“At United, we’re committed to running a more sustainable airline,” says Aaron Stash, Manager of Environmental Strategy and Sustainability for United. “We’re working to minimize the environmental impacts associated with our operations, whether that’s in the air, on the ground, or at our facilities.”

One of these initiatives consists in the development of 750 one-of-a-kind travel accessories, including travel tags, sling bag backpacks, and saddle bags. Each of the accessories is created from upcycled advertising materials from United, like fabric banner advertisements and vinyl billboards that have been removed from Houston, Chicago, and Newark airports.

To create these accessories, United turned to Relan, a small, mother-daughter-run company based in Minnesota that focuses on producing sustainable items in an eco-friendly manner. The WBENC-certified business partners with larger companies like United for sustainability projects such as this one, helping these larger companies put their used materials to good use.

“Through this partnership, we tell a company’s sustainable story through unique, branded products created from their old marketing materials,” reads Relan’s mission statement. “These story-telling products divert existing marketing materials from the landfills and close the loop on an often overlooked waste stream.”

Originally founded to keep vinyl banners out of landfill, Relan has helped its partners keep more than 300,000 square feet of material out of landfill since its founding in 1995.

Relan’s upcycled products are all made by hand in cooperation with underprivileged communities; for this United project, Relan worked with local contract sewers from within the Hmong community, who hail from parts of Cambodia and Laos. These sewers are able to work from home to create the final products and support their families.

“Each item we make is unique and has its own story,” says Stash. This is true not only of the unique products, no two of which are exactly alike, but also of the people who create them.

These travel accessories are available on United’s site and make a great gift for any eco-friendly travelers on your gift list this holiday season.

Related on EcoSalon
5 Sustainable Brands Dedicated to Upcycled Fashion: Friday Finds
Designers Turn to Food Waste to Make Upcycled Fashion
5 Easy Travel Tips for the Road Trip Planner

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These 5 money-saving world travel tips make exploring the world in comfort and style easier than ever.

After twenty-three years traveling to over twenty countries, I’ve discovered tips, tricks, and tactics that make exploring the world a whole lot easier, more comfortable and fun. With all the new airline baggage restrictions, you want everything you bring to count without schlepping extra stuff that you don’t need. Not to mention saving on international bank fees and cell phone plans.

Through the years, I’ve developed a traveling protocol that helps me travel light but with many of the comforts of home. Here’s my list of road-tested travel tips that make traveling even more fun.

Tip #1 Dress like an expat, not a tourist

My go-to travel outfit is a (virtually pickpocket proof) hobo purse or shopper with a top zipper that rests under my arm, comfortable thin Me Too ballerina flats with a flexible cushy sole, a crushable hat, stretch skinny jeans, a loose comfortable blouse, cozy pashmina, and Woodzee Chloe Black Pear polarized sunglasses for a chic but comfortable travel look.

When packing, I always put together outfits with basics for day and night and locales like the city  or the beach. Dresses are light instant outfits and transition better from day to night than heavy jeans. I don’t even bother with heels as they are not simpatico with cobblestone streets. For fashionable travel clothes, I shop online resale at TheRealReal.com for pieces that look amazing but I’m not too precious about when I wear them to death by the end of my trip. A lightweight casual walking sneaker like Lems Primal 2, that you can roll up to fit in your suitcase is a plus.

Tips #2 Toiletries matter

Traveling can take quite a toll on your skin. Different water types and long hauls can dry it out and even cause acne.  To feel fresh and pampered, even on 12-hour flights, these items have permanent residency in my travel toiletry case:

Foreo’s ISSA mini sonic toothbrush protects my gums and keep my choppers clean and white.

Tru Activ Multi-Defense Cream, Suntegrity’s tinted moisturizer and Pacifica’s SPF 20 foundation gives great coverage and protects my skin from the sun.

Foreo’s Mini Luna keeps up my skin care routine and helps minimize travel acne from clogged pores.

Fig + Yarrow’s Rose & Vanilla Lip Tint is mega moisturizing and great for dry lips from flights.

Lisa Ann Skin Care’s Lemon Verbena Body Butter and Fig+Yarrow’s Alpine Foot Butter are my Rx for rough feet from walking miles on cobblestones.

Avalon Organics Refreshing Conditioner keeps my hair from getting dry and brittle, even when using random hotel shampoo.

