If you are looking for a different experience for your next home exchange, Scotland sure has some ideas for you.

Green Tourism in Scotland

Photo by lmnyberg /Flickr.com

First things first. Over 700 businesses are registered members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) and are assessed for their energy efficiency and efforts to reduce their environmental impact, to sustain the quality of Scotland’s natural treasures. As a visitor, your support is required to preserve the quality of Scotland’s environment. So look for the identified businesses while you tour through Scotland.

Whisky Tourism in Scotland

There are 42 distilleries open to visitors, because not only it is one of the country’s most important exporting industries, it has also become an attraction to visitors and whisky fans from around the globe. The tourism and hospitality sector has joined the distilleries’ efforts to arrange a memorable experience adding other attractions to the “Scotch Whisky Trails“. The most complete online reference on this subject is ScotlandWhisky but you should also check out The Whisky Coast, The Malt Whisky Trail, and for information about the industry visit Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Just to give you a taste of what you can find:

Speyside is home to half of Scotland’s whisky distilleries, so if you care for a tour covering the different traditional distillation processes, this is the spot. Some of the tourist-friendly distilleries in the area are: Benromach, Cardhu, Dallas Dhu, Glen Grant, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and the Strathisla Distillery, home of the renowned Chivas Regal blend.

Campbeltown is home to the oldest independent family owned distillery: Springbank Distillery. This is not the only fact that sets this distillery apart, it is also one of the two distilleries in the country that carries the complete process from barley and water to bottled Scotch whisky in one single site and it is also the only one that produces three different single malts using three different production methods: Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn.

“The Enchanted Forest”

An award winning outdoor show, that uses sound and light to tell the most amazing of all stories: the Earth’s history from the beginning to the modern era. Definitely a must if you arrange your home exchange in the area.  The Enchanted Forest is part of the Highland Perthshire Autumn Festival so visit http://www.pitlochryautumnfestival.co.uk/ to find our more and plan a fun-filled autumn home exchange vacation.

“One for All”

All in one: Cairngorms National Park includes the Aviemore, Angus Glens, Royal Deeside, Donside, Glenlivet and Speyside areas. You can find almost anything here, from family attractions to extreme sports there is definitely something to keep you entertained whether it is cold, warm, hot or even raining. Also, businesses in the park operate under the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) guidelines.

More information:
http://www.visitcairngorms.com/
http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/

Image by Evgeni Dinev

Today we have a tip for those who use home exchange as part of their efforts to travel green. We have posted before on how home exchange itself helps reduce the environmental impact of vacation (or any) traveling, and we mentioned as well that planes have the highest rate of CO2 emission per traveler.

But sometimes you just have to fly. When you face such a situation it is best to choose a non-stop flight. This lowers CO2 emissions because there is extra fuel consumption during take-off and landing. There are several ways to find and book a non-stop flight, but for the Internet fans here is a list of search engines to help you find the best non-stop flights:

FareCompare - http://www.farecompare.com/ The option to view nonstop flights only is given in the results page.
Kayak - http://www.kayak.com/ Just mark the “Prefer Nonstop” checkbox. It has a downside: it shows best fares found by other Kayak users in the last 48 hours, so seats may not be available.
ITA Software - http://www.itasoftware.com/ You do not need to register, you can use the search engine by logging in as a guest and then mark “nonstops only“.
Travelocity - http://www.travelocity.com/ You will need to use the Advanced Search Options and mark “I prefer nonstops“.

Another plus of this list: They all allow for “wider” flexible travel search which means you can save a lot of money too. Usually, flight search engines offer a flexible search option but narrowed to a few days around your given date, but not these. For example, Travelocity allows you to select “Exact dates” or “+/- 1 to 3 days” or “Flexible dates” which shows you fares up to 330 days ahead. In ITA Software you need to select “Month-long search” for their flexible search.

Other options for non-stop flight search:

Bing - http://www.bing.com/travel/flights
BookingBuddy - http://www.bookingbuddy.com/
Expedia - http://www.expedia.com/
Orbitz-  http://www.orbitz.com/
Trabber - http://www.trabber.co.uk/
SideStep - http://www.sidestep.com/

Image by healingdream /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Along with green travel, which involves reducing the environmental impact of our trips, came another interesting and related trend for those wishing to get the most out of their journeys without “buying a package deal”: slow travel.

What is slow travel? Well, simply taking things slow as we travel (what else!). You may be wondering about its benefits and you will find it interesting that there are several good reasons why slow travel is becoming a trend:

1. Slowing down allows you to savour each moment. You will smell the roses, you will really taste the food, you will enjoy the wine… You will find yourself discovering unknown places instead of jumping from one tourist site to the next.
2. If you stay at a place for a long period (meaning more than one week) and you take the time to get to know local people, you will find your trip more rewarding than just a touristic voyage. In slow travel you dedicate time to making new friends and you try to experience the local daily life.
3. Taking the time to DO everything as if you were at your hometown (cooking, cleaning, groceries…) also cuts some expenses. No restaurant meals everyday (maybe just a few to try out the local cuisine), no room service, just you living your regular life in a different, exciting new place, as if you were starting a new life there.
4. Taking things slow is less stressful than rushing from one site to the next and packing/unpacking every two to three days. Slow travel is the best way to relax your body and mind.

