TEN OF THE BEST ECO NOMICAL LODGES
08 Dar Tassa
Where: The High Atlas, Morocco
Fly to: Marrakesh from Barcelona
(Girona), Düsseldorf (Weeze),
Frankfurt (Hahn), London (Luton)
and Marseille Provence.
Less than an hour from the markets of Marrakesh, experience some traditional Berber hospitality at this guesthouse, nestled in the Atlas Mountains. It’s within easy reach of scenic valleys and gorges, and you can choose whether to lie on the tiled rooftop sipping mint tea, or tackle some serious trekking. The hotel works closely with the local community, and
you can even offset your journey by planting a tree or donating one. Stay in four-star luxury, or camp out under the stars (for a small fee), if you bring your own sleeping bag.
Doubles from MAD910 (€81) per night, halfboard. Tel: +212 (0)12 145 220, www.dartassa.com
09 Transition Lifestyle Retreat
Where: Diklic’i, Istria, Croatia.
Fly to: Pula from Dublin and London (Stansted)
– until 27 October only. Route reopens in spring.
This 200-year-old stone house is perfect for those who like the idea of combining their stay with relaxing treatments. Set in beautiful surroundings, the four-bedroom property – run by Brit ex-pats Shirley and Nigel – offers an impressive menu of aromatherapy massages, reflexology and reiki. For those wanting something more energetic, you can use bikes free of charge, or try a range of watersports, like canoeing and sailing in the crystal-clear waters nearby. With organic wine, home-baked organic bread straight from the oven and impeccable eco-credentials, you’ll feel right at home and guilt-free.
Doubles from €73 per night, including breakfast. Tel: +38 552 422 077, www.retreatincroatia.co.uk
10 Hostel Pr’ Tatko
Where: Podkoren, Triglav National Park, Slovenia.
Fly to: Klagenfurt (Austria) from London (Stansted).
Outdoors enthusiasts will love this solarpowered eco-hostel, in a picturesque village on the edge of Triglav National Park. Situated in the heart of the Julian Alps, you can find skiing, snowboarding, dog-sledding and snowshoeing in winter, and rock-climbing, paragliding, caving and rafting in summer. After a hard day’s adventuring, you can retire back to the 100-year-old building and stuff your face on some home-cooked dinner from the organic garden, and maybe even sample honey from the Pr’ Tatko beehive.
From €14 per person per night. Tel: +38 631 479 087, www.prtatko.com
Ecogadgets galore
FREELOADER SOLAR CHARGER Use this to recharge all your gadgets, like iPods and PSPs, and leave the bulky travel plug behind. £24.95 (€37), www.ethicalsuperstore.com
H20 POWERED MINI DIGI CLOCK Top this nifty travel clock up with a little water each month and you’ll have no need for wasteful batteries. £6.50 (€9.50),www.ecogadgets.co.uk
ECO-BALLS Use these magic reusable eco-balls in your washing machine instead of detergent. £33.95 (€50), www.ecogadgets.co.uk
ROBERTS R9957 A wind-up analogue FM radio that’s sleekand stylish, too. £29.97 (€44),www.currys.co.uk
REWARE SOLAR BEACH TOTE A beach bag with a flexible solar panel – lie back and plug in your BlackBerry, or digital camera. $199.99 (€145), plus $125 (€91) European shipping cost, www.rewarestore.com
USEFUL WEBSITES “Holidays that give the world a break,” www.responsibletravel.com Offset your emissions, www.carbonfootprint.com Hotels that are keen to be green, www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com Hire vehicles from the “green collection”, www.hertz.co.uk Satisfy your travel-gadget needs,www.ecogadgets.co.uk![[] Great Britain - The Low Fares Airline, cheap flights from Europe, UK and Ireland. Cheapest flight tickets, discount airline tickets.](/images/logoweb.gif)
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