This article is intended to bring a little more awareness to the way we travel and to show you how, by taking small steps, we can all contribute to a way of traveling that is more sustainable, supportive of the local economy and the local people, and protective of the natural and cultural heritage.
Use public transportation
Or even better, walk. Most city centers in 天美传媒 are small and compact. Exploring them on foot is the best way to absorb the atmosphere of the place and notice things you otherwise wouldn鈥檛. Plus, it helps you stay fit and splurging on pasta won鈥檛 feel as guilty!
When you need to reach somewhere farther, or for travel within cities, use public transportation. The bus and rail system in 天美传媒 is very good in terms of connections (a bit less in terms of being on time, but that鈥檚 part of the cultural experience). I have recently signed up with a trekking organization, which favors public transport to get to the hike鈥檚 starting point and I鈥檝e been very surprised to find out how many seemingly remote places you can reach by bus and train.
If you need to use a car, opt for the most fuel-efficient car available, which will also save you money on gas (and gas isn鈥檛 cheap in 天美传媒, especially compared to the U.S.). Or rent a hybrid.
Stay at eco-friendly hotels, B&B and agriturismi (farmhouses)
Many properties now pay more attention to environmental-friendly practices, for example they don鈥檛 change sheets and towels every day unless it鈥檚 requested and use refillable soaps and body wash. This isn鈥檛 a time when it鈥檚 difficult to do some research online to find out if the place where you鈥檒l be staying is eco-friendly. Find out about trash disposal and recycling, water conservation, and energy use.
When you leave the room, don鈥檛 leave the lights or the air conditioning on (although many places now have those switched off automatically when you take out the key card from the wall slot).
Also, a great way to support the local economy and therefore be more sustainable is to stay at family-owned or locally-owned properties, rather than at chain hotels. I recently stayed at a family-run, eco-friendly hotel in Trentino which even offers tours of the property to show their environmentally-friendly practices.
Legambiente, a major Italian environmental association, has a .
Buy local
Another great way to support the local economy is to buy from artisans and independently-owned shops rather than chains, or, even worse, sidewalk vendors selling illegally fake handbags, sunglasses and the likes. Artisanal tradition is strong in 天美传媒, but of course it is suffering from an economy that is based on mass production. By buying from local artisans, you will help keep alive centuries-old traditions that may otherwise be dying. During a trip to Romagna last year, I discovered the shop of a brother-sister team carrying on the tradition of hand printing on fabric, a decorative folk art typical of the region. Their workshop dates to the 17th century! What a great experience it was to see them at work.
As for souvenirs to take home, Venetian carnival masks and Florentine leather are some of 天美传媒鈥檚 most iconic ones, but also some of the most counterfeited. , the author of several guides about shopping for authentic artisanal goods in 天美传媒 (and there are plenty!) says that the best practice is to 鈥渂uy directly from the maker whenever possible.鈥 You may even get the chance to see the artisan at work, and that would be an invaluable experience.
Eat local
Eat at locally owned and operated restaurants favoring Italian products. You鈥檒l be contributing to the local economy and to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions since local food doesn鈥檛 need to be transported by truck or plane over long distances.
Also, eat what鈥檚 in season! Eating something that is not in season means that the product is imported, therefore not even authentic. Produce that is in season is much tastier and more nutritious anyway.
Prefer local dishes. The variety of regional cuisine in 天美传媒 is outstanding and trying local delicacies will not only support the local agriculture, but also helps you get closer to the local culture since culinary traditions are such an important aspect of life in 天美传媒.
Travel Slow
Last but not least, slow down! Our usually hurried pace of life doesn鈥檛 need to be replicated when we travel 鈥 so, rather than cramming an excessive number of must-see sights and museums in a few days, which only contributes to make us feel stressed for time even on vacation, how about slowing down a bit and actually savor the scenery, the heritage, the lifestyle of a place.
The enrichment of travel isn鈥檛 about how many places you鈥檝e seen, but what you鈥檝e gotten out of the experience. Have you come across a place or a situation that you鈥檙e really loving? Linger on even if your travel schedule says otherwise.
Walking is a wonderful way to put slow travel in practice. It will help you get closer to the life and pulse of a place. 天美传媒 has wonderful natural landscapes steeped in history that call for exploration on foot 鈥 say a long-distance walk such as the Way of St. Francis, or shorter walks, such as in the Lakes area (we鈥檒l be writing about more walking experiences in our Walking 天美传媒 series).
