Earth Day 2024: eco-friendly destinations in Italy for a green holiday

The April 22, 2024, the world celebrates Earth Day, highlighting crucial objectives such as the reduction of plastic, energy saving, green sources, sustainable food policies and the protection of biodiversity. This event highlights the importance of protect our planet. Everyone can contribute with small daily actions and conscious choices, even during holidays, opting for places where ecology is at home.

Some hotels and resorts offer innovative solutions or even many small attentions for a increasingly sustainable tourismwhile promoting relaxation and well-being as an antidote to workaholic, the work frenzy. From regeneration with yoga and forest bathing, to nature walks, traveling becomes an opportunity for reconnect with the planet. From Sardinia to Alto Adige, passing through Campania, Molise and Umbria, here are some destinations that allow you to embrace the slow pace and to live in harmony withenvironment.

Campania, eco-sustainable glamping

From the environmental regeneration of 50 hectares of former sand quarries in a state of abandonment on Domizio coast (Caserta) the first was born Natural Oasis of Campania: Nabi Lakes. Glamping in eco-sustainable and removable architecture meets the luxury services of a hotel, to enjoy unique experiences between water and nature. The kitchen of panoramic restaurant Res enhances local products. A luminescent cycle path – at one and a half kilometers it is the longest in the world – is built according to circular economy criteria, with stones that naturally capture the sunlight and then release it at night and saving energy. Floating or lakeside tents, exclusive lodges suspended on stilts, rooms are part of a protected landscape which is reflected in the lakes. Where you can relax with soft yoga and meditation practices, pedalo and sailing boat trips, or dedicate yourself to long horseback rides, bike excursions, strolls at sunset in the lavender fields. www.laghinabi.it

Molise, biodiversity

Castel del Giudice – Melise organic apple orchard – Credit Eleonora Mancini

THE Melise organic apple orchards born on reclaimed land, hop and barley plants grown to produce agricultural beer, a Community Apiary to stimulate pollination and biodiversity, a Food Plan to make environmental protection a stimulus for the local economy. Everything is in harmony with nature protection a Castel del Giudice (Isernia), where theBorgotufi widespread hotel, born from disused stables and barns, it is the fulcrum of experiential tourism in contact with the woods and agricultural companies of theMolise-Abruzzo Apennines. Between clear skies, wellness walks, relaxation, experiences in nature and cuisine at Zero km to find i slow rhythms of life. Charming residences, recovered from barns, are the “good retreat” to immerse yourself in scents, flavors, ancient and unique stories in the country of organic agriculture and sustainable development. Borgotufi organizes excursions and experiential activities: for free yourself from tiredness yoga in flight (combined with suspension of the body in the panoramic hammock), forest bathing, sensory walks in the woods and organic apple orchards. But also mountain bike or e-bike excursions, and guided trekking for discover the territorybetween the magic of the Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise National Park and the Mab UNESCO Alto Molise Biosphere Reserve. www.borgotufi.it

Romagna, plastic free by the sea

Ricci Hotels – Hotel Valverde

They are plastic free, save and recycle water, reduce energy consumption to a minimum, use seasonal products grown in the Romagna countryside and water in recyclable packaging, they make bikes and e-bikes available to guests. THE Ricci Hotels, Family and Bike Hotels of Cesenatico (FC) are the green choice on Blue Flag sea in the seaside city with the highest ratio of green spaces on the Romagna Riviera. They have been awarded the TripAdvisor Eco Leader Gold certification, the Legambiente Eco Label certification and the Legambiente Tourism Oscar. www.riccihotels.it

Emilia, sustainable food and wine

Executive Spa Hotel, ALTO Restaurant. Credit Fabrizio Cicconi

There plastic is banned at the Executive Spa Hotel of Fiorano Modenese (MO), an experiential hotel a few km from Modena and Maranello, where you can savor the most authentic Emilia in the heart of MotorValley and of Food Valley. The kitchen of Alto restaurant, where you can enjoy signature dishes on an original rooftop from which you can admire the Apennines and experience the magic of dining under the starry sky thanks to a futuristic ceiling which partly disappears, has a sustainable approach, enhancing the excellence of local food and wine. executivespahotel.com

Alto Adige, the eco-aparthotel

OLM – Panoramas from above – Photo by Kottersteger

Olm Nature Escapein Caminata di Tures in the Aurina Valley (Bolzano) is the first sustainable eco-aparthotel, completely self-sufficient in energy, from Alto Adige. Circular bioarchitecture, inspired by the life cycle of nature, local natural materials, autonomous energy thanks to photovoltaic panels and geothermal energy, the Gstc (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification, make Olm a example of eco-sustainability. An oasis of tranquility and tranquility inspired by the natural cycle where you can dedicate yourself to yoga in the fitness room overlooking the garden or let yourself be lulled by the waters in the swimming lake. Inserted in the Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park, together with that of the Hohe Tauern and the Alpine Alps of the Zillertal, the Val Aurina forms the largest union of protected areas of Europe, all to be discovered, among waterfalls, high peaks, woods and expanses of multi-colored meadows. Ideal places for trekking, Nordic walking, cycling, climbing, but also kayaking, to immerse yourself in nature in complete freedom. And on the way back the Ecospa of Olm, in which to continue the regenerating path, from the external panoramic sauna to the Finnish one, to the Turkish bath and the Kneipp path. www.olm.it

Alto Adige, ecological glass cubes

Skyview Chalets ©Martin Lugger

They were made with natural materials in total symbiosis with the environment that triumphs on Lake Dobbiaco (BZ), in the embrace of the Dolomites: the Skyview Chalets there are 12 ecological glass cubes for adults only, with a removable roof that opens up the view to the sky and the woods, for holidays immersed in nature, among the Natural Parks of the Tking Cime di Lavaredo and of Fanes-Sennes-Braies and mountain bike and e-bike tours. Breakfast is based on 0 km organic products and at the restaurant The Barn/Seeschupfe et al fine dining Hebbo the cuisine respects local products and flavors. The ideal place to unplug and regenerate in the shadow of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, letting yourself be lulled by the magic of the lake and the panorama but also experiencing the emotion of immerse yourself in the woods for a regenerating “forest bathing”, practicing Nordic walking, or pedaling in complete relaxation on a mountain bike, e-bike and bicycle. www.skyview-chalets.com

Aquadulci in Chia, small green gestures

Aquadulci in Sardinia

Between the sand dunes covered with centuries-old junipers and the crystalline sea, immersed in an extraordinary natural environment Aquadulci in Chia (Cagliari), is a resort born from recovery of ancient architecture, of its green spaces, of the natural materials that were once the only ones available. Many small attentions to the environment have been adopted in the resort: in the rooms, in the restaurant and in the other common areas of the hotel waste is banned and everything, from the wood of the furnishings to the paper, is made with environmentally friendly materials, recycled or recyclable. They avoid single-dose products, have reduced plastic consumption to a minimum, use flow reducers for taps and we conserve rain water to water the garden and latest generation air conditioning systems. With its sunny colors, the immense garden, Aquadulci is still the island of silence where you can find yourself, welcomed by nature. Maybe doing “barefooting” towards one of the most beautiful beaches of Sardinia, Su Giudeu, of very fine sand with an amber hue, and which can be reached by skirting the naturalistic oasis of Spartivento pond, inhabited by hundreds of pink flamingos. Or go and discover hidden coves, walks, on foot or by bicycle (available in the hotel), mountain bike tours, horse riding experiences. But also excursions by sea, sailing aboard a typical schooner. www.aquadulci.com