Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. However you celebrate during December, you don't need to fly to do it. Think about it. No airports. No delays, or overpriced foods, or announcements that you can't quite make out, or sitting next to someone you'd rather not. How about getting stuck with the middle seat? Convinced? Try these five green holiday trends on for size, via Greentraveller, with five no-fly holiday ideas.
The list, published recently on the Reuters Business Traveller site, puts an emphasis on the carbon emissions you'll keep out of the atmosphere. But you don't need to be a greenie to appreciate these. Greentraveller calls them Five Green Holiday Trends for 2012.
1. Trips to the Mediterranean, by train and ferry. Although the site originates in the U.K., an idea like this can be done stateside, too. See a previous PlanetGreen trend post on Traincations.
2. Ride a bike. The Summer Olympics are coming to London next year, so get started early, Greentraveller advises. This one probably applies best to those living in warmer climates, and not Michigan, where this post is being typed. Kayaking also is an Olympic sport, along with swimming. Again, for warmer climates, unless you enjoy a Polar Bear Plunge, a popular semi-sport in winter country.
3. Look at the stars. You don't need to be an astronaut (although NASA is hiring) to do this. Greentraveller suggests a train trip to a ski resort. You also could make plans for the Northern Lights, which made a Must-See list earlier this year.
4. Hire a bike. That is, find a rental bike and tour your favorite city (especially handy when your car doesn't have a bike rack). The U.K has an electric bike network, too. Places like San Francisco also peddle electrics.
5. Hoof it. Take a foot tour. You can find a few ideas via another Planet Green post, on Atlas Obscura.
Whatever you do, have a great end of 2011. And get planning now for 2012.
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