I used to think sustainability meant giving something up. But on these trips, I found the opposite: more connection, more wonder, more space to breathe. Each place offered a different kind of green—mossy trails, geothermal pools, off-grid cabins, or quiet coastlines—but they all shared the same rhythm: slow down, look closer, live lighter.
I remember standing at the edge of a fjord, wrapped in mist, and thinking, “This isn’t about checking off sights—it’s about feeling the world hum again.” These aren’t just vacations. They’re invitations to engage—with nature, with community, with our own footprint.
Best Green Trips:
Rancho La Puerta - Tecate, Mexico
I crossed the border into Baja California, winding past sunlit hills and olive trees, and thought, “This place already feels like an exhale.”
Rancho La Puerta is more than a wellness resort—it’s a living, breathing eco-retreat. Set on 4,000 acres of gardens, mountains, and meadows, the property runs on solar power, grows much of its own food, and practices regenerative land care. Mornings began with hikes along sagebrush trails; afternoons flowed with yoga under open beams or hands in the garden soil.
My favorite moment? A lunch harvested that morning: roasted poblano stuffed with quinoa and squash, topped with mole that smelled rich and earthy. The vegetables were sweet and smoky, and each bite tasted like sunshine filtered through soil.
Plan your eco-retreat:
- Location: Tecate, Baja California (just over the border from San Diego)
- Vibe: Soulful, rustic-luxe, deeply rooted in the land
- Don’t Miss: Mountain sunrise hikes, cooking classes at La Cocina Que Canta, organic garden walks
- Cost: All-inclusive weeks from ~$5,000/person (includes lodging, meals, classes, transport from San Diego)
Rancho La Puerta invites you to move slowly, eat thoughtfully, and return home with more than memories—it sends you back restored, and reconnected.
Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland
I stepped into the steam as blue water swirled around my legs, the volcanic earth warm beneath me, and thought, “This is what elemental peace feels like.”
The Blue Lagoon isn’t just a geothermal spa—it’s a sustainability story set in Iceland’s lava fields. Fed by mineral-rich runoff from a nearby renewable energy plant, the lagoon harnesses heat and nature in perfect balance. The waters are rich with silica and algae, their milky hue glowing against the dark rock. Even the on-site hotels and restaurants are built with low-impact design and local materials.
My favorite moment? After a long soak, I had a bowl of Arctic char with dill yogurt and foraged greens at the spa’s café. The fish was flaky and fresh, the herbs bright, and the smell of geothermal steam still clung to my skin as I ate. Every part of it—simple, pure, grounding.
Plan your geothermal escape:
- Location: ~45 minutes southwest of Reykjavík, near Keflavík Airport
- Vibe: Elemental, otherworldly, sustainably designed
- Don’t Miss: Silica face masks, in-water massage, lava field walking paths
- Cost: Day passes from ~$65; hotel packages available at Silica or Retreat Hotel
The Blue Lagoon makes sustainability feel luxurious—where heat from the earth becomes healing, and even the silence seems to shimmer.
Walking Vacation with The Carter Company, United Kingdom
I set off along a hedgerow path with nothing but a daypack, the sky low and wide, and thought, “This is how I want to travel—one quiet step at a time.”
The Carter Company crafts gentle walking vacations across England, Scotland, and Wales, often following rivers, coastlines, and countryside trails. Luggage is transferred ahead while you stroll at your own pace through meadows, stone villages, and woodland paths. Each night, you stay in charming inns or eco-minded hotels rooted in local character.
My favorite moment? A picnic by the River Thames—locally made cheddar, fresh-baked bread, crisp apple slices, and elderflower soda that smelled like summer hedges. It all tasted like the landscape itself: clean, simple, and quietly nourishing.
Plan your walk:
- Locations: Routes available across England, Wales, and Scotland (Thames Path, Cotswolds, Lake District, coastal Wales)
- Vibe: Slow travel, immersive, eco-conscious
- Don’t Miss: Village bakeries, heritage inns, farm-to-table breakfasts, optional e-bike add-ons
- Cost: Self-guided walking trips from ~$1,000 per person for 4–7 days (includes lodging, breakfasts, luggage transfer, maps)
These walks turn travel into something richer—less about getting there, more about being there. With The Carter Company, sustainability starts with how you move: gently, on foot, fully present.
