With energy efficiency, personal carbon footprints and environmental concerns more than ever in the public eye, many individuals travelling abroad on holiday want to ensure that their hotel is making a real effort to be as “green” as possible. If you do want to travel the world but have something of a conscience about your carbon footprint, fear not, you can now stay in one of the world’s most eco-friendly hotels. If you’re travelling to America or Canada, there are five ideal locations that will ensure you are being as environmentally friendly as possible with your choice of accommodation:

1. Bardessono, Yountville, California

You may think of California as being more Hollywood glitz and consumerism than environmentally friendly, but the Bardessono hotel, restaurant and spa, is a beautiful boutique property catering for those that want to holiday in an eco-friendly fashion. With over six acres of grounds, the building was originally constructed with reclaimed stone.  It is now a very contemporary and stylish establishment.  The hotel has been made more energy efficient by the installation of a geothermal system placed underground to provide heating for the guest rooms, spa and pool. Bardessono is also keen to promote local enterprises by sourcing many of the restaurant ingredients from local farmers and artisans.

2. Zion Lodge, Zion National Park, Utah

Zion Lodge dates from the 1920s, in a period when eco-tourism was little thought of. Located in the heart of the Zion National Park, the lodge makes a great effort to conserve energy and reduce its environmental footprint. The drinking water is filtered, waste materials are composted, and cuisine made with organic produce is served. All of the lodge’s electricity needs are met by wind power, and there is also the option to stay in a ‘green suite’, which has recycled carpet and bamboo floors. All soaps within the lodge are biodegradable, and lighting is by way of compact, energy efficient, fluorescent bulbs.

3. Hyatt at Olive 8, Seattle, Washington

You may not think a city hotel, nor a chain hotel would make huge efforts to become eco-friendly, but the Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle has done just that. The property uses recycling and building re-use processes to minimize waste, in addition to having a water conversion scheme. All the Hyatt’s spa products are organic, and its Urbane restaurant offers farm-to-table produce.

4. The Planet Traveler, Toronto

This Canadian hotel was developed from a once abandoned building and is now recognised as being North America’s greenest hotel. The property’s average building emissions have been reduced by three quarters by the use of solar and photovoltaic panels, geothermal temperature control, motion sensor LED lighting and water reclamation services. The Planet Traveler still offers stylish rooms and beautiful views of the city, but with its mains electricity usage per day being less than it takes to power a four-slice toaster, it’s one of the most eco-friendly commercial properties in the world.

5. The Ecolodge, Tofino, Vancouver Island

Located at Vancouver Island’s Tofino Botanical Gardens, The Ecolodge is a beautiful, 12-acre rainforest and waterfront retreat. Naturally, being located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it has taken a lot of effort to ensure energy efficiency.  This has been achieved by using electricity from British Columbia’s hydroelectric power stations, whilst solar panels supply the electricity for lighting. Meanwhile, an organic garden provides ingredients for meals, with all waste being composted. All detergents and cleaning supplies used are biodegradable and non-toxic.

As air travel is becoming more expensive, more people are choosing to have staycations or explore their own city rather than travel to a far off destination for a vacation. This summer, I decided to explore a few areas within driving distance of my home in Atlanta. Little did I know Georgia has much more to offer than peanuts and peaches! The small towns in Georgia give you scenic views, lots of activities, southern hospitality and all at affordable prices.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia is the town of Blairsville. It’s a neat little place great for outdoor enthusiasts. There are numerous hiking trails (including the Appalachian Trail), waterfalls, kayaking at Lake Nottely, fishing, golfing, horseback riding and more! You can enjoy the prisitine lake views surrounded by the quiet Blue Mountains for a relaxed weekend. Start with the Misty Mountain Model Railroad tour which will give you a good idea of the history of the place. Georgia’s highest point, Brasstown Bald, at 4784 feet, offers a 360 degree view of downtown Atlanta as well as the Carolinas from the observation deck. On your way down, make sure to get a snack at the Logan Turnpike Mill, a 27 year old mill that still stone grinds dry corn to make grits and flour. They taste very different than your store bought grits! Art and country store shopping are also some fun activities in Blairsville. Walk around Pappy’s Marketplace and get you some homemade preserves, quilts or hand carved wood furniture. Al Garnto Art Studio and Sundance Gallery are acclaimed galleries worth spending some time in as well.

