Sustainable Travel – CheckMyTrip

The fall season is fast approaching and October is one of the last months left of the year to take advantage of the great outdoors.

It’s time to visit that national park (where summer crowds will have thinned out), or to take that trip through wine country (for harvest season). And, of course, the biggest appeal of travel in October: the foliage! Travellers are also planning responsible travel experiences, and big bucket list adventures to make up for lost time. From Europe to Asia and everywhere in between, here’s our pick of the best places to visit in fall 2022.

Tuscany, Italy

With peak tourist season (and stifling temperatures) finally over, Tuscany truly shines in the fall. There is fantastic wine, golden foliage, better weather, and, perhaps most enticing of all, truffles—late September to December is when the highly coveted white truffles are found. Festivals dedicated to these expensive tubers abound, especially in the towns of San Miniato, Volterra, and Palaia. But the real treat, of course, is to hunt for them yourself.

Scandinavia

Since we’ve lost over a year of travel, more people are ready to splurge on their 2022 travel destinations. Imagine hotels set on the edge of plunging fjords and world-class train journeys winding through lush mountains. Think lavish palaces dripping in royal history, and stylish cities packed with all the best boutiques, bars and restaurants. From Sweden, Norway and Denmark, to Finland and Iceland, it’s time to go Nordic on your 2022 travels.

Monument Valley, Arizona

Everyone is already familiar with Monument Valley—it has made several cameos in films, from John Ford’s Westerns to Forrest Gump—and it was probably your desktop screensaver at one point. But there is really no way to describe the magnitude of this Navajo Nation Tribal Park when seen in real life. It may be a journey to get there—five hours by car from Phoenix, six and a half from either Las Vegas or Salt Lake City—but it is located within the Grand Circle, home of the highest concentration of national parks (Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell). The point is, don’t skip it on your southwestern road trip—tack it on to a Moab visit (see below) or add it to your Grand Canyon itinerary.

Costa Rica

There’s never been a better time to take care of your wellbeing. If you’re ready to get away and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul in an eco-friendly paradise, Costa Rica has to be on your list. You’ll get back to nature with jungle adventures, wildlife experiences, volcano treks and plenty of beach time. Plus you’ll get to meet inspiring locals from organic farmers to wildlife conservationists. Sustainable travel will be one of the biggest 2022 travel trends, so get ahead and start planning your Costa Rica trip.

Moab, Utah

The cinematic landscapes of this southeastern Utah town have made it a Hollywood favorite. You’ll recognize scenes where the ending of Thelma & Louise takes place, as well as the opening sequence of Mission: Impossible II.

But Moab is hardly all style and no substance. Its abundance of national and state parks, diverse topographies, and incredible vistas provide a wealth of things to do and see. Get to Arches’ Delicate Arch in the afternoon to watch as the sunset turns it fiery red; elsewhere in the park, you’ll come across ancient petroglyphs left by the Ute tribe, who have lived in the area since the year 1,000. Take your pick of hundreds of miles of hiking trails at Canyonlands. Whitewater raft and kayak down the Colorado River. See dinosaur tracks at Bull Canyon Overlook and Copper Ridge. Go mountain biking, do an ATV tour, the options are endless.

Kenya & Tanzania

After reflecting on the impact that tourism has on people and the planet, the future of travel is all about responsible and sustainable tourism. Many communities have suffered greatly in the wake of the pandemic. We can’t wait to get back to our favourite spots to support our local hosts again, including in Kenya and Tanzania.

Spot elephants and lions in the Serengeti and meet the colourful Masai tribesman. Walk the ancient floor of the Ngorongoro Crater and visit sanctuaries for rhinos and chimpanzees. Responsible travel will be one of the biggest 2022 travel trends, and Kenya and Tanzania are at the top of the list.