Relax in Eco-Friendly Comfort at Stanford Inn on the Mendocino Coast
If you are a vegan, it doesn't get any better than the Stanford Inn , the only vegan resort in the U.S. Located on the scenic Mendocino Coast in California, the resort has a fantastic organic restaurant, romantic rooms with wood-burning fireplaces and a wellness center. Guest rooms and suites have views of the Pacific Ocean, Big River and the inn's own organic gardens. Vacationers enjoy a full range of amenities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and free mountain bike rentals. The wellness center offers gardening classes, meditation, nutrition, weight management and cooking classes. Treat yourself to a soothing massage, Ayurvedic treatments, Acupuncture or Acupressure during your stay. Rooms start at $211 per night, including organic breakfast, free WiFi, organic coffee and eco-friendly amenities. The property is pet-friendly and welcomes children (800-331-8884).
Nimmo Bay Resort, British Columbia, Canada
I arrived by floatplane, the water like glass below me, and as we skimmed into a cove tucked between forested cliffs, I thought, “This is the middle of nowhere—in the best possible way.”
At Nimmo Bay, the wild does most of the talking. Set deep in the Great Bear Rainforest, the resort runs on hydro and solar power, sources local food, and weaves nature into everything. I stayed in a cedar-shingled cabin perched over the bay, where I could hear whales at night and birdsong at dawn. There was no rush—just long paddleboard mornings, forest bathing walks, and time to listen.
My favorite moment? After a misty kayak along the shoreline, I returned for dinner: wild salmon grilled over alderwood, served with foraged mushrooms and sea asparagus. The scent was smoky and clean, the fish rich and fresh. It tasted like the ocean had been distilled into one perfect meal.
Plan your remote retreat:
- Location: Accessible by floatplane from Port Hardy, British Columbia
- Vibe: Remote luxury, eco-integrated, soft adventure
- Don’t Miss: Wildlife watching, glacier-fed waterfall plunge, floating sauna
- Cost: All-inclusive packages from ~$2,000/night per person
At Nimmo Bay, I didn’t just step into nature—I felt absorbed by it. Every moment was grounded, personal, and impossibly alive.
Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Costa Rica
I wandered through a jungle trail as steam curled through the trees, warm mineral water rushing beside me. When I slipped into the first hot spring pool, I thought, “This isn’t just relaxing—it feels sacred.”
Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort sits at the base of Arenal Volcano, where thermal waters flow naturally through lush gardens. I spent my days moving between river-fed pools, hidden waterfalls, and shaded hammocks. The entire resort runs on hydroelectric power and supports reforestation and local conservation efforts—it felt like everything here was designed with care, not just comfort.
My favorite moment? After a morning of soaking and stillness, I had lunch at the open-air restaurant: grilled tilapia with coconut rice and plantains. The fish was light and fresh, the rice fragrant, the plantains sweet and golden. It tasted like sunshine and rain woven into one meal.
Plan your rainforest soak:
- Location: La Fortuna, Costa Rica (~3 hours by car from San José)
- Vibe: Tropical, tranquil, eco-luxury
- Don’t Miss: Private hot spring pools at Shangri-La Gardens, early morning volcano views, rainforest spa treatments
- Cost: Rooms from ~$500/night; day passes for hot springs also available
At Tabacón, I didn’t need to do much—the land did the healing. Every soak, every breeze through the palms, reminded me how powerful nature can be when we just let it flow.
Pikaia Lodge, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands
As the jeep climbed toward the highlands, giant tortoises moved slowly through the grass, and I thought, “This is evolution at eye level.”
Pikaia Lodge sits on the rim of an extinct volcano, designed for minimal impact in one of the planet’s most delicate ecosystems. I stayed in a sleek room built with lava stone and glass, looking out over the Pacific. The lodge is 100% carbon neutral, solar-powered, and works closely with conservationists to protect native species. My days were filled with snorkeling trips, volcanic hikes, and quiet hours spent just watching the land breathe.
