The World’s Most Eco-Friendly Cities

It is a known fact the world is becoming more and more polluted every day. The oceans we swim in and the air we breathe are getting contaminated continuously. It is a global problem, and in today's age, many cities have raised their concerns. They are taking ineffective measures to live more sustainable. Those cities are benefiting the quality of life and protecting the environment. Here are the 15 most eco-friendly towns that will inspire you to become an eco-friendly traveler on your next trip.

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

One of the most beautiful places to travel in the world also happens to be one of the most eco-friendly places. They support and encourage local farmer's markets and organic diets. Most residents prefer bicycles as their form of transportation, mostly because of convenience. If they do not own a bike, there are many bike rentals all over the city.

2. Berlin, Germany

Berlin beautifully incorporates green spaces into urban landscapes. It also has more parks than any other city in Europe. In recent years, it's recorded that there are fewer cars on the road than in many other towns with efficient transportation systems. The city is also making regulations according to recycling plastic bottles.

3. Boston, Massachusetts

The city of Boston has a high concentration of action-minded environmentalists who wants to make a change. With the city's recycling programs, solar power systems, and efficient public transportation forms, Boston is a promising sustainable city.

4. Cape Town, South Africa

The second-largest city in South Africa is striving for more energy conservation and greater use of renewable resources in recent years. The city now uses commercial wind farms for energy and are providing bike routes throughout the city.

5. Copenhagen, Denmark

Voted as the most eco-friendly city in the world, the capital of Copenhagen is committed to developing green ways of living and promoting sustainability. A popular activity to do in this city is to go biking, and most residents incorporate cycling in their everyday life.

6. Helsinki, Finland

Nature is strongly felt in the everyday lives of the citizens of Helsinki. This great city encourages eco-friendly lifestyles. Parks, forests, and seaside surround residents. There is the development of public transportation, recycling, and a decrease in unnecessary consumption.

7. New York City, New York

One of the largest cities in America is a pretty eco-friendly place. The Big Apple Is one of the most walkable urban hubs in the United States. The town is filled with subways, buses, and miles of bike lanes and routes. Residents and visitors are always found at eco-friendly destinations such as parks and local markets. New York City aims to ensure the quality of life for all.

8. Portland, Oregon

Besides the gorgeous views and popping coffee shops, Portland is a place filled with environmentalists and hippies. The city as grown to be one of the greenest places to live and visit, offering close to 100,000 acres of green land and 74 miles of hiking and running trails.

9. Reykjavik, Iceland

A beautiful and pure sight can also be one of the cleanest places in the world. Living sustainably in Reykjavik means to have hydrogen buses as transportation and efficient heat and electricity sources.

10. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

One of Brazil's famous tourist destination, which is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant sights, also has the longest public transportation network in Latin America. Residents are found biking around the city for work and fun. The municipality aims for sufficient, sustainable growth in all their responses to emerging challenges.

11. San Francisco, California

Surrounded by blue waters, clear blue skies, and miles of natural parks and forests, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and the greenest cities in America. Most residents walk, bikes, or uses public transportation in their everyday lives. It is also the first American city to ban plastic water bottles.

12. Seattle, Washington

Having the most significant reputation of being such a green place, Seattle is known as the Emerald City. The urban city thrives on environmental sustainability. With substantial improvements in air quality, green spaces such as parks, gardens, and arboretums, there is so much value to the city. Seattle also focuses on public transportation, energy conservations, water quality, recycling, and green buildings.

13. Singapore, Asia

Known as the greenest city in Asia, it is also aiming to become the world's greenest city. The city has one of the largest and most eco-friendly attractions such as gardens.

14. Stockholm, Sweden

This beautiful city of Sweden has a large amount of bio-fuel, which is generated from sewage for all cars. It is considered as a climate-smart city. They prioritize cycling, walking, and public transportation. Stockholm has great parks, gardens, and nature reserves all over the city.

15. Vancouver, Canada

Considered as one of the most sustainable cities in North America, Vancouver is admirably green. The town is surrounded by the ocean, mountains and lined with tons of trees. Vancouver is known for having the lowest greenhouse gas emissions in North America as well. The city of Vancouver has aimed at creating policies to advance sustainability and environmental protection.

Written by Nhi Nguyen

26 destinations you have to visit in your Lifetime

Are you confused where to go in your vacations?  Well, the top 26 destinations that you must visit in your lifetime are highlighted in this article. Pick any destination from the list, pack your bags and catch a flight.

1.   Matera, Italy

 It’s your time to experience life on the rocks. The Sassi di Matera is a hub of more than 1000 cave that are dwelled to living conditions.

The attractive hotels, boutique, clubs, and restaurants are built on limestone caves. The city of Italy’s elegant beauty and rock life is an amazing option to select for vacations.

2.   Vevey, Switzerland

The generation festivals of Vevey attract you towards mesmerizing culture, tradition and wines.

 The festivals are famous for the wines of course. The most famous wine is made from Chasselas grape and is known as dry whites. The tourists or the attendees in the festival can ride to vineyards on northern shores of Lake Geneva.

Vevey is fabulous and is beautiful to relax and calm your soul.

3.   French Polynesia

 French Polynesia is a paradise. Your life gives you an amazing chance to experience eclipse in a paradise.

Get ready your swimsuit to dive into 118 small islands to experience heavens on Earth.

4.   Cairo, Egypt

The Grand Egypt Museum seeks your attention. The top 5000 ancient objects and 5000 artefacts invite you to pay a visit to have a splendid view of history.

5.   Toronto Canada

A city of multicultural citizens and 200 different languages invite you to take a deep dive into its diversity.

6.   Galway Ireland

The art projects of the city with almost 80,000 populations generate big ideas. Galway is known for its oysters so pay a visit to Galway to explore big ideas.

