Harbor in Långedrag, near Gothenburg. Photo: Anna Brones

Number of SAABS and Volvos on the road: too many to count

Family members visited: 9

Family members that own a SAAB or Volvo: 8

Number of times I’ve traveled alone with my mother since the age of 15 before this trip: 0

Times my mother and I were frustrated about not being able to talk about people in public because they spoke Swedish too: 26

Cities visited: 5

Hours spent in Stockholm: 7

Hours spent walking in Stockholm: 6

Number of times I consulted a Stockholm map: 1

Total hours spent on trains: 9

Cost of buying Karlstad to Stockholm train ticket at last minute: 600 SEK

Crayfish consumed in one evening in Gothenburg: 7

Days spent in Sweden: 10

Days someone mentioned threat of Swine Flu: 10

Jokes made about Swine Flu: 2

Swedes I know who think they’ve had Swine Flu: 1

Minutes between landing in Gothenburg and seeing an IKEA: 11

Bags of Swedish candy brought back in suitcase: 6

Meals that included potatoes: 10

Meals of blood pudding: 4

Days with less than two fika (coffee break): 1

Starbucks sightings: 0

IKEA sightings: 3

Postcards sent with photos of topless sunbathers: 3

Topless sunbather sightings: 0

Articles read in newspaper about the Swedish Royal Family: 3

Times I’ve been to Sweden: over 15

Number of bright green, marzipan covered Princesstarta (Princess Cake) eaten: 1

Fast food restaurants visited: 0

Age that I first learned to speak Swedish: 0

Times I had to speak English: 0

Pictures taken with bikes in them: 53

Time in the morning people started buying liquor at Stockholm Airport Duty Free: 6

Cans of reindeer pate snuck through customs: 2

Shipping companies travel nearly everywhere. Photo by Josh Sullivan.

I have always wanted a collection of brown leather trunks with brightly colored stickers from all the world’s corners. They remind me of travelers in the early 1900s who spent days on the ocean in order to reach their destinations. Back then, arriving at the destination was as much a part of the trip as the destination itself.

So when I needed to get from Guadeloupe in the Caribbean to France I asked myself, “is it still possible to travel by boat?” A few months later I was on a CMA-CGM cargo ship headed from Pointe-à-Pitre to Dunkerque.

My nine days on the Atlantic included gourmet French food, duty-free Porto and hours spent mesmerized by the blinking lights of the GPS. Yes, you can definitely still travel to many locations in the world by boat.

Here are some pointers for researching and planning your own adventure on the high seas:

1. What exactly is traveling by Cargo Ship?

Most of the major global shipping lines CMA-CGM, Canada Maritime, and Bank Line offer paying passengers to hop on one of their lines. As a paying passenger you are accommodated in guest cabins and have access to most areas of the ship.

Captains and crew spend a lot of time on the water, and they are usually happy to have a fresh face walking around their workplace, meaning that they may even invite you to eat with them, give you tours of the ship and maybe even have you over for an Officer’s happy hour.

2. Where can I go?

You can travel almost anywhere by cargo ship.

The global shipping industry is huge, and many ports like New York, Shanghai, Los Angeles, and Sydney welcome several ships everyday.

Shipping companies have certain lines covering specific routes, and many of them will allow you to buy a ticket for one of these lines and disembark and board as you please as long as there is a ship leaving on your chosen day.

This is often how round the world routes work: book your freighter ticket and then plan in a few weeks in every major port. With freighters, the possibilities for your adventure are almost endless. Just think: anywhere global commodities are shipped are places that you can disembark and spend time soaking up the local culture before re-boarding.

3. What will it cost?

A common misconception is that if you are willing to spend an extended amount of time on open water you can score an inexpensive mode of transportation to your next travel destination.

Although there are possibilities to work on boats, traveling as a passenger is in fact more expensive than your average airfare. But before you scoff at the price – plan on an average price of $80-140/day – consider this: your ticket pays for room, meals, and a plethora of experiences that cannot be had anywhere else.

4. Life on a ship

As a passenger you are surrounded by the everyday life of the vessel and her crew. Schedules revolve around mealtimes, which can be extravagant events depending on the chef.

If you are a gourmet traveler, consider traveling with one of the French companies which are known for their high quality cuisine and table wine.

Besides meals, the rest of the day is spent as you please. Make your way up to the bridge and chat with the captain about sea navigation or schedule a tour with the head mechanic to see the vessel’s impressive technical insides.

