So you want to do away with the woes of modern life by ditching the iPhone, constant emails and never-ending to-do list in favor of an eco-friendly, peaceful refuge. Whether you prefer to explore mountain ranges or trek your way though the jungle, there’s an eco-retreat for you.
We’ve selected some of the best places to satisfy your eco-urges.
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat, China
Want to unplug from the world and get away from the trappings of modern life? Then head to the scenic Karst mountain range of the Yangshou County, an hour from Guilin, where the simple life is the only way of life. Expect homemade furniture, a simple farm-to-table menu and an abundance of tranquility.
Bathurst Inlet Lodge, Canada
Total isolation means this place has been forced to become self sufficient in order to survive. Retired Mountie Glen and his wife co-own the converted trading post building along with members of the local Kingaunmiut tribe, and the locale is a great place to try your hand at every kind of outdoor activity you can think of – from kayaking to hiking to canoeing on the Boreal Forest Rivers. If you want to experience life as it was for isolated communities in the arctic more than 50 years ago, then this is the perfect retreat for you.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, Peru
Head to the banks of the Madre de Dias River in the remote Peruvian Amazonian rainforest and live like Mowgli for a few weeks. Wake up in your canopy treehouse and explore one of the world’s most bio-diverse regions. Embrace your inner explorer by following the Anaconda trail, or try and spot some of the thousands of species of birds, amphibians and creepy crawlies.
Monte Rosa Mountain Refuge, Switzerland
The futuristic design will make you think you’ve landed at a NASA space station and the breathtakingly stunning views of Gorner and Mount Rose glaciers will make you question whether you’ve actually been teleported to another planet. This idyllic refuge gets 90 percent of its power from solar energy, and for serious skiers, offers out of this world access to some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world.
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, Wyoming, United States
If you’re looking to up your eco-credentials then look no further than Hotel Terra. With offset energy sources, 100 percent recycled rooftops, and various energy efficient systems to retain heat and conserve water, Hotel Terra ranks high on the list of innovative and environmentally sound getaways. Stay in the boutique hotel or in one of the self-contained lodges set on beautiful grounds a stone’s throw from Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole mountain resort and the Snake River.
Milia Mountain Retreat, Greece
Go back to basics at the restored 17th century settlement in the mountain ranges of Kissamos. Embracing organic farming methods, renewable energy sources and recyclable materials, Milia is a magnet for eco-tourists from all over the world. Expect to sleep in rustic dwellings, enjoy challenging hikes through the picturesque trails and return each day to classic, freshly prepared Cretan dishes and local organically produced wine.
Croft 103, Scotland
With no one around for miles, these eco-lodges in the Highlands of Scotland are the perfect setting for some serious R&R. Situated on one of the largest, wildest expanses in Europe, on the most northerly coastal stretch of the U.K., Croft 103 gives you a chance to have natural wonders like Smoo Cave and Lock Eriboll all to yourself.
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Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
