{"id":14244,"date":"2023-05-07T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2023-05-07T07:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/?p=14244"},"modified":"2024-03-11T13:43:43","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T12:43:43","slug":"top-5-duurzame-bestemmingen-in-europa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/top-5-duurzame-bestemmingen-in-europa\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 sustainable destinations in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Top 5 sustainable destinations in Europe<\/h2>\n<p>In our previous blog \u201c<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/duurzaam-op-reis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sustainable travel<\/a><\/em>\u201dwe explained what sustainable travel actually entails and how you can travel in a more environmentally friendly way. To make the step towards sustainable travel a little easier, this blog inspires you with five tips for sustainable travel destinations for your next group or incentive trip in Europe!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Sustainable destinations<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>What are sustainable destinations? The essence of a sustainable destination lies in respecting the culture, nature, wildlife and economic well-being of the local population. To check these criteria, you can ask yourself the following questions, for example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Does the destination support local culture and traditions?<\/li>\n<li>To what extent does the destination deal sustainably with the environment?<\/li>\n<li>Are there measures in place at the destination that respect the protection of animals and nature?<\/li>\n<li>Does the destination offer activities that do not have a negative impact on the environment? Examples of activities with a negative impact are: motorised vehicles (jet skis, quads), amusement parks and zoos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Sustainable travel in Europe<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In no particular order, we share five sustainable European destinations with you:<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Iceland<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Whether you visit Iceland in the summer or the winter, this destination is guaranteed to amaze your colleagues or business associates with its natural beauty. You will not find such an enormous variety of landscapes and stunning natural phenomena, such as volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and cliffs, in any other destination.<\/p>\n<p>Iceland is one of the European countries that is performing very well in the field of sustainability. For example, great importance is attached to avoiding plastic products, separating waste and reusing products. In addition, energy is generated using hot air from geothermal sources (another such special natural phenomenon) and part of the imports is avoided by growing exotic fruit ourselves in greenhouses, with the energy once again being generated by these sources.<\/p>\n<h5>Sustainable activities in Iceland<\/h5>\n<p>Avoid popular sights and visit lesser-known places, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>M\u00fdvatn Nature Baths.<\/strong> Also known as the Blue Lagoon of the off-the-beaten-track bathing pools. A geothermal hot spring located in the north of Iceland, still undiscovered by many. Relax in this unique oasis of calm with a wonderful view!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Discover the Northern Lights.<\/strong> Iceland is a great place to see the northern lights. Unlike many other destinations where this unique phenomenon can be seen, in Iceland you also have the opportunity to see the northern lights during the day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Animal- and eco-friendly whale watching tour.<\/strong> By electric boat, you can go whale watching in a responsible manner at various locations in Iceland. The boat makes barely any sound and keeps an appropriate distance, ensuring the whales are not disturbed in their natural habitat. Guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience to share with your guests!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14261 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ijsland-blog-europa-2.png\" alt=\"IJsland is een van de Europese landen die het erg goed doet op het gebied van duurzaamheid.\" width=\"1105\" height=\"666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ijsland-blog-europa-2.png 1105w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ijsland-blog-europa-2-300x181.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ijsland-blog-europa-2-1024x617.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ijsland-blog-europa-2-768x463.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ijsland-blog-europa-2-16x10.png 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1105px) 100vw, 1105px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>2. Copenhagen, Denmark<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Copenhagen, also known as the \u2018greenest city\u2019 in the world, certainly lives up to its name. From buses that run on green energy, the bicycle as the primary means of transport and vending machines that return a deposit when a can or plastic cup is handed in, to fully organic Michelin-starred restaurants and a wide range of eco-certified hotels.<\/p>\n<h5>Sustainable activities in Copenhagen<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Skiing on the roof of a power station.<\/strong> Race down the (snow-free) slopes on the roof of the world's cleanest power plant. Beneath the slope, waste is collected and converted into electricity and heat for 60,000 households. Rather not ski? Then try the walking route that runs along the roof of the power plant!