The Mjolfjell Youth Hostel (don’t even begin to ask me how to pronounce that) is a place for people of all ages to experience the absolutely stunning scenery and fresh air of the Norwegian mountains.

Staying here is almost like camping without sleeping in a tent because the indoor accommodations are simple and comfortable while the main attractions can be found in the great outdoors. The moors and forests of this mountainous area are bisected by cold, rushing streams and make for beautiful hiking and horseback riding. Canoes and mountain bikes can also be rented to float on a nearby lake or zoom around on trails, and it’s an excellent place for cross country skiing during the winter.

The more adventurous visitors who want to challenge themselves or do their very own Norwegian dreamquest can also sign up for a wilderness survival course. Participants learn how to use a map and compass, how to survive in the wilds of Norway, and pass the night in a snow cave! I hope this last part is the graduation from the course because if not, the next step can only involve the building a Viking era boat or hand to hand combat with a bear.

For the less adventurous, (or for those who need to bring their core temperature back up to normal levels after the snow cave ordeal), there is also a heated swimming pool at the hostel. Although the pool is only open during the short summer, they make up for that with an outdoor Jacuzzi open and available to guests at all times of the year.

Green travelers will also be pleased to know that the Mjolfjell Youth Hostel gets all of its energy from its own hydro plant that runs with water from a nearby stream. Food is fresh, delicious, and includes such healthy local staples as trout and salmon.

Macaws are massive, long-tailed parrots plumaged in such bright colors that it’s heard to believe they exist outside of a zoo. Despite being more frequently seen at bird shows, on commercials, and travel brochures to tropical locales where they aren’t native (such as Jamaica, Florida, or the Virgin Islands) than in much of their natural range, large numbers of these majestic parrots can still be encountered in some of the more wild and remote areas of Central and South America.

Since they require huge areas of unbroken forest inhabited by very few people, it should come as no surprise that macaw central just might be southeastern Peru. The Amazon rain forest in this region is like an unbroken sea of every shade of green, there are almost no roads, and there are huge, uninhabited protected areas. Oh yeah, and there’s also these places along certain river banks where macaws, parrots and parakeets come to eat clay.

Yes, that’s right, they munch on dirt but it’s not just any old soil that they are interested in. The birds consistently take clods of dirt from particular river banks and only appear to be interested in certain types of clay. It’s thought that this helps them to remove toxins acquired from the fruits and seeds they feed upon as well as providing them with important minerals.

Although no one knows for sure why they do it, what is known is that large flocks of macaws and their smaller relatives show up at the same spot almost every day. This is great news for the eco-tourist because the spectacle presents some of the most evocative and awe-inspiring wildlife viewing in the world.

Among the dozen or so accessible clay licks in southeastern Peru, the most famous is at the Tambopata Research Center. The clay lick near this rain forest wilderness lodge attracts huge numbers of up to 16 species of macaws, parrots, and parakeets while rare animals such as jaguars and tapirs are sometimes seen in the surrounding forests.

On the best days, up to two hundred macaws of six species (!) fly in to hang out at and feed on the clay. They are also accompanied by hundreds of colorful parrots and parakeets. The mere sight of dizzying flocks of these birds flying around and feeding on the river back is incredible all on its own but throw in the fact that most of the birds are screaming and screeching and the experience leaves most people speechless.

San Blas is a small town that was formerly used as a base to fight pirates in western Mexico. Perhaps because swashbucklers have ceased to be a threat for some time, the town has developed a forgotten, rather neglected personality. Some of the larger hotels resemble left-over horror movie sets as they are reclaimed by the surrounding jungles, crocodiles are increasing their numbers in nearby mangrove swamps, and the town is famous for swarms of tiny, biting bugs that adore the place. These are of course a few of the reasons why San Blas is such a great destination for the eco-traveler.

This might sound like a contradiction but because San Blas is not growing by leaps and bounds like seaside locales in so many other areas of the world, habitat for wildlife is kept safe from being converted into sterile, plastic-dominated resorts.

