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14 sustainable travel companies you can feel good about booking with

Do some good while seeing the world when you book with these ethical and sustainable travel companies

Photograph: Guaxinim / Shutterstock

While we don’t want to labour on the negatives, you don’t need to be an expert or activist to understand that we are in a climate pinch. It seems a little contradictory to fear for the future while excitedly encouraging international travel, but we humans are an innovative bunch. Exploring the globe doesn’t need to be devastating, and being a responsible traveller doesn’t mean lectures and negativity. Whether you call it eco-travel, sustainable, ethical, regenerative or eco-travel, there is plenty to get excited about.

An increasing number of sustainable travel companies are creating itineraries that allow curious minds to see the world while keeping the impact down. The experiences are awe-inspiring, from hiking remote mountaintops to embracing the world’s most impressive national parks, allowing visitors to engage with destinations in a way that extends far beyond the superficial. If you’re looking for an ethical and environmentally driven travel company for your next adventure, look no further.

RECOMMENDED: 

🍁   Five of the world’s wildest places and the people working to keep them that w 🥾   The 16 best hikes in the world 🌊   The 15 most spectacular places to swim in the world

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Sustainable travel companies

1.  byway travel.

In an ambitious mission statement, UK travel platform Byway declares that its goal is to make flight-free holidays a mainstream holiday choice. Their way of doing so? By helping people discover the beauty of slow, overland travel across the British Isles and Europe . Founder and CEO Cat Jones launched the now B Corporation-certified company during the first Covid lockdown, determined to find a way to reduce flight emissions. Her explanation was simple: If we continue on the current trajectory, emissions from flying are due to triple by 2050. 

2.  Gondwana Ecotours

Named after the ancient supercontinent that gradually split to become the land masses we recognize today, Gondwana Ecotours says its mission is to bring people from different continents closer together, one trip at a time. The New Orleans -based company specializes in small group and private tours that take on exhilarating experiences around the globe, such as gorilla trekking in Rwanda and eco-adventures in Patagonia and Mendoza.

A key component of Gondwana is its network of guides who live in the communities visited, adding personal knowledge, depth and authenticity to the experience while providing tourism-generated income. The company is also committed to limiting its carbon footprint through sustainable travel practices and is recognized for offsetting more than 580 tons of carbon emissions. Since 2021, its tours have been 100-percent carbon-neutral, as certified by the Cooler emissions tracking organization.

3.  Intrepid Travel

Australian-owned Intrepid has always been forthright in declaring its commitment to ethical and responsible practices. In 2018, it became one of the first global travel operators to be B Corporation-certified. Since 2010, it has been operating as the world’s largest carbon-neutral company, carefully measuring and offsetting all unavoidable carbon emissions for 13 years. 

Their trips are just as impressive. From 15-day expeditions traversing the extraordinary gorges and remote villages of northern Pakistan’s Hunza Valley to nine-day itineraries centred around baby gorilla naming ceremonies in Rwanda’s spectacular Volcanoes National Park, Intrepid offer true bucket list travel adventures suited to guests of all interests and abilities. In 2020, as a part of the Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency initiative, the company published a seven-point climate commitment plan – revealing its intention to transition to 100% renewable energy use in offices by 2025 and on all trips by 2030.

4.  Experience Travel Group

Operating on the belief that ‘travel should be about reciprocation’, Asia travel specialist Experience Travel Group holds responsible travel at its core, enabling guests to interact with the community and experience real cultural immersion on every trip. Another B Corporation-certified company, the team is dedicated to creating experiences that divert away from trendy hubs and big hotels. Instead, they build personalised itineraries with initiatives to give back to the community included in the package. 

On adventures in Indonesia , Laos, Cambodia , Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam , for example, guests can enjoy delicious local dishes at ‘social enterprise’ restaurants that support vulnerable young people through job training and employment. In Cambodia, a trip to the Phare Circus in Siem Reap sends funds directly to a performing arts school for underprivileged children in nearby Battambang. A three-day hike along sections of Sri Lanka ’s Pekoe Trail follows the old horse and cart routes that carried tea to the ports, bringing vital income to little-visited communities. 

5.  Seacology

In 1990, American ethnobotanist Dr Paul Cox was conducting forest research in Samoa when village leaders told him 30,000 acres of pristine rainforest were about to be logged due to a government decree to fund a school. Cox was horrified and quickly devised a proposal to raise the needed money to conserve the forest in perpetuity. His plan worked and has come to define the Seacology model: Provide material benefits to villages that pledge to protect their natural resources.

