{"id":11978,"date":"2023-09-12T11:02:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T10:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=11978"},"modified":"2023-09-12T14:51:30","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T13:51:30","slug":"how-to-travel-green-in-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy","title":{"rendered":"Ecotourism In Italy: Our Top 10 Ethical Travel Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>It&#8217;s no secret that at Walks, we&#8217;re passionate about promoting sustainable travel and ecotourism in Italy. Our tours support the hallmarks of responsible travel, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-do-rome\">getting off the beaten path<\/a>, promoting local businesses, <a href=\"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/self-guided-walking-tour-rome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">walking whenever possible<\/a>, and increasing cultural awareness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But taking a tour with us is not the only way to &#8216;go green&#8217; and support local! If you love Italy and want to make your trip as beneficial for the country as possible, here are some tips to use in your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/sustainable-tourism-ethical-travel\">sustainable travel plan<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figcaption>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_11999\" style=\"width: 1110px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11999\" class=\"wp-image-11999 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Slow-travel-Amalfi-day-trip-lemon-local-guide-Walks-1.jpg\" alt=\"Slow travel in Amalfi - local lemon vendors\" width=\"1100\" height=\"733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Slow-travel-Amalfi-day-trip-lemon-local-guide-Walks-1.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Slow-travel-Amalfi-day-trip-lemon-local-guide-Walks-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-11999\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A fruit vendors sells their bounty of citrus along the Amalfi Coast.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#How_to_be_an_eco-friendly_tourist_in_Italy\" >How to be an eco-friendly tourist in Italy<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Avoid_fast_food\" >Avoid fast food<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Dont_print_your_travel_documents\" >Don\u2019t print your travel documents<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Carry_reusable_water_bottles_at_all_times\" >Carry reusable water bottles at all times<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Reuse_your_hotel_towels\" >Reuse your hotel towels<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Seek_out_lesser-known_areas\" >Seek out lesser-known areas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Separate_trash_in_your_hotel_room\" >Separate trash in your hotel room<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Say_no_to_takeaway_coffee\" >Say no to takeaway coffee<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Travel_slow\" >Travel slow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Use_public_transportation\" >Use public transportation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-green-in-italy\/#Think_ethically_at_attractions\" >Think ethically at attractions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_be_an_eco-friendly_tourist_in_Italy\"><\/span>How to be an eco-friendly tourist in Italy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Avoid_fast_food\"><\/span><strong>Avoid fast food<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Choose to eat local, organic produce instead. If you&#8217;re not too confident about the food in a new city, opt to<a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/rome-food-tour\/\"> take a food tour with a local guide<\/a> who can show you some of the best spots to try during your stay. Even more importantly, your guide can help point out which tourist traps to avoid!<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_18218\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18218\" class=\"wp-image-18218\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Food-tour-Bologna-DevourTours-274.jpg\" alt=\"Guests on bologna food tour eating pasta and drinking wine at a restaurant\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18218\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Try the best of the best when you join a food tour with a local insider!<\/p><\/div>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_print_your_travel_documents\"><\/span><strong>Don\u2019t print your travel documents<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Where possible &#8211; for flights, tours and hotel stays &#8211; avoid unnecessary use of paper by keeping your documents downloaded to your phone.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Carry_reusable_water_bottles_at_all_times\"><\/span><strong>Carry reusable water bottles at all times <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Avoid purchasing plastic water bottles when traveling. Fill up at drinking fountains or ask a member of staff to top you up before you leave a cafe, restaurant, or hotel. Where unavoidable, choose glass bottles or opt for larger plastic bottles instead of smaller individual ones.<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_13608\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13608\" class=\"wp-image-13608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190625-Rome-Pompeii-from-Rome-Amalfi-0180-16x9.jpg\" alt=\"Ecotourism in Italy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190625-Rome-Pompeii-from-Rome-Amalfi-0180-16x9.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190625-Rome-Pompeii-from-Rome-Amalfi-0180-16x9-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190625-Rome-Pompeii-from-Rome-Amalfi-0180-16x9-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13608\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Places like Pompeii offer little shade, so make sure you plan ahead. And using a reusable water bottle is one of the best ways to promote ecotourism in Italy.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reuse_your_hotel_towels\"><\/span><strong>Reuse your hotel towels<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>This one is pretty straight forward and requested by most hotels over the world; help to reduce water waste by reusing your towels.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Seek_out_lesser-known_areas\"><\/span>Seek out lesser-known areas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>As well as visiting the highlights of a city, try to seek out some of the lesser-known neighbourhoods to spend an evening somewhere different &#8211; or get out of the city for a few hours completely (e.g. take a trip outside Rome for an<a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/vatican-and-papal-palace-tour\/\"> alternative look into the lives of the Popes<\/a>, or visit an authentic working farm outside of Florence on a<a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/florence-tours\/tuscany-day-trips-from-florence\/\"> day trip to Tuscany).