Leisure travel is top of mind for many after the prolonged hiatus caused by the pandemic. As we cautiously cast off the restrictions of the last few years, many travelersare ready to indulge, albeit in a more mindful way. With so many options now on the table, it can be overwhelming to mine through the choices in search of an experience. These eight sustainable high-end hotels and once-in-a-lifetime experiences will give your clients a chance to reacquaint themselves with the wonders of the world, while also embracing more thoughtful forms of travel.
Ride the Rails in Switzerland
Switzerland’s spectacular natural landscape lends itself perfectly to rail travel — and the country has invested heavily in sustainable transportation. With one of the densest, best-connected rail networks in the world, riders can easily connect to the country's various offerings including rural and urban areas, charming small villages, dense cityscapes and snow-capped mountains. And in many places, the trains are also hydraulic-powered and offer energy-efficient regenerative braking.
A new trip-building website, Grand Tour of Switzerland, emphasizes the diversity of experiences available and can help with itinerary planning. This experience is perfect for travelers who want to slow down while viewing hilltop chalets and pristine lakes from a comfortable window seat. Those who upgrade to first class enjoy a more comfortable experience, including access to in-seat food and beverage service and optional quiet zones.
Learn About Indigenous Communities in Australia
Indigenous travel is an important and growing segment of the market, and Australia is actively promoting these types of experiences to visitors who want to learn more about First Nations culture and history. Many of these experiences take place far from Australia’s bustling, diverse cities, making them an excellent way to unwind and commune with nature.
Intrepid Travel offers small-group tours oriented around Indigenous experiences. One notable offering is the Premium Red Centre itinerary, a six-day journey through the outback. The trek includes eating local bush foods sourced from native ingredients, visiting the sacred sites of majestic red-rock Uluru and iconic King’s Canyon and staying in premium accommodations that feature Indigenous artwork.
“Our First Nations experiences give visitors an amazing opportunity to learn about cultural traditions that have been passed down through the generations for thousands of years,” says Matt Berna, Intrepid Travel’s managing director, North America.
Sail in Antarctica with the Smithsonian Institute
Luxury, small-ship expedition leader PONANT has long partnered with the Smithsonian Institute to curate itineraries that emphasize an appreciation for natural landscapes and wildlife preservation. The 11-day Antarctica: The White Continent journey takes travelers into the heart of the Antarctic peninsula, starting with an often-exhilarating crossing of the Drake Passage. After that, activities take place via small-group Zodiac outings, with up-close views of penguins, seals and whales that flourish in this environment.
In addition to PONANT’s team of naturalists, Smithsonian experts — including an astrophysicist and geologist — will help guests explore and appreciate everything this unique part of the world has to offer, including volcanic beaches, towering icebergs and essential research stations. Onboard, guests enjoy luxurious staterooms, delicious French cuisine and elegantly appointed common areas perfect for sipping a pre-dinner glass of Champagne while reflecting on that day’s education.
Eat Local in California
The newly-opened Stanly Ranch in Napa Valley, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, is situated on 700 private acres — part of the historic Stanley Ranch Winery estate. Here, the focus is intensely local, and the cuisine highlights the best of California’s sun-kissed produce. In addition to specialty programming like weeklong detoxes, guests can wander into the fields to pick their own fresh ingredients for farm-to-fork dinners.
A day trip may include a scenic drive to Hog Island to meet the local oyster farmers, collect and shuck, and then enjoy the harvest during an open-fire cooking class. For those who don’t want to forage, The Grange, one of Stanly Ranch’s four dining venues, sits in the chef’s garden, where diners are surrounded by the fresh herbs and vegetables that end up on their plates. The resort features 78 suites, all with outdoor terraces and fire pits, which serve as the perfect place to rest up for the next meal while taking in the beauty of the vineyards and the nearby Mayacamas Mountains.
Take an Ecological Safari in Tanzania
The best safari travel strikes a fine balance between the needs of visitors and the demands of the natural environment — and that’s precisely the mandate of &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge in Tanzania’s Western Corridor. The destination has recently undergone a massive rebuild and is planning to reopen to guests in June 2022. The footprint of the classic tented camp has been redesigned to minimally impact the wild background, with structures that maximize natural light, including a rim-flow pool that overlooks swimming hippos, plus a platform that opens to a tributary of the grand Grumeti River.
Niall Anderson, &Beyond chief operating officer Africa lodges, says the revamp has allowed them to “bring guests even closer to these riverside views, connecting them to nature while ensuring a sense of understated luxury.” Large suites include deep soaking baths, outdoor showers and plunge pools on private decks — the perfect place to keep eyes peeled for wandering herds of elephants and wildebeests in this quiet corner of the Serengeti.
Stay at “Climate Positive” Hotels in Peru
The ultra-luxury Inkaterra hotel chain is well-known for its atmospheric, stylish properties that evoke a sense of place — the opposite of a cookie-cutter experience. And now the chain has another distinction: The United Nations has acknowledged Inkaterra as the world’s first climate-positive hotel group, meaning they make substantial efforts to minimize their environmental footprint while also offsetting their impacts through various programs.
For almost five decades, Inkaterra has been a leader in sustainable development and ecotourism in Peru, working to cut global tourism emissions. That level of consciousness is on display across their properties, each one more special than the last.
- Reserva Amazonica in Puerto Maldonado has screened wooden cabanas that highlight the sights and sounds of the rainforest.
- La Casona is a 16th-century manor house in the heart of Cusco.
- Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel resembles a small village terraced up a hillside and complete with small, whitewashed casitas.
Each offers luxurious amenities while working to make a positive impact in the region.
Help Preserve Coral in the Maldives
Coral and reef preservation have been a long-standing urgent concern for coastal nations. At the luxurious Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi, they’ve decided to affect positive change in their own backyard, the Shaviyani Atoll.
The resort’s Coralarium is a collection of sculptures that serve as an artificial reef creating an essential habitat for marine life. The sculptures were specifically designed to attract fish and crustaceans, with dark nooks that provide an attractive hiding place for various creatures as well as textured ceramic that encourages coral larvae to attach and thrive. Years after installation, the Coralarium is now home to corals, sponges and schooling fish. Nicknamed the “secret water island,” the resort’s 600-hectare blue lagoon is lined with white-sand beaches, tall palms, luxurious overwater bungalows and picturesque villas surrounded by lush mangroves.
Unwind at a Sustainable Spa in India
The award-winning Ananda in the Himalayas is a destination spa that typically grabs headlines for its Ayurvedic health and wellness programming, and its enviably beautiful forest location in the foothills of northern India. But the palace-like resort is increasingly winning fans for its commitment to sustainable, environmental practices that inform almost every aspect of Ananda’s operations. From a zero wastewater and food waste policy to reusable glass bottles and drip irrigation, Ananda strives to consume responsibly and to create reuse and recycling circuits.
Most of the produce used at the spa is sustainably produced, and Ananda even grows some of its own Ayurvedic herbs and spices used in both the culinary offerings and the specialized treatments. Ananda also contributes to the nearby village of Narendra Nagar, providing financial support for schools and orphanages, and offering subsidized training opportunities. This spa destination, with an extensive list of healing therapies, is a tranquil place to unwind — and even more so when you feel like your vacation contributes to a greater good.
Originally appeared in the summer 2022 issue of The Compass Magazine.
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