Cycling is enjoying a resurgence as the price of fuel continues to drive higher, forcing many to reconsider methods of transport previously discarded.

Cycling is far more common on the continent and many environmentally aware holiday homes now offer free bike hire to those willing to discard their car for the week. Britain is trying to do its fair share too and has targeted 10,000 cyclists on the roads by the time the Olympics hit the country next year.

Victoria Pendleton, the Olympic gold medal-winner has launched a new campaign to get bikes back out of British sheds all over the country and back on the roads. Many households will have an old bike which needs a bit of TLC before being fit to ride but Pendleton says it is surprisingly cheap and easy to fix most two wheelers.

EDF is the first sustainably aware partner for the Olympics and is backing the bid to significantly reduce the UK’s carbon footprint by 2012 and cycling is seen as a great way to achieve this.

Of course, in order to cycle safely, a helmet is needed but the current chunky plastic models are not always the most comfortable fit. That is all set to change with the latest innovation due to be hitting shelves shortly – the helmet that is made from cardboard.

Rewind a moment…cardboard? Hardly the strongest material known to man? But its makers say it is surprisingly strong.

The new Kranium helmet is the brainchild of a London designer, Anirudha Surabhai and claims to be able to protect the head from more than four times the impact force than a traditional helmet with a polystyrene design would. Even better, the lightweight design feels much more comfortable for the user and can even be fitted specifically around the skull for a tailor-made experience at very little cost.

Polystyrene based helmets, whilst an essential for cycling up until now, crumble upon impact and contain petroleum-based cores, which is far less environmentally friendly than the sustainably sourced cardboard Kranium.

The Kranium has a corrugated cardboard centre which is topped with a waterproof acrylic shell in order to stop the cardboard getting wet in the typical British weather.

For the tailor-made experience, the head is scanned and due to the flexibility of the materials and the design, it is simple to fit the model to the shape of the skull. In the future the manufacturers believe the helmets may be sold via vending machines making it much more viable to hire a cycle whilst out and about.

For dramatic scenery, lush green countryside and places to truly get away from it all, few places on Earth can compare to the Scottish Highlands in summertime. Whether you venture up into the Grampian Mountains or continue beyond Great Glen and into the Northwest Highlands, you are guaranteed a spectacular experience every time you visit this unique area of Britain.

Highland holidays are best experienced in spring and summer, given that the climate and weather conditions can be less than hospitable during winter. During the warmer months, green travellers flock from all over the UK to holiday cottages in Scotland, nestling themselves in the countryside to enjoy the huge range of activities available to anyone who chooses a good old British summer over an expensive flight to foreign lands.

Highland cottages are the perfect place to spend the summer, offering you a home from home in even the most remote Highland destinations. You can find out for yourself what it would be like to live in one of Britain’s northern-most towns in Thurso, or you could head west to the idyllic Scottish islands of Skye and Mull. There is even a metropolitan centre in Inverness, where you can contrast the wilds of the Grampians with a visit to the capital of the Highlands.

Many visitors to the Highlands go there for an adrenaline rush. There are many ways to achieve this kind of buzz in the Highlands – and most of them are wonderfully eco-friendly!

Hill walking is perhaps the most popular outdoor pursuit amongst Highland tourists. Walks over and around hills and mountains like the Munros, the Corbetts and the Grahams are hugely popular with leisurely walkers and serious trekkers alike. Many people aim to ‘bag’ a range of mountains by climbing them all. Since the late 1980s, the Munros have been a major draw for ambitious walkers who wish to become ‘compleaters’ by summiting all 283 of them.

Those who prefer to move a little quicker can indulge in a spot of kayaking on the many rivers that run through the Highlands, or even climb the snowy peaks to plummet back down on skis!

If you’d rather keep your heart rate slow and steady, perhaps a tour of the many ancient castles and monuments dotted around the Highlands will be more your style – finished off with a soothing tipple at one of the legendary Scottish whisky distilleries!