Boat tours are excellent for seeing a wide variety of waterbirds that reside in the mangrove forests and wetlands that surround San Blas. Most of these tours also include a visit to the Tovara Springs and a crocodile farm. The springs are a swimming hole in the middle of the mangroves while the farm is self explanatory and the reason why crocodiles are frequently seen from the boat. The croc farm might also explain the presence of supposedly tame crocodiles in the springs and why more people hang out at the on-site restaurant than in the water (although no one has been attacked yet).

Back in town, other than enjoying a place that actively practices the art of taking it easy (also known as doing nothing), one of the other main activities is a visit to scrub-covered islands just across an estuarine channel. Most travelers get ferried across the narrow stretch of brackish water to hang out on the island’s beaches. Huichol natives from the highlands, however, trek down to San Blas and specifically go to this island for sacred ceremonies they have been carrying out since pre-colonial times.

Because of this, care should be taken to not disturb any prayer circles or otherwise obvious sacred sites on the island, nor should you touch any God’s Eye weavings or arrows found in the area as these are sacred objects that were purposely left behind after Huichol ceremonies.

Hotel Hellnar is 10 minutes away from Snaefellsjokull National Park where there is an abundant wildlife such as arctic fox and white-tailed eagles and the park has many incredible views of rock and ice formations as ancient lava flows are prominent in this landscape and there are a wealth of caves in the area, which are said to have inspired Jules Verne to choose the top crater at Snaefellsjokull as the entry point in his famous novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. The hotel can help arrange horse-riding tours through lava-fields or along sandy beaches and Island Tours from Stykkisholmur where boat sails close to islands where birds such as puffins, cormorants, kitti-wakes and seaeagles nest. Also, there are many hiking trails from the hotel to a wide range of nearby natural attractions.

Hotel Hellnar is the first travel and tourism business in Iceland to be certified by GREEN GLOBE, and has been certified since 2002. This hotel is safely far away from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano which erupted in the spring of 2010 and caused so much havoc with air travel to Europe. They offer accommodations with spectacular ocean view, at the heart of Snaefellsjokull Glacier. They are open from May 10th to September 15th. The hotel was originally planned to be a spiritual retreat it is currently a modern but simple, single story wood building that comfortably coexists visually with the surrounding natural splendor. See more information on the hotel’s website.

For more information on travel in Iceland you may want to check out this great travel guide on Amazon.

Here is a website that will also provide more detailed information about sustainable travel in Iceland.

Still, it’s that childhood memory that has eco-tourists flocking to Treehotel to live out their childhood play in the trees, only this time with a little more style.

The Treehotel in Harads, Sweden is definitely not your childhood treehouse. Nestled in pine trees four to six meters off the ground, Treehotel is unarguably an eco-friendly destination. The Treehotel currently features four Tree Rooms with another, The UFO, expected to be ready in October and a room with a View planned to be ready at the end of this year or the beginning of next year. Treehotel also has a sauna and a relaxing room.

Each of the Tree Rooms has a unique and fun design, like the Blue Cone Room. Built out of lightweight materials, the room juts out into the trees via a bridge from the mountain behind it. It sits there suspended in air! The Mirrorcube is probably the closest thing to a traditional treehouse, however saying that is a bit misleading. Although it is a traditional square room surrounding a tree it’s nearly invisible. The Mirrorcube is surrounded with mirrored walls that reflect the sky and surrounding trees making it camouflaged. An added infrared layer makes the room visible only to birds.

The hotel’s philosophy according to its website is to create a comfortable, well designed hotel which allows visitors to live in harmony with nature amongst the trees. To accomplish that goal a group of designers and architects were brought together to create, not only some amazing structures that fit right in with their surroundings but to make sure the daily running of the hotel could be done using the greenest methods possible. Each room has an eco-friendly incineration toilet and water efficient hand basin so that no artificial plumbing is needed, and an electric under-floor heating system delivers warmth via an eco-friendly electricity source.