North Adams, Massachusetts

While the Berkshires offer plenty to see, do, and experience in the summer, the region also shines just as brightly in the fall. October brings peak “leaf peeping” season and the best way to take in the foliage is by renting a car for a 63-mile drive along the Mohawk Trail that culminates in North Adams. So is hiking to the summit of Mount Greylock, which, at 3,489 feet, is Massachusetts’s highest point. Though it lays claim to the title of “smallest city in the state,” North Adams has plenty to offer.

Great Britain and Ireland

If you want the best of nature and history, Great Britain and Ireland should be at the top of your 2022 travel destinations list. This is a place where you can marvel at the world’s most beautiful landscapes while diving into centuries of history.

Wander through regal castles then roam through the Scottish Highlands or the golden beaches of Devon and Cornwall. Unravel the mysteries of Stonehenge and the Giant’s Causeway, then walk in the footsteps of authors and poets in the Lakes District. With friendly locals welcoming you at every stop, Great Britain and Ireland will be one of the most soul-stirring place to visit in the fall of 2022.

Napa Valley, California

October is a prime time to visit the country’s most famous wine region—it’s harvest season, the temperature, in the mid-70s, is much more pleasant, and the leaves and vines have turned beautifully golden. The wineries are obviously a hit but interestingly, vineyards make up only about 9% of Napa Valley. Much of the rest is protected by the Land Trust, providing plenty of outdoor recreation such as hiking and mountain biking.

Canada

Spending time in nature is good for your mental and physical wellbeing… And there are few better places to get outdoors than Canada. As soon as you set eyes on the snowy peaks of the Canadian Rockies and the emerald lakes of Banff and Jasper National Parks, you’ll fall in love all over again with our beautiful planet. Take a ride across the Athabasca Glacier, journey through spectacular scenery on the Rocky Mountaineer train, or learn about the traditions of the country’s indigenous people.

Sources: Trafalgar.com, Town&Country, Forbes

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a special report in 2018 stating that the world has just over a decade to restrict global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which the risk of floods, droughts and extreme heat will significantly worsen. With a growing awareness of climate change people are becoming more environmentally conscious. According to Booking.com, as of June 2021, 83 percent of travelers worldwide believe that sustainable travel is important with 61% saying the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future.

How travelers are looking for more sustainable and conscious travel options

Let’s ancipate!

Amadeus data indicates that people are researching their trips 27% earlier than before, than they did in the same period in 2019. This shows travelers are putting a lot of thought into planning their next trip – in terms of safety as well as being environmentally and socially conscious about their choices.

When it comes to personal safety, Amadeus data shows a triple digit increase in travel insurance purchases on bookings leading up to summer. This indicates that travelers are more conscious about their safety while traveling. Airlines and airports have responded to this ‘great safety awakening’ with more touchless technology and off-site check-in options.

Check for official certifications

One of the easiest ways to confidently book a more sustainable property is to check and see if it has an established eco-label or third-party sustainability certification.

There are numerous, reputable third-party sustainability certifications that properties can work towards and achieve. Depending on where you plan to travel, you can consider some of these bodies such as:

Create good habits at home and bring it with you

Though we may have a sustainable and environmentally and socially conscious daily life, according to the Booking report, more than half (64%) of global travelers believe it’s harder to make sustainable choices when they travel.

This isn’t unexpected, but it is also important enough for us to not ignore. A sustainable first step could be as simple as remembering to carry those mindful habits from home along when you travel. These include making sure the air conditioning or heating and lights are off when you’re not at the property or reusing towels and bed sheets rather than changing them everyday.

Limit or stop your plastic use

Limiting single-use plastic is arguably one of the greatest environmental challenges we face. With an estimated 91% of plastic not being recycled, most of it ends up either in the ocean or a landfill. Many properties have taken numerous steps to either reduce or eliminate single-use plastics from their operations, but travelers can also take simple steps like purchasing a stainless steel water bottle or packing their own reusable toiletry bottles with all of their favourite products from home.

Category: Sustainable Travel

10 Places to visit in fall 2022