Frais Hand Sanitizer with basil and lemon myrtle smells fresh and kills germs.

Travel lover and executive editor of Haute Living Magazine Laura Schreffler doesn’t pack her bags without Jane Iredale’s Glow Time Full Coverage BB Cream. And for tropical environments that make hair frizz, Kim Kessler of the Four Seasons Los Angeles swears by Frizz Be Gone eco hair serum.

Tip #3 Invest in lightweight functional luggage that meets airline standards

Being hit with overweight luggage fees is costly and annoying. As is paying to check a bag that didn’t fit into the overhead bin by a fraction of an inch. Airline agents don’t budge, so don’t take the risk.

I would ditch the old backpack and other odd-sized luggage for square spinners that roll on all four wheels. Sturdy spinners handle even cobblestone streets quite well and don’t cause as much back strain. If it’s time to buy new luggage, remember that plastics aren’t all created equal and some crack after just a few flights. I found that IT Luggage’s polypropylene spinners take a beating and hold up remarkably well. Another option, although not a spinner, is Patagonia’s Transport Roller suitcase/bag constructed  with 100% recycled polyester twill.

#4 Pack a dreamy sleep kit

To get a good nights sleep on the plane and after landing I bring my tried-and-true dream sleep kit. A comfortable eye mask, Mack’s silicone ear plugs, and a small bottle of Primavera lavender pillow spray. In one fell swoop, you’ll block out noise, light, and weird smells that can prevent you from sleeping. Add in melatonin for the first three nights to help battle jet lag and you’ll be rising in the morning with the locals in no time.

#5 Download these (almost free) phone apps and learn these savvy travel money saving tips

Stay in touch with friends and family for free or just a few dollars on both cell phones and landlines with WhatsApp, Viber, and Skype subscriptions. Connect to any strong wifi and you’re in. Dial away.

At ATMs and credit card machines, always choose to pay in the local currency – rather than dollars. It’s much less, sometimes up to $5.oo per transaction!

To save on travel fees, consider getting a credit and/or debit card that doesn’t charge international fees. Otherwise you might be charged up to 3 percent on every international transaction. If you don’t want to open a new account, ask if your bank has an international bank partner where you won’t be charged foreign ATM fees.

Rather than get an expensive but limited international plan on your U.S. cell phone carrier, try a local sim card instead. It’s often much cheaper. Remember to bring your passport when signing up for local service. International cell phone carriers like TIM, Wind and Vodafone usually have reasonable travel plans as well with the same sim card in different countries.

With the dollar stronger than it has been in years, it’s a great time to travel. So book those tickets and pack your bags. A world of adventure awaits you!

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon.com:

Plan a Trip to Europe’s 8 Most Luxurious Spas

Here’s Why You Need to Go Biodynamic Wine tasting in Europe

5 Master of Italy’s Eco-rennaissance

Image of Happy Tourist via Shutterstock

The post 5 Savvy and Chic Money-Saving World Travel Tips appeared first on EcoSalon.

Looking for a dreamy holistic retreat? Lumeria Maui is off the tourist trail, and sure to soothe your soul. This intimate hotel brings the romance and traditional architecture of Upcountry Maui together with all you’d expect from a health-minded yoga getaway to create a soothing sanctuary. 

Confession: I’m allergic to New Age. I think it’s a side-effect of my years working in the natural foods industry, attending massage school, and living in Berkeley, California. Not, to quote “Seinfeld,” that there’s anything wrong with that. Mindful living is important, and alternative modalities and lifestyles are increasing in popularity. Even the global tourism industry has been impacted by the craving for wellness, and holistic retreats and spas—many of which draw inspiration from various indigenous cultures—are one of the industries’ fastest-growing segments.

When I heard about Lumeria Maui, an intimate, 24-room, luxury holistic retreat that opened in March, 2012, I was intrigued. The property is located on the 1910 Fred Baldwin estate (a prominent sugar cane and ranching family who still live in the area). The estate was built to house retired cane executives and plantation workers, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. My obsession with interior design and all things Hawaiian made the decision to visit Lumeria an easy one.

Lumeria Maui owner and operator Xorin Balbes, a renowned architectural conservator and designer, renovated the six-acre property in 2011, creating what he refers to as a “SoulSpace.” The result is a stunning redesign of the original Craftsman building, using reclaimed and sustainable materials. The exterior and key elements have been left intact, while the interiors have a tasteful neoclassical and Asian-influenced aesthetic.