 If you are looking for an eco-retreat that isn’t too stuffy, Treehotel will allow you to not only get in touch with nature but with your inner child as well.

 To learn more about Treehotel visit their website.

There is a place where nature reigns supreme and visitors leave little trace of their presence. Where the sun rises and sets quietly as to not disturb the peace it shines upon. Getting back to nature is easy at The Tree House Backpackers Lodge in Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand.

The name should be the first clue that this is a no-nonsense eco-accommodation, The Tree House Backpackers Lodge; you can’t get more explanatory than that. But the lodge lives up to its name however, with subtropical gardens, forest and woodlands to explore, contemplate or just loose yourself.

The place is a retreat style eco-lodge that encompasses simplicity at its best. It’s rustic with wood décor and details that borrow from the natural beauty that surrounds the lodge. Though there is the convenience of a kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities they are all located in the main lodge, and in communal style, are shared by all guests.

Located on Northland’s Twin Coast Discovery Highway between Cape Reinga and the Waipoua Kauri forest, The Tree House Backpackers Lodge provides a variety of accommodations for travelers wanting to tent camp, use a camper van or stay in a cabin, while enjoying the natural surroundings. When not exploring the natural surroundings of Hokianga Harbour check out the nearby art galleries, beaches, and historic locales.

For travelers really wanting to commune with nature however, there is enough of that on the grounds to keep any nature lover busy. Photograph the wild plant life, take in the activities of local “critters” or just sit on a picnic table and enjoy the peace of being in a place of unobtrusively observing nature.

There’s a time to explore nature and there’s a time to be one with it. For travelers looking to be an inconspicuous part of their surroundings The Tree House Backpackers Lodge is a great choice.

To learn more about The Tree House Backpackers Lodge visit their website.

Enjoy watching the animals in their natural state or have some quiet time bushwalking the property. If you crave more of an educational experience take a guided tour with retreat owner David Welford. Everything at the Cape Cassini Wildnerness Retreat was designed to “tread lightly on the Earth.”

Built on a waffle pod concrete raft, the retreat features a passive energy design of rammed earth and stone walls. An appropriate roof overhang and lots of windows allow for warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer. If that’s not impressive enough get a load of this, the retreat runs on a wind and solar powered energy system and the telephone is a radio transmitter and receiver. There’s also an organic orchard and vegetable garden. In essence there is no need to mix with the outside world while you are there unless you miss it enough to make contact!

For the true eco-tourist, there is an opportunity to do good for the environment as well by making it what the Cape Cassini Wildnerness Retreat calls a Working Holiday. The Working Holiday will help you get your green fix while adding a little of the green stuff to your pocket. You can save 50 percent off the Cape Cassini Wildnerness Retreat rates by devoting 2.5 hours a day during your stay “helping” run the retreat. Help out in the organic orchard, look for new trails and evidence of the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoos, collect firewood or debris on the beach, perform some weeding or help in other ways you see fit.

Whether you want to educate yourself on sustainable living or just get away from all the noise of the world, Cape Cassini Wildnerness Retreat has the accommodations.

Get away from it all at Cape Cassini Wildnerness Retreat.

Ecovita calls itself an “organic farm and campsite” and I suppose that’s one way to put it but it’s really more than that. I would perhaps describe it as an “eco-tent camp on an organic farm” or maybe even “the place where eco-tourism meets organic farming in Ecuador”. I think this last description might best sum up the unique experience known as Ecovita.

Situated in the Ecuadorian mountains above Guayaquil, the fresh, cool air of Ecovita is a welcome change from this hot, huge coastal city. Visitors stay in comfortable tents and are welcome to explore the subtropical gardens and grounds of Ecovita as well as learn about their organic farming projects.

Ok, so the tents won’t be as comfortable as the 1,000 thread count sheets tucked into a double mattress orthopedic bed but adequately thick mattresses and warm sleeping bags are provided to guests and a few rustic cabins are also available. The sleeping arrangements make Ecovita more suitable for hardy and/or younger travelers but it’s also exactly the type of place that eco-conscious, adventurous souls would not want to miss on a trip to Ecuador.