Image courtesy of Talking Tree

We all know how important it is to be green in and around the home, but do we carry our green habits into the city when we’re travelling?

The answer to that question is probably not a unanimous ‘yes’ just yet, but it is worth giving it some consideration. For some people (but by no means all), being green on holiday has a distinct insignificance in comparison to being green at home and work. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t want to be green; it may just be that some of us see being green as a bit of a chore and so forget all about it, along with the hoovering, washing and general cleaning, when we pack up and leave for a jolly good holiday.

Cities are so awash with energy that it almost seems futile to make an effort to save some. This is of course not the case, since every little really does help, but we are even subconsciously dissuaded from saving in the apartments and hotels we stay in because everything is included in one set price; there are no extra charges for overuse of electricity (perhaps this is a pursuit that the hotels, apartments and holiday homes of the world should take on to encourage more holidaymakers to be green).

Out on the street, when you’re actually making your holiday, you can do your bit for the planet – and for your legs – by snubbing hire cars and taxis for a nice leisurely stroll. After all, there is no finer way to discover a new place than on foot. You will see everything more closely than you ever would from a car or a train. And if you want to stop and investigate a little more closely, there’s nothing to stop you.

If you rent a place right in the centre of any given city from a company like City Base Apartments, it is often the case that you can walk to pretty much everything that is worth seeing within the city centre. A central apartment might be more expensive initially but, over the course of your holiday, you’ll more than likely make that money back by saving on travel expenses every day.

So, take to the streets on your feet instead of taking the train or bus and you, your finances and your home planet will start to look much healthier in the long run.

Britain has plenty to satisfy those keen walkers of all ages and abilities looking to embark on an eco-friendly holiday with a difference this year.

The Brecon Beacons, Scottish Highlands, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales are areas of outstanding natural beauty that attract visitors annually in their tens of thousands. Yet despite the stiff competition, the Lake District in Cumbria can more than match its rivals when it comes to the challenging walking trails, quaint towns and villages and fabulous scenery that can be found in such bountiful supply in this picturesque little pocket of northern England.

Lovers of the great outdoors flock to Lake Windermere all year round, whatever the weather, and are rarely disappointed by what’s waiting for them when they arrive at England’s largest natural lake.

Whether you like to get around on two wheels, on foot or by water, the town of Windermere is a great base from which to enjoy a wide range of outdoor pursuits, with the most popular being walking. Those ambitious ramblers among you may fancy tackling parts of the Windermere Way – the 45-mile circular route around the lake; those of you who aren’t so keen on that mammoth hike, you could instead take a stroll up Adelaide Hill or venture further afield to Walla Crag fell. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll probably be returning home after your adventures to unwind with friends and family in one of the many Windermere cottages available to rent in the area, helping you and your party really get a feel for Lake District life.

Situated at the head of Lake Windermere is Ambleside, a bustling town renowned for its notable array of traditional English pubs. With most of them serving locally-brewed real ales and hearty food to weary walkers after a hard day’s endeavours, you certainly won’t go hungry. For those people who enjoy their creature comforts when they’re away from home, Ambleside cottages offer the chance to set up a home from home against the stunning backdrop of the rolling hills and tranquil waters. The stepping stones across the River Rothay and Stock Ghyll Force (a 70-ft waterfall) are both well worth a look and in close proximity to Ambleside.

Some five miles south of Ambleside after passing back through Windermere is Bowness-on-Windermere. A popular walk in this area involves hopping on a bus to the nearby village of Hawkshead and then making your way back the six miles or so back through the woodlands taking in the striking views across Lake Windermere as you go. If you’re staying in Bowness accommodation then you can also catch a ferry from Bowness to the western side of the lake, and from there you could travel on to Coniston Water, the third-largest lake in the Lake District.

These are just a selection of the various places of interest that make the Lake District such an ideal destination for your next hiking getaway.

