Whether you're planning your honeymoon, a gap year adventure or just taking the whole family away, our complete destination guide gives you ideas for places that share an ethical and conservation focused theme. So go climbing Kilimanjaro, relax in the Seychelles or holiday in Egypt, secure in the knowledge that you're doing your part for the planet
Content kindly supplied by responsibletravel.com
Relaxing, luxurious and romantic: Curl up together in this seven-acre private gated country estate on the shores of the Ionian island of Ithaca, Greece. Perched on a hillside with spectacular sea views, this organic olive oil estate includes four houses, each set into its own fragrant garden terraces complete with swimming pool. On arrival guests will find a kitchen well stocked with food and drinks and the owners can organise boat hire, crewed yacht charter, scuba diving expeditions or even childcare.
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Quirky, peaceful and private: Several years ago, German-born Brigitte and her Turkish husband Ferruh had a vision of restoring an old watermill whose remains lay hidden on the Turkish mountainside. They succeeded so well that it is hard to believe that this secret, peaceful hideaway has not been here forever. Rooms are scattered about on different levels, half hidden in the abundance of trees and climbers, while shaded seating areas with divans and low cushions permit privacy and peace.
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Safari (without roughing it): Campi Ya Kanzi safari lodge is located in Kenya's prime game area between Amboseli and Tsavo parks. The camp provides tented lodgings within a 400-mile unspoilt private range, which looks out on to Mt. Kilimanjaro. The camp provides a unique service for each of its 14 guests - your private safari will be totally tailored to your requirements and will either be on foot or in one of seven Land Rovers. Campi Ya Kanzi is run by Luca Belpietro and Antonella Bonomi, with help from 42 local Maasai employees.
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Luxurious mountain refuge: The Kasbah du Toubkal is perched among the mountains, just 40 miles from Marrakech, but the peace and quiet and seclusion are so complete the city seems a million miles away. The Kasbah is an extraordinary venture, the product of an imaginative Berber and European partnership, making it a welcoming environment for those seeking a comfortable mountain refuge, alongside superb rooms in a stunning setting.
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Seychelles eco lodge: A 30-minute flight from Mahe by light aircraft gives the first stunning impressions of this tiny 170 acre coral cay. The east and south sides are surrounded by a protective barrier reef which is home to many varieties of tropical fish and the rest is an open beach which offers superb safe swimming. The Island offers a magical holiday experience. Endless stretches of fine white coral sand beaches give a true 'castaway' feeling. The emphasis is very much on relaxation and informality so leave your city shoes at home.
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Kids won't sit still for five seconds? Why not try Responsibletravel.com's two-week adventure holiday for families to Croatia and Slovenia. The first week is spent in Umag, situated on Croatia's increasingly popular Adriatic Coast and the second week amid the stunning mountain scenery of Slovenia's Julian Alps. The combination of coast and mountains also provides a hugely varied activity programmes which include (amongst other things) rock climbing, canyoning and sea kayaking. The recommended minimum age for kids is nine years.
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Need to unwind and relax? Set on a quiet stretch of long sandy beach and surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean orchards and gardens, this villa-come-hotel holiday destination in Polis, Cyprus offers beautiful views of the Polis Bay and the Akamas Peninsula nature reserve - and the pool will keep the kids happy for hours! An important kingdom in ancient times, Polis now offers a unique combination of sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, a beautiful countryside with a rich wildlife, a very mild climate and hospitable and welcoming people.
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Want to take the family further afield? Embark on a trip to the emerald-green lakes and snowy mountain tops of Canada - an expedition into some of the most astonishing scenery anywhere. A great participation camping adventure, this is an ideal active introduction to the Canadian West's stunning scenery. As you head down trails first used by Amerindian native hunters, you get the opportunity to explore the remote mountainous areas featuring rolling cascades, ice-age glaciers and majestic forested valleys abundant with plant and animal life. Walks are easy (average 6-8 kms) - and are all optional. The minimum recommended age for kids is six.
