6 Eco-Friendly Travel Experiences to Book This Summer

Image courtesy of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

My favorite travel experiences are the ones that offer an immersive and unique lens into the destinations we’re fortunate to visit. When those experiences are sustainable — that is, they also prioritize supporting local communities and protecting our earth — it’s a win for travelers and our world alike. 

In the travel industry, a sustainable ethos goes beyond building practices and energy conservation (although these aspects are incredibly important). It encompasses both respect for the environment, and also for the local culture and heritage. I’ve put together a few eco-conscious experiences to consider trying this summer.

Four Seasons Resort Nevis: Sea Turtle Week

Image courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Every July, Four Seasons Nevis collaborates with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, an international nonprofit, to educate guests and locals about the island’s endangered hawksbill sea turtles. Together, they’ve organized turtle-tracking walks, ethical tag-and-release events as well as other turtle-themed activities (all of which are free for hotel guests to participate in). 

"This will be our 18th year coming to Nevis and conducting research on these beautiful sea turtles,” said David Godfrey, Executive Director of the Sea Turtle Conservancy. “For us, this partnership is more than just the research; it's an opportunity to be a part of the Nevisian community year after year and see how much they truly value our efforts and being a part of this very important initiative."

Book a stay for July 21 and 22 to witness the release of the turtles on Nevis’ Pinney’s Beach. And with JetBlue’s recent introduction of direct flights to St. Kitts and Nevis from JFK, it’s never been easier to jet off to the paradisiacal dual-island country. 

Fora Perks:

• When you book Four Seasons with me, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities. I'll be pleased to give you more details.
  
  

Six Senses Laamu: Junior Marine Biology experience

Courtesy of Six Senses Laamu

Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives epitomizes barefoot luxury with an eco-conscious touch. This secluded paradise boasts white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and five-star amenities, like a spa, exquisite cuisine and curated experiences. With beautifully crafted overwater and beachfront villas, guests enjoy breathtaking ocean views and sumptuous interiors made from sustainable materials. Six Senses Laamu has integrated eco-friendly practices and materials into every aspect, striving to protect and preserve the environment while offering luxurious villas and services. Guests can even take a deep dive into the resort's eco-friendly practices with a Sustainability Tour.

For younger guests, the resort offers the Junior Marine Biology program through the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI). This program includes mentoring with marine biologists and guided snorkels, all aimed at fostering a deep appreciation for marine conservation. Participants engage in hands-on activities, such as science experiments and conservation video making, earning certificates and gradually building up to become a Junior Marine Biologists. This educational adventure is emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship in a fun exciting way.

Fora Perks:

• $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, complimentary massage for two guests, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Chablé Yucatán: Meliponarium experience

Image courtesy of Chablé Yucatán

Chablé Yucatán cares a lot about immersing guests into the local culture through an eco-conscious lens. The sprawling property — a beautifully restored hacienda — is itself a diverse ecosystem, brimming with flora and fauna, as well as an onsite organic garden and a meliponarium. The stingless, endangered Melipona bees are North America’s sole native honey bee. They’ve played a sacred role in ancient Mayan traditions, and their golden honey has long been used medicinally. At Chablé, learn about the sacred bees directly from local beekeepers, and sample fresh honey from the hives. Then, learn about bees’ crucial role in our ecosystem – they are responsible for one-third of the food on your plate – and partake in a thorough and intimate honey tasting.

Looking for another eco-conscious bee experience? Head to the mountains of Cyprus and visit Casale Panayiotis, a charming boutique hotel that’s part of SLH withIN. The property  offers a bee-and-honey-dedicated workshop where guests learn about beekeeping from local villagers. 

Fora Perks at Chablé Yucatán:

• $50 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Fora Perks at Casale Panayiotis:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Botania Relais & Spa: archaeo-bio snorkeling 

Image courtesy of Botania Relais & Spa

This dreamy, luxury boutique hotel on Ischia is Green Globe-certified, meaning it’s been given the sustainable travel organization’s rigorous stamp of approval. (Green Globe’s criteria and values are aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, an authority in this space.) As such, Botania’s numerous experiences prioritize environmental and local conscientiousness. 

One notable activity is “archaeo-bio snorkeling.” Explore the surrounding Marine Protected Area and its archaeological ruins, as well as its marine life. For additional nature-based exploration, hike Mount Epomeo, the volcanic island’s highest mountain. After your hike (there are two versions: one rigorous, the other leisurely), savor a meal cooked the traditional Ischian way: beneath the sand, using its natural heat.

Fora Perks:

• $50 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection: Gracie’s Farm School

Image courtesy of The Lodge at Blue Sky

All Auberge properties meticulously source local, sustainable ingredients for their exceptional culinary programs, and this is especially true of The Lodge at Blue Sky. Their onsite Gracie’s Farm is a female-led, regenerative farm that employs sustainable practices that respect both soil integrity and natural climate cycles. Spend time with the resident “farm-hers” to learn about farming best practices, and to get your hands dirty yourself. Afterward, harvest fresh vegetables. Consider adding on a farmside lunch for the ultimate farm-to-table experience. 

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, $50 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay: Seedlings kids' club

Image courtesy of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

The 1 Hotel brand weaves sustainability into everything from their hotels’ architecture and energy use to their locally sourced cuisine and experiential offerings. Seedlings is the brand’s immersive kids’ club. At 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, kids ages six through 12 learn about Kaua’i’s diverse ecosystem and how to respect our natural surroundings. Gardening, tidepool exploration and eco-friendly arts and crafts — creating take-home artworks from upcycled beach trash and marine debris — are just a few of the experiences available. Everything is centered on getting kids closer to nature in a fun and playful way, inspiring them to be more mindful environmental stewards in the process.

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.