You will quickly find that the freighter environment is a rough but enjoyable one; think lots of steel and salt water. Before the evening meal, meet for a pre-dinner drink with your co-passengers in the guest lounge area and discuss the events of the day.

You may think that a week on open water can give you a case of cabin fever, but a slower pace of life can be much welcomed and enjoyable.

5. Planning

So you’ve decided that freighter travel is for you, what now? Do your internet research, there are several websites maintained by individuals seduced by traveling on the high seas with great tips and long lists of different routes around the world.

Go to the websites of the freighter companies and send them an email asking about passenger fares. Another option is travel agencies that specialize in freighter travel like A la Carte Freighter Travel based in Montreal.

Some helpful websites to get you started:

www.hamburgsued-frachtschiffreisen.de

>www.cma-cgm.com

www.aws.co.uk

www.geocities.com/freighterman.geo

Photo by Trey Ratcliff

Whether this is your first or fifth time to Paris, making greener choices in your travels will lead to a deeper and richer experience. This succinct guide will get you started.

Paris has two main airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, which both link to the center of town via bus and RER. Another airport which has become busier with the rise of low cost airlines like Ryan Air is Beauvais. It is accessible from central Paris by shuttle, 13€ one way.

If traveling by train, your point of arrival will depend on which part of France you are coming from. Gare du Nord serves the north; Gare de l’Est serves the east. Gare d’Austerlitz serves southwestern France and northwestern Spain, and Gare de Lyon serves most of the south including Geneva and Italy. All stations are conveniently located on Metro lines.

The Paris Metro is part of any true Parisian experience. It also happens to be the second busiest metro system in Europe, after Moscow, but don’t let that intimidate you. When traveling in Paris, always have a map of the metro with you. Consult it at your leisure instead of getting stuck in the crowd of tourists standing in front of the main map in the station. Download a wallet sized one at the RATP website. The Metro runs from 5:20am to 1:20am, plus an additional hour on Saturday nights. Tickets can be purchased individually, for 1.50€, or in a book of ten, for 11.10€. Paris Visite passes are also sold, and work on both the Metro and buses; the one, two, three and five day passes range from 8.50€ to 27.50€.

When in Paris, bicycling is also an excellent option for getting around. Paris joined the ranks of other bike friendly cities like Amsterdam and Stockholm last year with the institution of the city-wide, self service, bike rental program Vélib. Pick up a Vélib bicycle — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — at one station, ride to your heart’s content and then and drop it off at the next. 30 minutes worth of bike riding is free, but after that, for only 1€ per day you can’t beat the price as well as the ease of the system. If you’re planning on exploring Paris for a few days, consider buying a week pass, which costs 5€.

Don’t forget that Paris is an ideal city to walk in; take some time to explore small streets and alleyways and you never know what you will come across. Don’t be afraid of getting lost; it’s sometimes the best way to make new discoveries.

Activities

A great way to get a taste of local culture is to stroll through one of the many famed Parisian outdoor markets. Most markets will offer a large selection of locally grown produce as well as cheeses, meats, and artisan items. Some of my favorite markets include Rue Mouffetard, which is actually one long street of artisans and market stands, Monge Market at Place Monge, and Bastille Market on Boulevard Richard Lenoir near the Bastille.

On Sunday afternoons many of the roads that run along the Seine are closed off to vehicles and left to a sea of pedestrians, inline skaters, and those just out to enjoy a romantic promenade.

La Promenade Plantée is a must if you are feeling a little overwhelmed by the constant honking and stress of Parisian streets. Located above the Viaduc des Arts, the Promenade Plantée is a 4.5 kilometer elevated walkway, covered in flowers and greenery. Once an above ground railway, the walkway follows Avenue Daumesnil, allowing you to easily traverse the 12e arrondissement while staying above the street action.

Paris’s most central garden, Jardin des Tuileries, can occupy you for a whole afternoon. Connecting the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde, Jardin des Tuileries is a meticulously sculpted park where you can grab a free chair and sit where you like to take in the people, sculptures and general natural beauty in the heart of the city.

For more Parisian green spaces, like the Montmarte Vineyard, see my guide at Matador Travel, The 5 Best Green Spaces in Paris.

Arts & Culture

In Paris there is always something going on. To find out exactly what is filling the Parisian streets, bars and stages, consult online event magazines for English speakers like Metropole Paris and Paris Voice.