Today, Seacology offers unique ecotourism adventures throughout the world’s islands, where travelers visit active projects, interact with local people and are part of the formula that helps conserve both habitats and communities. Seacology guests also explore intriguing island environments, from the coral reefs of  Fiji to the rainforests of Borneo, while staying at well-appointed resorts and visiting important cultural sites. With all this tropical splendour, expect plenty of opportunities to scuba dive, snorkel, hike and kayak.

6.  Discover Corps

Discover Corps is the leader in the rapidly growing field of 'volunteer vacations' focusing on children, schools, animals and wildlife conservation. Yes, 'voluntourism' has often become a buzzword to cash in on thinly veiled claims, earning criticism and scrutiny over the years. However, Discover Corps operates with complete transparency and has become something of a gold standard for the model.

Trip itineraries are designed to connect travellers to local communities and provide a deeper understanding of the culture, issues, and ways of life in locations around the world. Many projects are in Africa , Asia , and Latin America and can range from caring for elephants in Thailand to helping to protect the animals in South Africa's Greater Kruger National Park region.

7.  ROW Adventures

From its beginnings as a whitewater rafting company in the US's Pacific Northwest, ROW Adventures has evolved into an adventure travel company that advocates the transformative nature of human-powered experiences. According to ROW, connecting people with nature results in positive impacts, and the company adheres to conducting business in an inclusive and sustainable way while promoting social equity, environmental stewardship and accountability. Human-powered activities allow participants to fully observe the surroundings, whether white water rafting in Idaho's Salmon River, sea kayaking the orcas in Canada, or trekking across Machu Picchu.

ROW also recognizes that travel is a large contributor to the world’s carbon footprint and subsequently mitigates the impact by offsetting carbon-producing activities whenever possible. At the same time, trips also educate guests to be advocates for locations visited, with special recognition given to the awareness of Indigenous communities and honouring their legacies, lives and connections to the land.

8.  Natural Habitat Adventures

Conservation through exploration is the credo of Natural Habitat Adventures , the official travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund. Nat Hab, as it’s called, is committed to environmentally friendly nature travel, stressing that its travellers become a force for change in addressing the planet's most pressing conservation challenges. Polar bear tours in the Canadian Arctic , African safaris and South American nature tours are examples of the company’s itineraries where tourism dollars become an influential incentive for communities to protect their natural resources.

Nat Hab also acknowledges that its 8,000 annual travellers on all seven continents expend plenty of CO2. To mitigate travel’s carbon output, the company leans into offsetting measures. From 2007 to 2019, Nat Hab offset 49,418 tons of carbon dioxide and has become the world's first 100-percent carbon-neutral travel company. They’ve also provided more than $4.5 million to support WWF’s global conservation efforts and continue to give one-percent of gross sales plus $150,000 annually in support of WWF’s global mission. 

9.  Cheeseman's Ecological Safaris

Ecology safaris catering to wildlife enthusiasts looking for an in-depth nature experience is what husband-and-wife founders Doug and Gail Cheeseman envisioned when they started their namesake company in 1980. Doug, a college zoology and ecology professor, and Gail, a naturalist, turned their passion for nature into a travel company focusing on comprehensive wildlife tours all over the globe. Working with local guides and wildlife researchers, tours are designed for hardcore animal lovers who are obsessed with travel and enjoy learning about the animals they encounter.

For example, Cheeseman’s  Palau National Marine Reserve diving trip in the western Pacific Ocean offers 12 days of snorkelling, paddling, sailing and diving among the awe-inspiring tropical islands in the region.

10.  Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions co-founders Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell took the first group of commercial travellers to the North Pole in 1991, completing the first-ever tourism transit of the Northeast Passage. That inaugural expedition proved a game-changer and positioned the company at the forefront of polar explorations. In the three decades since, its polar travellers have visited remote parts of the Arctic and Antarctic. 

With the Earth’s polar regions threatened by climate change, Quark is committed to raising awareness of these delicate ecosystems through environmentally responsible tourism. A facet of that commitment is the company’s Polar Promise to reduce its footprint and work with other industry leaders, as well as guests, to address the complex and challenging issues facing the regions. Coordinating with a global network of scientists, community leaders and sustainability innovators, the company plans to contribute a minimum of $500,000 each year in support of key environmental initiatives and sustainable development projects.