It’s also the perfect place for such a breed of traveler to volunteer and Ecovita happily takes on people willing to give of their time and work on the farm. I’m not sure if this is what volunteers do but I strongly suspect it to be the case because the owners and workers of Ecovita are such big proponents of eco-friendly farming and could probably use the help at all times.

Whether one volunteers at Ecovita or stays there for a short visit, there are also other things to see and do than organic farming. Guided hikes are available to nearby tropical waterfalls and horseback riding is accompanied by beautiful Andean mountain scenery. Birdwatching, butterflying, looking for orchids, and exploring the tropical nature of the area are also possible activities.

South Africa is famous for its game reserves and national parks and rightly so.Massive tracts of grassland, acacia woodlands, and savannah have been set aside that protect populations of some of Africa’s rarest animals such as the African Wild Dog, Cheetah, and two species of rhinos. Tourists visiting these parks on wildlife viewing safaris hope in particular to see the famous “Big Five” of Africa; the African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Lion, Cape Buffalo, and Leopard.

Kruger National Park is a good place to get the Big Five and have a fantastic African safari experience but people who can afford to stay at the Tswalu Game Reserve (another place to see the Big Five) say that game viewing at this luxury reserve just doesn’t get any better. Accommodations and food are excellent but a good portion of the 1,000 dollar a night price tag pays for privacy. With a maximum capacity of 30 guests within 100,000 hectares of restored Kalahari desert grasslands, elbow room isn’t really a concern.

Guests stay in the middle of nowhere in comfortable, traditionally designed housing with waterholes located in front of the buildings for fantastic wildlife viewing right from their front porches. They also enjoy horseback rides that allow close looks at animals such as Burchell’s Zebra, Sable Antelope, and Lesser Kudu (equestrian guides wisely keep away from the huge black-maned Lions that occur in the reserve), and look for animals on expertly guided walks and from Land Rovers.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Tswalu Reserve, though, is the fact that all 100,000 hectares is restored Kalahari Desert habitat. It’s hard to believe how denuded the wildlife rich grasslands and desert landscapes were only a few decades ago when the land for the preserve was a smattering of severely overgrazed farms. As these properties were purchased, one of the largest restoration projects in the world commenced with the razing of all human-made structures and by simply leaving the land alone. Since then, a chunk of the Kalahari Desert grasslands have been brought back to their former glory and even if only the richest of eco-travelers can visit it, it’s still good to know that this piece of wilderness exists.

If you thought Louisiana is all about alligators, marshes and excellent Creole cuisine, you are absolutely right. But have you ever jumped in and explored all that this place in the heart of America has to offer? Then it’s time to grab your hat, sunscreen and fishing pole and explore the Creole Nature Trail.

The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road winds through the wetlands, wildlife refuges and marshes that Louisiana is famous for while introducing you to the unique splendor of the area. Take the kids along on a family adventure as you hike, fish, stroll, crab or whatever suits your fancy. Or take it all in behind the lens of a camera and capture those memories.

This eco-adventure will allow you to experience newly refurbished exhibits and a driving trail at the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Check out the wildlife from a paved trail on the Wetland Walkway and Blue Goose Trail at the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. And of course, there is an abundance of redfish, flounder and speckled trout in Southwest Louisiana if you feel like a little fishing.

Ever come eye to eye with a toothy alligator’s smiling face? Here’s your chance. Louisiana is home to the second largest alligator population in the U.S. and on the Creole Nature Trail you can see them basking in the sun or rambling along the side of the trail into the canal. Little too wild for your nature? The trail also boasts seven natural beaches along 26 miles of undeveloped Gulf Coast.

Visiting the Creole Nature Trail will have you feeling like you are miles away from home yet all the conveniences of home, like stores, restaurants, and groceries, are nearby in the small community of Cameron. Start your adventure and get away from it all by visiting the Creole Nature Trail website.