Image courtesy of Thomas Euler

Eco-friendly travellers are in for a treat when they visit London as getting around in the English capital and seeing the sights on foot or on a bicycle couldn’t be any easier or more rewarding. Your London days and London nights will be made so much more enjoyable if you steer clear of the crowded bus and tube network and explore instead in a much greener way.

On paper, London looks like a big place. Well, it is and it isn’t from the point of a view of a tourist. It’s certainly a sprawling city and is divided into a series of small boroughs, each with their own appeal and distinctive places of interest. Take a look at a map of London and you could be forgiven for thinking that the only way to getting from one place to another is on the London Underground. Stop right there!

For starters, the tube can be expensive if you use it for a few consecutive days. It’s also chaos at peak times (morning/afternoon rush hour) and unbearably hot and humid in the summer months. Then there’s the fact that more often than not you’re travelling a distance that you can be covered over ground with the minimum of fuss if you walk.

A whole host of central attractions can be taken in on foot and are actually closer to each other than you may think. Start on Westminster Bridge, for instance, and if you set off at a leisurely pace in one direction you’ll soon stumble across the likes of Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, while Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and the neon flashing lights of Piccadilly Circus are also in close proximity if you arm yourself with a good map. Set off in a different direction leaving behind the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye and in no time you’ll pass the Tate Modern and Globe Theatre and end up right next to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

Popular areas like Soho, Covent Garden and the West End are also just a few streets away from places like Piccadilly Circus, so think again before purchasing a day travel ticket in ‘zone 1’ in London, which is pretty much central. Obviously, if you need to get to somewhere like Wembley Stadium or the O2 Arena to attend a major sporting or music event that is well away from the middle of the city then you’ll have no alternative but to go by road or on the tube. However, for the majority of your stay in London, providing you’re staying quite central, you should be able to resist the urge of hopping on a tube and bus.

Hiring a bike is also a viable option. A new cycle scheme in the city, launched by London Mayor Boris Johnson, means that you can pick up a bike from a docking station at your convenience and leave it at any of the designated drop-off points across the city when you’ve finished with it. And it’s not only London residents that can take advantage of this great initiative, as it’s also marketed towards tourists. First, you’ll need to pay an ‘access fee’, which can range from £1 for 24 hours to £5 for a week. Then it’s free of charge if you pick up and drop off within half an hour, but you’ll get charged every time you use a bike for any longer than that.  Considering the distance you should be able to cover in London in roughly 30 minutes, you can feasibly get by on two wheels without having to pay anything.

So, there it is – a green-friendly way to see London in all its splendour.

As more of the world becomes accessible, holidaymakers are increasingly seeking out exotic destinations, putting pressure on natural habitats as developments expand. This can often lead to a disturbance between man and wildlife, with the usual outcome being that the animals either move away or perish.

However, this isn’t always the case as a unique project in Kenya has shown where a special elephant tunnel as been constructed in order to provide a route for the creatures to reach their herd.

Africa has faced many difficulties in combining its desire for development and growth alongside its responsibilities to take care of its wildlife and there have been many occasions where expansion of villages or development of formerly rural land has led to problems. Some of the challenges faced include animals coming too close to homes and villages, not only scaring residents but also causing extensive damage to crops, as well as the risk of injury through a panicking elephant stampeding.

The idea of a so-called wildlife corridor was hit upon, which in theory would allow the animals to follow an ancient migration route, whilst still bypassing the farms and villages which until recently had split the trail. The project would cost a substantial amount of money but would also require donation of land in order to construct the underpass.

In total, the project took 10 years to complete with a collaboration between Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy as well as Mount Kenya Trust. However, one of the key sponsors was Richard Branson, of Virgin fame, who gave $250,000 to the cause and sparked the public’s interest, including two local farmers who gave up large parts of their land.

Construction on the tunnel got properly underway in 2008 with a fence capable of keeping out predators being erected, along a tunnel 15 feet high, stretching out across Africa for nine miles. There had been fears that elephants would not be willing to consider using an artificial construction and would avoid the path. One of the former land-owners, Charlie Dyer of Kisima’s Farm, even lent a hand by spreading freshly collected elephant dung along the track.