This area is known for overnight cabin rentals which may come with a hot tub and a private patio, although lodges are also available. The Lodge at Copperhead is a popular lodge, restaurant and place for nightly entertainment where the locals flock to on the weekends.

Another historic resort and gardens located only an hour’s drive from the hustle and bustle of the city is, The Barnsley Gardens Resort and Spa in Adairsville, GA. Surviving a tornado, the Civil War, a murder and a few owners, the 10,000 acre resort now stands as one of the most beautiful places in the South. In 1848, the Woodland gardens were completed by renowned landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing (aka The Father of American Landscape Architecture.) Downing is famous for his cottage style residences surrounded by symmetrical gardens, which is how the resort is designed. Enjoy your privacy at one of the beautiful cottages in an enchanting old world setting, pamper yourself at the cozy yet full service spa, or dine at one of their two five star restaurants. The resort also offers activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, clay shooting, golfing, horseback riding and wine tasting. There is a stable, a lake and a championship golf ground on the premises. Fairy Godmother of Barnsley pays extra attention to kids making their every wish come true! Pets are also welcome here.

Barnsley Gardens Resort is known for its acres of stunning gardens that bloom year round. Fall is a great time to visit the resort because a number of flowers don their beautiful hues and bring a nice pop of color to the resort. In addition to fall foliage, visitors can see the white Chinese Snowballs, pink Confederate Roses, violet Monk’s Caps, red Lobelia, Daisy Mums in a number of stunning colors, and many more. If you decide to only spend the day at Barnsley, you can still enjoy the gardens, museum, activities and a delicious picnic packed by the restaurant. Clent Coker, the historian, museum director and author at Barnsley Gardens Resort will be more than glad to give you a personal tour and narration of how the gardens came about.

All of these destinations are within a couple of hours of driving distance and can be experienced on a day trip. However, if you can splurge a night or two for a quick getaway, it is well worth it.

Sucheta Rawal is a freelance writer, cooking instructor and founder of the movement, Go Eat Give. She visited Blairsville and Adairsville in September 2011. Read more about her on her website.

Getting there: If you are traveling from anywhere in the Midwest you may want to consider driving or taking a bus. Megabus has tickets for as low as $10 and the Greyhound stops right at Central Station in downtown. Amtrak is another great option, as is a good old fashion road trip with your friends – Indianapolis is considered the Crossroads of America after all!

If you’re traveling by air, you’ll fly into the Indianapolis International Airport. The airport opened its new terminal in 2008 and is conveniently located off of I-70 for easy access to the city.

Getting around: Indianapolis does have public transportation, although if you go this route you may find yourself spending a large portion of your trip waiting on buses. Your best bet is to rent a car or make friends with one of Indy’s many cab drivers.

Whether you’re spending the day downtown or wandering the streets of Broad Ripple, one of the great things about Indy is that once you reach your destination you can get most places by foot. The Cultural Trail is a series of bike and pedestrian trails that connect all of the downtown districts and the Monon Trail is great for getting around Broad Ripple Village or getting in a little exercise.

If you do drive and you’re planning on spending the day downtown, the Circle Center Mall parking garages are your best bet. Located in the middle of downtown, parking is only $1.50 for the first three hours. Not to mention, the mall garages are connected to the Skywalk, which is a great way to get around downtown without braving the elements or traffic!

Where to stay: You can find great deals all over Indianapolis so before you book a hotel, consider where you’ll be spending most of your time. While you can get around the city pretty quickly, there’s no point in staying at a hotel on 86^th Street when your reason for visiting Indy is to explore downtown.