Image: Lumeria Maui

Explains Balbes, “I’ve always found it to be important to hold on to history through architecture. Considering the property was originally a convalescent center, I thought it was important to save and restore the original structures and the history they represent. As the oldest wooden structures on Maui, the buildings really exude a feeling of a bygone era of ‘old Hawaii,’ which I felt would be amazing to share with travelers from around the world.”

Lumeria’s location outside the sleepy paniolo (cowboy) town of Makawao, in Upcountry Maui, was also a big selling point for me, as the region is one of my favorite spots on earth. While less than seven miles from the North Shore’s bustling former sugar mill town of Paia and world-class windsurfing of Ho’okipa Beach, Upcountry might as well be a different planet.

Historically a cattle ranching region, Upcountry is still very much paniolo country. The landscape is one of lush pasture and forest, grazing livestock, and rolling hills, situated on the flanks of Haleakala volcano. Makawao is just up the road from Lumeria, with its handful of great restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and historic structures. Lumeria lies smack-dab in the middle of nowhere, unobtrusively located behind wooden gates off the main road, Baldwin Avenue. While B&B’s are popular, Lumeria is the only “hotel” in Upcountry.

Image: belindah-Thank You!-150.000 Views Now

Upcountry is a peaceful place; the main noise pollution comes in the form of tradewinds rustling the eucalyptus, guava, and Norfolk Island pine trees. While there’s a laidback sort of tourism here, there aren’t herds of people to “ruin” the vibe. Yet, Lumeria is a sanctuary-within-a-sanctuary. Here, you’re sheltered from the everyday annoyances like shrilling devices (While the property does have Wifi and iPod docking in every room, there are no phones or TV and cell service is spotty) and traffic.

Image: Lumeria Maui

Lumeria offers classes, programs, and retreats in yoga and meditation, often taught by world-renowned instructors (daily yoga and meditation are included with all reservations). There’s a small yoga studio next to the restaurant, and a larger, appealingly airy stand-alone studio. A black-bottom lap pool and Jacuzzi overlook Haleakala’s western slope, while a nearby pine grove is strung with hammocks that invite snoozing.

Rooms are individually designed, and full of light, making good use of the lofty original ceilings. All feature river rock-tiled, rain-head showers (with Aveda amenities; yay). My four-poster King Bed was luxurious and draped in a duvet (Upcountry nights can get chilly); a cozy daybed provided a separate space to read and daydream. One caveat: the walls are thin: Between the amorous couple next door and a bickering family two rooms down, I endured a couple of late nights.

The design of the Baldwin home is such that it forms a U-shape, with a covered porch running the length of the interior. The porch overlooks an immaculately-groomed grass courtyard bordered by tropical flowers and other vegetation. Inside the main entrance are a plush, lavishly furnished-and-decorated library and sitting room stocked with books, art, and magnificent chunks of crystal and geode.

Image: Lumeria Maui

While I’m not a big fan of yoga because I  find it too sedentary (I realize the irony of this statement; I’m exactly the kind of stressed-out person who could benefit most from the discipline), I got into the spirit of things and spent a day taking classes. Given the deplorable state of my downward dog, I expected to be the laughing stock of my Anusara class. Surprise: not only did it kick my butt, but the instructor and fellow students were kind, and helped me refine various poses. Inspired, I took a Yoga Nidra class, which is when I hit my tolerance level for alternative modalities.

Ultimately, Lumeria Maui is designed to appeal to guests seeking a genuinely holistic, experiential retreat. If that’s not your thing (and you find being offered colon hydrotherapy within minutes of arrival off-putting, which I most certainly do), you’ll likely be weirded out by the drinking the Kool-Aid vibe. If you can look past that intensity, you’ll enjoy the property for its aesthetic charms, solitude, and enchanting location.

Lumeria offers weekly classes from visiting shamans, Hawaiian cultural educators, and botanical experts. You can also book traditional lomi-lomi massage or partake of the Lumeria Glow Cleanse program, which includes a “state-of-the-art juice and broth” regimen. The small, on-site restaurant serves tasty dinners made with locally-sourced produce when possible (advance reservations required); a no-frills Continental breakfast is included.

