Some many places to go, beautiful wonders to see…expat lifestyle and a love for travelling means I am often left feeling guilty about my carbon footprint. So how can we find a balance between looking after our planet and ticking off the bucket list? Here’s a few ideas on how we can reduce the global impact when travelling…

Res-usable cups

Whether it’s water or a coffee fix, a lot of my travel budget goes towards buying drinks…I dread to think about how many plastic water bottles or paper coffee cups I could go through! I always try to take a water bottle with me so I can fill up on the go, or use my res-usable coffee cup to reduce the waste from my coffee needs! Using reusable products really does make a difference – most cafes will be more than happy to make the coffee in your own cup, some even offer a discount which is always a bonus!

In some countries where the water may be unsafe to drink, you might need to buy plastic water bottles. However, we can still reduce the impact by remembering to recycle!

Getting about

It might take a plane ride to reach our destination, but once we are there we have plenty of travels options to help reduce that footprint! I love to walk everywhere on holiday – you see so much more that may have gone unnoticed! Walking is also great for the old Fitbit steps! If you prefer to move a little faster, why not try cycling? The cycling culture is huge across Europe and many cities offer ‘Borris Bikes’ to hire for the day.

There’s always the option to try a unique form of travel…scooters, roller blades and even segways are often available!

Viva la veggie

Whilst it might not be for everyone, reducing the amount of meat we consume can really make a difference. Whilst I am not a vegetarian, I have been making a conscious effort to reduce the amount of meat I eat. Some countries offer a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options, whilst it can prove more difficult in others…why not try a new vegetarian dish on your next trip!

Litter pick

When travelling in Vietnam, I was shocked by the amount of litter (particularly plastics) polluting the beautiful Ha Long Bay. Truth is that many countries still remain uneducated on the impact of litter and plastic pollution – the fishing villages of Ha Lang Bay don’t have east access the the wealth of information we do in the Western world. So if you have the chance, why don’t you do your bit? We decided to collect any litter we came across when kayaking in the bay…a small gesture but a positive one!

There are so many wonderful places to see across the globe and ultimately, getting to see the world will impact on the environment. However, with a few considerations we can still make a difference!

Happy travels, K x

New York, New York – a city full of surprises! Being a traveller more suited to the coastal regions and anywhere with a bit of countryside, I was worried New York wasn’t going to live up to the hype for me…however, I soon realised it has so much to offer than yellow taxis and a bustling business life! New York surprised me in many ways and opened my eyes to the perks of city life – I hope to visit again someday!

Playing Tourist: sights to see

Within the ‘Big Apple’ there are so many sights to see and places to tick off with the ‘Been there, done that,” t-shirt. Whether it’s the views from the Empire State, or ice skating at the Rockefeller Center, be sure to prepare for your trip with an itinerary so you don’t miss out! When planning for New York, I found Lonely Planet’s guide, Make My Day, to be incredibly useful – it helps you to create personalised plans for your trip and make sure you tick off all your favourites! Here are a few of my favourite sights:

Empire State Building
What’s a trip to New York without visiting the Empire State? If there’s a height to climb in a city, then I’m going to climb it. The trip to the 86th floor is definitely worthwhile – a little place of peace up above, towering over the hustle and bustle of the city below. My tip would be to get there early and avoid the crowds, watching the city as it wakes for another bustling day. Team up your trip with a visit to the top of the Rockefeller Center at night, giving you two views at contrasting times.

The Statue of Liberty
Standing prominent in all her glory, a trip to the Statue of Liberty is a must for me. The best pictures are from a distance – book on a boat trip and enjoy the views as you sail past. There’s an option to stop off at Ellis Island and discover more about the old immigration station.

Central Park
Nature at the heart of a city that never sleeps – Central Park definitely has many ‘perks’ (Friends fans appreciate the pun). There is so much to see and do in Central Park – a bike ride is a must, allowing you to see so much more! Stop off for a coffee and cake at the Boathouse, with a lakeside view!

Film Fanatics

The home to so many major films, make sure you get the picture perfect Insta snap in New York City! Here’s a few to get you started in your stunt double career:

• Flatiron building from Spiderman (you may not be able to scale it Spidey style) – borough of Manhattan
• Experience life through Buddy the Elf’s eyes – run through the revolving doors of the Empire State
• The National History Museum (Ben Stiller moment, Night at the Museum) – let’s hope the characters don’t come alive!

Experience Highlights

• Cheer on the New York Rangers at an ice hockey game – a great experience, from on-pitch flights to the stereotypical kiss cam. For a cheaper option, visit the Jersey Devils (Newark).
• Live the high life and enjoy a Broadway show – the Lion King was a real highlight for my trip! Expensive, but worth it in my eyes.
• Demolish a New York pizza – head over Brooklyn Bridge to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria; make sure you don’t eat too much before, the pizzas are huge!

Whatever floats your travel boat, New York has something for everyone! My final travel tips: plan in advance, buy tickets for events beforehand to skip the queues and finally, don’t leave before visiting a New York diner!

Happy Travels, K x

Time Square

River Views

Statue of Liberty