At home, we’ve all adopted a certain number of eco-responsible habits to help preserve the planet for future generations. And those good habits are exactly what we need to keep up when holiday time comes around! So read on and discover our 7 top tips that not only respect the environment during your camping stay with Sandaya but also support a tourism that’s both responsible and sustainable.
1. Forget about flying
OK, we all know that catching a plane lets us get far far away in double quick time; but what we also need to remember is that, for an equivalent journey, a plane pollutes 7 times more than a coach and 40 times more than at TGV high-speed train. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives for your journey to your Sandaya campsite. Train, TGV, boat or car-sharing are all means of transport that deserve to get the thumbs up when the bags are packed and it’s time to leave. And never forget, the journey is also part of the adventure!
2. Leave the car in the car park
If you head off to your campsite by car, there’s no need to get behind the wheel once you’ve arrived! The advantage of a 4 or 5 star campsite is that everything is easily accessible and only a stone’s throw from your accommodation: grocery store for your everyday shopping, snack bar and restaurant when you have an attack of the munchies, hire of camping and sports equipment if you’ve forgotten something... Then, to get out and explore nearby, you can count on our bike hire service! So come on, it’s time to hit those discovery trails, the wind in your hair!
3. Tread lightly and leave no trace!
At last, you’ve finally arrived! And you’re simply dying to get out and stretch your legs with a stroll at the seaside or a relaxing hike in the heart of nature. But only on condition that it remains intact! So, to be certain you leave no waste behind you, take a little rubbish bag along, particularly useful after a picnic break. And never forget that, left in the midst of nature, a drink can takes 50 years to disappear and a plastic bag can survive for over 400 years! For the smokers amongst you, a pocket ashtray is the essential accessory for all eco-hikers when there isn’t a handy bin to throw those cigarette butts away.
4. Respect all wildlife
There’s nothing better than an outing through the forest to forget the everyday! The gentle murmur of the river, the song of the birds, so many sounds that do us so much good, naturally. But the reverse isn’t always the case! Because, above all, the forest is a very special habitat and home to hundreds of species of animals and plants easily disturbed by the environmental footprint of its human visitors. So, to avoid upsetting their natural habits, take care not to make too much noise, leave food behind or pick flowers, branches or mushrooms. However minor it may seem to you, it’s all essential to maintaining the fragile balance of their environment.
5. Opt for natural products
If your summer holiday is above all synonymous with getting away to new horizons, it’s also the season for sunshine and mosquitoes! So, when it comes to protecting yourself, here are a few alternatives to chemical products or those harmful to the environment. On the beach, opt for sun cream rather than oil. Being less well absorbed by the skin, oil dissolves more easily in the water and creates a film on the surface that slows the process of photosynthesis essential for marine life. Under the canvas of your tent, natural solutions exist and are always preferable to chemical insecticides when it comes to fighting off those pesky mozzies. Lavender, geranium and citronella essential oils are just some of the natural repellents well worth trying. Mother Nature will thank you!
6. Favour the flavour of local produce
We’re certain you’ll agree: a new destination also means a host of new culinary experiences to try! Heading off on holiday with Sandaya offers a perfect opportunity to sample the terroir of your adopted region, itself an excellent way to support local production. So don’t hesitate to wander amongst the stalls of the nearby markets to discover all the local specialities: walnuts from the Périgord, oysters from the Charente-Maritime, cheese from Auvergne, Muscat de Frontignan... And what better than a few delicious holiday souvenirs, to take home for family and friends!
7. Go “eco-camping” with a stay at an environmentally-friendly campsite, where else!
Thanks to this little guide, you now know all the good habits to adopt to protect the planet. Well done! And to help you stay on track, even when on holiday, opt for an environmentally-friendly campsite where everything necessary for day-to-day life has been carefully planned to reduce its environmental impact and protect nature. Which couldn’t be better, because the Sandaya group has made a commitment to doing exactly that, with a CSR programme designed to develop good practices at every level of the company! That’s what we mean by camping inspired by freedom AND respectful of the environment made in Sandaya!
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