Creating Sustainability: Building a Greener World
It seems like everyone's "going green" – from what we eat, to what we wear, to what we drive, to where we go. But adopting this awareness doesn't mean having to settle for a spartan, bland, or tasteless experience. With increasing environmental practices making a positive difference in our world, this issue of Your Travel Insider focuses on some eco-friendly travel options that are not only good for the environment, but are also good for you too. Here some great resources that are doing their part to promote living, eating and traveling "green."
Take a Flight, Plant a Tree
Delta Airlines
 Delta Air Lines is committed to helping offset carbon emissions associated with air travel by ofering customers purchasing ticket on its web site the option to contribute a donation to environmental non-profit organization the Conservation Fund. Since June 1, 2007 the donations – $5.50 for a domestic round trip or $11 for an international roundtrip, have been used to plant trees throughout the USA and abroad. A small portion also supports the organization’s education and outreach efforts. With destinations all over the world, that's a lot of trees! Learn More
| Green Extra: The Conservation Fund also committed to planting a tree for each of Delta's 47,000 employees. Bravo! |
The Greenest of the Green?
The Orchard Garden Hotel
466 Bush St,
San Francisco, CA
 A sister property to San Fran's award-winning Orchard Hotel, The Orchard Garden Hotel is San Francisco’s newest and ‘greenest’ hotel - the Orchard Garden Hotel. It's also one of California's first generation of truly ‘green’ hotels - the only hotel built to the nationally accepted standards for green buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The hotel has 86 guest rooms, a rooftop garden and a restaurant that all incorporate modern technology and environmentally friendly design. From $149.00 Learn More.
| Green Extra: The Orchard Garden hotel uses chemical-free cleaning products, recycled paper and soy-based inks and provide a 100% tobacco-free environment. |
 Pack it up
100% Organic Hemp Transit Duffle Bag
By Ecolution®
At 12 inches around and 17.5 inches tall, this great travel bag is small, yet stylish. Fashioned from two-tone canvas made from organic hemp grown organically in Ecolution’s own fields, this water-resistant bag has remarkable durability. Adjustable buckle straps. and cinch closure, make this bag the perfect carry-on. Learn More
| Green Extra: All Ecolution® products are Fair Trade and vegan, All fabric prior to waterproofing is processed mechanically without the use of any chemicals, and all colors are environmentally-friendly made from natural plant dyes. |
Dining Green
Green Restaurant Association
 Is your palate... green? If choosing a restaurant that gives a nod to environmental concerns is important to you, bookmark the Green Restaurant Association web site. The GRA assesses each restaurant's existing sustainable practices and creates an individually tailored plan to guide each establishment to become a Certified Green Restaurant™. Restaurants listed have taken steps in an effort to reduce their environmental footprint and increase sustainable practices including recycling as well as water and energy reduction steps. Learn more
 Recently Green Certified Restaurants:
Mendicino Farms - Los Angeles, CA
Magnolia Bistro - Burlington VT
Leaf Cuisine - Los Angeles, CA
Taranta - Boston MA
Gusto Grilled Organics - NY
| Green Extra: What are a few ways a restaurant can "green-up?" Employing a comprehensive recycling system, and using NO polystyrene foam ("Styrofoam") products is a good start! For more green restaurant guidelines, check out the GRA web site. |
Good Things Come in Green Packages
Mother Earth Package
Vikram Chatwal Hotels
 To make up for all of those carbon footprints, check out the Mother Earth Package at Vikram Chatwal's Dream or Time hotels in NYC. Never compromising comfort and style for environmentally-friendly options, the package includes a complimentary fresh-fruit smoothie and a custom-made brown-bag organic picnic lunch – (complete with bio-degradable serving wear and a map of Central Park with suggested picnicking locations, of course) to create a welcoming green oasis in a city not known for its eco-friendly sensibilities. In celebration of Earth Day, this package is available March 23rd through May 10th, 2008, prices start at $760 per night for a Queen Room at Dream, and $690 for a Queen Room at Time. Certain restrictions may apply.
| Green Extra: Soothe your tired muscles and find your inner balance, with an Ayurvedic consultation at the hotel’s Chopra Center, as well as a goodie bag full of organic pampering products from Gaiam, such as a Fair Trade Organic Tea set, Organic cotton terry robe, Organic cotton pajamas and Organic cotton or hemp socks! Nice! |
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