There’s been a lot of talk about glamping lately. If you’ve missed the boat on that one, it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: glamorous + camping. Luxury camping, so to say. An attempt at combining your love for the outdoors, and hopefully greener travel, with the finer things in life. As the second definition in the trusty Urban Dictionary states: “Satisfying your craving for the outdoors and your penchant for a good meal, nice glass of wine, and a comfortable bed.” We’ve already discussed sustainable glamping trips around the globe and glamping on the southern tip of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, but not everyone is a glamper.

Sure, if you’re not comfortable with backcountry treks, and not everyone is, glamping might be your best attempt at spending some time in the beautiful outdoors, which is an excellent vehicle for learning about and appreciating the natural world that we’re all working so hard to protect, but how green is travel of this kind? Well, it depends.

Despite the cringe-worthy factor of its name, glamping does in fact have quite a bit to offer those looking for a more sustainable, eco-friendly vacation. You just need to remember what to look for. Here are a few key things to keep in mind while planning:

Location

Wherever you go, you want to be sure that the facilities in which you’re staying exist harmoniously with the local environment. That means saying no to places that have chosen over development and scaled back on efforts to promote protection of local natural spaces. Choose destinations where the glamping operator gives back to the local environment, either through non-profit programs or the way in which they run their facilities. Think “conscious” and “aware;” since you’re there to enjoy nature you want to be sure that the places you’re staying are doing their part to protect them!

Activities

As with location and facilities, the activities that a glamping operator offers can have a negative environmental effect. Choose places that put an emphasis on carbon-free, or low carbon footprint, activities like hiking, running, cycling, etc. And no matter how much you want to snowmobile, just say no.

Amenities

Solar power, rain collection and permaculture gardens – yes please! There are plenty of glamping locations out there that are committed to running the most responsible operations possible. You can even score yourself an outdoor shower with an ocean overlook, the ultimate in getting back to nature à la luxe.

Food

The joy of glamping is not having to give up the things that make vacation oh-so-enjoyable, like fine cuisine. Many eco retreats offer organic and vegetarian menus, as well as cuisine that focuses on featuring local produce and delectables.

Plan, plan, plan

Above all, do your research. Glamping Girl features a variety of locations that factor in many of the above requirements. Go Glamping is another site with plenty of info and lots of locations to look through. For more ideas on eco-friendly glamping options, be sure to check out our round-up of 7 Sustainable Romps Around the Globe.

Happy travels!

Image: flourishpdx

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Bikes and travel: two of my absolute favorite things. What better way to see the world than carbon free? If you’re looking to do some traveling that gives back to the community, bike rides are an excellent way to combine exploring and supporting a cause. Sure, you might need to train a little, but putting in a couple of rides each week has oh-so-many benefits. And you can brag about it to all your friends.

We’ve pulled together a selection of interesting bike rides that take you through some beautiful countryside and promote important issues. Dust off that seat and start training!

Climate Ride

For the last two years, Climate Ride has taken cyclists and climate activists from New York City to Washington D.C., and the event has been so successful that this year they’re adding a California version. The ride brings together all kinds of leaders in climate, renewable energy and environmental causes. Last year the likes of ocean rower Roz Savage and The Lazy Environmentalist Josh Dorfman even hopped aboard. Climate Ride California will take place September 21-25, 2010. Learn more here.

The Great Fashion Cycle 2010

The Environmental Justice Foundation is working to raise awareness about human rights and environmental abuses in the fashion industry, and what better way than cycling between two fashion capitals, London and Paris? The event takes place July 14-18, 2010 and you can learn more about promoting a fairer fashion future two-wheel style by clicking here.

Pedals for Africa

Explore Alaska by bike and support school children in Ethiopia and Malawi. The ride takes place July 17-23, 2010, and if you’re interested, go here to get more info – quick as there are only five spots left!

Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee

A six-day adventure across the state parks of Tennessee raises money for the Cumberland Trail Conference. An excellent way to support state parks and get in a week-long bike ride. The ride takes place September 12-18, 2010.

Bike 2 Bike

Bike 2 Bike gives people the chance to explore the West by bicycle, while at the same time helping out local organizations. The company organizes tours in the Rockies and the Southwest, and encourages riders of all levels to take part. Each ride supports a charitable cause. You can learn more here.

