights - you may want to make a date with some of the UK’s best eco-friendly centres and technology research locations.  All offer a great day out for families and adults alike.

They are spread across the British Isles so you can visit at least one where-ever you travel to - and it’s not that difficult to combine several together as part of a longer UK break.

1 - The Centre of Alternative Technology - Powys: Wales
Established in 1973, the CAT centre has been a shining example of how to live sustainably. 

Offering courses and hands-on exhibits that everyone can enjoy and learn from, the centre has just built an educational building to further research and design for eco-friendly homes and businesses - as well as technology for the government.

Expect to see houses of straw, allotments, recycling advice, hand-operated machines for generating power, composting toilets, talks and tours as well as a fully-stocked book shop with all the latest titles to help you change and improve your responsible lifestyles.

Adult entry is £6.40 in winter and £8.40 through summer - with £1 off for arriving by train or bike!  Becoming a CAT member (£22) entitles you to free entry as well as Clean Slate magazine and other exclusive offers.

2 - The Ecology Centre - Fife: Scotland
This amazing and diverse location is free to visit and is a great way to explore the countryside of this area. They offer trails of nature walks and have an Access for All route which is wheelchair and pram accessible.

The routes have ponds, woodlands and meadows - and link up the the Fife Coastal Path for an amazing panorama of the firth.  Certainly and beautiful day out for the family.

3 - Whisby Natural World Centre - Lincolnshire: England
With 6 miles of walks in the local nature reserve is what you will find here - and for free!  There is plenty of wildlife and outdoor fun for the family.

There is an extensive visitor centre with exhibits on the natural landscape here and climate change, and with some amazing views across the reserve and it’s 5 great lakes.  There is also a boardwalk nearby as well as some great countryside!

4 - Ecos Millennium Environmental Centre - Antrim: Northern Ireland
Set in 150 acres of flood plain - you won’t be short of wildlife and great views!  This green destination is free and offers visitors the chance to encounter energy-efficiency first hand as well as other environmentally responsible technologies using the natural wetlands.

The visitor centre is great for the kids, with hands on everything - from duck-feeding to tractor riding to working out eco friendly puzzles!  The centre is solar powered and offer visitors a chance to see how easy becoming green really is!

5 - The Eden Project - Cornwall: England
At £15 entry for adults this is the most expensive of the days out -  however, you can change this into an annual ticket if you offer Gift Aid.  The site is delightful and will please all plant-lovers as well as people interested in the natural world and sustainable living.

The iconic domes are filled with horticultural delights and walking through the great rainforest biome and over the waterfall bridge will delight the whole family.  There is plenty to do in the warmer months outside of the domes and plenty to buy in the extensive gift shop!

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Planning Your Green Holidays in Yucatan, Mexico

Mexico is always a great destination for sunshine and beautiful scenery.  A perfect destination for all seasons. 

If you are planning to head to the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico for your vacation and want your accommodation to be more responsible for it’s actions, then hopefully these eco resorts may appeal.

Where To Start:
However, if you are going to enjoy your green holidays, then you need to look beyond the standard brochure.  Many companies will cater for your every need in Cancun and around the Caribbean coast - but what if you want it to care about the needs of the environment and local people too? 

Forget the shiny brochures from the travel agent who cram everyone into the man-made hi-rise resort of Cancun.  Forget the cheap package vacations that include everything except the local people, and start looking elsewhere……

I have been looking around for you and have found 4 vacation spots all in the Yucatan peninsula, and all offering a ‘green’ alternative to the standard resort, and have detailed their eco credentials. 

However, the search isn’t always easy - as many resorts have information of ‘ecology’ meaning that there are animals and plants there, rather than ‘eco’ in our sense of the word, meaning that it actually cares for that environment and those creatures and plants.

The Hotels:
All are in different locations to offer you a taste of something different, but are all within easy reach of international airports and Mexico’s ancient Mayan Sites.

