We're all going on an eco-holiday

2:57pm Wednesday 3rd September 2008

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England has become one of the most popular holiday destinations, knocking Thailand off the number one spot as tourists hunt for cheaper, more environmentally friendly holidays, but are eco-holidays all about lentils and yurts? And is the only option becoming a martyr to the British weather? Sarah Lewis finds out from travellers who have ‘been there, done that’ eco-style.

Holiday one: “Unforgettable India” tour. Jonathan Winfield, a corporate social responsibility executive from Brighton, took a 15-day trip in March.

“I won the tour, which was with Intrepid, and it was a low-impact holiday, which is a kind of eco-tourism that is a lot about using public transport and spending time with the locals.

“We started in Dehli and went in a little triangle, down to Agra where the Taj Mahal is, then along a river down to Varanasi, which is on the Ganges and where they have the big funeral pyres. It’s a holy river and they have ceremonies on it with drums and candles. It’s very colourful and amazing to see.

“The whole thing was quite intense, probably the most intense holiday I’ve ever had. You are constantly moving around, with no opportunity to eat a hamburger, even if you wanted to. It’s all proper local food and drink.

“We were staying in local guest houses, having dinner with local people and chatting to them. It’s great for community relations.

“The organisers also made every effort to ensure your Western cash goes into the pockets of the people who live there, not just to some Western hotel corporation. It’s as much about supporting the local community as it is the environment.

“The community and environmental aspects are really important to me. Particularly in a place like India. If I’m going to a completely different culture I like to be immersed in it, rather than spending the time in an air-conditioned coach.

We could have hung out by the pool at a swanky hotel but it seems like a bit of a waste.

“Flying was a concern. Part of my job is to look into carbon costs so I know quite a bit about it. The thing is, people still need to get from A to B – especially for this sort of holiday which provides income for the local community. I didn’t consider not going. I’ve done my research and I’m sure it’s worth it. I don’t fly locally or in Europe, I get the train.

“Personally, I think having a responsible holiday means you have a better time. You are immersed deeper in the culture, meet more people, have a broader and better experience. It’s not just talking to the waiter who brings you your martini.

You are having a cup of tea with the locals in the back street of Delhi.”

Holiday two: Walking the South West path and staying in a yurt. Deborah McCabe, a public relations manager from Keymer, spent four days in Cornwall over the May bank holiday

“Over the half-term holiday, my 11-year-old son, Harry, my sister and I drove down to Cornwall. We stayed on Riviere Sands Haven holiday park the first night, then walked up to Perran Sands, 22.45 miles away, stopping off at various places on the way.

“I’d always wanted to walk the South West coast and this was a convenient chunk in between. It’s 630 miles long – you have to start somewhere.

I particularly like Cornwall, and it seemed like a nice back-to-nature type of holiday – getting out and walking, going under our own steam, carrying what we needed on our backs. Harry would encourage more of that kind of thing if he could, he’s really into being outdoorsy.

“The whole caravan park holiday is a very underrated way of going away. People see them as a bit of a blot on the landscape, but it’s a lovely way of getting back to nature, particularly for urban dwellers. You step out of your home on to grass, you have a view of the sea. I think it’s something quite overlooked in the whole eco-friendly holiday drive. And certainly with Haven, most of their parks are gold conservation award winners, and one of the ones we stayed at picked up a green tourism business scheme award.

“It’s nice to have a holiday where the whole ethos is at ease with the environment.

“Harry absolutely loved it. The highlight for him was the scenery, which was amazing, and staying in a yurt at Perran Sands. He said it was the best thing he had ever stayed in. The yurt isn’t as basic as it sounds – it’s not authentic Mongolian yak fur or anything. It’s very contemporary with rugs and sofas and proper beds. The circular environment is lovely to stay in, it encourages you to sit around and talk. I spoke to some fellow yurtists who said it was quite unusual for them, as they normally sit in front of the telly, but they were actually communicating with each other. You still had your home comforts – it was posh camping.”

Holiday three: Corsica overland. Giles Duffy, a technical specialist from Hove, took a ten-day holiday in July.

“We took the Eurostar to Lille, then the TGV to Marseilles and a boat to Corsica. Being an unadventurous traveller, I normally would not have chosen that particular way to go. I went because the group of people I was with were very eco-conscious. So it was something of a surprise to do it – and I am now a convert.

“It was brilliant. We spent a lot of time on trains, watching the scenery go past, with good food and a glass of wine. We got to stop at a lovely food shop when we got to France, and then arrived at Marseilles not only having avoided big carbon emissions but having had a lovely, relaxed time with no stressful take-off or landings.

There were hardly any security checks and, when we did have them, they weren’t in such a high pressure, busy, environment as at an airport, which was great. It’s infinitely more relaxing and pleasant than travelling by plane.

“Even better was getting the overnight boat from Marseilles to Corsica. We sailed gently over the Med, sitting at the bar and watching the occasional dolphin pop its head up, which was quite special. If you wanted me to go on a plane now, I just wouldn’t do it. I’d ask to go by train instead. Waking up on the boat with the sun pouring over the lovely mountains of Corsica was wonderful and the whole thing is infinitely more glamorous and enjoyable than flying.

“Corsica is very well looked after – they don’t like people developing things and everything is home grown or home made. We stayed in a house owned by one of the locals and we didn’t involve any large companies.

“It does take a bit longer to travel but I don’t feel I missed out at all. We stopped off at some great places and there is absolutely no doubt I gained in every sense. There is also something about travelling back – if you are on a plane it’s a one-stop thing and suddenly you are home and it can be a bit depressing. I found coming back on the boat and train made it more of a transition and much nicer, psychologically. It all felt rather luxurious and now I’ve done it once and seen how easy it is, I’d definitely do it again.”

Holiday four: Camping in Devon. Sophie Tanner, an account manager from Brighton, had a week in a tent in April.

“My sister and I went to Stoke Fleming in Devon and camped at a place called Leonards Cove. They have caravans and lodges as well as pitches for tents and it has beautiful sea views, overlooking a lovely beach called Blackpool Sands.

“Devon is such a beautiful part of the world and I really wanted to explore it a bit more. It’s like a different country down there. At night, in Dartmouth, all the houses on the hill are lit up and you just see the harbour mouth and it’s absolutely stunning. And there are loads of really proper country pubs!

“Camping is always an experience. The minute you wake up, you are outside in the fresh air. It forces you to get out there and explore. When you have your home comforts it can be easy to get lazy and just sit there.

“The environmental aspect was very important to us. As it’s such a lovely landscape we just didn’t want to sully it. I’ve had quite a few, varied holidays and it’s always most satisfying when I don’t feel as if I’ve trampled all over the countryside or exploited the people who live there.

“I don’t feel I missed out at all by not going away somewhere hot.

When I go on holiday, it’s to get a bit of space, to be able to breathe and clear my head. The West Country is probably one of my favourite parts of the world – it’s so fresh and green and beautiful. I feel as though I can completely relax. It’s so wild. The landscape, little high hedges and winding country lanes – it feels familiar yet it’s also an escape. The beaches aren’t all sandy and boiling hot but they are wonderful.

“I don’t think people have to stop flying all together. It’s just about researching things a little more. But I would encourage people to consider where they haven’t been to on our own islands, Scotland for example, just to see how different the landscape can be. Britain is an amazing place to live. We do moan about it a lot but it has its merits.

“Not the weather, obviously.”