Close to the Eiffel Tower you will find the Musée du Quai Branly or MQB for short, which features indigenous art, cultures and civilizations from Asia, Africa, Oceania and America. But besides its global exhibitions, the “greenest” thing about this museum is its look: designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the exterior of the museum appears to be a living wall.

A personal favorite of mine is the Musée du Picasso, nicely located in the pedestrian friendly Marais neighborhood. Farther to the west in the 4th arrondissement lies the famous Centre Georges Pompidou, which has constantly changing shows on modern and contemporary art as well as cinema showings, performances, and cultural debates.

Place des Vosges is a large square with art galleries and shops housed in buildings around the perimeter. During the summer various classical music groups stop in the square to play for all who pass by, adding a local soundtrack to your stroll.

Green Eats

There’s nothing like buying a baguette hot out of the oven, finding your favorite cheese at the market and heading for a good park bench to enjoy an afternoon Parisian picnic. The promenade along the Seine is also a prime spot for enjoying an afternoon meal en plein air. If you want to stock up on organic goods, look for the Bio label; this stands for biologique and is the organic standard.

Dans le Noir – Lighting up a restaurant consumes energy, so what better way to eat green than in the dark? That is exactly what happens at Dans le Noir where your meal is served in total darkness. The restaurant’s staff is blind, adding to the unique experience.

BIO Art – Located in the 13th arrondissement and facing the Seine, BIO Art is as much a scenic restaurant as it is green. The emphasis is on Mediterranean cuisine, lots of fish and fresh vegetables. Add to the kitchen philosophy an interior with large windows allowing for natural light and a dining room designed around feng shui concepts, and you have all the ingredients for some real French bien être.

Accommodation

For travelers on extended stays, renting a Parisian apartment can be a great option, allowing you to come and go as you please and cook meals with all the fresh produce you picked up at the market. Craigslist Paris can be a good start as individuals list their vacation rentals directly on the site, often with pictures. Bed and breakfasts, or chamber d’hôte in French, which let you stay as the guest of a French host, are an excellent option of you are looking to immerse yourself in the local culture. Some companies like Good Morning Paris find the host and set up all logistics for you.

If you are looking for a more standard hotel or hostel, the options can be overwhelming. Bootsnall fortunately has a great guide to different kinds of Parisian accommodation for any budget. If you want to stick to green accommodation look for the European Union’s official accreditation, the EU Eco Flower Label.

Anna Brones is a freelance writer with a love for travel. She has a BA in International Relations and French Studies and has lived in Sweden, France, Guadeloupe and the Pacific Northwest. Her work has been featured in Transitions Abroad, Pology, Green Mama, Matador Travel, and Traveler’s Tales A Woman’s World Again.

3 AM in Stockholm. Photo by Johnny Vulkan

When I was younger my father often liked to tell me “pack what you would be comfortable carrying on foot for a few miles.” As we traveled I was always frustrated that I was only allowed the space of one carry-on bag and what went in it were only the essentials. Nowadays I am thankful my father taught me the basics of efficient packing; I secretly smile when people ask “you’re only bringing one bag?” Packing light while still managing to bring all the right things along is often easier said than done, but with a little common sense and a willingness to downsize, you too could be traveling lighter and more efficiently.

1. Pick the right bag. First off, think about where you are going. If you are going to be trekking the Australian outback, you probably don’t want a suitcase on wheels and if you are going on a classy fashion trip to Singapore, you may not want a grimy, overused backpack. That being said, choose a suitcase, bag or backpack that you are comfortable transporting. For the truly packing conscious traveler, pick one that fits carry-on standards, that way you are limited in your packing space but you can be assured that your bag will be with you upon arrival. For one traveler’s pick as the ultimate carry on, check here.

2. Utilize stuff-sacks. There is no bigger hassle than having to pull every single item that you have meticulously packed in order to get to that one pair of pants that you put at the bottom of your backpack. How to stay away from this problem? Invest in (or sew) some stuff sacks, found at any outdoor or sporting goods store. They are a great way to organize your clothes (t-shirts in one, pants in the second, socks and underwear in the third) and when you do need to do a full unload of your pack or suitcase, you won’t have to do any unnecessary folding to get everything back in. For a more inexpensive version, try Ziploc bags, which thanks to their see-thru quality also allow you to see exactly what is packed in each bag.

