Sustainable travel in Germany – the eight most beautiful destinations

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Dutch North Sea coast and Wadden Sea near Den Helder

(Advertisement) Sustainable travel is becoming increasingly important for many holidaymakers. More and more people are using vehicles that emit less CO2 when they are out and about. Of course, trains are particularly popular. Omio would have on this subject a whole article ready.

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Apart from that, many regions and travel destinations have adapted to the conditions of climate change: eco-hotels and sustainable campsites, entire cities that are massively reducing electricity consumption and nature reserves that are being extensively reforested are booming. The most beautiful places for sustainable tourism can be found below:

 

Sustainable travel on the Wadden Sea
Sustainable travel on the Wadden Sea Photo: Pixabay

1. Travel sustainably in the Wadden Sea

Sustainable tourism has long been a priority on the North Sea coast. The Wadden Sea has been the focus for more than 30 years and is protected as a national park in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Gentle tourism can take holidaymakers to East Friesland, for example, where the Wadden Sea protection station and the national park houses take great care to preserve nature. The money from the visitor's tax often ends up directly in various environmental protection projects. Norden-Norddeich, far to the west, is particularly recommended, where the hotels and holiday buses consistently reduce CO2. On islands like Juist, there is even no need for cars.

 

Sustainable travel in the Black Forest
Sustainable travel in the Black Forest Photo: Pixabay

2. The Black Forest

Nature fans discovered the Black Forest for themselves a long time ago. Especially in the southern part of this low mountain range there are protected nature parks, which you can easily explore with an e-bike. A good starting point for gentle tourism is Freiburg. The green-governed city has already designed many buildings to be climate-neutral. You can quickly get up into the mountains, e.g. to the Schauinsland, by e-car, by bike or on foot. There are also environmentally friendly paths and sustainable accommodation around the Schluchsee and Titisee. Schönau is also noteworthy, where a citizens' initiative bought the electricity grid and uses 100 percent renewable energy.

 

Bliesgau - Sustainable travel in Germany
Bliesgau – Sustainable travel in Germany Photo: Pixabay

3. The Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve

In the Saarland, the Bliesgau UNESCO biosphere reserve is a real insider tip for sustainable tourism in Germany. Visit to see wildlife such as beavers and little owls roaming freely. The region is intensively committed to biodiversity and was even nominated for the German Sustainability Award in 2018. The reason for this is that the hotels and restaurants on site also comply with the specifications of the reserve and all work in a climate-neutral manner. On the menus and in shops you will find products of high organic quality. The proximity to Saarbrücken is also advantageous. Vacationers only need half an hour to get to the Bliesgau by train.

 

Sustainable travel in the Spreewald
Sustainable travel in the Spreewald Photo: Pixabay

4. Travel sustainably in the Spreewald

The Spreewald is one of the most popular sustainable travel destinations in the Berlin area. Cities like Lübbenau and Lübben can easily be reached from the capital in just over 1 hour by train. Once there, sustainable explorers switch to the barge. The boats are mostly propelled with muscle power and the long punting poles. So no artificial energy supply is required and you can enjoy nature in peace and quiet. The fact that no engines roar here is also noticeable in the form of fresh air. This can also be felt on the numerous sustainable campsites.

 

Forest landscape - travel sustainably
Forest landscape – travel sustainably Photo: Pixabay

5. The Hainich National Park

The Hainich National Park has one of the few well-preserved beech forests in Germany and is therefore worth a trip for nature fans. The treetops can be overlooked, for example, from the treetop path, which is located near Thiemsburg. Attached to this is a forester's lodge that provides more detailed information about the nature of the region. Last but not least, the Hainich is a place where you can learn how to deal better with nature. Appropriate guided tours and seminars are offered. The nearest cities are Eisenach, Bad Langensalza and Mühlhausen.

 

Sustainable travel to a mountain lake
Sustainable travel to a mountain lake Photo: Pixabay

6. The Allgaeu

In the Allgäu, people have lived closely with nature for centuries. Protecting the environment has a lot to do with the cultivation methods in the mountains. In summer, the cows are allowed to roam across the alpine meadows and in autumn they ceremonially return to the stables. For example, the PIA Förderverein, which promotes permaculture in Bavaria, fights for a sustainable Allgäu. Up to 100 farms are now dedicated to the environmentally friendly concept. Vacationers can visit these places, learn more about the system and even stay overnight.

 

Bodensee,
Lake Constance – travel sustainably Photo: Pixabay

7. Sustainable travel at Lake Constance

The Bodensee, is Germany's largest inland body of water and is comprehensively protected by numerous initiatives. The region distributes the "Really sustainable" label to distinguish companies that operate ecologically and climate-neutrally. This includes certain shore zones and campsites, markets with regional farm products as well as mobility offers. The main way to go climate-friendly is to take the train near the shore and bikes, which can be hired in many places.

 

River Weser in the Weser Uplands
River Weser in the Weserbergland Photo: Pixabay

8. The Weser Uplands

In Lower Saxony you can take a sustainable journey by train to the Weserbergland. The mountain range spreads out between Stadthagen, Hameln and Bückeburg. These places are easy to reach with the Deutsche Bahn and the WestfalenBahn from Bielefeld and Hanover. In the nature park there are numerous educational and adventure trails as well as various nature learning sites. The most beautiful adventure sites for adults and children include the Feggendorfer Stolln, the Möllenbeck boulder garden and the Wilhelmshof Feggendorf.

Germany, that's for sure, is gradually becoming sustainable. It is precisely the national parks and nature reserves that limit sensational tourism and want to ensure that visitors slow down. Travel should be slower and more conscious. Nature wants to be enjoyed and protected at the same time. Across the country, you can easily reach many sustainable travel destinations by environmentally friendly train, e.g. B. the Black Forest, the Wadden Sea, the Spreewald and Lake Constance.

 

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Text: Sustainable travel in Germany: Copyright Omio
Photos: Pixabay

Sustainable travel in Germany – the eight most beautiful destinations

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.