SURPRISINGLY GREEN

Sometimes, you find bright spots in unexpected places

by NANCY HELLMRICH

Right. So we all know that the people of Denmark are happy and eco-conscious and perfect. They ride bicycles, forage for natural foods, turn waste into electricity, and tread lightly wherever they go. Since the Danes, and all the usual Scandinavian suspects, are capturing the eco-press these days, we thought we’d shine a little light on some lesser-known members of the green team.

Ljubljana, Slovenia | Pretty, green Ljubljana won the European Green Capital title in 2016 and they haven’t looked back since. The centre of the city, nearly 30 acres, is traffic-free. There are 542 square meters of green space per inhabitant. Like Copenhagen, bicycles rule. A green supply chain project keeps food sources local.

The city’s tourism is “de-seasonalized,” meaning their calendar of events is year-round. They’ve won heaps of awards for their green scheme (Slovenia Green) and sustainable tourism efforts. And, in the “who knew” category of fun facts, they have a long history of beekeeping.

Vienna, Austria | Powered largely by renewable energy, Vienna boasts green spaces that cover almost half of the city including 2,000 parks with flower beds and blossoming trees. There are oodles of oases-like dining courtyards hidden from view, such as Clementine im Glashaus at the Palais Coburg, Salonplafond at MAK, Gartencafé, and Café Diglas in Schottenstift Abbey.

The Viennese love of greenery goes up as well, to the roofs and walls of buildings, including a “mur végétal,” created by famed botanist Patrick Blanc, that features 20,000 species of plants.

Gartencafé

San Juan, Puerto Rico | Viva la vida natural. Thanks to a successful Green Certifications Program, Puerto Rico is in the middle of a big push to earn our eco-tourism dollars. Eco-approved accommodations include everything from an earth-friendly glamping hotel to Ritz-Carlton’s Dorado Beach, and the solar-powered Hix Island House.

Nearby agricultural tours include fruit and vegetable plantations, coffee haciendas, and equestrian facilities. Biodiversity is big here too, with eco-tours that feature caving, kayaking, interpretive hikes, snorkeling and diving. And an innovative community-based initiative supports local entrepreneurs through guided activities in nature reserves such as Humacao, Rio Abajo, and Jobos Bay.

Moscow, Russia | We were surprised too. But it turns out, Russia’s capital is a whopping 54 percent green space. That’s 20 square meters per inhabitant, if we’re counting. Since the 1950s, the city has been home to millions of trees and shrubs, including small-leaved linden, blue spruce, fir, western thuja (cypress), golden currant, barberry, and roses.

And the Moskovites aren’t stopping there. Apparently, if you must cut down a tree, two new ones have to be planted in compensation.

Ritz Carlton, Dorado Beach

Hix Island House

Gorky Central Park

Moscow’s cherished parks include the 300-acre Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure, Tsaritsyno Park, Vorobynovy Park, Izmaylovsky Park. And of course, Losiny Ostrov National Park, the largest urban park in Europe.

Contact your trusted travel advisor and go green for your next vacation.

Volksgarten (People’s Park)

Bristol, United Kingdom | Lovely, lovely

Bristol became the UK’s first cycling city in 2008. By 2013 it had been designated one of the world’s top bike-friendly cities. And by 2015, The European Green Capital of the Year. Today, the city’s Green Capital Partnership works to keep the momentum going.

Green spaces are scattered throughout street artist Banksy’s home town. Brandon Hill is great for picnics. Eastville Park offers treed walks, a lake, running circuit, and lawn bowling. Ashton Court Estate has sunken gardens. And the University of Bristol Botanic Garden features a 640-square-meter glasshouse divided into four climate zones.

University of Bristal Botanical Gardens

EARN MORE

BONUS INTERVIEW ENTREVUE MILES. MUSIC MUSIQUE

RECIPE RECETTE

COCKTAIL COCKTAIL

BOOK LIVRE NEW! EARN MILES ON ALL VACATION PACKAGES.

Now SkyMiles® Members earn bonus miles, in addition to flight miles, on every vacation package. Earn bonus miles on packages, per person: • 5,000 bonus miles on packages of $10,000+ • 2,000 bonus miles on packages of $5,000 - $9,999 • 1,000 bonus miles on packages up to $4,999 Plus, Members can earn additional bonus miles with our car rental partners and when they use their Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card on Delta Vacations purchases. Primary driver earns bonus miles on car rental packages:† • 500 plus additional 200 per day with Alamo® Rent a Car • 500 plus additional 200 per day with National® Car Rental Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card Members earn: • 2 bonus miles per dollar spent Contact Your Trusted Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Travel Advisor to Learn More. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card • 3 bonus miles per dollar spent Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

All SkyMiles Program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Bonus miles do not count toward Medallion Status or Million Miler™ Status. Offer subject to change without notice; other restrictions may apply. Offers void where prohibited by law. For complete terms and conditions for earning miles with Delta Vacations, visit worldagentdirect.com/dlv/earn-miles. †Delta SkyMiles number must be provided during pick up at the rental counter. The car must be rented in Member’s name to earn mileage. Only one SkyMiles Member per car rental will be credited with miles. Offer valid for rentals picked up at participating Alamo or National Car Rental locations in the United States and ©2021 Delta Vacations DV34165