Traveling the Green Way

Seeking a Christmas or New Year getaway that’s good for you, your destination and your wallet?  UK ethical travel company responsibletravel.com still has green holidays worldwide available.  They range from venturing to Egypt for a spiritual yoga retreat, partying in Rio on a dance holiday to volunteering with children in Sri Lanka.

Here are several Christmas or New Year getaways from responsibletravel.com :

Dordogne self catering cabin for two - special festive package - £650 for Christmas week
“This cosy, off-grid cabin is the ideal romantic retreat for those wanting to spend a traditional Christmas away from the commercialism. Enjoy a woodburner, no TV, a Christmas tree with solar powered fairy lights, a food hamper including homemade mince pies, chocolate truffles and hand-picked chestnuts to roast, and a mystery present under the tree! The Woodsman’s Cabin has no electricity so lighting is provided by candles, solar lamps and oil lamps. Go cycling, take the boat out on the lake, enjoy local produce from the local market.”

“Family winter holiday in Slovakia - £979 per adult and £899 per child for 8 days including flights, departing 27th Dec
“A far cry from the ski “factories” of the Alps, the snow-clad mountains of the Tatras are the perfect place for an invigorating week of winter activities. You’ll enjoy many different and fun activities including a meal with a Slovak family, an expedition on snowshoes, sledging and even swimming in a hot thermal pool. The week peaks with a dog-sledding trip and - if you’ve any energy left - there’s even the chance to try night skiing!”

Alternative Christmas Yoga Holiday in Egypt - from £350 for 7 days between 24th Dec and 10th Jan
“Head for the sunshine of Dahab - a small and friendly village on the Gulf of Aqaba, South Sinai in Egypt, stay in a local Bedouin-owned B&B on the beach and enjoy two yoga classes per day with co-teacher David Olton, one of London’s leading yoga teachers. You can also go diving, sea kayaking, trekking, snorkelling, camel riding and horse riding. Price excludes flights.”

Dance holiday in Rio - Christmas and New Year “Festa” - departing 20th Dec, from £999 for 15 days
“This trip offers all the fun and excitement of Rio’s iconic celebrations for those on a budget. Price includes eight hours of dance lessons, a Christmas Day BBQ party, New Year’s Eve at the legendary Copacabana Beach Party, a visit to one of Rio’s top Samba School rehearsal parties, breakfast and transport. You can also take part in ‘Make Favela Art’ - a fantastic social project that aims to paint all 15,000 houses in the Prazeres favela (shantytown) in bright colours to create Rio’s newest landmark. Price excludes flights.”

Egypt and Jordan holiday, departing 20th Dec, from £1,399 for 11 days, including flights
“Explore Cairo, the Pyramids, Sinai, the Red Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana National Park and the Dead Sea in this fantastic trip with winter sun included! This small group trip uses local group leaders and guests will stay in locally owned hotels and eat in local restaurants. £100 local payment not included.”

Two weeks volunteering with children in Sri Lanka , departs 21 Dec, from £495 for two weeks
“Work with children from disadvantaged backgrounds, teaching English and doing creative activities. Includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport pickup, in-country orientation and online TEFL course. Excludes flights, insurance, return transfer and lunch.”

Images courtesy of responsibletravel.com