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11 Top Sustainable Travel Companies That Support Eco-Friendly Tourism

These sustainable tourism companies give you endless ethical wanderlust.

Updated by Francesca Brooking

Edited & Fact Checked By Amber McDaniel

Updated September 7, 2023

We independently research all featured brands and products. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here .

We love to travel—but if you’re like us, the conflicting eco-anxieties and GHGs associated with globetrotting can cast a grey cloud over your grand adventure.

For a better way to see the world, discover our favorite sustainable travel companies that enrich not only your life, but the places you visit.

From conservation projects and off-grid lodges to all-inclusive safari tours, boutique hotels and bespoke luxury itineraries that really do help the local communities, the below eco-friendly tourism companies wear their green hearts on their sleeves.

Our Curated List Of The Best Eco Tour Companies For Responsible Roaming

How can the travel industry be sustainable.

It’s no secret that the tourism industry has its fair share of ethical and environmental issues. 

Carbon and fuel-intensive flights, over tourism, exploitation, animal cruelty—the list goes on.

Not to mention tourism leakage, a process in which most of the money generated by tourism goes into the pockets of billion-dollar travel companies rather than into local communities that need it. 

However, you don’t need to hang up your suitcase for good. If done responsibly, tourism can have a profoundly positive impact on both the traveler and the destinations they visit.

With the right planning or travel companies, sustainable travel supports livelihoods and funnels your money directly into the local economy. 

It allows small businesses to flourish, funds community projects, and helps protect the environment by showcasing its economic value if left intact. 

To us, the environment is already priceless, but what we mean here is that sustainable tourism (whether solo or with the assistance of eco travel agents and tour operators) can help conserve the natural world by preventing it from being turned into farmland or apartment buildings! 

While tourism still has a long way to go, sustainable travel companies are pioneering positive change in the industry. 

From employing local guides to offering flight-free holidays and measuring their environmental and cultural impact, these tour operators make sure they benefit every destination they facilitate trips to.

Keep reading to find our top recommended environmentally conscious trips and jump to the bottom to learn what we consider when planning a trip with eco-tourism and sustainable travel in mind.

11 Eco-Friendly Tourism Companies To Book Your Vacation With

1. responsible travel.

The clue is in the name with Responsible Travel . They’ve led the way in eco-friendly vacations and ecotourism tours since the turn of the century.

This eco travel agency has over 5,000 adventures on offer to destinations all over the world.

Choose from hiking, conservation, diving, kayaking, cycling tours or head off to track snow leopards, swim with the whales or cruise Antarctica.

Responsible Travel has a give-back program, which campaigns for positive change with NGOs and activists.

Its eco travel options focus on local culture and local people, making sure your money goes to independent businesses and supports animal conservation.

You won’t find any elephant rides or exploitative practices here. In fact, they’re an excellent resource for learning about the difference between ethical and unethical wildlife experiences. 

2. &Beyond

One of the top eco-friendly travel companies for luxury safaris, &Beyond goes above and beyond investing back into the local environment. They focus on small-group and tailor-made tours in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Indian Ocean.

If you’re keen to tick off the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), you have plenty of ethical choices with their range of responsible luxury safaris in 11 African countries with 29 camps and lodges that all employ local guides.

Search for wildlife on the Serengeti, track the great migration, explore Masai Mara national park or glide in a hot air balloon over the Namib Desert.

One example is their Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana which has a state-of-the-art Tesla solar power plant that gives them 80% of their energy.

They also have a responsible travel policy which looks after the land, people and animals. Environmental projects in Botswana include rhino conservation, supporting local isolated communities and providing them with access to safe drinking water. 

Kynder cuts to the chase.

This eco-travel platform brings together the best hotels, cafés, bars and restaurants in Europe and the USA that are eco-friendly, humane, kind and community loving.

We’re talking kind to the planet, to staff, their locality and kind to you, too. 

Find the off-the-beaten-track places that make your sustainable trip, from coffee shops hiring only refugees to the coolest eco hotels and holistic retreats.

All hotels and hospitality establishments must pass a rigorous set of guidelines to be accepted onto their platform. 

That way, you can be confident that these small businesses are truly genuine. No greenwashing here. 

4. Undiscovered Mountains

Undiscovered Mountains is one of the top travel companies for sustainable tourism in the French Alps.

