Go Eco Part 2

5 more Eco Friendly Resorts

Amanpulo, The Philippines

"Amanpulo is part of the lush Amanresorts group, a pioneer in promoting environmental responsibility since its first resort, Amanpuri, opened in Phuket, Thailand, in 1988. The company's properties are typically located in secluded island paradises where guest activities are focused on the natural world, and Amanpulo is no exception. But its environmental commitment is wide-reaching, especially within the local community. The kitchen sends food waste to local pig farmers, and the resort buys back the ensuing pork for staff meals. Amanpulo also offers the services of its staff physician to locals free of charge in case of medical emergencies, and awards two full, four-year Filipino college scholarships each year to local students who can't afford to continue their studies."

Jardim Atlantico, Portugal

"The Jardim Atlantico hotel on the island of Madeira has been eco-friendly since it first opened in 1993; the 30 environmental awards it's won since are a testament to its dedication. Conservation programs include super-energy efficient systems, constant monitoring of the hotel's impact on the surrounding landscape and a reforestation initiative.

There's also an 8,000-meter "Barefoot Walk," essentially a reflexology massage with every footstep. Guests walk along a path strewn with pinecones, mud, sand, pebbles and the leaves of laurel and eucalyptus trees; each element possesses unique healing properties. At the end of the path is a traditional Madeiran irrigation channel to refresh your feet after the walk."

Palm Key, Ridgeland South Carolina

"Palm Key is a low-impact marshland resort in South Carolina's Lowcountry that's perfect for nature lovers. Guests can wander through 3-1/2 miles of nature trails in the resort's maritime forest, where thousands of birds congregate at a time. The resort refrains from using chemicals on the lawns or landscape and has designed inverted crown roads throughout the property to protect the run-off into the marshlands."

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur California

"This 100-acre nature preserve is home to a number of indigenous species, including several that are rare and endangered, including the California condor, wood stork and Western Pond Turtle. Guests can hike, bird watch and play amateur astronomer, but that's just the starting point. At Post Ranch Inn, bed sheets in the 40 rooms are made from 100 percent organic cotton, and the resort vehicles are all hybrids. The inn also provides on-property housing to 90 of its employees in an effort to reduce traffic and carbon emissions."

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Costa Rica

"Spa treatments at Tabacon use materials, such as coffee and coconut body scrubs and volcanic stone massage, which have been revered by local Mayan and native peoples for millennia. But the resort's practices behind the scenes are just as environmentally sound. Tabacon has pledged to become 100 percent carbon neutral in 2009, and is well on its way towards that goal. It has cut electricity consumption at the resort by 35 percent in just two years and has launched an ambitious tree-replanting program to offset the carbon generated by guests' transportation to the resort."






text and images from fineliving.com

Go Eco Part 1

Whether you're looking for your honeymoon or just a great trip for 2009 - here are some suggestions for resorts that are Eco-Friendly.

Bucuti Beach Resort, Aruba

"Environmentally aware couples who want a healthy dose of green with their luxury should head to Bucuti, an upscale couples resort where a dedicated employee Green Team encourages guests to participate in beach cleanups and recycling contests. All of the water used in showers, sinks and baths is collected in a grey-water recycling system, treated and then used to irrigate the grounds.
Bucuti is held up as an eco-friendly example in the travel industry, and managers from other resorts often visit to learn how to implement cutting-edge environmental practices at their own destinations."

Machaca Hill Lodge, Belize

"Machaca Hill Lodge at the Laughing Falcon Reserve is an 11,000-acre private nature reserve with plenty of opportunities for eco-tourists: miles of marked nature trails to explore; bird and wildlife watching; and kayaking and canoeing on the Rio Grande. The Lodge's environmental practices include composting, recycling and using non-toxic cleaners and pest control. Machaca Hill also has its own organic farm to supply vegetables, herbs and Valencia oranges to its restaurant."

Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Weston, Florida

"The Bonaventure was the first property in its county to earn certification from Florida's Green Lodging Program for its eco-friendly initiatives. Within a month of replacing the incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs in all 501 guest rooms and common areas, the resort's energy bill was cut by more than $30,000. The hotel uses Smart Cars to ferry guests around, and the kitchen staff recruited a local elementary school to plant an organic herb garden."

Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club, Hawaii

"The Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club has tackled a massive energy drain common to resorts: It heats a 26,000 square-foot swimming pool solely via renewable energy. A power plant that consists of two propane-fueled Caterpillar engines produces 30 percent of the resort's power. The cast-off heat generated by the engines warms the 850,000-gallon swimming pool year-round. And at the Aupaka Terrace restaurant, guests use biodegradable, potato-based plastic flatware at the beachfront dining patio and tote take-out orders in containers made out of 100 percent biodegradable corn-based plastic."

Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, Michigin

"A year-round resort often presents more environmental challenges than one that opens seasonally, due to extreme changes in temperatures and diversity of activities. Resorts with a golf course and downhill skiing can consume an inordinate amount of energy to maintain the trails and greens. Crystal Mountain Resort buys enough wind credits to power their high-speed chairlift entirely with wind power, which keeps 174,000 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution out of the atmosphere. The resort's golf courses have been certified by the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program, a statewide program with environmental guidelines that exceed state requirements."

Stop back tomorrow for 5 more resorts!

text and images from fineliving.com

Go Eco

Looking for an eco-friendly favor that fits your garden wedding?

Here are some good ideas:

Sets of 12, $20 per set from Beau-coup.com

Sets of 6, $90 per set from Beau-coup.com

Sets of 6, $36 per set from Beau-coup.com

Green Already!

With so much emphasis on Going Green these days we thought it might be nice to point out how Green your wedding is already... with no more work on your part.

1. Linens.  Your tables linens are used over and over. That's recycling.

Want to go greener?
Ask your linen company about linen cocktail napkins instead of paper.

2. Water. The water for your guests is filtered water served from reusable pitchers. No bottled water there.
Want to go greener?
Instead of bottled water in their hotel hospitality bags, how about reusable bottles?

3. Transportation. If you're providing transportation for your guests. That's carpooling.
Want to go greener?
Rent a hybrid on your honeymoon.

4. Food. Many caterers use local products like Maryland Crab. Many also have a relationship with Maryland food banks for leftovers. That's great for the local economy too.
Want to go greener?
Ask about using more local growers or organic products.

So, you see, you're green already. Going green doesn't have to mean burlap after all!

Image from time.com

Green Out your Wedding Bands

Well isn't this neat!  GreenKarat is a really interesting way to involve friends and family in your marriage, not just your wedding.

You can collect gold from friends and family and GreenKarat will melt it down to create your wedding bands.  You're recycling, preventing mining for your new ring, and being ecologically responsible - plus you get the wedding band you always wanted!

Sounds like a match made in heaven to me!