When making yur decision on the best green resort, remember to check their eco-credentials based on what they have to work with.  If they are catering for green alternatives in towns and cities then they are limited as to what they can achieve and it will take a more reduce:reuse:recycle approach.

When searching for isolated eco-lodges surrounded by beaches or forest, they are playing to a whole new set of rules.  Look out for alternative energy sources, low development footprint and how the accommodation fits in to the environment.

Eco Paraiso
This new-build eco-hotel is in Yucatan State, close to Celestun on the Gulf of Mexico coast.

It was designed around the nature on this coast and was set back from the beach itself to maintain the delicate dunes that protect the coast and is also home to rare plants and nesting turtles.

The actual buildings on the land only take up just over 1% of the total land owned by the resort, leaving nature pretty much as it was.  Any areas that needed replanting or protecting were filled with only native plants and trees.

They buy locally and in bulk to save food waste and catch and treat both rainwater and grey water from the rooms and kitchens to water the gardens.  They even desalinate their salt-water well and treat to make potable for guests rather than import bottled water.

Other attributes include solar-heated pool, low voltage bulbs and no individually packaged toiletries and goods.  They also offer extensive literature for guests to find out about their ethos and the local environment and community.  They even offer short course on eco living and sustainability!

Genesis Retreat
This vacation spot is located inland, just north of the town of Valladolid - close to Chichen Itza.

Based around a local village in the ruins of Ek Balem, this hotel is closely knitted together with the local people.  Most of the activities are guided by the locals and they welcome you into their villages and homes.

The hotel uses all local food and services and the local tours and wildlife trips are all close by.  Any further away is catered for with a healthy supply of mountain bikes.

They say that their gardens were designed to attract local butterflies and birdlife and have a small area that houses rescued native birds that cannot be released.  Their outdoor pool is chemical free and bio-filtered to reduce it’s impact on the visiting wildlife.

The management will automatically send you detailed information regarding their eco-credentials and community programmes on booking with them, as well and any other details you request on top.

Hotel El Rey Del Caribe
Located in the very heart of downtown Cancun (the original town) and so has different pressures on it’s green approach.

It welcomes you with Mexican flair and authentic design and you will probably see it’s sheets drying naturally on the roof!  Their main focuses are reducing and recycling and they are proud of the composting toilets in many of their rooms and the rainwater and grey-water recycling and reuse.

They say that they are constantly learning more ways to improve what they have, and work with local environmental NGO’s to support local projects as well as further their own developments - including their solar water heater.

They are also only a Bed & Breakfast, therefore encouraging visitors to go and explore the heart of Cancun and use local services and enjoy traditional foods.

Papaya Playa
This final hotel is really to the extremes of a green holiday and won’t be for everyone!

Close to the beautiful coastal ruins of Tulum, this complex has few rooms.  All were built with local materials using traditional methods and resources.

The rooms are very basic and sleep as many as possible in double beds to reduce individual waste.  Many go even further with shared bathrooms for some of the cabins to prevent wasted plumbing and ease of water capture and heating!  It goes without saying that they are showers only…

Expect almost nothing electrical in the rooms as there is only power generated between dusk and 11:30pm and so you need to rely on the traditional windowless design of the cabins and the natural ‘gaps’ in the slatted walls to keep your room cool throughout the day.

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There seem to be an awful lot of people out there trying to find a sample of a reservation letter for a hotel or event booking. 

It can be a bit daunting when you need to be formal and precise - but as long as you put in all the important details in full and clear language - then there can be no confusion with dates and costs.  A little bit of effort early on will mean a lot less time wasted and needless worry as the date or trip approaches - and could mean that you don’t end up in a room somewhere completely different or without the amenities that you need.

And if anything does go a little bit wrong - you have written details of your ‘contract’ and proof that you are booked in and everything was supposed to be there.

Before You Reserve Anywhere:
If you are hoping to book a room with certain green credentials, or a hotel with specific ethical stand points, then you need to make this clear before you send your reservation letter. 

You should check up on codes of conduct and community support before you consider a booking at any location.  Make sure the company know that you won’t even consider them as an eco-destination without being allowed access to their official written responsible tourism policy. 

