How To Travel Greener This Summer, From Sustainable City Breaks To Ethical Rentals
Whether it’s a leisurely stroll through a verdant vegetable garden or taking in an impressive mountain vista at the end of a hike, some of the most exciting travel offerings are green. It’s no wonder, now that 87% of global travellers want their holidays to be sustainable. In tune with this mood, 2025 boasts a range of new openings spanning eco-hotels, retreats and rail-only itineraries.
The sustainable city break: Helsinki
Skip that week of extreme-heat advisories and join those opting for ‘coolcations’ with a weekend in the Finnish capital Helsinki, which was named the world’s most eco-friendly tourist destination last year. It’s no surprise: 88% of the city’s hotels hold sustainability certifications, 51% of its electricity comes from renewable sources and 49% of waste is recycled – plus, there’s about 23,000 acres of green space per 100,000 residents and the airport has its own secondhand store – a world first. Check into the Hotel Maria, in a neighbourhood full of boho coffee shops and vintage-shopping destinations, where the rooms have wood beams, marble bathrooms and energy-efficient mood-lighting consoles. Join the regulars at the Finnish Sauna Society to sweat off any eco-anxiety (Finland has more saunas per capita than any other country, so they’re not hard to find) and make sure to check out fashion by local designers, including Jenny Hytönen, Sofia Ilmonen and Vain, which uses deadstock fabrics for all its pieces.
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Guilt-free weekend stays
Harbour House, Flushing, Cornwall
This sustainability-driven waterfront Cornish pub is the ultimate getaway for seafood lovers who want to feast responsibly; it’s also adding three en-suite rooms, opening in summer 2025. be sure to check out its brand-new sister hotel Beach House Falmouth for sunsets over the sea.
The Fox, Oddington, Gloucestershire
Daylesford’s newly refurbished rustic-luxe pub features six rooms where all the materials have been locally sourced, including insulation made from discarded sheep’s wool from the nearby farm. Expect roaring fires, flagstone floors and lavish finishes with plenty of Cotswolds charm.
The Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire
Housed in a 15th-century building, this welsh eco retreat is filled with history; the 25 bedrooms, suites and solar-powered cottages are complete with loomed upholstery and traditional crafts. It’s also a part of the Hotels for Trees Foundation, which aims to create a greener hospitality industry by planting more trees.
Ethical Rentals
Kip Hideaways
Discover this curated collection of inspiring eco homes across the UK, featuring everything from solar-powered showers to cabins made of reclaimed wood. all are set in breathtaking surroundings.
Fairbnb.coop
This community-owned platform has 2,500 trustworthy hosts across Europe and reinvests 50% of its revenues into local projects.
Landfolk
prepare to get back to nature and Escape into the wild through this scandi start-up, which offers cabins surrounded by forests and cosy fishermen’s houses directly on the water.
Behomm
This invitation-only home-exchange community for creatives and design lovers has an achingly stylish portfolio of properties around the world.
The world’s most glamorous train journeys
Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, highlands
Departing Edinburgh with just 40 passengers onboard, this train orbits the Scottish Highlands, passing Cairngorms National Park and the Kyle of Lochalsh. There’s even a dedicated spa by Dior, where the soothing massages synchronise with the gentle swaying
of the carriage.
Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Spain
Take in Spain’s majestic northern coastline on this luxurious sleeper train, which travels between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela. On board, try a menu inspired by the regions along the way, from the Basque Country to Galicia
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond Train, Europe
Revel in views of the French countryside and Swiss mountains from the splendid Art Deco interior of this iconic train. between dressing up for dinner and live music in the Champagne bar nightly, it’s An experience you’ll never forget.
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