January is the month of good resolutions! It’s a time to plan for the New Year, but also for the vacations that are just around the corner. Here are 5 easy habits to adopt to practice sustainable tourism, avoid pre-holiday stress and get the most out of your stay.
Better planning
Start planning your vacation as early as possible, to avoid the stress of finding nothing. The earlier you book, the greater the choice and the better the rates. And don’t forget to find out about the sights, museums, restaurants and other activities you’d like to do on your vacation. This will help you manage your time better, so you don’t have to waste time on the spot looking for what you want to do.
Don’t hesitate to consult travel guides, vacation blogs or ask friends or tourism professionals for advice. Finally, don’t forget to find out about the weather conditions and activities on offer at your destination, so you can plan the right clothing and accessories.
Avoid overloading your vacation schedule
Instead of drawing up a detailed list of all the things to see and visit, plan time to relax and enjoy the destination. Don’t try to see everything, and go into “slow tourism” mode, an approach to travel that prioritizes the quality of the experience rather than the quantity of places visited. Leave room for improvisation, which is sure to lead to some wonderful encounters.
Take a digital break: no mail, no Internet, no tablet
Take the time to disconnect from work and technology to better “reconnect” with the people around you. All you have to do on vacation is switch off your cell phone! If that’s too difficult, you can start by setting up an auto-reply on your mailbox before you leave, then turning off all notifications. Also limit the time you spend on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Try to do as you did in the days before the Internet.
Adopting an environmentally-friendly approach
What if this year you chose to spend your vacations in France to control your ecological footprint and reduce transport-related CO2 emissions? The train is ideal for long-distance travel, as it’s cheaper and less polluting than air travel or the classic thermal car. On site, choose more environmentally-friendly activities, such as hiking, cycling or kayaking. Favors gentle modes of travel and active mobility.
You could also eat locally and go zero-waste by refusing unnecessary food packaging and using recyclable and reusable products. Traditional markets can be a great way to get started on your zero-waste journey, as well as supporting local producers and reducing your ecological footprint with less transport between field and plate.
Make sport and exercise part of your vacation routine
Vacations are a great opportunity to get back into the swing of sport. Jogging is a fun and enjoyable way to visit a city and discover its districts and monuments, while taking part in a sporting activity. Have you always dreamed of paragliding, sand yachting or canoeing? There are plenty of sports that can be enjoyed at any age, from 7 to 77. It’s never too late to take up sport!
photo@Igor Ovsyannykov, Pixabay