If you’re looking for a cheaper and unique option, Indianapolis does have a hostel. Located near Broad Ripple it’s perfect if you’re visiting Indy to enjoy Broad Ripple’s night life. They even offer a Big Fun Beer Run package.

Where to eat: If you’re looking for something familiar, head on up to 86^th Street between the Castleton & Keystone Malls for every chain restaurant you’ve ever heard of. The hard part will be choosing where to go!

For a more uniquely Indy dining experience visit one of Indy’s NUMBER cultural districts and you’re sure to find something that appeals to your taste buds. Mass Ave and Broad Ripple are both home to two of Indy’s most popular dining establishments: Yats and Bazbeauxs. Yats features Cajon Creole cuisine with a menu that changes daily (although all dishes are always $5.50!) and Bazbeaux has, hands-down, the best pizza in Indiana. If you’re looking for a great burger or garlic fries that will change your life, try Boogie Burger in Broad Ripple.

What to do:

Districts – Broad Ripple is home to unique shops, great pubs and restaurants, and the Indianapolis hipster population during the day and by night is home to Indy’s nightlife scene for college students and young professionals. Mass Ave, located downtown is considered the art and theater district of Indy. Lined with galleries and theaters, the district also has a great shops and restaurants, including the Rathskeller, a Bavarian beer hall and beer garden located in the heart of the city.

Museums & More – White River State Park is Indy’s unofficial museum central. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, NCAA Hall of Champions, Indiana State Museum (complete with IMAX theater), and Indianapolis Zoo are all located on the parks grounds. Even if you’re not in the museum-mood the park is still something worth checking out. There are gondola rides (ala Venice) and paddle boats for rent on the canal as well as great paths for running and enjoying a beautiful Indianapolis afternoon. In the summer there are festivals and concerts nearly every weekend, so check out their website before your trip to see what they have planned during your stay.

If you head north of downtown you’ll find the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. It’s the world’s largest children’s museum and definitely worth checking out, regardless of your age. And a little further past the Children’s Museum is the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). General admission to the museum and the IMA’s surrounding gardens is free, year-round!

Sports – Indianapolis is perhaps most well known as the site of the Indianapolis 500 but when it comes to sports, Indy has something for everyone.

Lucas Oil Stadium, built in 2008 is home to the Indianapolis Colts and in its brief history has held a number of concerts as well as the 2010 NCAA National Championship and is the location for the upcoming Superbowl XLVI.

College students can take advantage of the Indiana Pacer’s College Night where a ticket & t-shirt are only $10 with college ID. And speaking of college and basketball, a sports fan’s trip to Indy isn’t complete without a visit to the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. Built in 1928, Hinkle is home to the Butler Bulldogs who made back-to-back runs to the NCAA National Championship in 2010 and 2011.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Triple-A affiliate, the Indians play at Victory Field downtown. With post-game fireworks following most weekend games, great concessions deals during the week, and outfield lawn seating, Victory Field is a great place to spend a summer day.

Beth is a Chicagoland-native turned Hoosier and a writer for TravelProducts.com. When she’s not busy writing about travel accessories, you can find her enjoying a day of shopping in Broad Ripple or at Hinkle Fieldhouse cheering on her Butler Bulldogs.

Photo credit – http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4197904549_17ba6c1f2e.jpg

Visitors who come to USA often overlook the state of Arizona unless they are visiting the Grand Canyon. Contrary to popular belief, this 48^th state in the United States is not a barren dessert. In fact, it has one of the most diverse landscapes, contemporary restaurants and some of the country’s finest art and architecture.

Most flights come into Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport, which is also the largest city in Arizona. The landscape here is that of lower dessert, which means it has dry open fields and giant cactuses. There are also a few mountains in the backdrop. Located 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain is a Phoenix icon that also acts as a directional reference guide, as it can be seen from everywhere in the city. Hot air balloon rides are very popular here. You can fly with Rainbow Ryders and enjoy views of the Sonoran Desert while floating in the sky and sending greetings to earthbound folks below. Days are long and dry here, so golf resorts are very popular in the spring and fall.

