Green Honeymoon Travel
As many people do ask...what is a Green Honeymoon? Well at Steps we this of green as environmentally-friendly places to visit, finding places that offset there carbon footprint and even looking at volunteering vacations without breaking your budget.
We hear all the time that being "green" is more expensive. It is more about awareness and being conscience about what you do..however it can get expensive if you fall in to the main stream traps.
Here are Steps top choices for Green Honeymoons:
- Camping: For some, this may follow under adventure, but really, this can be a great way to get some fresh air, see breath taking scenery on the cheap while being getting to know your new life partner in a different light. Try the national parks. You've been paying for them with your taxes for years. Some of the parks offer inexpenive cabins at $30 a night or your can invest in a roomy tent. Who knows, this can become a new hobby or family tradition.
- Car-Free Islands: Take a break from the traffic, pollution, and gas prices and visit one of the handful of U.S car-free islands, including Dry Tortugas National Park. Some 70 miles west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, its legends of pirates and sunken gold, and its military past. Yes, this is a play off of camping...but with a different focus.
- Volunteer Vacations: While other young lovers may spend their honeymoons sunning at the beach and feasting in romantic restaurants, why not do good while you're away from home and spend time on worthwhile projects such as helping to construct a holding tank for a community's water supply, building classroom furniture and playground equipment, and installing footbridges that cross local rivers. A private nonprofit, non-sectarian development organization, Global Volunteers was founded in 1984 offers Programs center around a one-, two-, or three-week volunteer work experience in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, or the United States. This may not be as budget conscience as some of the other honeymoon options at about $2500 per person it may be a good candiate for a honeymoon gift registry where friends and family can give funds toward your trip. Then everone is taking part in making a better world. Another popular option is Habitat for Humanity.
- Staying at a eco-friendly resort: Places like Hoopoe Yurt Hotel in Andalucia, Spain is a perfect example where guests stay in handmade boutique yurts with eco-friendly private bathrooms. The entire camp runs on solar power, including the pool and the electric sockets in the yurts for charging cellphones and laptops. Or just for an idea how about something closer to home like Blackberry Farm www.blackberryfarm.com in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, a privately run organic farm that just added a barn to accommodate wedding parties and offers 63 guest rooms from rooms to 4 bedroom houses. We know, this blows the budget out of the water, but we put it in here for an idea...because maybe there is something like this near home that you never thought of before. Other great eco spots, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Grand Canyon. We just brushed the surface... if you are interested in more destinations, please contact us we are happy to learn and share about new places.
- House swapping: This could be a stretch, but home swapping allows you to exchange your house or apartment ...and while you’re at it, your car and friends too) for someone else’s, anywhere in the world. All you pay is a small registration fee...plus your transportation to the new location. You can say, is this really a vacation... yeah, because you are not home. Try a reputable company like Homelink. You can save hundreds...even thousands of dollars just in lodging fees. Plus you can keep costs down by making your own meals and have a more real experience of the culture or area than you would just staying in a touristy resort.
- Honeymoon Staycations: Thought that last one was a stretch...what about just staying near home. Drop the electronic leashes, stay in a local hotel, and enjoy local attractions...maybe something you never had the time to see while you are in your daily grind. Yes, you have a hotel bill...but you don't have to worry about the airfare or driving. May you live in tourist locations, like San Diego, Orlando or Chicago but never take the time to really enjoy all that the areas have to offer, this is a great budget and green option. Think of all the extra spa treatments you can have by not having travel cost.
Now...maybe you don't want to good too extreme on the eco or couldn't find the ideal place for your destination but are still feeling a little guilty and want to still help the environment, check out Carbon Footprint.com. Not only can you help offset the carbon footprint of your trip, you can avoid unwanted gifts by having your guests plants trees or help by providing wildlife. Be creative and conscience. There is so much you can do to do good for yourself and others...whether it is a honeymoon, wedding or another event. .