GREEN TRAVEL

You can "Travel Green" without sleeping in a hammock, going without a shower or walking to Europe. You do things at home to save the environment, have the same awareness when you travel. Even in this economy over 1 billion people travel throughout the world every year.  If they could just not throw away one butt, pick up one piece of paper, rent a smaller or more fuel efficient car, make should their beach home or hotel are helping save the beaches and save a little water, what a difference that would make.

What can You Do?
1. My New York City has mandated that all cabs will be hybrids by 2010.  Support that effort and ask your city or town why they don't do the same.

2. Save the water in hotels and reuse the towel longer and shut off the TV and lights when you leave.  Many European hotels use the system where you put your room key in a holder, this turns on the lights, heat etc. and when you take the key & leave the room, everything shuts off.  Ask your hotel when they are going to do that.  Better yet, email their home office and suggest they make the change.

3. Why not bring your own drinking cup rather than using the plastic ones they have. If you use the hotel's toiletries, take the opened & unused ones them with you and use them at home or during the rest of your trip.

Your Transportation

1. Rent a Hybrid car or smaller model than you usually do.  If we all do this, the rental companies will stock fewer gas drinkers.

2. Cruise out of Baltimore, Philly or New York.  You save on airfare and air pollution.  If go to Philly or New York, take the train instead of flying or driving.

3. In Europe take the train everywhere, it's great and inexpensive.

4. Taking a trip around America, do the train or if you have a car that is not fuel efficient, rent one that is.  You have a new car, save money on gas and don't put more mileage on your car.

Other Options:

How about a Volunteer Vacation.  Work with your church, community group or a national organization to use your time to better the life & environment.  If you want to go out of the country, check out www.transitionsabroad.com. If not, there are plenty of places in the USA that can use your help.  Can't find one, start your own.

Virginia check out the website www.virginia.org/green, it has many ideas on enjoying this beautiful state.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has several thousand hybrid vehicles and nearly 60,000 "FlexFuel" vehicles (which can run on an eco-friendly ethanol/gasoline blend)

The Ultimate Green Vacation:  IRELAND

We can't be in March without talking about the land of St. Patrick.  Did you know that 25% of all the golf courses in Europe a re in Ireland   Now that's green!  Courtesy & service is the hallmark of the Irish and they like Americans.  Their train system is inexpensive and covers the whole country.  Direct flights are available from Washington, DC and weekend getaways are fun and easy to do.  Pubs abound and it is the first place in the world to make distilled whiskey (all natural of course).  Some of the best international cooking is now coming from the city of Cork. Don't overlook this green island.

Wherever you go remember?

Whatever state or country you are in, treat it like your own backyard.  When hiking, always stay on marked trails, when snoking don't touch the coral and respect the locals; don't pollute the world with the old "ugly American" attitude.

Patrick Barney

4 More Travel, Inc.

703-490-9777