Adjacent to Phoenix is Scottsdale, a city of 200,000 people who love to eat, be outdoors and admire art. Old Town Scottsdale is a neat area with more than 100 galleries that encompass a wide range of artistic expressions from traditional bronzes such as George-Ann Tognoni’s trio of galloping horses to contemporary and experiential such as James Turrell’s SkySpace at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Leisurely stroll through the art district, waterfront and SouthBridge, taking a break at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria for lunch (the best New York style coal brick-oven pizza) or for something more local, try The Mission, an Old Town favorite spot serving delicious Modern Latin cuisine.

Stay at the The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa which will make you feel like you are on a cruise ship rather than a dessert resort. With a water park, two swimming pools, golf course, spa, adventure center, yoga and cooking classes, there is something for everyone to do. Also recommend the Fresh Start Renewal Vichy Body Therapy at the Agave Spa (located at the Westin); followed by dinner at Daseo, an award winning Latin Fusion restaurant serving muddled drinks and ceviche of fish that arrives daily to the restaurant at the same time as the chefs do!

Take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, a winter camp of the famous American architect, built in 1930s. Wright and his apprentices created Taliesin West out of the desert by gathering rocks from the desert floor and sand from the washes to keep the design in balance with the surrounding environment. This architectural masterpiece is best enjoyable with a tour guide, who will share hilarious stories from Wright’s colorful life.

In the morning, drive towards Sedona, which is roughly two hours from Scottsdale. On the way, you will see how the landscape changes as the tall cactus begin to disappear and are replaced by small shrubs. Spend a few minutes at the Montezuma Castle National Monument, a 20 room cliff dwelling built by Sinaquas (Ancient Indian Tribe) over 700 years ago.

In the next 10-15 miles of your journey, you will see a dramatic change in your surroundings. Mountains covered with green wild grass and low lying shrubs would suddenly give way to iron rich red rocks. This is when you will know you have reached Sedona. Watching the impact of Earth’s changes over millions of years over this area will leave you feeling insignificant. Once covered by sea, there are traces of coral still visible in the upper parts of the rocks. It is the only place in the world known to have four vortexes, or high energy points ideal for meditation and spiritual practices. Take a hike to each location and see if you get that tingling feeling!

In Sedona, you will find abundant spas, healers, psychic readers, and yoga and meditation centers. Explore the Uptown, a short stretch of restaurants and shops, where most tourists tend to hang out. Take the Sedona Trolley Tours (every hour) that takes you around the key places and gives you a good overview of where everything is in the city, as well as the history of the area. Stay at the Enchantment Resort (if you can afford it); otherwise just visit their terrace restaurant around sunset. It is a beautiful, quiet and peaceful spot to watch the rocks and the star studded sky.

Sedona gives away to the city of Oak Creek where you can see how a water source can miraculously change the surrounding into lush green. As you drive through the winding roads going up the mountains, you will pass through Coconino, the largest Ponderosa Pine Forest of the Colorado Plateau.

45 minutes later, you will reach the historic city of Flagstaff at an altitude of 6,000 feet.  Perhaps best known for its Indian reservations, it is a great place to explore the Native American culture. Learn about the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai, Kaibab-Paiute and Hualapai tribes that have been here for hundreds of years. Visit the Northern AZ Native American Cultural Trails. Flagstaff was the first city to pass a night ordinance which explains the interest in exploration of space at Lowell Observatory.

If you enjoy skiing and winter sports, this is a great affordable destination, but if you miss the winters, Arizona Snowball is a year-round snow playground. The famous Route 66 once ran through the city and its romances are still found. Explore some of the old landmarks or celebrate the Mother Road heritage at the Annual Route 66 Days Festival each September.