From skiing and snow-touring to building an igloo in winter to mountain biking, rock climbing and cycling in the summer, it’s all here. 

It’s possible to do horse riding, wildlife holidays, walks, kayaking and fishing holidays. Any active, outdoor adventure holiday you can think of, you will most likely find it. 

It has special packages for families and singles, so you can guarantee you’re always paying a fair price. 

Plus, Undiscovered Mountains only works with local guides, independent accommodation and responsible partners. 

Rest assured, all your hard-earned cash goes to the people who deserve it and those who help protect this stunning European mountain range.

5. Adventure Alternative

Among sustainable travel companies, UK-based Adventure Alternative is calling other mountain enthusiasts with sights set on remote, rugged adventures worldwide.

This responsible travel tour operator is based in Ireland but takes intrepid souls all over the world, from Borneo to East Africa. This is the company for you if you’re interested in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or making the trek to Everest Base Camp. 

For slightly more laid-back trips, there are also wildlife tours and safaris. 

As well as hiking and trekking, Adventure Alternative is a member of Fair Trade Volunteering. 

The sustainable travel company runs volunteering trips through Moving Mountains in various countries across the globe, which makes sure each project is needed and useful.

They also invest heavily in their whole supply chain, from local guides to community projects, and they works to a framework set by sustainable travel principles.

6. Intrepid Travel

While Intrepid Travel has been around for years, the eco-tourism operator is no slow coach when it comes to slow and sustainable trips. 

They’re not just a Certified B Corp , but the largest travel company in the world to become one.

They pride themselves on incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way they provide travelers with authentic and real-life experiences.

Simply put, these are small group trips all over the world, from Greenland to Oman that get you up close and personal with wildlife and cultural highlights with local guides and specialist experts.

You can book cycling, sailing or wildlife trips with them, too. There are family-friendly tours, expedition cruises, women’s expeditions, tailor-made itineraries, National Geographic expeditions and budget-conscious tours for those aged 18-29. 

Whatever your travel style, you’ll find your perfect eco travel experience. 

The Intrepid Foundation also supports 50 community and conservation projects all over the world. Plus, they cover all administration costs so 100% of your donation goes directly to the project of your choosing. 

7. Kind Traveler

Kind Traveler is a socially conscious ‘Give + Get’ hotel booking platform that empowers travellers to be a force for good.

$10 goes to a local community or charity close to where you’re staying, and you’ll unlock an exclusive rate at that hotel or destination across the US and beyond.

Kind Traveler is one of a growing number of eco travel companies that want to harness the power of routine bookings we already make and use them to benefit the planet. It’s a simple yet effective way to give back when booking your trip. 

An example of one of the best traveler companies that have implemented sustainable tourism policies, Kind Traveler’s goals are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): preventing poverty and hunger, protecting the planet, and promoting well-being for individuals and animals.

One of the top sustainable travel companies South America -bound travelers have, Aracari organizes eco-luxury holidays and boutique trips around Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador—including the Galapagos Islands.

In recognition of their ethical efforts, sustainable brand consultants Positive Luxury has awarded the tour operator the prestigious Butterfly Mark.

They’re also a favorite with Conde Nast Traveller, and their specialist guides are some of the best in the business.

They infuse all of their tours with environmental and social good, foster long-term relationships with local communities, help you reduce your environmental footprint, and ensure everyone gets paid a living wage.

Really experience Latin American culture with authentic homestays on Lake Titicaca or get access to exclusive local accommodation from Aracari’s black book of contacts that no one else has. 

For a more hands-on experience, spend time with community projects like Tierra de los Yachaqs, a philanthropic organization determined to preserve the history and traditions of local people in Peru’s Sacred Valley.

9. Rickshaw Travel

Rickshaw Travel has a whole host of independent and authentic trips that get under the skin of Southeast Asia.

Explore Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand with their ethical and impactful itineraries.

The global sustainable tour operator also offers trips to India, Japan, China, and Bhutan as well as destinations in Central and South America plus Europe and North America.

This company is all about meaningful travel experiences, meeting people and discovering unique local cultures and customs.

Choose to go trekking, discover landscapes by bike, tuck into amazing street food and meet the people that make an eco-travel trip an unforgettable experience.

Head out on a flight-free holiday with slow travel experts Byway .

This eco-friendly tour company arranges slow travel adventures across the UK and Europe by train, bike, ferry and foot – no planes in sight here. 