Also try to get your hands on a written information sheet or email, clearly stating their amenties and credentials so you can make an informed choice before handing over any deposits.

The Reservation Letter:
Once you have done your key research and are ready to make a booking, then make sure you write to your home-stay, hostel or hotel detailing everything you have been assured (by them) is in writing for their final confirmation.

Feel free to use the below template of a reservation letter for your accommodation booking - note that I use Hotel here, but any other accommodation form can be inserted as necessary).

Your Street Name
Your Town
Your County
Your Zip Code / Area Code / Post Code
Your Country (if applicable)

Your Best Contact Phone Number
Your Best Personal or Business Contact Email Address

Today’s Date In Full - For Example: September 4th, 2009

To: [ - Name Of The Hotel You Are Reserving - ]

RE: Room Reservation for [ - Your Contact Name - ] - [ - First Night's Date to Last Night's Date - ]

I am writing to confirm the details of a reservation I would like to make at  [ - The Name Of The Hotel You Are Booking With - ] after speaking with / telephoning / emailing [ - The Persons Name - ] on the [ - The Date Of Contact (if applicable) - ].

As a result of that conversation, I / We would like to reserve [ - total number of separate rooms required - ] double / single / family rooms at your hotel, with a sea view / balcony / garden view / cot / disabled access (or whatever was discussed as important to you) for the following dates: 

For Short Stays:
Day: Date of the Month [ - the date of the first night of your stay to the last night - ]

For Example:
Monday: September 23rd
Tuesday: September 24th
Wednesday: September 25th

And Longer Stays:
Date of First Night - Date of Last Night - (total number of nights)

For Example:
September 13th - 25th inclusive (13 nights total)

I would also like to confirm the following amenities are included in the cost of the stay / are available at the Hotel but at an extra cost:

1) Breakfast / Lunch / Evening Meal / All Meals
2) A Safe in the Room / a Safe at Reception
3) (Free) Internet Access / WiFi in room or Reception
4) Transfers to / from the Airport / Train Station / Bus Station
5) Air Conditioning / Bath or Shower / TV / Other

(As discussed previously) I understand that the total cost will be [ - Sum Total for all Nights Plus Extras Selected - ] and is to be paid in advance / on arrival / on departure by credit card / check / cash. (Some Hotels may ask for a small deposit in advance as well).

I / We look forward to arriving at your hotel around [ - The Approximate Time - ] on [ - Your Arrival Day - ] .

Please could you confirm this reservation in writing using the above address, or contact me / us regarding any queries or advice.

Thank you for your time, and look forward to your reply.

Kind regards,

[ - Your Signature - ]

[ - Your Informal Name- ] for smaller, more personal accomodations.
[ - Your Formal name or Company Title - ] for company bookings and larger establishments.

Actual Letter:
Obviously this sample letter shows all the options, so I have put on together without all the added extras to show you what yours would actually look like:

10 Vacation Street
Holiday Town
Destinationsville
Florida 33462
USA

01234 567 899
myvacation@vacation.com

April 4th, 2009

To: Costa Rica Cabinas

RE: Room Reservation for Travel Cat - 09/13/09 to 09/25/09

I am writing to confirm the details of a reservation I would like to make at the Costa Rica Cabinas after speaking with Maria on April 1st last week.

As a result of that conversation, I would like to reserve 2 double rooms at your hotel, with a sea view and a balcony, for the following dates: 

September 13th - 25th inclusive (13 nights total).

I would also like to confirm the following amenities are included in the cost of the stay:

1) Breakfast and Lunch
2) A Safe in the Room
3) Free Internet Access in Reception
4) Air Conditioning & DVD Player

As discussed previously, I understand that the total cost will be $1560 and is to be paid in advance.

We look forward to arriving at your hotel around 16:00 on September 13th.

Please could you confirm this reservation in writing using the above address, or contact me regarding any queries or advice.

Thank you for your time, and look forward to your reply.

