Back in 2006, I had an idea to help change people's travel habits in the UK. This was to produce a travel guide that puts the planet first by pointing people toward eco-friendly destinations. The guide is called ecoescape and I hope it'll inspire travellers to go green on holiday.
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I have always enjoyed travelling, but then who doesn't? Travel is a commodity and nearly all of us expect to 'get away' at regular intervals. The impact of this urge has been felt globally as the environment struggles to keep up with the world's travel bug. My guide isn't about inducing guilt, nor ending travel full stop. It is about looking at what there is on our doorstep and trying to see familiar landscapes with new eyes. Globetrotting
 | | Laura displays her handywork |
I studied Russian and French at Nottingham University mainly so that I could have an excuse to see the world. I lived in France and Russia and enjoyed travelling whenever I could. So I surprised myself when my first job following graduation was not a continuation of the globetrotting lifestyle I could have quite easily been seduced by, but instead I found myself working for Experience Nottinghamshire and encouraging visitors to the county. After witnessing the furore over a re-branding that left out local hero Robin Hood, I found my way to East Midlands Tourism, also based in Nottingham. The region and the 'local' suddenly came alive and I enjoyed taking journalists out on 'familiarization' trips to see and taste the best of the six counties. This involved walks in the Peak District, historic houses in Northants, gastro pubs and Nottingham's boutique hotels. Back at home I suddenly thought that maybe 'home' could offer an alternative to cheap flights and airport chaos. So, one weekend I set off with some adventurous companions to an eco-lodge in Lincolnshire to find out what the East Midlands offered eco-travellers. We took the train and our bicycles to Boston. Despite a tough head wind from the station, we arrived at the lodge to be greeted by a roaring fire and delicious organic food.
 | | The idea was born in an eco-lodge |
After a few glasses of wine I sat down by the wood fire to read the guestbook at the lodge. What struck me most were people's comments about how surprised they were that a holiday without a TV, DVD player or mobile phone coverage could be an enjoyable experience. Even the composting toilet was okay. And a number of parents expressed their surprise over how their children fell in love with the whole experience. Birth of an idea Suddenly ecoescape was born. I wanted to create a guide that stripped away prejudice about environmentally friendly people and places, and replace it with a way to see the world which celebrates 'slowing down', enjoys 'local food', blurs education and entertainment and leaves you feeling inspired and healthier. Nottingham has been an excellent place for me to develop my guide. From the beginning, I have worked with Eskimo Design, a local graphic design agency which understands sustainability and practices ethical design.
 | | Attenborough Nature Centre |
With their help, I have developed ecoescape's 'responsible life cycle' as a way of stressing the way every single act, no matter how large or small, has an environmental and social impact. On our doorstep I have also enjoyed walking along the Grantham Canal, cycling around Nottingham and of course Attenborough Nature Centre, which is one of the听 green businesses in the guide and a perfect place to have your first 'ecoescape'! And what better way to arrive, than by bicycle? |
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