End your Arizona adventure at the south rim of the magnificent Grand Canyon, one of the wonders of the world. After passing Flagstaff, the wooded green curtains would suddenly open up to a powerful and inspiring landscape spanning 277 miles in length and 1 mile in height. Here you can spend an entire day hiking, soaking in the views and taking photographs. There are also river rafting trips, mule rides and guided hikes available in the park.

Sucheta Rawal is a freelance writer, cooking instructor and founder of the movement, Go Eat Give. She visited Arizona in September 2011. Read more about her on her website.

Photos credits:

Waterfall – Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sedona – Sucheta Rawal

Sucheta Rawal is a freelance writer, cooking instructor and founder of the movement, Go Eat Give. She visited South Florida in August 2011. Read more about her on her website.

If Seattle is the capital of café culture, then Los Angeles is the rebellious, secessionist city to the south, quickly emerging to stake its own claim in the coffee scene. LA’s reputation as the entertainment industry-driven paparazzi town is slowly moving over to give space to a newer image: a great city to find some great coffee houses. While Starbucks is still holding its own in this caffeine-fueled city, navigating the growing indie coffee scene is becoming as essential to any young Angeleno as knowing the secrets to avoiding rush-hour. Whether looking for that perfect place to read a book, catch-up with friends, or just have a delicious latte, the following are suggestions from Venice Beach to Koreatown that have one factor in common: they offer a unique coffee experience in the city of angels.

Paper or Plastik Cafe

If we are going to superlatize this list, then Paper or Plastik Café gets the award for the coolest coffee joint in the city. It is so cool that the sign outside does not even bear the name of the coffee house, but rather just reads “Café.” The coffee served here hits the spot, with a respectably simple yet comprehensive menu of coffees and teas. The hungry can choose from a delicious selection of pastries and more substantial offerings such as homemade chili. But the food and drink play second fiddle to the unique architecture of the  café itself. Lofted in an industrial space, Paper or Plastik is connected to the MiMoDa Dance Studio Theatre. Patrons in the lofted section can watch classes in session while sipping on a foamy latte and taking a bite into the cafe’s famous quiche.

Great for: studying, reconnecting with old friends, observing LA hipsters, watching dance classes

Address: 5772 W Pico Blvd

Yellow House Café

If you are itching for an opportunity to immerse yourself fully in one of LA’s most distinct cultural neighborhoods, look no further than visiting the Yellow House Café. A favorite in Koreatown, walking into Yellow House (which is, very literally, a yellow house) is like walking into a hidden, magical, twinkling courtyard. If you’re willing to be a little adventurous, try one of their signature drinks such as the sweet potato latte or the banana cappuccino. If that sounds like too much, the standard coffees are extremely well-brewed. One warning: cafes in Koreatown are reknownedly expensive. Expect to pay upwards of 5 bucks per drink. However, the service will always be incredible, and you’ll get to spend as long as you want people-watching in this unique quarter of Los Angeles.

Great for: hanging out with large groups of friends, lunch, practicing your Korean

Address: 234 South Oxford Ave.

212 Pier

Every group of cafe hunters has its resident coffee-addict of necessity. This is the deadline-challenged individual whose primary criteria for any cafe is free wifi, outlets, and absurdly late-night hours. Procrastinators rejoice, because snuggled in a cozy, 2-storied corner of Santa Monica is 212 Pier, a coffee haunt for the night owls of west Los Angeles looking for a quiet spot to tinker away on their laptops and journals. Open 24-hours, the organic and surprisingly freshly-prepared coffee and eats of 212 Pier cater to their bohemian Venice-Santa Monica crowd. For a 24-hour establishment, the cafe really holds its own in maintaing a stellar quality brew and delicious snacks. Try the chocolate macaraoons!