Lumeria can also help facilitate booking outside activities like horseback riding (Makawao’s lovely Piiholo Ranch is owned and operated by members of the Baldwin family), farm tours, stand-up paddleboarding, and wind- and kitesurfing.

My stay at Lumeria was sponsored by the Maui Visitors Bureau, but all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Top Image: Simply Stella, Flickr

Related on EcoSalon:

Sustainable Aloha at Maui’s Organic Lavender Farm

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Follow Your Bliss to Esalen

The post Old Hawaii’s Hidden Holistic Retreat: Lumeria Maui appeared first on EcoSalon.

For the nature lover, trendy Los Cabos, Mexico can offer a pleasant surprise.

Cabo San Lucas, located at the very south of the Baja peninsula in Mexico in the municipality of Los Cabos, is rarely associated with anything prefaced by the word “eco.” However, going there last month, we discovered there are plenty of things for a conscious nature lover to do while visiting this popular resort town.

image: Johanna Björk

For ocean lovers, a combined kayaking and snorkel tour is a must. Cabo Outfitters is a tour company run by a couple named Stacey and Casey. In addition to snorkeling and kayaking, they also offer a wide range of other tours.

image: Johanna Björk

The full-day tour to Cabo Pulmo, a national marine park, was once referred to by famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau as “the aquarium of the world.” It’s the location of the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America and the northernmost coral reef in the eastern Pacific. Cabo Pulmo also has the largest variety of species of underwater life in the entire Los Cabos area.

images: Johanna Björk

If you don’t want to spend an entire day exploring the ocean, Cabo Outfitters 3 Bay Tour takes place right along the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. As the name suggests, you kayak to three different bays on the Sea of Cortez, stopping to snorkel in two places. I was pleasantly surprised to see more beautiful fish and marine life than I ever had snorkeling in other places. At the end of the tour, you end up at Chileno, a tranquil white sand beach frequented by the locals.

image: Johanna Björk

We did a short bonus stop at a rocky beach in one of the bays and, as we were standing there, two giant humpbacks started jumping out of the water a few miles out to sea. Even though they were far away, it was a mighty sight.

images: Johanna Björk

I was lucky to be there at the beginning of whale season — which runs from January to early April — when the whales migrate down from Alaska and stay for a few months to have their babies. Inspired by our whale sighting on the kayak tour, we decided to go on a whale watching tour. Luis of Baja Wild can tailor any kind of tour experience in Los Cabos, and took us out to look for whales.

images: Johanna Björk

Although we did not get to witness another tandem jump, we saw a few humpbacks up close, got some tail fin action and even saw a newborn whale with its mother. On the way back to shore, many whale watching tours take you by the famous arch that you see in all the postcards, so you can scratch that off the must-see list and save a water taxi trip.

image: Flora Farms

When people refer to Los Cabos, this also includes, San Jose del Cabo, a smaller town located about a 30-40 minute car ride from Cabo San Lucas. If you go, a visit to Flora Farms is a must. This ten-acre organic farm, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, has an on-site restaurant, bar and grocery. Working the soil, largely by hand, Flora Farms has been growing food without using pesticides or GMO seeds for ten years.

image: Flora Farms

After founding a local farmers market on the farm, 100 percent of the produce is now dedicated to local consumption through Flora’s Field Kitchen, Flora’s Grocery and the Culinary Cottage owners. That’s right, if you find yourself loving Mexican farm life so much you never want to leave, you don’t have to — the perfectly rustic, charming Culinary Cottages are available for rent or purchase.

image: Flora Farms

Just 8 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, Carisuva Ranch is a typical Baja Californian ranch with horses, goats, chickens, donkeys and cows as well and a fresh water well and a traditional desert hut. Their mission is to “educate through contemplation, interaction and understanding of the importance of preserving all ecosystems.”

image: Carisuva Ranch

The tranquil, off-beaten-path environs offer plenty of opportunity for relaxation, and the best way to truly commune with nature here is to go horseback riding. The sunset tour lets you discover spectacular ocean side cliffs, lush desert ranges, and private untouched beaches on horseback. At the end, you will get to enjoy a peaceful sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

image: Carisuva Ranch

Contemplating the incredible beauty of nature, it makes me even more motivated than ever to do my part to ensure that future generations will get to enjoy it like we can.

top image: Johanna Björk

The post The Conscious, Nature-Lover’s Guide to Los Cabos, Mexico appeared first on EcoSalon.