3. Mix and match. Without sounding like a J. Peterman catalog, one of the best pieces of advice for packing is to pick several items that all work together. Two pairs of pants, three shirts, a belt and a scarf can go a long way. Remember to not pack specific outfits, but focus on simple, easy-to-wear pieces that you can mix and match. If you do get bored with your clothing options during your travels, remember that you can always buy a local item in whatever country you find yourself in to spice up your limited wardrobe.

4. Choose quick dry items. At some point in your travels you may be caught needing to do some much needed laundry in your hotel bathroom sink. When this arrives you will happy that you spent your pre-travel bucks on micro-fiber underwear and nylon pants. These types of clothes are easy to wash and dry much faster than your average cotton versions.

5. Bring one nice outfit. Even when you are taking off on a dirty backpacking adventure, you never know what can happen. Packing an item of clothing that can be worn in a nicer situation is always worth your while. Think of your traveling clothes as combination pieces; putting two clean, semi-nice pieces together can in fact make a good looking outfit worthy of a fancy dinner out on the town.

6. Low maintenance clothing. Unless you are jetting off on a 3 day business trip and need to be clad in the finest of the fine, leave starchy shirts and blouses at home. Any item that normally needs to be ironed should be crossed off your packing list immediately. Go for items that you can pull directly out of your suitcase and throw on without a second thought.

7. The right primary footwear. I cringe at writing this because I know it is a boring piece of packing advice, but traveling entails walking, and your voyage will be much more enjoyable if you are comfortable on your feet. Fortunately you don’t always have to sacrifice style for comfort. There is an array of functional yet stylish options that won’t leave your dogs screaming after a day on the pavement or trail. Remember to pack shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty or wet and, above all, are durable.

8. Flip flops. Even when going to cold weather destinations, a pair of flip flops can be indispensable, especially if you are planning on spending time in hostels. Throwing on a pair before venturing into the shower in a shared bathroom will protect your feet from a variety of microbes that cover the floor. On warmer trips, flip flops are a much appreciated break for your feet at the end of a walking-intense afternoon.

9. The necessary extra: a first aid kit. Accidents do happen. You want to be prepared. You don’t need to pack a heavy duty save-your-life-in-the-outback kind of kit (unless you are spending several days in mountainous backcountry) but you want something to take care of smaller problems: blisters, cuts, headaches, etc. Along with your regular stash of toiletries, add a good antibiotic cream, like Neosporin, which can go a long way. Various sized band-aids, athletic tape and a good dose of ibuprofen can also come in handy, as well as benadryl for mild allergic reactions. For feisty blisters caused by hours of aimless wandering, consider carrying 2nd Skin, which can be applied to a busted blister and taped over with athletic tape, and make your feet feel good as new.

10. For the trip home. These are only the beginnings packing efficiently, but it should put you in the right direction. As a final note, don’t be surprised when at the end of your travels you have just a little bit extra than when you started. Buy (or bring) an inexpensive duffel bag, check it, and hope it meets you at your home airport.

Anna Brones is a freelance writer with a love for travel. She has a BA in International Relations and French Studies and has lived in Sweden, France, Guadeloupe and the Pacific Northwest. Her work has been featured in Transitions Abroad, Pology, Green Mama, Matador Travel, and Traveler’s Tales A Woman’s World Again.

Photo by BFXU

Sweden’s capital city was recently named the world’s most livable city by Reader’s Digest, and with good reason. Here, green options abound (think IKEA on a large scale). Although a cosmopolitan city, Stockholm and its locales are definitely inspired by the simplicity of the Swedish countryside and are committed to keeping their environment healthy. Buildings are green, public transportation is efficient and there is a general sense of well-being hanging in the air.

Practical Information

From Arlanda International Airport you can get to downtown Stockholm by train, bus or taxi. Arlanda Express is a 20 minute train into downtown, but if you’re on a budget, opt for the bus shuttle Arlanda Flygbuss. Travel to and from other Swedish cities is easy with Sweden’s national train system SJ. Buses are also a good form of cross-country Swedish travel and the big names in the business are Swebus and Safflebussen ; tickets can easily be purchased from the bus kiosks at Central Station.

Once in downtown Stockholm you will find that many of the city’s attractions are easily accessible by foot. If you want to explore a little farther outside of the downtown area the Tunnelbana is Stockholm’s underground metro, and the city also has an extensive network of buses, both of which are run by Stockholms Lokaltrafik.

Keep in mind that in Sweden, “youth” is defined as anyone 26 years or younger, allowing those of you in your mid-twenties to take advantage of reduced prices on tickets and beyond.