My favorite moment? Dinner after a boat trip to uninhabited islets—grilled Ecuadorian prawns with lime, coconut rice, and tamarind glaze. The prawns were juicy and bright, the rice creamy, and the tamarind added just enough sweetness. I ate slowly, sunset falling into the sea just beyond the glass wall.
Plan your Galápagos journey:
- Location: Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos (via Baltra Airport + lodge transfer)
- Vibe: Remote, futuristic, conservation-driven
- Don’t Miss: Private yacht day trips, wildlife encounters, visiting Darwin Station
- Cost: All-inclusive packages from ~$7,000/week per person
Pikaia Lodge showed me what travel could look like when luxury and preservation walk side by side. Every moment felt rare—and rightly so.
Good Day Out - Wildlife Experiences in Wales
I followed a narrow country lane into the hills, sheep dotting the green slopes, and thought, “This place already feels softer.”
Good Day Out isn’t a traditional resort—it’s a series of small, ethical adventures designed to connect visitors with Welsh landscapes and local life. I spent one morning walking through the Brecon Beacons with a tiny pig named Cinnamon. We wandered meadow paths and forest edges, the air cool and grassy. Other options included herding sheep with a farmer, wildlife sketching in nature reserves, or spending a quiet afternoon learning about rewilding efforts in the hills.
My favorite moment? A picnic of local cheese, warm bread, and blackberry jam, eaten on a hillside as ponies grazed in the distance. The cheese was sharp and creamy, the jam sweet and wild. Everything tasted like it had come from that very valley.
Plan your mindful day out:
- Location: Brecon Beacons, Wales (about 3 hours west of London)
- Vibe: Charming, grounded, animal-loving slow travel
- Don’t Miss: Pig walks, conservation experiences, Welsh countryside picnics
- Cost: Activities from ~$50–$100 per person; proceeds support local farms and wildlife causes
In a world of fast itineraries, Good Day Out reminded me that small, thoughtful moments—especially the kind that involve a pig in hiking boots—leave the biggest impression.
Embark on Epic Polar Expeditions with Arctic Kingdom
I stepped onto the sea ice, bundled in layers, the silence stretching in every direction. As I watched a narwhal surface in the distance, I thought, “This is the edge of the world—and I’ve never felt more awake.”
With Arctic Kingdom, I wasn’t just visiting the North—I was immersed in it. These small-group expeditions focus on wildlife encounters and cultural respect, with Inuit guides leading the way. We traveled by sled and snowmobile, camped on the ice in heated domes, and tracked polar bears and seals with patience and awe. Every part of the experience was low-impact, carefully managed, and designed to preserve the pristine ecosystem we were lucky enough to step into.
My favorite moment? Dinner in the dining dome after a long day on the tundra: wild char, slow-smoked and served with root vegetables and warm bannock bread. The scent was woodsy and rich, the flavors bold and grounding. I ate slowly, watching the sky fade into a thousand stars.
Plan your polar journey:
- Location: Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, or Nunavut regions (via charter flights from Ottawa)
- Vibe: Remote, respectful, awe-inspiring
- Don’t Miss: Narwhal viewing, polar bear tracking, traditional Inuit storytelling
- Cost: Multi-day expeditions from ~$13,000 per person (all-inclusive)
Traveling with Arctic Kingdom wasn’t about thrill—it was about reverence. The cold, the quiet, the sheer vastness of it all—it asked me to listen more than speak. And I did.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Rancho La Puerta - Tecate, Mexico
- • Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland
- • Walking Vacation with The Carter Company, United Kingdom
- • Relax in Eco-Friendly Comfort at Stanford Inn on the Mendocino Coast
- • Nimmo Bay Resort, British Columbia, Canada
- • Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Costa Rica
- • Pikaia Lodge, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands
- • Good Day Out - Wildlife Experiences in Wales
- • Embark on Epic Polar Expeditions with Arctic Kingdom