national geographic

Dreaming about a holiday? Here are some of the world's best 'eco escapes'

The venues aim to “safeguard cultural and natural heritage” and “support environmentally friendly practices”.
8.00pm, 24 Jun 2017
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duba-expedition-camp-great-plains-conservation.adapt.945.1 The new Duba Expedition Camp offers a front-row seat to Africa’s majestic wildlife. GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM HAS gone from a niche market to a large part of the international travel industry.

In its June/July issue, National Geographic Traveller has chosen 21 ‘eco escapes’ or Places to Stay if You Care About the Planet.

The venues aim to “safeguard cultural and natural heritage, support environmentally friendly practices, and deliver economic and social benefits to local people”.

From the Seychelles to Sweden and Vietnam to Madagascar, you can check out the locations below and dream about getting away.

Dreaming about a holiday? Here are some of the world's best 'eco escapes'
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  • LAPA RIOS

    Costa Rica’s Lapa Rios has long been a conservation icon in this lowland tropical rainforest where you are sure to spot plenty of local wildlife.Source: LAPA RIOS

  • CHALALAN ECOLODGE

    Deep in Bolivia’s Madidi National Park, indigenous guides welcome intrepid travellers to Chalalan Ecolodge, an ideal base camp for jungle exploration.Source: RALF DARIUS

  • THE BRANDO

    The Brando, in French Polynesia, is late actor Marlon Brando’s eco-dream brought to life. The private island is run on 100% renewable energy sources, including solar power and coconut oil. Guests can join naturalist guides to explore Tetiaroa atoll, once the sacred retreat of Tahitian royalty, with giant coconut crabs and temples.Source: THE BRANDO

  • ARISTI MOUNTAIN RESORT & VILLAS

    Crystal rivers, deep gorges and soaring peaks combine with Greek village life at Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas.Source: ARTSTI MOUNTAIN RESORT & VILLAS

  • CONCORDIA

    Concordia’s canvas solar cabins on St John, US Virgin Islands, were one of the early ecotourism landmarks.Source: STEVE SIMONSEN, THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX

  • CORAL CAYE

    Director Francis Ford Coppola opened Coral Caye last year in Belize, surrounded by a rainbow of sea life. Source: CORAL CAYE

  • ESTANCIA LOS POTREROS

    At Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina, gauchos lead horseback trips to hidden waterfalls.Source: TONY CLERKSON, ESTANCIA LOS POTREROS

  • FYNBOS RETREAT

    In South Africa’s Cape Floral Region, nature trails connect Fynbos Retreat’s three bush cottages.Source: GÜNTER LENZ, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

  • IL NGWESI

    Maasai warriors are your hosts at Il Ngwesi, a community-owned safari lodge on the edge of Kenya’s Northern Frontier district.Source: BOBBY JO CLOW, IL NGWESI ECO LODGE

  • JETWIG VIL UYANA

    Nature reigns at Jetwing Vil Uyana in Sri Lanka’s famed Cultural Triangle, home to the grey slender loris, among the world’s tiniest primates.Source: JAIDEEP OBEROI, JETWING VIL UNYANA

  • MANAWA RIDGE

    On a hilltop overlooking New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula, Manawa Ridge merges eco-living with adventure outings.Source: MANAWA RIDGE

  • O'REILLY'S RAINFOREST RETREAT

    Families flock to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat on Australia’s Gold Coast for activities such as a hike to one of 500 nearby waterfalls complete with a pre-packed picnic or a visit to the Glow Worm grotto.Source: JOHN QUIXLEY, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

  • PRINCE OF WALES'S GUESTHOUSE

    Hear wolves howl at night, while staying at the Prince of Wales's Guesthouse in rural TransylvaniaSource: ALEX BOGHIAN, PRINCE OF WALES GUEST HOUSE

  • SIERRA GRANDE LODGE

    Ted Turner’s Sierra Grande Lodge in New Mexico provides access to over half a million acres of private wilderness, part of the conservation crusader’s efforts to rewild America.Source: TED TURNER EXPEDITIONS

  • SIX SENSES ZIL PASYON

    At the new Six Senses Zil Pasyon in the Seychelles, guests can kayak to Ile Cocos Marine National Park.Source: JOHN ATHIMARITIS, SIX SENSES ZIL PASYON

  • TOPAS ECOLODGE

    North of Hanoi in Sa Pa in Vietnam, Topas Ecolodge organises treks into Hoang Lien National Park, a global biodiversity hotspot.Source: TOPAS ECOLODGE

  • TSARA KOMBA LODGE

    Madagascar’s Tsara Komba Lodge is prime for spotting lemurs and chameleons.Source: XAVIER CHASSAING, TSARA KOMBA

  • THE LODGE AT VALLE CHACABUCO

    The Lodge at Valle Chacabuco in Chile sits in the heart of Patagonia Park, a conservation initiative protecting nearly 200,000 acres.Source: VALLE CHACABUCO

  • SÁPMI NATURE CAMP

    Reindeer herders share their wisdom about the Sami indigenous way of life at northern Sweden’s Sápmi Nature Camp.Source: LENNART PITTJA, SÁPMI NATURE CAMP

  • JAKES

    Rastafari vibes thrive at this family-owned retreat in Jamaica.Source: JAKES HOTEL

Read: Hotel, alcohol and transport prices make Ireland the second most expensive EU country

Read: You might not have heard of this park – but it’s one of Ireland’s top free attractions

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