How to plan an eco-friendly road trip?

Feeling like going on a road trip to explore the roads for your next vacation? To break away from the typical advice on planning a road trip, here's an article to make your next adventure a bit more eco-friendly! Even if you choose to travel by car, you'll see that it's possible to combine a road trip with sustainability by following a few simple tips. Embark on the journey of preparing an eco-responsible road trip with peace of mind and without forgetting anything! Whether you decide to travel in France, Europe, or on the other side of the world, for 2 weeks, 2 months, or 6 months, you will surely find great ideas for your next adventure. So, are you ready to organize a low-impact road trip without compromising on adventure, immersion, and discovery? Follow the guide!

 

Choosing your destination

The first step to organizing an eco-responsible road trip is to carefully choose your destination. To minimize the impact of your journey on the environment and local populations, avoid places heavily affected by mass tourism. Destinations like Venice, Dubrovnik, Santorini, Reykjavik, or the Galapagos Islands suffer from overtourism, putting their fragile ecosystems at risk. If you still wish to visit these destinations during your road trip, prioritize off-peak season travel, typically between November and April in Europe. Instead, why not try visiting lesser-known places that are not yet crowded with tourists? The world is full of undiscovered gems!

 

Choosing your mode of transportation for your eco-responsible road trip

The car remains the most convenient mode of transportation for easy travel on a road trip. However, as Explor'actors, have you considered alternative itinerant options such as cycling, train travel, bus journeys, or even walking? These modes of transportation are minimally or non-polluting and offer a more unique experience. Going on a car-free vacation can be a great way to reconnect with your adventurous spirit while reducing your impact on climate change.

 

Embracing slow tourism

Slow tourism is a new way of traveling that emphasizes slowness, discovery, immersion, and respect for the environment and local communities. To embrace slow tourism, it's important to take the time to explore a region, travel during off-peak seasons, prioritize sustainable modes of transportation, and choose eco-friendly accommodations.

 

Choosing your accommodations

By selecting eco-friendly accommodations, you can make a difference for the environment and local communities. Opt for accommodations that have a clearly established environmental policy, efficient water and energy management practices, and offer organic and local food options.