However, since completion, the tunnel has proved a resounding success, with a bull elephant called Tony the first to use the route. Tony has since been followed by countless other elephants who conservationists are hoping will meet a long-isolated tribe of elephants in the highlands, mixing up the gene pool and helping to safeguard their future.

It’s just possible that we might see a bit of sunshine in the UK this summer. After a scorching April and a rather wet May, the forecasts are showing a good chance of some warm weather across the UK in June, July and August and all you green travellers out there will be keen to soak up some of those rays that hit our humble British shores.

Of course, many people simply jump in a plane and jet off to a beach in Spain, Greece, or even the Caribbean when they fancy a bit of summer sunshine. But the impact of those flights on the environment is severe, and seems needless when you look at some of the splendid summer resorts to be found right on our doorstep here in the UK.

The Lake District
The sweeping valleys and looming fells of Cumbria are popular all year round, with cosy Lake District cottages welcoming visitors even in the chilly winter months. In spring and summer, cottages in Keswick, Grasmere, Ambleside and Windermere are even more popular as people from in the UK and abroad flock to this breathtakingly beautiful part of the UK to enjoy outdoor pursuits like hill walking, mountain climbing, cycling and water sports. Accommodation in Windermere is in particularly high demand during the warmer months, as tourists flock to the picturesque town to enjoy its vast lake and unique atmosphere. But if you book early, you’ll be guaranteed a sunny spot by the lake where you can enjoy soaking up some of Britain’s best views at their peak time of year.

Cornwall
If hill walking and country pubs are not your thing but you still crave the adrenaline rush of water sports in the summertime, you might want to join the many surfers, wind surfers, kite boarders and sailing enthusiasts who take to the seas off the coast of Cornwall each summer. Resorts like Newquay, St Ives, Falmouth and Penzance offer miles of stunning golden beaches as well as some of the liveliest holiday nightlife to be found in the UK, with revellers giving Cornwall a reputation as a great place to party and relax in the summer.

Suffolk
For a more traditionally English summer experience, the sleepy towns and villages of Suffolk are ideal. The stretch of coast that runs between Lowestoft and Felixstowe is particularly well equipped to welcome holiday makers, with its many comfortable cottages ready to accommodate everyone from romantic couples to extended families. The thatched roofs and winding country lanes of places like Southwold and Aldeburgh help to create a splendid summer atmosphere that comes complete with cream teas and tasty Suffolk ales.

Golfers are not normally renowned for their commitment to natural habitats but a new multi million pound development is due to be created in the beautiful setting of the Maldives which will please environmentalists and golfers alike.

The development, once complete, will be a state of the art complex and is intended to bring a flood of golfing tourists to the luxury islands, with the resort lying just five minutes away from the airport.

The technology involved is cutting edge and utilises a whole range of eco-friendly measures which ensures that the development has zero impact on the environment and does not damage the local flora and fauna.

The project is being undertaken by Dutch Docklands, who have experience in building floating enterprises and is due to be ready for use by 2015. The course will be based around five floating islands which will also include places to stay, as well as a corporate convention centre for business travellers. To get from one hole to the next, golfers will have to walk through a series of underwater tunnels, allowing them a unique view of sea-life from below the water’s surface as they trundle through with their clubs.

The project meets the Maldives tough criteria for green credentials, as it aims to be completely carbon-neutral in just 9 years, by 2020, which would make it the first country to do so. The floating golf course incorporates a whole range of sustainable measures, such as the use of solar blanket fields floated on the ocean, as well as salt water collection and recycling of potentially harmful pesticides in sweet water reservoirs which will be reused for irrigation.

The Maldives are particularly ardent campaigners for climate protection measures, as lying just 2 metres above sea levels, the group of islands are more vulnerable than most. As sea levels move upwards, the residents can either hope that the sea walls provide sufficient protection or move out of the Maldives. However, the government believes there may be a third option and that involves further floating islands being created for permanent occupancy.

