Travel for Good: Sustainable Trips to Italy and Ireland

These days, you don’t have to wander far to hear the buzz about sustainable travel. In fact, 81% of travelers believe it is important, according to recent data. Sure, vacationers still want the thrill of trying new foods and standing in awe of architectural wonders, but they also want to be responsible while visiting their bucket-list destinations.

So, how can you ensure your next trip positively impacts the planet, its people and wildlife?

Our suggestion: Leave the logistics to the local pros and dive deeper with a conscious group travel package, like the new and exclusive Impactful Travel itineraries from AAA Travel and Trafalgar.

The team of travel specialists put their heads together to focus on:

Slow travel. Conscious travel means staying longer in each city. The result? Deeper connections with each place and fewer carbon-emitting transportation days.
Green hotels. Sustainable travelers stay in beautiful hotels with small carbon footprints. Rest your head at a Travelife Sustainability Gold-certified historic grand dame in Dublin. Or maybe you prefer a solar- and thermal-powered boutique hotel on a lake in northern Italy?
Conscious travel experiences. You can be a better traveler by prioritizing authentic connections with locals. Imagine strolling through town with a local guide who is also a sustainability advocate. Picture farm-to-table spreads. Or browse a handpicked list of excursions directly tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Impactful travel is trendy, but AAA Travel thinks it’s here to stay. Now is the time to start planning your next dream trip, and the Impactful Travel collection makes that possible. Choose between two of Europe’s dreamiest locales: Ireland or Italy.

Here’s a sneak peek.

sustainable italy tour — Photo courtesy of Trafalgar.

Flavors of Northern Italy

Who’s up for eight splendid days exploring the best of northern Italy? The journey begins with a bike tour of Milan. Pedal through the Piazza del Duomo on your way to Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping galleria. Even if you’re not in the mood to browse the dizzying array of shops, the iron-and-glass ceiling will impress.

From Milan, the road leads to a walking tour with a local in Verona, followed by hikes along the coastal cliffs of Cinque Terre and Lake Maggiore. Dreaming of mouthwatering Italian food? The trip includes plenty of that, too, of course, with stops at a lakeside lemon house, biodynamic vinegar and wine sampling, and truffle tasting at a local agriturismo.

This trip’s signature experiences include:

Supporting responsible production by learning about (and tasting!) traditional, locally made Italian balsamic vinegar in Modena.
Supporting responsible local agriculture by enjoying a meal with locals Fabio and Alexia at Villa Toscanini. Locally sourced ingredients only!
Supporting a local eco-friendly business with dinner at an organic agriturismo run solely on thermal and renewable energy. Don’t miss a post-supper photo opp with the grazing donkeys!

sustainable ireland tour — Photo courtesy of Trafalgar.

Icons of Ireland

This jam-packed, eight-day adventure on the Emerald Isle focuses on the country’s incredible landscapes and wildlife. Of course, travelers want to see Dublin and Kilkenny, the Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands – and you will – but the real stars are the memory-making experiences along the way.

The trip begins in Dublin. Get your bearings on a walk through Trinity College, then meet your guide for a brief city tour before feasting at a local restaurant. The next day, you’ll hit the trails for a hike through lush Wicklow National Park with your group’s environmentalist guide. Breathe in the invigorating fresh air before heading back to the city, where you’re free to wander and enjoy live music and hearty Irish food.

The rest of the itinerary includes one gem after another: Kilkenny, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, and more. Ireland is a feast for the senses, and the Icons of Ireland tour invites you to savor it all while also supporting sustainable businesses and initiatives throughout the country.

This trip’s signature experiences include:

Supporting the sustainable use of Ireland’s fragile marine life by taking a seaweed foraging walk with a local advocate and educator at Atlantic Irish Seaweed.
Supporting local business by enjoying an award-winning, organic smoked fish dinner at a family-run Irish smokehouse.
Supporting responsible food consumption by visiting DK Connemara Oysters, a small-scale, family-run farm on the leading edge of sustainability and biodiversity in Ireland.

Are you interested in impactful travel? Space is limited, so contact your local AAA Travel advisor to book today.