Located on a cobblestone street in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood is the eco contemporary Crosby Street Hotel.

In a city that’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., as well as home to many eco inventors, we’re excited that there’s an eco-hotel that’s leading the way in the industry. We are, of course, talking about New York City and tucked smack in the middle of SoHo sits the Crosby Street Hotel.

Featuring floor-to-ceiling warehouse style windows to take in the natural light, each of the 86 rooms are individually designed, some with private terraces planted with native plants. But what’s impressive is that the Crosby Street Hotel is one of the first LEED Gold certified hotels in New York City and is one of the most environmentally responsible in the U.S.

In addition to a slew of green features like green power, use of recycled materials during construction, and usage of regional materials, the Crosby Street Hotel also maximizes their open space. A whopping 61% of the hotel’s site is considered as such, “open,” and on the rooftop is a kitchen garden with a seasonal vegetable patch. Managed by head chef Anthony Paris, also in the formerly unused space on the roof is a Tudor style chicken coop in which the Araucana chickens produce eggs used in the kitchen as well.

Guests are encouraged to visit the Sculpture Garden and the Crosby Bar, both of which are outdoor spaces filled with green space and cool décor, perfect for relaxing with friends.

If you go: Check out the state-of-the-art screening room with 99 seats featuring different films every Sunday. Rates start at $525 per night.

Places & Spaces is a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

The post Places & Spaces: The Crosby Street Hotel, New York City appeared first on EcoSalon.

Spend your days by the sea in the treetops, and playing with nature at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge in Nicaragua.

Imagine if you could reset your day to the sunrises and the sunsets without the hassle of agendas, cell phones and meetings. For many of us, this would mean a complete readjustment of our clocks but for the owners of Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge outside of San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, this is the norm and they invite all of their guests to “play with time” as well.

Located 15 miles north of the Costa Rican border, Morgan’s Rock is located within a 4,400-acre nature preserve and sustainable tree farm, which 1.5 million trees have been planted in over the past 10 years. The resort is said to be one of the country’s oldest high-end eco-resorts, and the land is rich with history as well.

The 15 well-appointed bungalows are set into the hillside of the jungle and outdoor queen-sized hanging beds allow for breathtaking views of the water (13 of which are accessible only by a 100-meter pedestrian suspension bridge). Inside, each of them are open and have fully screened walls so you can hear the sound of the ocean and nature at all times.

If you go: Morgan’s Rock has its own private beach (equipped with hammocks and loungers) and a hatchery for giant sea turtles. Rates start at $322 per night and are all-inclusive.

Places & Spaces is a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

The post Places & Spaces: Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge, Nicaragua appeared first on EcoSalon.

The CityFlatsHotel in downtown Holland, Michigan offers guests an eco-friendly experience without compromising style or luxury.

As the first hotel in the Midwest to receive LEED Gold Certification, the CityFlatsHotel in Holland, Michigan boasts sweeping views of downtown and Lake Macatawa, a small body of water that leads to the magnificent beaches of Lake Michigan. No two rooms are alike at CityFlatsHotel, making each of the 56 eco-friendly suites a unique experience.

The CityFlatsHotel was designed and manufactured with carefully selected green materials and technologies. For example, to save energy, curtains are lined with a black-out fabric, the countertops are made from recycled glass and concrete, and instead of carpeting, cork flooring tiles are used. Additionally, large windows throughout the hotel maximize natural lighting, while master switches turn off all lighting when a guest leaves the guestroom. Occupancy sensors power down the heating and cooling system when it is not needed.

CityVū Bistro on the fifth floor keeps it local, as it’s considered among the best among foodies here. Fresh locally-sourced ingredients contribute to a creative and healthy menu (fryers and frozen foods won’t be found anywhere near their kitchen).

If you go: Take note of the locally made CityDrem mattresses as well as the sheets, blankets, towels and duvet covers. They’ve been so popular that guests can now buy them for their own homes. Rates start at $149USD per night.

Places & Spaces is a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

The post Places & Spaces: CityFlatsHotel in Holland, Michigan appeared first on EcoSalon.

Surrounded by natural beauty, the Inn by the Sea on Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth, Maine offers luxurious accommodations.

