Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduction
Kayaking around the Scottish isles, snow-shoeing in the
Pyrenees, wild swimming in Finland, learning to dance in
Rio, walking across the Serengeti… these are just some
of the hundreds of Clean Breaks featured in this topic
- unusual, alternative and incredible experiences that also
make a difference to the lives of local people and the
planet.
So what makes a Clean Break? Essentially it's about
minimizing your environmental impact - on your journey
and at your destination - by choosing carefully how you
travel and the nature of the place you choose to stay
at. It's also about having a positive impact in other ways
- by contributing where you can to the conservation of
wildlife and local heritage, and supporting local economies.
And the good news is that this doesn't mean you have
to sacrifice any notions of comfort or adventure: the
experiences we've selected are (hopefully) ones that
you'd love to do anyway - the difference is that you can
rest assured that your presence in some way benefits the
locality.
Many of the properties we review are as stylish
and innovative as they are environmentally aware, from
beautifully crafted treehouses in the South of France and
luxury yurts in Andalucía to eco-chic hotels in Thailand.
We've also included experiences that provide a closer
connection with local culture. Seeking out less touristy
places has always been at the heart of Rough Guides, and
in this topic we feature local markets and festivals as well
as tours that employ native guides, which make for more
rewarding encounters. After all, the most inspiring person
to take you on safari is likely to be a local guide whose
ancestors have lived on the land for thousands of years;
your dinner tends to be better when the cook has grown
and harvested the ingredients; and the most suitable
person to take you to meet remote tribes is someone who