Home exchange seems bound to slow travel, as it allows for longer stays, getting immersed in the local community, and experiencing life in a different place that is also a home. In a way, the home exchange community has been exploring slow travel for a while now, with options such as long-term and permanent exchanges becoming more popular… But that’s for really slow travellers.

Harewood Bird Garden is part of the 100 acres of garden grounds in Harewood House, a spectacular treasure house in Yorkshire. Built in the 18th century, the house itself is spectacular and holds a magnificent collection of art, furniture and artifacts. Its beautiful surroundings are stage to a variety of open-air events that take place throughout the year, making it a perfect destination for families, or anyone interested in cultural and outdoor activities.

The bird collection at Harewood Bird Garden is one of the most important across England. More than one third of its species are vulnerable, endangered or vulnerable in the wild and Harewood Bird Garden is involved in several conservation projects. For those who want to support the garden’s conservation efforts there is an “Adopt a bird” programme.

Some of the beautiful birds you can admire at Harewood Bird Garden are: Owls, Penguins, Flamingos, Macaws, Waterfowls, Red Kites, Parrots and Ostriches. Visitors are able to stroll through the park, learning about birds from different continents from the detailed information presented in the labels of each aviary, but there are also guided tours.

If you want to search for a nearby home exchange opportunity, we have this valuable information for you:

Photo by garybembridge /flickr.com

- it is 7 miles away from Leeds and Harrogate

- it is 5 miles from Wetherby

- it is 22 miles from York

- it is 9 miles from Leeds/Bradford airport

Currently there is a special offer for green travellers choosing to take the bus: those who choose to get to Harewood House by bus get a half price discount. There are other special offers and promotions throughout the year. Get ready and enjoy a delightful trip to Harewood House, the House, Gardens, Grounds, Bird Garden, Adventure Playground, cafes and shops are open daily until 31st October 2010.

Being eco-friendly does not mean you need to spend extra cash to lower your impact on the planet. In fact, it could even result in the opposite: you may end up saving money by using resources more effectively.

Here we present you some cheap ideas for travelling green as you swap:

- Borrow travel books or guides from your local library or from a friend. Another option is to buy a used travel guide or trade a previously purchased guide. The later is a different but equally effective kind of exchange.

- As we have mentioned before, reducing your luggage eliminates CO2 emission from the extra fuel needed to carry the weight travelling along with you. For example, there are many items that you will be able to use during a swap that you would have to bring along if you had chosen another mean of accommodation (hotel, etc.).

- If you have not included car exchange in your home exchange deal and you need to use a car, choose the model wisely. For example, a small car would be the most appropriate for a couple, compact cars are almost always cheaper and more fuel-efficient, and finally an hybrid vehicle could help you cut on gas adding to the savings. You should choose the smallest car that’s suitable for your needs.

- If you are travelling in your own car, prepare it beforehand. Take it for a tune up and check the tires. There are other ways you can improve your car’s fuel efficiency, check your owner’s manual or search the web. There are many tips and ideas that are easy to apply and can help you save money and improve your car’s performance. For example, a user submitted the following tip to Whatprice.co.uk:

“Use your gears wisely.
Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. A vehicle travelling at 37 mph in third gear uses 25 percent more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.”

Image by prozac1 /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

- Avoid over-using disposable items if you are staying in an area where there’s no recycling plan. Plastic bottles may take over 1000 years to decompose, so if they end up in a landfill the bottles you dispose will be here much longer than you! You could bring your own re-usable bottle and buy drinks in larger returnable containers. That way you will avoid leaving plastic bottles behind and you will save money as the price per volume is less when you buy in bulk.

Send us your ideas for a greener home exchange!

In a previous post, when 2010 was just starting, we wrote about the top travel destinations for this year. Among the places selected by the cited specialist websites there were two local ones: London and the Isles of Scilly, both in England. Well, London has worldwide reputation and needs no further recommendation, but what is great about the Isles of Scilly? Let’s explore…

The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago 45 Km off the Cornish peninsula, the southernmost mainland point of the UK. They were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1975, so with that title you can’t go wrong. Peaceful, beautiful and uncrowded are probably the most fitting adjectives to describe this paradise. The “outstanding natural beauty” of the isles is protected by the local community by attaining sustainable practices and the establishment of a “visitors Code of Conduct” where mostly green travelling tips are recommended to preserve the natural beauty of the islands and decrease the carbon footprint left behind by those who choose them as their holiday destination.