Image: Totomaru

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In this day and age, the word “green” gets thrown around a lot. But what does it really mean? When we talk about “green travel” it tends to imply anything from eco resorts to carbon offsets. These are all good things, but the crucial part about “green” travel isn’t that it shouldn’t be a fad: it should be permanent mindset. Why? Because traveling should always be done with respect for the environment, people and other cultures.

For your green travel tip this week, we’re focusing less on the logistics of green travel and more on the inspiration behind it. We’ve picked out a couple of things that should inspire you to take on the permanent mindset of conscious travel. Because once you do, you’ll never look back. So get inspired and then get out an go, because like any good traveler knows, there’s nothing better for opening the human perspective and having a better understanding of cultures and our global system than seeing it first hand.

Choose Slow travel

Often we opt for quick-fix travel; we can only fit in an extended weekend so we fly in and out, check out a couple of restaurants, cruise down the main drag and call it good. But where’s the inspiration in that? If you’ve been considering more extensive options, now’s the time. There’s a whole slew of slow travel groups and trips out there, no matter what your interest. Spend a couple weeks working on an organic farm in New Zealand and learning how the locals truly live on an everyday basis. Volunteer your time in a village in need with a voluntourism trip. Rent a vacation villa in Italy and spend your mornings at the market and your afternoons drinking wine. These are all ways to see the world and truly experience the places your in first hand, not just view them from an outsider perspective.

Watch an Adventure Film

180° South from Mountainfilm in Telluride on Vimeo

Even if you’re not the adventurous type, sometimes adventure travel films are the best source of inspiration. 180° South is a great example, and it’s sure to fuel your travel spirit. It’s a combination of an epic trip, travel wisdom and the beauty of nature. I’m checking this film out next week at Mountainfilm Festival, but it’s slowly making its way around the rest of the country. Find out where you can see it here.

Choose Your Trip By Activity, Not By Destination

Instead of throwing a dartboard at a map and deciding where your next trip should take you, think of the meaningful activities that you enjoy and which ones you can incorporate into a trip. Spend a week at an eco yoga resort that employs the local community. Plan a trip around cooking, and spend time in a place where you can focus on local ingredients, how they’re grown and where they’re produced. When you’re doing something you love, you’re more focused on the present, which ultimately makes for a more conscious traveler.

Read a Classic Travelogue

Pick up one of the great travel narratives of our time – like The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux or The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen – and learn why taking time to explore a place is essential. Books like these are key for getting you to seriously think about “living the dream;” getting out, exploring the world, and taking on a travel goal that you’ve always dreamed of. World Hum has a great list of travel books if you’re looking to find a good one.

Image: Chris Carter

The post 4 Things to Inspire Your Conscious Travel Spirit appeared first on EcoSalon.

For jet setters and and grungy backpackers alike, Skype has become an essential travel tool right up there with maps, language skills and a credit card. With inexpensive calling rates, and free computer-to-computer calls and chats, Skype is certainly one of the leaders in international communication. But the service just got better.

This week Skype rolled out a system of subscription based calling plans. The plans will cover more than 170 countries and provide users with savings of up towards 60 percent compared to the usual Pay-As-You-Go rates. Users can customize the subscription plans, choosing between Unlimited US/Canada, Unlimited Country or Unlimited World. The most expensive option comes in at $12.95, which offers unlimited calls to over 40 countries, which is a whopping deal if you spend even a small amount of time making international calls.

The internet-based phone service recently launched a mobile version, functional on Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones (which yours truly uses and loves), and the recent move to subscriptions should make Skype devotees even bigger fans. In fact, last November the service had 20 million users logged onto the service at the same time. For keeping in touch on-the-go, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more inexpensive and easier option.

Image: Gadling

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You would think that something as simple as ditching bottled water would be easy to make a regular habit. But as soon as we start traveling, our eco-friendly daily routine has a tendency to fall by the wayside, and water is a prime example.

Just because you can’t bring liquids through security check is no excuse for leaving your reusable water bottle at home; you’re certainly going to need it upon arrival. Worried about space? No one said you had to go with stainless steel.

You can also invest in a handy collapsible drinking vessel like the Soft Bottles from Platypus. They’re BPA-free and can go with you anywhere. Which means buying a bottle of water where potable tap water is readily available is no longer excusable.

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