Great for: meeting deadlines you should’ve been prepared for, the bohemian life

Address: 212 Pier Ave

Café Bolivar (also known as Bolivar Café and Gallery)

For a more intimate and international flavor, Café Bolivar hits the perfect note. Unlike the other cafes on this list, which all have a slight air of going-to-be-seen, Café Bolivar is a great and completely unpretentious place to go for a quieter but uncompromised coffee experience. The service is remarkably kind, and Bolivar is the rare foam-designing café that comes without a side of coffee snobbishness. The menu is as diverse as it is scrumptious, with dinstinct Latin American specialty drinks. The crowning glory of Bolivar are its arepas. Like Paper or Plastik, Bolivar is following the trend of if-you-want-us-you-have-to-find-us, hiding itself in a signless, white corner building. But the journey is well worth the search, as the café doubles as an art gallery, and is a reasonable stroll away from the beach!

Great for: reading, lazy afternoons, studying

Address: 1741 Ocean Park Boulevard

Starbucks in Westwood Village

Starbucks? Yes, Starbucks. But not just any Starbucks! If timed correctly, this Starbucks will double as a front row seat to the hottest movie premieres in Los Angeles. This Starbucks in Westwood Village is a particularly large branch that caters to the constant stream of UCLA students and staff. Open late into the night, the nonstop line at the bar has given this spot a certain tasty efficiency that distinguishes it from others nearby. However, one of the most notable aspects of this cafe is that it is attached to the historic Fox Theater, which is used throughout the year for all the big LA movie premieres. If you do your homework and time it right, you will have a perfect seat to view all the Hollywood action.

Great for: studying, celebrity watching

Address: 10955 Weyburn Ave

Stephanie Martinez is a recent UCLA graduate and blogger who is getting ready to head to Cameroon as a Peace Corps Health Educator this September. She enjoys exploring the LA coffee and foodie scene, and blogging about innovative ways to change the world! Be sure to check out her blog, Wandering Sneakers.

My blog:

Having lived in Chicago my entire life, I have seen the best (and worst) of this city. It often amazes me when I hear that people have visited Chicago without doing the things native Chicagoans love. I have chosen my five favorite ways to spend an afternoon or day in the capital of the Midwest. They are all easily accessible by public transportation and (bonus!) completely free.

1. Millennium Park serves multiple purposes for the budget-minded traveler. Grab some food and have a picnic in the afternoon. Wander around and admire the famous “Bean” after lunch. Oftentimes in the spring and summer, the park will host free evening concerts. You can try to get a seat up front or just lie in the grass further back and admire the skyline while listening to the music.

2. The old Marshall Field’s building is worth a look. It was bought by Macy’s recently, but you can still see touches of classic Chicago in the store. The beautiful glass ceiling is Tiffany, and was installed over 100 years ago. This building is a historic landmark and still has the original Marshall Field’s sign and clock outside. There are numerous stories full of clothes, accessories, furniture, and everything else you could imagine. You can pick up an old Chicago favorite, Frango Mints, here, and free samples are occasionally available. There is also a restaurant (The Walnut Room- one of my favorites) and a café if you get hungry.

3. Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the last free zoos in the world. In addition to the exotic animals and penguin exhibit, there is also a petting zoo where goat milking demonstrations take place. The zoo offers plenty of green, shady space for lounging, reading, or picnicking if you get tired while scoping out the hundreds of species housed here.

4. Most notable Chicago museums like the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum offer select free admission days. Some however, are free every day of the year. These include the National Museum of Mexican Art, the Oriental Institute, and Jane Addams Hull House. Depending on your time and interests, one or two may be enough, but each one has a lot to offer.

5. Chicago is known for wild weather, with its boiling summers and bone-chilling winters. With summer fast approaching, Chicago’s beaches are another free and relaxing way to spend the day. They can get crowded, so stake out a spot early.

Looking for more Chicago travel info? Read our Destination Details: Chicago written by another resident, Patricia Nicandro.

Jessica Slizewski earned a B.A. from Northeastern Illinois University in 2010. She works as an advertising coordinator and as a political reporter. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading, and biking. Her travel writing can be found at journeywithjes.com.