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Single parent? Some one-parent families may be a bit daunted by the idea of adventures abroad, especially without a bit of help! A new range of holidays have sprung up which have special departure dates just for single parents so you can take part in all the fun, but with the added support and companionship from other mums and dads in a similar situation. The best-selling Egypt family holiday brings history lessons alive, as you take time to marvel at the Pyramids, the treasures of the boy-king Tutankhamun and mysteries of the mummies - even the smallest children will be overcome with awe at the unique sights and wonders of the ancient world!
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Expeditions in Kenya: This is an opportunity to take some time out for yourself and see what the world has to offer! Any journey to Africa will be amazing but spend one to three months taking part in marine conservation, mountain challenged and community projects and this is sure to change your outlook on life. During your stay you will undertake a programme of work which may include wildlife conservation projects such as Mwulanganje Elephant Reserve and Coral Reef Conservation as well as community projects in the local village, which includes assisting in the local school. Staying at Camp Kenya in Makongeni Village - approximately 4km from the coast - you will also enjoy several days on safari and have the opportunity to participate in numerous beach activities. What are you waiting for?
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Travel in Ecuador: This excellent and varied programme enables volunteers to gain a wide experience of Ecuador's amazing and diverse countryside. The projects are managed by the Ecotrackers Foundation, which is dedicated to community-based conservation throughout Ecuador. They are friendly and professional, and ensure their volunteers are extremely well looked after. Your six- or ten-week adventure will see you hiking and horse riding in the Andes, swimming and surfing in the Pacific Ocean, trekking through the Amazon rainforest? the list is endless!
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Marine conservation expedition in Mexico: This ambitious and unique Coral Reef Research Expedition offers volunteers intensive dive training and a marine education training programme, along with the opportunity to contribute towards crucial data collection and research. The five to 15-week expedition offers volunteers the chance to immerse themselves in one of the world's remaining truly pristine environments, living and working alongside local people and fisherman, experiencing their culture, food and way of life.
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Not for the faint-hearted: The ultimate career break experience! The Asia Grand Explorer tour is a true adventure, ranging from the heat and humidity in the jungles of Malaysia and Thailand to the bitter cold of the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau. Over the 22-week packed itinerary, adventurers will explore cities, islands, caves, rainforests, waterfalls, delta regions, panda reserves, island parties, valleys and mountains, including the mightiest of all - Everest!
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Wild walking: If you fancy stretching your legs in beautiful surroundings, a long weekend at Asturias country hotel in Spain is the ideal solution. Surrounded by its own 18-acre organic farm, this small quiet country hotel with a friendly atmosphere sits close to the mountains and beaches of Asturias. Enjoy superb walking, wild flowers, bird watching and many other activities during the day. Then in the evening, head over to the hotel restaurant which is open exclusively for hotel guests and serves excellent and imaginative home cooking with a strong emphasis on the use of local and organic produce.
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Two countries, one week: Why not explore both Croatia and Slovenia in one action-packed week? Great food, convivial company and superb activities await you in this wonderful part of Europe, from the stunning coastline of Croatia to the towering peaks and turquoise blue River Soca of Slovenia. Each day the itinerary is packed with adrenaline-filled activities like white-water rafting and hydrospeeding, and with such an impressive backdrop for your adventure, both countries are guaranteed to leave you amazed.
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White-water fun: Calling all adrenaline junkies! There are many big rivers, a handful of huge rivers, and the Brahmaputra in Northeast India. This premier expedition by raft down one of the world's great rivers is for the true adventurer, and only three expeditions have ever commercially rafted the Brahmaputra before. Take to the river for some of the finest white water in the world, as you plunge through the rainforests, remote canyons and untouched tribal villages... just hold on tight!
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Climb Kilimanjaro: Want to feel on top of the world? This seven-day Climbing Kilimanjaro trek gives you the best chance of reaching the summit via the Machame Route. This ultimate challenge gives you an amazing sense of achievement as well as sharing the areas spectacular scenery and wildlife, and providing an insight into the natural history and cultures of the environments and peoples you will meet along the way - this is an experience not to be missed.
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