Photo by Tom Corser

The five larger inhabited islands are Bryher, St Agnes, St Martin’s, St Mary’s and Tresco, and they are surrounded by several smaller rocky islets. Natural tourism is the main economical activity, followed by fishing and early-flower production. Bird-watching is one of the high points of the islands, due to the presence of rare migrant species mostly during October. But don’t let the relaxed spirit of this barely touched gems give you the idea that there are not exciting things to do in Isles of Scilly: golf, tennis, biking, snorkeling, diving, horseback ridding, sea safaris, kayaking, windsurfing and shark-fishing are some of the activities that can give you a sense of adventure as well.

So if your HomeForHome quest sets you off to the southwest for a home swap you may want to include a visit to the Isles of Scilly in your tour and explore an area of sandy beaches, clear waters and undisturbed nature.

For more information, you may visit:
* http://www.ios-aonb.info/
* http://www.simplyscilly.co.uk/

If you have joined the group of active environmentally aware travelers or if you are on the verge of doing so, HomeForHome has some basic ideas to help you get started. These tips are applicable everywhere so you may use your home exchange as an excuse to get used to them and then apply them year-round.

Food. Buying local food is an easy way to reduce CO2 emissions. There is no need to transport the goods from a distant location, so not only the CO2 release is cut, but there is also zero added cost due to transportation somehow lowering their price. There are farmers that are producing organic, fresh fruits and vegetables, reducing the impact of farming on the environment and promoting sustainability. Locate and support local farmers that are embarking on such projects to help them sustain their production. Buying seasonal food is another way to cut back on CO2 release, since there is no extra energy invested for either transporting or preserving of these products, and being fair, fresh goods taste better.

Shopping and entertainment. As in the case of farmers that are applying “greener” technologies, there are several businesses that are adopting sustainable practices. Ranging from restaurants to art exhibitions, there may be local entrepreneurs near you that want to help the environment too and by supporting their business you help us all.

Walk more or use public transportation. Walking is probably the best way to get around in a place we are eager to learn about. It will give you first hand contact with the locals and the reduced speed will certainly help you appreciate architectural and landscape beauties you may otherwise miss. If you want to visit several locations that are separated by a great distance, then instead of walking you may use public transportation to decrease your trip’s carbon footprint. Usually, local governments take good care in having the local landmarks in the way of public transport routes.

Electricity. Before you leave your house to your home exchange, unplug any appliances that are not going to be in use while you are gone. Another easy way to save on electricity is to turn off the lights when you are the last to leave a room. These small actions will not only save money in your electrical bill, but also will save on the precious resources used to generate electricity.

These are just a few of many good small ideas to help our big home (the one we cannot exchange), and we are sure your imagination and creativity can come up with many more to put in practice in your next green swap.

Continuing with the idea of reducing stress, which is probably the leitmotif behind almost every vacation, we present you another advantage of home exchange: the possibility to travel light. As you go to a home, used daily by another family, chances are you’ll find everything you need so there’s no need to bring that extra luggage we usually carry when other lodging options are used. Of course you have to check with your home swap partner what things are available for you to use, and you probably have your own “musts” you bring with you everywhere you go, but a lot of weight may be off your travelling shoulders if you decide to swap homes.

To make it more appealing to you, here we list some advantages of travelling light:

- It will save you some money now that airlines charge you for almost everything you bring.

- Eliminates CO2 emission from the extra weight travelling along with you, helping fight global warming.

- Makes your trip more flexible, any transportation is easy accessible with a small bag, so your choices are widened: plane, train, bus, and even walking! Sometimes you get faster from one terminal to another using your own feet.

- Reduces time spent on baggage checks.

- There are less chances your luggage will get lost or misplaced.

- It makes packing back and forth a lot easier, especially on the way back  when you don’t want to pack (of course you may have a few extra pounds from souvenirs, but that’s OK).

The home exchange community continues to grow worldwide. Some of the main reasons for this tendency are savings and flexibility, but there is another trend that deserves to be mentioned: world climate change awareness.

“Green travelling” has two main premises: 1.- Avoid increasing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during the trip, and 2.- Preserving the environment you visit. As we have mentioned before, home exchange seems like a perfect option for sustainable travelling, because:

There is no additional CO2 released into the atmosphere by any means during the swap, as you live as if you were in your own home.

You can decrease the CO2 emission due to transportation to your destination if you also include car exchange in the package, as you may travel by train or other mean of public transportation. Keep in mind that planes and cars have the highest rate of CO2 emission per traveler. Also, you may reduce the environmental cost of transportation by travelling nearby and visiting areas where things that interest you the most are within walking distance (for example: the beach, the ski slope, the market, etc.)

By consuming local food and cooking yourself, which are feasible choices when you have a complete kitchen in your destination, you do not increase the emissions from freight transport to move “ingredients” around. For example, if you eat local seafood in a coastal town, it probably only “travelled” a few miles (or “yards”) to your plate.

Go green! Go swap!