Their dynamic trip builder creates personal trips and tours based on your interests, while your virtual guide can assist with your journey via WhatsApp. 

Byway manages all your itinerary and bookings and comes up with the perfect sustainable tours for solo, couple, or family travelers.

We love their commitment to authentic travel without the carbon footprint of flying. 

All your accommodation is locally owned, too. Think: family-owned B&Bs and boutique hotels, all with the utmost comfort—and of course, fabulous breakfasts!

11. Earth Changers

Inspirational, transformative tourism is what’s on offer at Earth Changers , an online travel booking platform which features a list of environmental holidays whether it’s adventure, active breaks, or conservation trips. 

At the moment there are ten destinations which include the first-ever marine conservation reserve in Tanzania to Floreana, which is the smallest of the inhabited islands in the Galapagos archipelago.

You don’t have to book far-flung destinations either. Join an authentic mountain ranch in Croatia or do an adventure trip in Wales much closer to home. 

Earth Changers is a global eco-tourism project that truly has a positive impact, and you’ll get to meet world-changing pioneers along the way. 

How Did We Choose The Top Eco-Tourism Companies?

Eco-tourism and sustainable travel are often used interchangeably. 

So what is an eco-tourism company? And how does it differ from a sustainable travel company?

An eco-tourism operator tends to focus on low-impact, nature-based tours that conserve the environment through culture and education. 

Think gorilla trekking in Rwanda with Intrepid Travel, staying in an eco-lodge with Aracari or booking a conservation holiday with Earth Changers. 

Sustainable tourism is the umbrella term for eco-friendly travel. It’s based on the three pillars of sustainability: economic impact, sociocultural impact and environmental impact.

The idea is that travelers have the option to choose sustainable practices in all aspects of their trip. Kind Traveler’s hotel booking platform and Kynder are perfect examples of this. 

Let’s explore some of our essential criteria for evaluating each sustainable travel company.

Carbon Goals & Achievements: 

A truly eco travel company should prioritize carbon footprint reduction by offering flight-free alternatives, promoting train, bike, and ferry travel over flights.

If flights are part of the experience,they should be utilizing some of the best carbon offset programs to counteract the carbon footprint of those flights.

Sustainable Accommodations:

We want to explore with sustainable travel companies that curate experiences with eco-friendly hotels and restaurants, guaranteeing that your stay supports businesses that are kind to the planet and their communities.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

Respect for cultures being visited is an obvious essential, sustainable travel or not, but we also want companies that support local communities with meaningful cultural exchanges, fair employment of local guides, and additional investment in economic development in destination regions.

In other words, your money should be mostly staying in the community you’re visiting.

Pay It Forward:

We love to see charitable initiatives that give back to these communities in additional ways, such as supporting local conservation and social programs.

Closing Thoughts On Sustainable Tourism Companies

As you can see, eco-tourism and sustainable travel work towards creating an industry that gives back, uplifts local communities and protects fragile environments.

 They also provide you with much more authentic and rewarding travel experiences.

Have a green travel lover in your life?

Share this list of the top eco tour companies and spark their eco-friendly wanderlust.

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12 innovative sustainable tourism attractions you can visit around the world

Apr 4, 2022 • 5 min read

Check out these innovative sustainable attractions worldwide, like the Jewel at Changi Airport © Travel man / Shutterstock

More and more travelers are looking beyond the most affordable and comfortable way to travel and are putting more thought into how their choices might affect the destination they want to visit. 

As travel priorities shift, on top of having a great time travelers increasingly want to do the right thing by the places they visit. In this extract from Sustainable Escapes , Lonely Planet looks at how 12 worldwide tourist attractions have approached sustainability in an innovative way. 

Jewel at Changi, Singapore, is an indoor oasis

First came Gardens by the Bay with its solar-harvesting Supertrees, and in 2019 Singapore upped its urban garden game with an airport terminal you’ll never want to leave. Harnessing cutting-edge sustainable technology, Jewel at Changi is a green oasis, complete with a hedge maze, a canopy bridge, and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

The Points Guy:  8 sustainable travel tips from expert green travelers

New York's Climate Museum aims to inspire action on the climate crisis

New York City ’s Climate Museum has won a legion of fans for over 200 innovative public exhibitions and events it has hosted around the city since 2017. Examples include youth spoken-word programs dedicated to themes of climate change;  Climate Signals , a city-wide public art installation by US artist Justin Brice Guariglia, which flashed climate change alerts in five languages; and Beyond Lies , a public art exhibition by British illustrator and journalist Mona Chalabi, that examines climate disinformation from the fossil fuel industry. 