To get yourself oriented, download the helpful Stockholm Green Map before you go. The map is full of everything green, including parks, stores and restaurants.

Activities

Since last summer, getting around Stockholm has become easier and greener with the City Bike . During the spring, summer and early fall, you can take advantage of the great program which allows you to pick up and park one of the official bikes at over 80 different bicycle parking stations placed around town. A bike card costs 25 SEK (a little under $4) and gets you a full day’s worth of bike access. For those spending an extended time in the Swedish capital, consider a season pass.

During the summer, Stockholm locals spend a lot of time at their picturesque summer houses scattered around Stockholm’s Archipelago , or Skärgården in Swedish. Exploring the archipelago makes a great day trip, or even a multi-day excursion, and quickly gets you into Swedish nature. On the more than 24,000 islands, islets and rocks you can find everything from wildlife reserves to youth hostels. During the summer, the Stockholm Tourist Center offers a five day archipelago pass for only 300 SEK (about $47 at the current exchange rate) which allows you unlimited boat travel throughout the islands.

If you want to stick closer to the city but still want the ferry experience, take a trip to Djurgården, which is home to the Skansen , an open air museum with lots of animals and living history, and Gröna Lund Amusement Park.

While cruising the Stockholm streets, you may notice how trendy everyone looks. The locals are known for their hip clothes and cutting edge hair styles. Not to worry, you can get your own chic eco-friendly haircut at Friekosör.

Any season merits a visit to Kungsträdgården, central Stockholm’s main public place which can be described as a park, town square and a botanical garden all-in-one. The City of Stockholm sponsors various events throughout the year, such as concerts, art exhibitions, festivals and an ice skating rink in the winter, making it a great space to congregate with the locals and enjoy a little respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Arts & Culture

Stockholm has a large concentration of museums located within the central downtown area, making them easy to reach by walking or public transportation. On Skeppsholmen Island in central Stockholm lies Moderna Museet, which houses a wide selection of contemporary Scandinavian and international art. For classical works, visit the Museum of Fine Arts.

Another popular choice is the Ethnographic Museum. After a tour through world cultures, you can take an organic coffee break in the museum’s café.

Kulturhuset, centrally located at Sergels Torg, is one of Stockholm’s main cultural centers, offering everything from foreign film screenings to an International Writer’s Stage and boasting a roof covered in solar panels. The house café serves organic coffee and a daily organic special.

Green Eats

Rosendals Trädgård: The Rosendal Garden is a large garden committed to sharing organic cultivation methods with the general public. One of the greenhouses is home to the Garden Café, open from February to September, which uses only local, seasonal and organic products. Connected with the Café is also a bakery, where you can try out a variety of well known Swedish pastries all made with biodynamic flour and baked in a stone oven.

Chutney: A vegetarian restaurant in the hip neighborhood of Södermalm, Chutney offers up organic wines, and even champagne. The atmosphere is relaxed with world music in the background and ever-changing art shows. Just as good for a coffee break as for a full lunch.

Indoor Markets: Called Saluhallar or hallar in Swedish, Stockholm’s indoor markets are sometimes the best places to shop for fresh local food or drop in at a lively café. The big ones are Östermalms Saluhall , Söderhallarna, and Hötrogshallen.

Accommodation

Many of Stockholm’s accommodations are deemed eco-friendly, including the Nordic Light Hotel and Rica Hotels.

Staying in a hostel is also a great option for traveling green while on a budget and Stockholm has some of the funkiest. Red Boat Mälaren offers accommodation in just that: two red boats. Another boat option is the historic HI Hostel af Chapman & Skeppsholmen , which was built in 1888 and turned into a hostel in 1949.

During the summer months, camping is also a popular option, allowing you to get a little taste of the Swedish outdoors life but at the same time close to city attractions.

Anna Brones is a freelance writer with a love for travel. She has a BA in International Relations and French Studies and has lived in Sweden, France, Guadeloupe and the Pacific Northwest. Her work has been featured in Transitions Abroad, Pology, Green Mama, Matador Travel, and Traveler’s Tales A Woman’s World Again.

Photo by Ben Amstutz

“Keep Portland Weird” is a common bumper sticker that locals love to slap onto their cars and water bottles. But along with being a little weird and funky, Portland is also green and hip. It has some of the best public transportation in the country, lots of buildings with LEED certification and a population committed to biking to work. With so many green options, it can be hard to choose exactly how to spend your time in the environmentally conscious Northwest city, so here is a quick guide to some of the highlights.

