Mindful Travel – Tips for More Responsible Travel

We love traveling to faraway places, discovering new favorite spots, breaking out of our routines and immersing ourselves in other worlds, getting to know different cultures and meeting new people, trying unfamiliar foods, pushing ourselves with exciting activities, adding variety to our everyday lives, and creating unforgettable memories. Unfortunately, however, travel can also be associated with various environmental and social impacts, particularly through transport, resource consumption, and tourism infrastructure. The tourism sector contributes to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, especially through air travel. In addition, there are many other negative environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts that are harder to measure but undoubtedly exist.

But when sustainability meets wanderlust, it does not necessarily have to end in a contradiction. Slow travel is the counter-concept to the tourism boom of recent decades and describes an approach in which people travel more slowly, more consciously, and often with a stronger focus on local experiences. It is a way of traveling that aims to make your own resource consumption as mindful as possible and leaves more time to relax, experience things holistically, take a deep breath, and reflect.

The be-all and end-all of mindful travel lies above all in research, planning, and preparation. Only if you engage with the topic and know what the biggest problems in travel are can you look for alternative ways and behave in a more environmentally friendly way while on the road. To make planning a little easier for you, we have summarized the most important tips for mindful travel below.

Air travel is among the most emission-intensive parts of many trips. Anyone who can switch to alternative means of transport such as train or bus can reduce the emissions associated with getting to and from their destination. True to the motto “The journey is the destination,” slow travel also means counting the trip there as part of the travel experience. While we hardly notice anything of the journey on a plane, on a train or bus we can consciously observe how the surroundings gradually change and how we leave our familiar environment behind.

Even though exotic overseas travel destinations are highly appealing to most travel enthusiasts, there are undoubtedly countless exciting places to discover within our own continent and even within national borders. How about, for example, a hiking tour in the Picos de Europa in Spain, exploring the winding lanes of Odeceixe in Portugal, photographing the black-and-white beauty of the “Alten Flecken” in the historic town center of Freudenberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, or heading to the Feldberg Lake District north of Berlin, admiring basalt columns in Northern Ireland, or enjoying the hospitality of the people in Albania? Germany and Europe have so much to offer that a whole lifetime would hardly be enough to visit all the worthwhile stops, and when it comes to mindful travel, the following applies: shorter travel distances and the use of alternative means of transport can reduce the emissions associated with getting there and back.

Immersing yourself in life elsewhere is often easiest and most authentic with locals. In an Airbnb or a small guesthouse run by locals, you usually learn a lot about the country or city and its people. As a rule, people are open and happy to share their very personal experiences, impressions and give tips off the beaten track.

But sometimes it doesn't have to be an exciting discovery. Sometimes you may just be looking for a leisurely break in nature away from your usual everyday life. In that case, we would like to share some of our favorite nature hotels with you.

A little tip: When choosing a hotel, you can always pay attention to labels and eco-seals. You can find an overview, for examplehere.

Photos: Hofgut

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For anyone looking for a nature-filled (online) getaway,  Hofgut Hafnerleiten in Bad Brinbach is exactly the right place. Awarded for its unique architecture, the various idyllically situated themed houses scattered across the estate invite you to switch off and relax.

During the day, it’s wonderful to unwind in front of the fireplace, take part in cooking and barista courses, or switch off in the wellness “feel-good cubes.” Hiking, horseback riding, or an extended bike tour let you immerse yourself even further in the surrounding nature. The host personally takes care of his guests’ culinary well-being, placing great importance on fresh Mediterranean cuisine.

The ideal place to focus undisturbed on what truly matters – your own personal well-being.

Photos: Schlossgut Oberambach / Robert Kittel

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At the Biohotel Schlossgut Oberambach on Lake Starnberg, run by the Schwabe family for 15 years, environmentally conscious guests will find exactly what they’re looking for. This beautiful estate, which served as a manor house for Franz Baron von Lobkowitz and his wife Marie Therese in the 19th century, impresses from the moment of arrival with its magnificent view of Lake Starnberg and the Alps.

The 40 individually designed rooms are lovingly furnished and created with a focus on natural materials. The versatile wellness area is perfect for relaxing and switching off, offering everything from traditional Ayurveda to wellness treatments with natural cosmetics. The surrounding area, in turn, invites guests to enjoy sporting activities and exploratory tours before returning to the hotel to savor freshly prepared seasonal and regional dishes. A wide variety of the vegetables and herbs used come from the hotel’s own Demeter-certified garden.

Photos: monastery courtyard

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Fancy a wellness getaway in the south of Germany? Then you’re sure to love the 1500 m2 spa area at  Klosterhof in Bayerisch Gmain . Klosterhof sees itself as a place of inspiration, combining alpine luxury with a warm, family-style atmosphere. Surrounded by unspoiled nature and with wonderful views, it’s a place where you can feel completely at ease.

Sustainability has also been part of the hotel concept from the very beginning. Ecological considerations were already made a key requirement during the hotel’s construction planning. Guests can rent e-bikes and e-Smarts on site at reasonable rates on request, water consumption has been optimized, and care is taken to avoid waste and promote recycling. The measures in the areas of environmental protection, economic viability, and social responsibility have also been independently awarded the European Ecolabel.

Photos: CERVO Mountain Resort

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Last but not least, here is one of our absolute favorite hotels. Somewhere between modern design and cozy Alpine chalet flair lies the dreamily located  CERVO Mountain Resort  in Zermatt. Ideally connected while also set on the edge of the forest and right by the slopes, the hotel’s just over 50 rooms and lodges offer the most beautiful views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains of the Swiss Alps. Another highlight is the Mountain Ashram Spa, which combines peace and relaxation with centuries-old wellness traditions from around the world.

A conscious and ethical approach to people and the environment is one of the hotel’s core principles and is therefore part of all processes and every area. As a founding member of  Responsible Hotels of Switzerland , CERVO aims to express its commitment to a responsible understanding of tourism to the outside world.

Our selection has been limited to Germany and its neighboring countries. If you are looking for more hotel recommendations for mindful travel or if your wanderlust is taking you a little farther afield, we would like to warmly recommend the book  “Bon Voyage” by Gestalten Verlag . It is a collection of the “most beautiful boutique hotels for conscious travel” and aims to show how you can explore the world mindfully while making it a little better at the same time.

Online, we would like to recommend the platform  Green Pearls , where you can find carefully selected hotels all over the world, along with detailed information about their environmental and social initiatives.

Whether just a few minutes by train from Berlin or Munich, in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco or on the beaches of the Portuguese Algarve. At your destination, you should always treat people and the environment with the utmost respect. Take your time to consciously experience the surroundings. Read and learn about the history of the place, taste the culinary specialties and talk to the people. Experience the place with all its facets instead of just catching brief impressions and get involved in the journey.

Wherever you end up: We wish you a good and mindful journey!