Cape Town's Table Mountain cableway has been carbon-neutral since 2016

Hiking Table Mountain is a quintessential Cape Town experience. But those who prefer to ride the cable car can still feel good about it. The cableway has been carbon-neutral since 2016, and maintains one of the most cohesive responsible tourism policies around, with careful water management and waste reduction practices in place.

Copenhill, Copenhagen's ski slope, is on top of a power plant

Urban ski slopes typically take the form of emissions-emitting indoor centers. But not Copenhill . Opened in 2019, this artificial ski slope sits atop Amager Bakke, a waste-to-power plant central to Copenhagen ’s goal of becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral city . The complex also has a 280ft (85m) climbing wall (the world’s highest) and, like all good ski resorts, an après-ski bar.

Byron Bay, Australia, has the world's first solar-powered train 

Connecting the center of surf town  Byron Bay  to a vibrant arts estate, the world’s first solar-powered train made its maiden journey on a scenic 1.9 mile (3km) stretch of disused rail line in 2017. In lieu of ticket machines, fares are collected by a conductor on the beautifully refurbished heritage train.

Sustainability is central at the Azurmendi restaurant near Bilbao, Spain

Proving it’s haute to be sustainable, Azurmendi , a three-Michelin-star restaurant near Bilbao , has twice won the sustainable restaurant award from World’s 50 Best Restaurants . The hilltop atrium building harnesses solar and geothermal energy, and guests can tour the on-site greenhouses and vegetable gardens that supply the inventive menus.

England's Eden Project recreates major climate systems

Occupying the site of an excavated china clay pit, the Eden Project education charity and visitor’s center in Cornwall , England , features huge biomes housing exhibitions, gardens, and the largest indoor rainforest in the world. It’s also home to the UK’s longest and fastest zip line, and a play tower for kids designed to introduce little ones to the concept of pollination. 

Ocean Atlas in the Bahamas is an artwork and artificial reef

British sculptor and environmental activist Jason deCaires Taylor is famous for his surreal underwater sculptures that double as artificial reefs. Ocean Atlas  – depicting a young girl supporting the ceiling of the water, much like the mythological Greek Titan shouldered the burden of the heavens – is a 60-plus-ton sculpture in Nassau , intended to symbolize the environmental burden we are asking future generations to carry.

A former nuclear reactor is now a theme park at Wunderland Kalkar, Germany

Following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster , German authorities decided not to put its new multi-billion-euro nuclear reactor near the Dutch border into operation. But it wasn’t a complete write-off. In the 1990s, the site was transformed into Wunderland Kalkar , an amusement park, complete with a swing ride inside the reactor’s cooling tower.

Vena Cava winery in Mexico is constructed from recycled materials

Vena Cava calls itself the hippest winery in Mexico , and when you lay eyes on this all-organic Baja winery – which was constructed from reclaimed fishing boats and other recycled materials – it’s difficult to disagree. Better yet, its cellar door is open for tastings every day of the week.

Minimize your impact when bird-watching from Tij Observatory, Netherlands

Taking its form from a tern’s egg, Tij Observatory is a stunning public birdwatching observatory in Scheelhoek Nature Reserve in Stellendam, the Netherlands , designed to rest as lightly on nature as possible. Built with sustainable wood and clad in thatched reeds, the observatory is reached via a tunnel built from recycled bulkheads to minimize disturbance to birds.

Jubileumsparken is a huge park project in Gothenburg , Sweden

The city of Lund might be getting a bicycle-powered museum in 2024, but there’s another great ecofriendly Swedish attraction you can visit now. Jubileumsparken is the ongoing redevelopment of a Gothenburg port area into an ultra-sustainable leisure hub to meet residents' requests for better access to the river and more green areas in the city. Two baths and a sauna were constructed, with ongoing work to introduce new children's play areas. Gothenburg has been ranked number one sustainable destination in the Global Destination Sustainability Index five times.

You might also like: 10 incredible places to learn to scuba dive    8 rewilding projects you can visit in Europe    The world's eco-luxury resorts that are worth the hype   

This article was first published Oct 5, 2020 and updated Apr 4, 2022.

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