Kind regards,

Miss Travel Cat

Your Reservation Letter:
I hope this has been of use to you in your search for a template or sample of a hotel reservation letter, and that you all enjoy your Trip / Tour / Adventure / Vacation / Family Get-Together / Spring Break / Romantic Beach Holiday / Honeymoon / Trip of a Lifetime / Or Whatever - wherever that may be…….

If you want a change in your life - why not go out and look for it?

If you are in the UK this weekend and fancy seeing what the rest of your life could be like, then head over to Olympia in London for the One Life Live Show this weekend.

What’s There?
Well, there are over 200 seminars and workshops going on over the 3 days, and there are 8 zones to explore all included in the ticket price.  Added to this, there is the opportunity to take part in a paid professional workshops for a small extra cost.

Some of the seminars include topics like ‘The Impact of Volunteering’ and ’Making Travel Pay’ as well as some more individual themes including ‘How to Create Your Ideal Life’ and ‘How to Turn Your Vision into Action’

The 8 zones include ‘Travel & Career break’ and ‘Volunteering & Fundraising’ both great topics to help you make the most of your time whenplanning a travel break.  Many of the companies with stands are known through the industry for their responsible ethics and their community support policies as part of their products.

There are also stands that incorporate ‘Health and Wellbeing’ and some great ideas for your ‘Free Time’ including new hobbies and national groups to join to keep those green holidays in th UK interesting!

Go to their great, easy to use website for more details - as there is plenty to see - and get changing your life!

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This year - 2009 - will see the Worlds 3rd ever Earth Hour. This years attempt is planning to cover entire countries across the globe in swathes of darkness. This will put across the massive statement that there are thousands of people in all the countries - joined together to make a big difference.

Since it’s humble beginnings in Sydney, Australia in 2007 - the Earth Hour has been gaining ground and this years event is hoping to get over 1 billion people to sign up - saying that they agree with the very concept of the Earth Hour. It’s aim is to ’send a message to World Governments that they must take action to help avoid Climate Change’.

Why So Important?
At the end of 2009 in Copenhagen, the UN Climate Change Summit will take place, and WWF are hoping that this massive event will have an impact on topics raised and policies discussed by the heads of nations. This Summit is going to decide on future International Climate Policy - so really it is the planets ‘Moment of Truth’.

We are already seeing signs of that change across the world in the flooding and diseases affecting corners of the globe - freak weather, sea-level rises and warming temperatures are all impacting on peoples lives, and it will only get worse. 

And where ever on Earth you are taking your green holiday - you must join in - otherwise the very place you are visiting could suffer in the years to come!

What Can You Do?
If you plan to take part, make sure you register and get everyone you know to register too. Although just turning out your lights for the entire hour will show others you are involved, you will not count towards the actual recorded movement as the WWF will not know that you took part. There will be no written record of the part you played.

Last year 50 million people signed up, but many more joined in, but went uncounted. If this years Earth Hour is to reach 1 billion, you must sign up and be counted.

Wherever you are in the world you can make a difference, and every time zone has it’s moment on the global stage - it’s hour of darkness. Like a giant Mexican wave passing around the planet - at 8.30pm wherever you are - you will join others from the very north to the very south of Earth in blanking out the night skies for 60 minutes.

There are national and local events being organised if are not in your home town and want to get involved with the community where you are - or you might get to see a famous landmark plunged into darkness if you change your travel plans to be in a big city on the night! Imagine Sydney Harbour Bridge disappearing from the harbour side glow - or the Golden Gate Bridge on the other side of the world plunging into shadow!

Maybe you will be flying high over a country at the crucial time and you will get to see the stark contrast the Earth Hour has on the worlds surface as you cross from one time zone to the next - from bright to dark in a solid line across the horizon!

Next Step:
Go to the WWF Earth Hour web-page and get all the facts. Make sure you sign up to show your support and to get details of international events and how you can help.

Make sure you involve others in your plans - as the more people you can get to attend your events - the less people will be at home at 8.30pm with their lights on!
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