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Green bike tour. <\/strong>Guided by a local guide, interesting sustainable and green spots in the centre of Copenhagen will be touched upon, such as cycle bridges, solar installations, green roofs, harbour baths, green architecture, energy-efficient buildings and wind turbines. Go Green with your team!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spend time on the water.<\/strong> These eco-friendly boats have electric motors powered by solar, wind and water energy and are made from sustainably sourced wood. Cruise through the city canals and experience Copenhagen from a different perspective!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14253 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kopenhagen-europa-blog.png\" alt=\"Kopenhagen, ook wel bekend als \u2018de groenste stad\u2019 ter wereld doet haar naam zeker niet tekort.\" width=\"1105\" height=\"671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kopenhagen-europa-blog.png 1105w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kopenhagen-europa-blog-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kopenhagen-europa-blog-1024x622.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kopenhagen-europa-blog-768x466.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kopenhagen-europa-blog-16x10.png 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1105px) 100vw, 1105px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>3. Azores, Portugal<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The Azores: nine volcanic islands, where tradition and modernity meet, a very special gastronomy, a unique natural landscape and the only archipelago in the world with a Sustainable Tourism Destination certificate. The Azores are thus known for the preservation of their rich biodiversity and geodiversity and the use of energy sources to reduce their impact on the planet.<\/p>\n<h5>Sustainable activities in the Azores<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Stand-up paddleboarding from S\u00e3o Miguel island. <\/strong>There is no more environmentally friendly and healthier way to discover the stunning coastlines of the Azores! A tranquil activity suitable for everyone and, if desired, can be booked with a local guide.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Relax in thermal baths on the island of S\u00e3o Miguel.<\/strong> This Azorean island is known for its many soothing water springs heated by the bubbling activity of one of the most active volcanoes in the Azores.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spot dolphins &amp; whales from Pico Island.<\/strong> With around 28 cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.), the Azores island of Pico is one of the best places to spot these marine mammals. Eco-conscious boat excursions are organised from Pico by companies holding a sustainable whale-watching licence. For every participant, a donation is made to All for Nature, an organisation that has invested more than 1 million in nature conservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14255 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Azoren-europa-blog.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1193\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Azoren-europa-blog.png 1193w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Azoren-europa-blog-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Azoren-europa-blog-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Azoren-europa-blog-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Azoren-europa-blog-16x9.png 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1193px) 100vw, 1193px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Scotland<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Scotland is a magical land with its mountains in the Highlands, vast lochs, babbling rivers, towering coastal cliffs and, as its capital, one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Edinburgh. To encourage sustainable tourism, Scotland has developed the \u2018Green Tourism Awards\u2019 for accommodation and restaurants. To earn such an award, assessments are made based on, among other things, the level of biodiversity, efficient management of water and energy consumption, and community engagement.<\/p>\n<h5>Sustainable activities in Scotland<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Whisky or gin tasting. <\/strong>Scotland is world-famous for its whiskies, but has also been home for years to many of the world's best-selling gin brands, such as Gordon's and Hendrick's. Tickle your taste buds and learn more about the history of these drinks during a professional tasting. Most of the herbal ingredients come straight from nature, making a whisky or gin tasting a sustainable activity!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tesla Tour. <\/strong>Discover the stunning landscapes of the Scottish Highlands by quiet, zero-emission and fully electric Teslas. From spectacular cathedrals, large lochs and otherworldly rock formations to national parks and mythical tales. An unforgettable experience!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Highland Games teambuilding. <\/strong>The Scottish Highland Games are an indispensable symbol of Scotland's national identity. With a castle in the background as a backdrop, various teams are formed to compete against each other: from the caber toss and hammer throw to the Highland Dance!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14257 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/schotland-europa-blog.png\" alt=\"Om duurzaam toerisme te stimuleren heeft Schotland voor accommodaties en restaurants de \u2018Green Tourism Awards\u2019 ontwikkelt.