Fall in New England marks leaf-peeping season and beautiful sunsets, making it a perfect time to visit and enjoy the cool weather. Located just outside Portland, Maine is Inn by the Sea, a coastal destination where “luxury comes naturally.” Renovated extensively just a few years ago, it’s now nationally recognized for its eco-friendly practices.

Because Inn by the Sea is adjacent to a wildlife sanctuary, it is a designated wildlife habitat, making it one of the first hotels certified as “Green Lodging” by Maine’s DEP. It seems that the Inn is leading the hospitality industry in Maine through other aspects as well. It was the first to heat with biofuel, the first to be carbon neutral, and the first to have dual flush toilets as well. Other cool eco-features include solar heating for the pool, recycled rubber floors in the fitness room, recycled cork floors in the spa, and the inn even assists eco-conscience couples in planning green weddings.

Perhaps one of the aspects of Inn by the Sea that we love so much is that it goes beyond the corporate level by engaging guests with educational classes that are offered to pass on the environmental messages. Weekly seminars and garden tours are offered on the Inn’s five acres of seaside gardens, teaching guests how to plant for wildlife, while children learn about bug ecosystems during the summer’s “Bug’s Life” series.

If you go: Check out Sea Glass, the Inn by the Sea’s restaurant featuring local ingredients from produce to cheese to sea salt. Rates start at $189USD per night.

Places & Spaces is a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

The post Places & Spaces: Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine appeared first on EcoSalon.

Just 30 miles southwest from downtown Los Angeles, Terreana Resort aims to complement its greatest natural asset – the Pacific Ocean.

Inspired by the Spanish explorers who discovered the Southern California coastline in the 1500s, Terreanea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California sits on 102 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The architecture and design complement the natural asset of its location by seamlessly transitioning between indoor and outdoor spaces to take full advantage of the climate and unobstructed views.

Terreanea Resort is located just 30 miles southwest from downtown LA. It’s owned by Destination Hotels & Resorts, the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. Through the company’s Destination Earth program, they are committed to creating a new benchmark for each hotel and resort through a series of environmental initiatives.

While Terreanea has many eco-friendly features, the landscaping is what really makes an impression. Because the resort sits partially on restored native habitat areas, strict attention has been paid specifically to the planting of native plant species and trees. The resort’s eco friendly golf course also plays a large role in the landscaping. Irrigation water is treated in vegetated channels called Bioswales, created wetlands which “contain plant species known for their ability to remediate polluted water and soil through sedimentation, filtration, absorption, and vegetative uptake.” Not only does this mean that it enhances the water quality, but it also provides habitat for many avian and aquatic species.

It’s been said that every family member will be entertained at Terreanea, including your pooch. With tons of activities, a spa, and its several restaurants, kids and adults alike will not be disappointed.

If you go: Dolphins and whales can be spotted right from your room. Rates start at approximately $350.00USD per night.

Places & Spaces is a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

The post Places & Spaces:Terreanea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California appeared first on EcoSalon.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in Vancouver provides guests with luxurious “tented” accommodations and five-star dining.

Tucked in the middle of nowhere on the west coast of Vancouver Island is an eco-safari retreat called Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, which can only be reached by boat or seaplane. While the accommodations at this resort are comprised of 20 tents, each offers every bit of the luxury you are seeking. This remote Canadian getaway has dining tents that offer five-star cuisine, massage and treatment tents, lounge tents and guest tents with fluffy duvets and antiques, all inspired by late 19th century Great Camps.

But behind the luxury there is a deep and meaningful commitment to restoring the land. Located on the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve Area on the banks of the remote Bedwell River, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is committed to running in an environmentally sustainable manner with as low-impact operations as technology allows.

We love that every evening the Activities Director meets with guests personally to design their adventures for the next day, which depends on weather, tidal charts and animal sightings. The resort offers tons of activities so guests will never have a shortage of things to do in the wilderness.

If you go: While Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is only open May through September and guests are encouraged to make reservations in advance. Rates start at $4,650.00USD for three nights, and include return airfare from Vancouver to the Resort, deluxe tented accommodation, all meals, snacks and beverages (including alcohol), massage treatments and a wide array of guided adventure activities including instruction.

Places & Spaces is a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

The post Places & Spaces: Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Vancouver, Canada appeared first on EcoSalon.