<\/a><\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_12841\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12841\" class=\"wp-image-12841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Walks-20150504-Florence-Tuscany-Day-Trip-16x9-0014.jpg\" alt=\"Ecotourism in Italy and in Tuscany\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12841\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visiting Florence? Get out and explore the Tuscan countryside, too!<\/p><\/div>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Separate_trash_in_your_hotel_room\"><\/span><strong>Separate trash in your hotel room<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>\u00a0While most hotels around the world ask you to consider reusing your towels, many don&#8217;t offer guidelines on waste disposal. Nevertheless, make it easier for staff to recycle by separating your general waste from your paper and plastics. And always set glass to the side.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Say_no_to_takeaway_coffee\"><\/span><strong>Say no to takeaway coffee<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>One thing many tourists will notice about Italy is that locals don&#8217;t zoom around in the morning clutching a paper coffee cup. However, recent visitors may have noted that takeaway coffee is slowly springing up as an option in some cafes. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/drink-coffee-in-italy\">Enjoy your coffee at the bar<\/a> &#8211; it\u2019s more of an authentic experience, anyway!<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_20390\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20390\" class=\"wp-image-20390\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Devour_RomeIMG_9006.jpg\" alt=\"Barman pours heated milk into a tiny coffee or espresso cup in Rome.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Devour_RomeIMG_9006.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Devour_RomeIMG_9006-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20390\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Enjoy a quick coffee like a local &#8211; at the counter!<\/p><\/div>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Travel_slow\"><\/span><strong>Travel slow<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Take your time getting to know a city and spread out your time there. Visit the most popular areas just once if possible, following rules the city has set out. For example, think twice about buying lots of little plastic souvenirs and DON&#8217;T attach love locks to bridges.<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_17731\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17731\" class=\"wp-image-17731 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Walks_Florence-in-a-Day-WEB-0012_web.jpg\" alt=\"Guide in front of the Florence Duomo explaining to guests about the cathedral\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Walks_Florence-in-a-Day-WEB-0012_web.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Walks_Florence-in-a-Day-WEB-0012_web-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-17731\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you&#8217;ve seen Firenze&#8217;s Duomo up close, venture off the beaten path by visiting Piazzale Michelangelo or picnicing at one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/parks-in-florence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">many parks in Florence<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_public_transportation\"><\/span><strong>Use public transportation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>We&#8217;re huge fans of public transportation, such as using buses and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/trains-in-italy-rail-schedule-tickets-rome-florence\">trains to get around Italy<\/a>. But remember, when possible, getting around on foot is best!<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Think_ethically_at_attractions\"><\/span><strong>Think ethically at attractions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Major attractions often feel the brunt of over-tourism, however nobody should feel bad about wanting to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/the-vatican-museums\"> visit the smallest country in the world<\/a>, or for dreaming of walking through the <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/colosseum-arena-floor-tour\/\">Gladiator\u2019s Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor<\/a>. There are ways however of treading lightly; Don\u2019t litter (of course), get to know, and respect, the history of the attraction by taking a tour with a local, professional guide or opt to see the attraction out of hours (such as being<a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/venice-tours\/alone-in-st-marks-basilica-tour\/\"> alone in St. Mark&#8217;s Basilica after-hours<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_17588\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17588\" class=\"wp-image-17588 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/120-Venice_Alone-in-St-Marks-and-Doges-High-Res-0097.jpg\" alt=\"Doge's Palace courtyard in Venice with group of visitors after dark\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-17588\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Doge&#8217;s Palace courtyard leads to one of the most amazing museums in all of Venice &#8211; and it&#8217;s even more impressive after dark!<\/p><\/div>\r\n<p><em>Update notice: This article was updated on September 12, 2023.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s no secret that at Walks, we&#8217;re passionate about promoting sustainable travel and ecotourism in Italy. Our tours support the hallmarks of responsible travel, like getting off the beaten path, promoting local businesses, walking whenever possible, and increasing cultural awareness. But taking a tour with us is not the only way to &#8216;go green&#8217; and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":12003,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[63],"ppma_author":[164],"class_list":["post-11978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-trip-planning"],"authors":[{"term_id":164,"user_id":59,"is_guest":0,"slug":"takewalks","display_name":"Karen Birney","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/093e26e0ed88c8826a643f1777956866?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com","last_name":"Birney","first_name":"Karen","job_title":"","description":"Karen is a journalist and travel writer, based in Ireland."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11978"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11978"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20391,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11978\/revisions\/20391"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11978"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=11978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}