Greener getaways

Be a more sustainable traveller with eco-friendly trips

Ikos Dassia, Corfu

Stay at this luxury all-inclusive resort that sits on 25 acres of lush green land on the Greek island of Corfu, with dazzling views across the turquoise sea. The hotel has a green zero-waste programme, which aims to preserve the natural beauty of the island while mitigating problems such as limited landfill availability.

The hotel trains its staff to work to a zero-waste brief, with all packaging materials, as well as organic waste, immediately reduced and recycled.  The hotel has won awards for its green commitment and is working with its suppliers to reduce single-use plastic, implementing state-of-the-art paper presses to aid waste collection, investing in a mechanical digestion machine that converts organic waste into liquid. And, with a selection of restaurants on site and a bar offering spectacular views across the water, there’s no need to do anything else other than kick back and relax in style.

Drummond Lodge, Scotland

Tucked away in private woodlands on the historic Culdees Castle estate in Perthshire, Drummond Lodge is hand-crafted slice of luxury. This adults-only lodge offers a cosy bolthole for two, with a king-sized bed and en-suite bathroom. Outside there is plenty of space to relax and each lodge has its own fire pit, barbecue and wood-fired hot tub, all perfectly secluded by the surrounding trees.

The space has been designed to have minimal impact on the area, which is a haven for wildlife, using water from a natural spring and low-energy lighting. It’s within easy reach of the pretty village of Muthill, which boasts an award-winning restaurant and popular ice-cream parlour, while the town of Crieff is only a few miles away. As well as exploring the woodlands, this is an ideal base for discovering local crafts and culture as well as visiting distilleries, plus the dramatic scenery of the Trossachs National Park is close by for days out in the wilderness.

No-fly to the Pyrenees

Switch a plane for a ferry travel to visit Pura Aventura in Northern Spain and cut your carbon footprint by between 40 to 75 per cent. And without flights, luggage, seat selection, airport parking and hire cars costs to consider, travelling by ferry is often cheaper than flying.

This area is a hikers’ paradise with the opportunity to explore the most beautiful parts of the high Pyrenees. Walk along ancient paths, encounter stunning landscapes of picturesque mountains, hike narrow gorges and open prairies, forests, and see crystal-blue waters surrounded by local fauna. Along the way you could visit the stunning Anisclo Gorge, the isolated Christau Valley, the forests of Pineta, glaciated Monte Perdido, or Escuain – the deepest canyon in Europe – where it’s possible to catch a glimpse of the bearded vulture in flight. There is also the opportunity to sample what Pura Aventura describes as ‘one of the best hikes in Spain’, traversing the heart of the Ordesa National Park to enjoy panoramic views of the Arazas valley.

Bohinj Eco Hotel, Slovenia

Nestled in the heart of the Julian Alps, Bohinj Eco Hotel is the only hotel in Slovenia with a Green Globe certificate – the gold standard in eco-friendly tourism – and is regarded as one of the best sustainable hotels in the world. The getaway has its own eco-friendly energy station which provides electricity for the whole hotel, and a well which heats and recycles water from the local area. Other notable sustainability features include LED lighting, energy-efficient laundry services and high levels of insulation throughout. You can relax with a spa treatment, dine at the à la carte restaurant, and even enjoy a game of bowling.

Asheston Eco Barns, Wales

Surrounded by 22 acres of private land, Asheston Eco Barns in Wales offers five-star accommodation nestled away in peaceful and unspoilt part of Pembrokeshire, with gorgeous views across Brandy Brook to Roch Castle. The Eco Barns enjoy underground geothermal heat pumps, solar hot-water systems and additional energy is produced by electricity generated from the wind, sun and running water. Rainwater is harvested for washing machines, toilets, and gardens.

Everything from the chilled wine and local-produce hamper on arrival through to the underfloor heating, swish bathrooms and log burners add up to ensuring you enjoy the most luxurious of stays. Wonderfully secluded, yet only four miles from the Blue Flag beach of Newgale Sands and within easy reach of Pembrokeshire’s main attractions, the location is brilliant. From relaxing in your eco barn to visiting the stunning national park coastline and enjoying family attractions and exploring the haunts of pirates, saints, and princes, there really is something here for everyone.

Words: Carly Honeyfield.