Let’s be honest, the old tips and tricks for traveling are not cutting it anymore. For me, having to pack for a day of exploring like packing for moving apartments makes discovering new cities unbearable.
What about going green from now on? The truth is, going greener on your trips doesn’t mean going extreme. It’s just about making a few small swaps that are good for the planet and usually make your life easier while you’re out exploring.
1. Bring a Bottle, Skip the Plastic
Why bother with buying water bottles every day? They are annoying to carry and the plastic..ughh. Grab a reusable bottle and mark on your travel diary the places where you refilled it (you never know which beautiful attractions you might coincidentally discover).
2. Walk More, Uber Less
In my experiences, wandering around the city made the connection with the place more meaningful. The weird looking houses, the beautifully designed cafés, the locally owned pastry shop that serves the best desserts you’ve ever tasted – those are the experiences that I will remember forever. Oh, and your carbon footprint shrinks while you’re at it.
3. Pack Light, Travel Right
Every “just in case” outfit you stuff in your bag? It’s extra weight airlines have to burn fuel to carry. Packing light = less fuel + less backache when you’re running for a train. Win-win.
4. Eat Local
Eat from the cute grandmother who smiles at you even though she doesn’t speak a word of English. I can guarantee that the food will taste better, and you will actually immerse yourself in the local cuisine. Just think of it: you are enjoying some good food, you help local businesses grow and the little cat that is purring at your feet, she will also benefit from you skipping big food chains.
5. Upgrade Your Souvenir Game
Engage in an art collection game. Think of it as you are creating a big gallery at home and you need to collect at least one handmade piece from every city you visit. Handwoven textiles, ceramics, or even food, they last longer and every time you see them back home, you have a story to tell.
The Big Picture
Sustainable travel isn’t about being perfect—it’s about choosing the little things that make your trip smoother, more fun, and friendlier to the places you visit. What if instead of just taking memories, every traveler left a little gift behind? Plant a flower, write a note in your Airbnb’s guestbook, or share a new phrase with someone you meet. Imagine returning years later and finding your tiny mark still there. Kinda magical, right?