When you plan your holiday getaway you have so many options available to you for a “green” vacation. There are resorts that combine luxury with sustainability which allows you to off-set your carbon footprint without sacrificing a stylish holiday. An eco-aware trip doesn’t necessarily mean you need to “rough it”. For an idea on where to go for an experience that won’t lay heavy on your eco-conscience take a look at some of these resorts:
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains, Australia
This resort is set in the Blue Mountains about three hours’ drive from Sydney. It has 40 suites and prides itself on being Australia’s first conservation-based luxury resort – it’s been accredited by international group carboNZero. The pastoral fences have been removed to allow access to 175,000 indigenous trees that have bee replanted as well as native wildlife that was reintroduced. There are 4,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness where you can go mountain biking, horse riding or wildlife spotting. End your day off with a dip in one of the in-room swimming pools and a massage at the world-class spa.
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
Alila Villas Uluwatu is a contemporary cliff-top resort on southern Bali’s rugged Bukit Peninsula. You can enjoy panoramic views from one of the 61 minimalist white pool villas. The Singaporean architects WOHA used only locally sourced, recycled and sustainable materials to create the effect of a continuous open-plan lay-out. Wood stone, rattan and water features rule here but with personal butlers, a wonderful spa and a cool lounge bar you’ll feel ultimately luxurious.
Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia, Italy
Perched on the coast of Italy’s heel in Puglia, Masseria Torre Maizza is a 16th-century, 28-room, boutique hotel. Everything possible is recycled here including water for the golf course. Most of the food served in its restaurant, Dell Palme, is grown on-site or soucred locally according to a ‘kilometer zero’ policy.
Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand
The Antantara has magical views of the Mekong River, Myanmar and Laos. The 77-room resort also funds an ethical elephant camp right on its doorstep. The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, a conservation project, backs the camp which resembles a traditional mahouts’ village. It is a safe haven for abused wild and domestic elephants and those who cannot work. If you plan your trip right you might be lucky to catch the annual elephant polo match.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