Practical Information

If you are flying into Portland International Airport, you can easily take the Portland MAX light rail into downtown. For those arriving by train or bus, both the Amtrak and Greyhound stations are conveniently located in Fareless Square, an area covering most of downtown where all public transportation is free of charge. If your travels keep you in Portland for a few days and you want to explore outside of the downtown area, you can consider investing in a day, or even a week pass.

Activities

With green foothills and two mountains as a natural part of the skyline, it is no surprise that getting outdoors is an integral part of a genuine Portland experience, and even downtown offers an assortment of green space. In Northwest Portland you will find Forest Park , complete with miles upon miles of hiking and biking trails covering over 5,000 acres. Friends of Forest Park is the place to go for maps of all of the trails, and they even offer a natural history hiking series.

Only an hour away from Portland you will find Mount Hood, which is a playground for all seasons. In the winter you can take advantage of the Meadows Park & Ride Shuttle to get up to the mountain to ski or snowboard; your ticket even includes a lift ticket. In the summer, hike a part of the Pacific Crest Trail , which passes through the Mount Hood National Forest area.

Portland is notorious for being a biker’s heaven, and to truly get an in-depth view of the green city and its neighborhoods, what better way than with a bike tour? Portland Bicycle Company offers 3 hour tours that focus on sustainability, smart urban development, and community building. If you want to explore on your own, rent one of their bikes and get a bike map from the City of Portland Office of Transportation. As the city avidly supports those on two wheels, there are many streets designated as bike-friendly.

Arts & Culture

In Portland there’s always a festival going on, and many of them are committed to showcasing the best in local arts and culture. The winter months feature Reel Music Film Festival, Oregon Truffle Festival, and Portland Jazz Festival. For those who want to check out the local wining and dining scene, be sure to visit during the Holiday Ale Fest, Oregon Brewers Festival, Oregon Bounty, or the Bite of Oregon, which always showcases local and organic samplings. Travel Portland has a great website always up-to-date with the latest festivals.

A big draw in Portland is the Saturday Market, which features an eclectic assortment of local artists and an international food court. Don’t let the name fool you: it’s open on Sundays too. After a morning of perusing the goods at the market, make your way over to Powell’s City of Books. With over 68,000 feet of retail space and one of the best selections of used, rare, and out of print titles in the country, Powell’s classifies as a world-class independent bookstore.

Between April and December you can get a taste of all that local Oregon farmers and artisans have to offer at the Portland Farmer’s Market, held both downtown and at various neighborhood locations around the city.

Green Eats

Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Café culture is a part of everyday Portland life, and there is no better place to experience it than at this local roasting company’s many cafes scattered around the city. Most of their blends are organic and fair trade.

Blossoming Lotus. Committed to providing 100% vegan, organic and local food whenever possible, this place specializes in World Fusion Cuisine. The restaurant is conveniently located in Portland’s popular Pearl District and right on the Portland Street Car line.

Hot Lips Pizza . A Portland family-owned institution, this place serves up delicious pies that feature local, seasonal, and organic ingredients. Complete your meal with an on tap Hot Lips Soda, brewed one flavor at a time.

Roots Organic Brewing Company. Locally brewed all-organic beer. Need I say more?

Accommodation

Portland has some great green options for any budget, here are the top three:

Ace Hotel. Hip urban minimalist is the only way to describe this boutique hotel which is budget friendly and has rooms uniquely designed to represent the local Portland culture. Add a LEED certification and bikes for rent and you have prime green accommodation.

Heathman Hotel. One of the classiest and most well-known of the Portland hotels, it was also the first one to be recognized by the Energy Trust of Oregon for their commitment to the environment. They even offer a “Go Green” package, which gets a tree planted in your name.

Portland Hawthorne Hostel. Located in the funky Hawthorne district, staying here will put you close to a plethora of cafes, pubs and quirky boutiques. Thanks to a grant from the City of Portland, the hostel has an eco-roof, and they give discounts to travelers arriving by way of bike.

Anna Brones is a freelance writer with a love for travel. She has a BA in International Relations and French Studies and has lived in Sweden, France, Guadeloupe and the Pacific Northwest. Her work has been featured in Transitions Abroad, Pology, Green Mama, Matador Travel, and Traveler’s Tales A Woman’s World Again.