With the coral reefs below, having floating islands demands a careful approach in order to avoid damaging the precious ocean-based habitats but the government is confident these new islands being constructed can be manoeuvred into place with no risk of harm.

With the club-house lying in a glassy underwater development and offering golfers an real-life aquarium view whilst they enjoy a post-round drink, it’s probably safe to say there is no other 19th hole in the world quite like it…

As the summer season arrives, most of us will enjoy meals out at restaurants, whether we are on holiday or just fancy a break from the kitchen while some-one else cooks. However, with most mainstream restaurants notoriously poor at considering greener options, is there anything that can be done as a diner to have a greener meal?

There are a few simple measures that can easily be carried out without affecting the dining experience that if everyone followed, would greatly reduce the impact on the environment.

Many restaurants provide a free glass of water to guests without a request being made yet many of us when out for an evening enjoy a glass of wine or soft drink with a meal, ignoring the complimentary water. Letting the waiter know that the water is not needed saves not only the water in the glass, but also the energy and water used in washing the glass, despite not being used.

Reduce single use utensils such as straws. Many of us sip on a straw simply because it is there, or pick one from an inviting bundle in a pretty carousel to brighten up our drink. However, simply drinking directly from the glass will save the disposable straw being sent to a landfill site. The same principle applies for take-outs which will be eaten at home – many fast food outlets thoughtfully slip plastic cutlery into the bag which let’s face it, no-one chooses to use if proper utensils are available and will simply end up in the non-recyclable rubbish. Telling the restaurant no cutlery is needed will reduce this waste.

Speaking of take-outs, rather than using the thin plastic bags provided by restaurants, which have a fondness for breaking at inopportune moments, taking your own sturdier bag to place your order in will not only win you green points but may also score you a discount with the restaurant.

Finally, when travelling to restaurants – how do you plan to get there? How about a gentle walk to whet the appetite or if that is out of the question, rather than meet at the venue, car-share to minimise the use of fuel.

While some restaurants are wising up to greener alternatives – even McDonalds is introducing sustainable fish for its menu this autumn – as consumers, we can make a difference by making small changes, without compromising on our enjoyment of a lovely meal out.

Cortijada Los Gazquez, is an ‘off-grid’ location built around entirely ecological principles.  Originally 5 derelict farmhouses, artist and architectural enthusiast Simon and his artist wife Donna spent several painstaking years creating a beautiful, isolated creative retreat set within 18 hectares of arable fields, almond terraces and pine forest within the Sierra Maria los Velez Natural Park in the top right hand corner of Andalucía.

By virtue of having no connection to water or electricity, this farmhouse has given its owners and creative visitors the opportunity to live a carbon neutral life – if only for the duration of their stay.

Water is harvested from the 600m2 roof and stored in an underground deposit. Electricity is produced by a photo voltaic panel and a wind turbine. Hot water is produced most of the year by solar power and substituted by burning almond and pine wood taken from the farm’s own land and is also used for all of the delicious cooking which incidentally uses only fresh, seasonal and local produce to create some of the best food you’ll ever eat in Spain.

This is no ordinary eco-retreat, the owners have created an environment completely conducive to creativity and visitors come from far and wide to join their painting holidays and photography holidays as well as to take advantage of the fabulous walking opportunities in the stunning natural park.

You feel at home with nature here, this is a place of extreme natural beauty, profound peace and tranquillity and you’ll never experience a night sky quite like it.
This place inspires creativity and is a draw for many solo travellers as the retreat is a wonderfully sociable place where you can meet like-minded people, mix with professional artists and eat wonderful food together making this a popular choice for singles holidays.

Come alone or with friends and withdraw from everyday life to focus on one’s creativity in a culturally stimulating environment, safe in the knowledge that your stay will be carbon neutral.

To find out more, visit www.GoLearnTo.com