\" width=\"1197\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/schotland-europa-blog.png 1197w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/schotland-europa-blog-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/schotland-europa-blog-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/schotland-europa-blog-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/schotland-europa-blog-16x9.png 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1197px) 100vw, 1197px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>5.   Gozo, Malta<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Gozo is a small island belonging to Malta and is known for its turquoise waters, beautiful bays and beaches, an oasis of calm, green interior and hilly coastal areas. Three years ago, Gozo won the award for the most sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, and to this day it remains in the top 100 most sustainable destinations in the world! Because Gozo is such a small island, it is perfectly suited for a day trip in combination with a holiday to Malta.<\/p>\n<h5>Sustainable activities on Gozo<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dive in. <\/strong>Discover the exquisitely beautiful underwater world during a scuba diving lesson in the calm, warm and abundantly filled waters of Gozo. To protect the sea's coral reefs, caves and wrecks, the organisation Heritage Malta has drawn up rules and regulations to ensure that diving is done in a controlled manner. Enjoy this sustainable dive!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Segway or e-bike tour. <\/strong>Various eco-friendly Segway and e-bike tours are operated on the island. Set off on a voyage of discovery to the hidden spots of Gozo accompanied by a local guide!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14259 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gozo-europa-blog.png\" alt=\"Gozo staat tot op heden in de top 100 van meest duurzame bestemmingen ter wereld!\" width=\"1196\" height=\"671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gozo-europa-blog.png 1196w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gozo-europa-blog-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gozo-europa-blog-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gozo-europa-blog-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gozo-europa-blog-16x9.png 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1196px) 100vw, 1196px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After reading this blog, are you curious about the sustainable travel options for your next group or incentive trip? Then get <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact<\/a><\/strong> contact us, we are happy to help you plan your sustainable group trip!<\/p>\n<p><em>Update: This blog first appeared on 7 May 2021 and was updated with new information on 8 May 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Consulted sources:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyscanner.nl\/nieuws\/duurzame-bestemmingen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.skyscanner.nl\/nieuws\/duurzame-bestemmingen<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairtrail.nl\/ijsland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.fairtrail.nl\/ijsland<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairtrail.nl\/schotland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.fairtrail.nl\/schotland<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.europeanbestdestinations.com\/destinations\/azores\/azores-best-sustainable-destination-in-europe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.europeanbestdestinations.com\/destinations\/azores\/azores-best-sustainable-destination-in-europe\/<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.idealista.pt\/en\/news\/lifestyle-portugal\/2018\/09\/06\/141-12-reasons-visit-azores\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.idealista.pt\/en\/news\/lifestyle-portugal\/2018\/09\/06\/141-12-reasons-visit-azores<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/discovering-hygge-in-copenhagen\/worlds-greenest-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/discovering-hygge-in-copenhagen\/worlds-greenest-city\/<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com\/convention-bureau\/copenhagen\/sustainable-activities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com\/convention-bureau\/copenhagen\/sustainable-activities<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/goodtravel.guide\/malta\/gozo-green-trip\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/goodtravel.guide\/malta\/gozo-green-trip\/<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainreporters.com\/duurzaamheid-en-milieu\/gozo-bij-malta-staat-in-top-100-van-duurzame-bestemmingen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.mountainreporters.com\/duurzaamheid-en-milieu\/gozo-bij-malta-staat-in-top-100-van-duurzame-bestemmingen\/<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gozosegway.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.gozosegway.com\/<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Top 5 duurzame bestemmingen in Europa In ons vorige blog \u201cDuurzaam op reis\u201d vertelden wij u wat duurzaam reizen precies inhoudt en hoe u op een milieuvriendelijkere manier kunt reizen. Om de stap naar duurzaam reizen nog iets gemakkelijker te maken, inspireren wij u middels dit blog met vijf tips voor duurzame reisbestemmingen voor uw [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":14267,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-voor-op-reis"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14244"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17783,"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14244\/revisions\/17783"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gomice.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14244"}],"curies":[{"name":"WP","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}