Seeing the planet and saving the planet can be tough to pull off at the same time.

Take, for example, a trip for a family of four flying from the Midwest to Disney World. That flight alone emits a carbon footprint of about 2 tonnes CO2, which is roughly a trail of diesel fumes extending 7,500 miles.¹

But with the rise of sustainable travel and eco-friendly itineraries, more and more travelers are seeking to limit or even offset their carbon footprint, often opting for unique, environmentally-friendly accommodations. These travelers are doing far more than using their hotel towel twice before tossing it under the sink or packing a reusable water bottle.

In many ways, these green travelers are test pilots charting the future of sustainable travel. Unfortunately, treating the planet nicely doesn’t always mean that the forces of nature and good fortune are blowing in your favor. That’s where a travel insurance plan from Allianz Global Assistance can come in mighty handy. With benefits ranging from Emergency Medical Transportation to an included Concierge you can call 24/7 — for example, to find out where the closest EV charging station is located — you’ll be prepared for nearly any possibility. Take a moment to find the plan that best fits your sustainable travel needs.

Here’s a look at the types of destinations and accommodations that eco-conscious travelers are visiting to make sure they don’t leave behind any souvenirs that further fuel climate change.

• An Urban Nest in Greensboro, NC
  We like to think of traveling the world as exploring your big backyard. That makes a treehouse a truly fitting choice of lodging. The Roost in Greensboro, N.C. is like no treehouse you’ve ever seen. First of all, it’s not in a big, wooded back yard; it’s in a city. And second, you don’t need to know the secret password to enter; you can just rent it. The cozy, quirky Roost is built well and built smart. Hanging out 9 feet in the air, it includes a kitchen space, bedroom, bathroom, and deck. Plus, the energy-efficient, foam-free Roost is built for sustainable travel from local materials. It’s also close to popular hiking and biking trails.²

• Quaint Cabin Living in Garrett County, Maryland
  Before we had human-sized birdhouses and biodomes, we had cabins — old-school, no-frills cabins. Sustainable travel wasn’t always a trend; it was a lifestyle born of necessity. Living in a cabin among the trees and wildlife was the way to celebrate and connect with nature. (Might we suggest “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau as your next airplane read?) This is precisely what you’ll find at Blue Moon Rising, a collection of cabins dotting the hills of western Maryland overlooking Deep Creek Lake. The ecotourism destination is a great spot to visit family farms to pick your own dinner, paddleboard, fish, and hike. The one-of-a-kind cabins— with names including Moonshine, Bella Donna, and yes, Walden — are quaint, pet-friendly accommodations fashioned from sustainable construction practices.³

• An Otherworldly Desert Dome in Joshua Tree, California
  Entering Joshua Tree National Park is like walking into a Salvador Dali painting complete with clashing abstract rock formations, barren landscapes, and the namesake of the destination: the Joshua Tree. Here you’ll find a round mound of a dwelling that appears to have been dropped down from space. The Desert Dome is a two-bedroom escape complete with a wood-burning stove, antique books, and a new bohemian vibe. If you crave some positive energy but need to escape Amazon Delivery trucks and every other sign of modern life, this geodesic dome is calling.^{4, 5}

• The Traditional Hotel Experience Reimagined in Sonoma County, CA
  Sometimes you want to kick back and relax on vacation. You want to go green, but you also don’t want to give up any comforts or amenities. We get it. And so does H2hotel, which offers cutting-edge, sustainable travel features throughout. Technically, H2hotel is LEED NC 2.2 Gold Certified Green. That means that the hotel’s 32 rooms use far fewer natural resources including energy and water than your typical one. There are also uniquely eco-friendly amenities, including a solar-heated pool and even EC charging stations. Add organic linens, bamboo floors, bike rentals, and hiking trails, and it’s plain to see that H2hotel has thought of everything. Yes, it’s possible to set the standard in green accommodations without compromising one iota on comfort.^{6, 7}

There’s more than one route to experience sustainable travel. Here, we’ve explored a few, but many more green getaways await. Wherever your next eco-friendly adventure takes you, just remember the golden rule: leave your destination just like you found it. And leave your carbon footprint at home.

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