7.   Oakland California

Oakland is basking into new east bay spotlight. So, visit the multicultural city today to explore more things.

8.   Salvador, Brazil

 Music genres were born in the heart of Brazil. Samba, bossa nova, tropicalia echo in the city and provide a soothing environment to tourist.

9.   Bauhaus Trail, Germany

The revolutionary Bauhaus design is fabulous to visit in Germany. The destination is a stuff of life rather than intellectual or material design. Visit to explore more.

10.   Macedonia

Macedonia has tremendous lakes, waterfalls and mountains. Macedonia is landlocked by Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania. The destination provides tremendous experience to visitors. 

11.   Perth, Australia

The world-class Perth beaches and urban chic hotels attract millions of tourists to the city.

12.   Cano Cristales River Columbia

A rainbow river of Columbia blooms the aquatic plants. Cano Cristales shades of red, green, yellow, black and blue combines to give a rainbow view.

13.   Belize

Explore the marine life in a small country and visit the great sites like Caracol. The sites attract the tourist so decide to pay a visit to such beautiful country.

14.   Kansas City, Missouri

Where ever you go on the city, you feel like home. Kansas City’s stockyards and trains are the center of tourist’s attraction.

15.   Oman

Ride your horse and explore the Hajar mountains. Gallop your horse and enjoy the splendid views of nature in Wadi an Nakhur.

16.   Greenland

Dogsledding, heli-skiing, sea-kayaking, icebergs, climbing and Artic adventures are amazing destinations to visit at least once in your lifetime.

17.   Hoang Lien Son, Vietnam

Tracking adventures and connection of cable cars provokes the tourism in the city. The city is attractive and famous for its hiking routes.

18.   Canterbury Region, New Zealand

The Godzone gives mountain biking, climbing, kayaking and splendid view of world’s great races.

19.   Dordogne, France

Felibree is an annual celebration that gives immense overview of culture. It includes music, dance, food and gathering of people belonging to different tribes.

20.   Dakar, Senegal

Sun-worshippers, professional wrestlers, lively beeches and traditional clothing styles are waiting for your attention in Dakar.

21.   Fanjingshan, China

It is best place to climb through the wonder of clouds. A sacred place with 48 temples on mountains gives great experience of climbing.

22.   Peruvian Amazon

Enjoy the drive in low and high jungles, forests, waterfalls in Peruvian. Life is amazing on the hills so decide today and enjoy tomorrow.

23.   Mexico City, Mexico

Crouse the city’s best restaurants and enjoy the corn tortilla. Taste milkshakes made with corn and chocolate and give new taste to your buds.

24.   Fairy Meadows, Pakistan

The grasslands are the base of camping for tourists. At an altitude of 3300 meters makes it more elegant for the tourists.

25.   Isla de los Estados, Argentina

This time get to the end of the world. The 206-square-mile island includes forests, mountains, beaches, and fjords. Pack your stuff to visit the adventure land of Argentina.  

26.   South Walton County, Florida            `          

The artificial reef system on the coast of 16 beach communities is tremendous. Visit the South Walton County and give new experience to life.

11 Hacks To Travel Light

Travelling light gives you extra freedom and flexibility that you just don’t have with heavy luggage. You can move quickly through airports and train stations and it’s so much easier to take public transport with a small bag. You’ll save money by not having to check your bags in on a plane and you can keep your luggage close when you’re on trains and buses. You’re also less likely to lose things when you travel light because it’s easier to keep track of your belongings. Below are 11 Hacks To help you to Travel Light. Hope you enjoy them :-)

1. Carry a lightweight case

Use a small suitcase or backpack so you can’t possibly fit too much in it. Don’t be tempted to get a case that’s slightly too big because you will fill that space with unnecessary stuff.

2. Minimise toiletries

If you’re staying in a hotel you can guarantee you’ll be provided with shampoo and shower gel so leave these at home.

3. Pack just 2 pairs of shoes

Shoes can often be the bulkiest items in our bags so never travel with more than 2 pairs. Wear your bulkiest pair on the plane and an easy to carry pair in your bag.

4. Use packing cubes

Not only do they keep your bag organised but they help make the most of your space and stop you overpacking. I tend to travel with four packing cubes. One for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and one for evening clothes. Once each packing cube is full you can’t possibly squish anything else in so you’re forced into packing light whether you like it or not.

5. Wash your clothes while you are travelling

No matter where in the world you’re travelling, it doesn’t need to be expensive to get your clothes washed. Laundrettes and apartments with washing machines will become your best friend if you’re travelling for a few weeks or more.

6. Audio books

Instead of packing heavy books which you will end up finishing and carrying around with you even though they no longer have any use; download a few audio books on your phone or iPad in order to save space and weight.

7. Style properly

Pack clothes that are interchangeable. Ensure you are able to mix and match all pieces of clothing you bring. This is in order to be able to wear ALL clothing as often as you need. This will save you from bringing unnecessary clothing.

8. Dry laundry bar

If you have no access to a washing machine, by bringing a dry laundry bar, you are able to hand wash any pieces of clothing such as socks and underwear and maintain clean and fresh throughout your trip.

9. Roll Roll roll

Roll all your clothes up into burritos in order to save space. By doing this you will able to fit much more in your case that you would if you folded them normally. You will also be able to see everything you packed at a glance by stacking them next to each other, saving you time and frustration.

10. Limit those “just in case” items

We all like to bring items we MIGHT need on our trips, but most of the time will not end up using them. Try to limit those items in order to save space; if you really need an item such as an umbrella, you can always purchase it when you need it.

11. Bottoms at the bottom

Pack your trousers, shorts, etc at the bottom of your case as they are more bulky and can be squashed down by the rest of your items.

By Nicole Fernandez Medina