Eco-Friendly Breaks
5 Min Read | Published: 14 August 2024
With the rise of ecotourism, many destinations are making it their mission to offer more sustainable adventures. Our guide will help you make the most of your eco-break.
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At Fine Hotels + Resorts properties*, eligible Platinum Card® Members can enjoy an exclusive suite of benefits that includes daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4pm check-out, and a $100 credit to use towards eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges.1
When staying two nights or more at The Hotel Collection properties,* eligible Platinum and Gold Cardmembers receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges1, a room upgrade upon arrival, when available, and 12pm check-in and late check-out, both when available.2
Environmental awareness is at the very heart of the Swedish capital, so it comes as no surprise that Stockholm is a haven for those looking to lessen their global impact while still seeing the world.
Most residents and visitors make use of the excellent public transport system – if you’re using the extensive underground network, look out for the metro stations’ vivid art displays.
For those seeking a more scenic sightseeing experience, you can hire pick-up and drop-off bikes and electric scooters to see famous landmarks, while ferry trips between the 30,000 archipelago islands and islets also offer spectacular views.
The family-friendly nature reserve and farm island Grinda is one of the most accessible islands in the archipelago, just over an hour away by boat, and is owned and managed by the Archipelago Foundation. Similarly, the former herring-fishing island of Vaxholm is just an hour’s ferry ride away from Stockholm and offers the chance to explore the town’s rich history, including the impressive old fortress, the Citadel, dating back to the 1500s.
Sustainable Dining
Head over to Växthuset (The Greenhouse) for a night of vegan fine dining. It’s the perfect place to indulge in a plant-based menu of local, seasonal ingredients paired with artisanal craft beverages or organic vegan wines. Alternatively, you may want to visit the warehouse-turned-photography museum Fotografiska, which features award-winning restaurants serving sustainable, seasonal cuisine.
Outdoor Adventures
Embrace the active Swedish lifestyle by hiking around the 5,000 pine-scented hectares of Tyresta National Park – 20km from the city centre – where you might spot wild boar and roe deer roaming.
Enjoy the calm of the forest or even a refreshing wild swim in the glittering lakes. If you’re short on time, the city offers a range of eco-tours including running, kayaking and wooden bike tours.
See the Old Town district, Gamla Stan, and count the many historical churches dotted around the city before ending the evening at a trendy vegan restaurant in Södermalm, Stockholm’s hipster quarter.
Stay: Hotel Diplomat, Stockholm
Located right by the city’s waterfront, the Hotel Diplomat is an art nouveau, luxury retreat known for its eco-friendly practices.
The clean and elegant rooms and suites use renewable energy and smart systems to conserve power in unused spaces, while the hotel itself has moved away from single use plastics and only cleans with earth-friendly products.
With restaurants, bars and private dining options, there’s plenty of choice, all featuring local, sustainably sourced ingredients with minimal waste.
Famed for its geothermal springs and views of the Northern Lights, Iceland is the place to be for nature-seeking travellers.
There is plenty to see and do in the Icelandic capital before venturing into the wilderness, though. Explore the city by renting a bike or opt for a guided bike tour and enjoy the easy-to-navigate cycling paths.
Alternatively, take a walking food tour to sample all the local delicacies and stroll along the high street, Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s shopping hub, where you’ll find a selection of sustainable clothing stores.
Gourmet Reykjavík Experiences
If you’re still hungry, TIDES restaurant is a warm and inviting restaurant celebrating the best seafood from the pristine waters of Iceland along with locally sourced meat and ingredients. To compliment your meal, they offer a curated selection of wine that harmonizes seamlessly with the cuisine.
Or, if you’re looking for a full farm-to-table experience, head out a little further to geothermal farm Friðheimar where you can learn about their process and enjoy a cosy, tomato-centric lunch right in their climate-controlled greenhouse.
Nature Wonders
Explore the UNESCO-recognised geopark, the Reykjanes peninsula, less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavík, and enjoy the spectacle of the steaming fumaroles, lava fields and hot springs.
For a calm afternoon of scenic nature strolls, bird-spotting and whale watching, take a short ferry ride to Viðey Island, which is also famous for its historic ruins and contemporary art, including the Imagine Peace Tower designed by Yoko Ono.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the island’s cutest residents, the puffins.
Stay: The Reykjavík EDITION
A place to recharge and reset, The Reykjavík EDITION brings the first 5-star modern luxury experience to one of the world's most sustainable capitals. Located in the historical, scenic heart of downtown Reykjavík by the Old Harbour, the hotel is just steps away from Laugavegur Street, the city's vibrant shopping district, and Harpa Concert and Conference Centre.
Enjoy luxury amenities and large floor-to-ceiling windows that feature stunning views of the North Atlantic Ocean, the Old Harbour, Mount Esja and the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier.
The Reykjavík EDITION boasts a variety of distinctive food, beverage and entertainment outlets including 6 bars, the signature restaurant TIDES, a café and bakery as well as a state-of-the-art gym and Hammam Spa. Alongside this is the 7th-floor Rooftop Bar, The ROOF, which is an ideal spot from which to enjoy the bright summer nights as well as the spectacular northern lights in the colder months.
Portugal’s capital is a notable sustainable travel destination for a whole host of reasons, from the environmentally friendly public transport (try Ecotours for audio guided tours in a tiny electric car) to locally sourced food.
But Lisbon is also a great place for eco-friendly activities. Brigada do Mar is a Portuguese NGO dedicated to removing rubbish from the ocean and promoting biodiversity. Join their campaign and get involved in the clean-up – what better way to give back to the environment?
Sustainable Wine Tours
A couple of hours’ drive inland is the Alentejo wine region, which famously introduced a sustainability programme to ensure environmentally responsible wine production.
Head out for a decadent vineyard tour and learn about the huge success of this initiative in reducing water and energy usage while you sample delicious local wines perfectly suited to their environments, accompanied by local cheeses.
Eco-Friendly Azores Escape
If you have a little longer, take a trip to The Azores off Portugal’s west coast for stunning volcanic scenery with seriously sustainable credentials.
The first archipelago to receive the EarthCheck Sustainable Destination Certificate, this collection of unspoilt islands is home to four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as well as hot springs, reefs and waterfalls.
Local tour guides offer insight into traditional village cooking as well as hiking, whale watching and mountain biking for the truly energetic.
Stay: Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, Lisbon
Set in the heart of Lisbon, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa boasts a semi-tropical garden, glimmering pool and chic rooftop bar and terrace with panoramic city views.
It has a selection of restaurants and bars including SEEN Lisboa, with gourmet seasonal menu and views of the Lisbon hills, and Cervejaria Liberdade, serving seafood with locally sourced ingredientes from the Portuguese coast. You can also enjoy a cocktail and small plate at the Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, or rooftop Sky Bar.
Tivoli hotels aim to provide the most authentic experience in every destination, taking an active role in local community sustainability projects and focusing on continuously improving their carbon footprint.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, the Dedicated Centurion® Team or American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/) with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cards. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 Credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out.
Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/), Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge or the Dedicated Centurion® Team, with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cardmembers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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