Koh Phangan, an island in Thailand, is sold as a healer’s paradise. Any day of the week you will find Tantra, yoga, breathwork, rope yoga or ecstatic dance under palm trees at Zen Beach in between the full moon parties and half moon parties. You can spend every day of the week trying to fix yourself. If you are single or in a couple, that works, but not so much with teens.

We came to the island paradise with teens. We did what you do when you first arrive: Muay Thai kickboxing, zip lines, swimming pools, ATVs, swimming until sunset, cooking classes. It worked for a week or so, then it didn’t.

Because teens don’t just want stimulation, they want real things, so we went looking and found the island you don’t see on Instagram.

The island you don’t see

A few turns off the main road and you find another Koh Phangan, one that is not curated. It’s PACS, a center and hospital to heal and rehabilitate stray dogs and cats. There are broken dogs and cats, run over by cars or motorcycles, some neglected by their owners, raw skin exposed on their necks for being chained to a short leash for months.

Janina, from Germany, saw the street dogs on the island 4 years ago and has been coming back to PACS once a week to help out for a day each time.

“I saw them on the streets all the time,” she tells me. “I was angry.”

Now she comes, not to heal herself, but to clean cages, feed animals, wash dogs with skin infections, give company to the cats. The work is repetitive, smelly, physical, and mostly invisible.

PACS — Phangan Animal Care for Strays has been quietly running a catch, spay/neuter, and release program, working to reduce suffering at the source since 2001. It’s not glamorous but population control, wound care, infection management, and prevention.

The rescue effort here started about 25 years ago, near a local school, when injured dogs kept showing up with nowhere to go. Fifteen years ago it became a proper Thai-run foundation. Today it operates as a hospital, relying on donations, Facebook, Instagram, and a fragile pipeline of adoptions.

At PACS, the idea is simple: the well-being of animals reflects the well-being of the community.

The 7-Eleven dogs

On this island of Koh Phangan, dogs have territories and they are micro-economies of survival. There are the “7-Eleven dogs” and you see them everywhere. One usually, hanging outside convenience stores, living off scraps and tourists who think a sausage is kindness. I saw one in the town of Thong Sala, drunk on food, lying outside the entrance, belly full with a ring of sausages around him that he couldn’t bother to eat.

“Every day sausage is not good,” one volunteer tells us. “The food they are given is not healthy to eat every day. Not even for us.”

Some 7-11 shops tolerate them. In Had Yao, dogs for some reason are allowed to wander inside like locals. In other places, fights break out because outsiders disrupt a fragile territorial balance that only the dogs understand. Those that support the Strays center hope that the pets they take care of will be adopted. In normal situations they treat the animals and when possible release them back to the location where they were first found.

This is the reality PACS works inside, not removing dogs from the ecosystem entirely, but stabilizing it, one animal at a time. While the 7/11 dogs might be lucky to get regular food, the luckiest ones who get their forever home.

We came to walk the dogs

We came to walk the dogs but enough volunteers showed up that day.

So we stayed and pet cats that leaned into our hands looking for love. We met dogs that barked out of fear but then got close to us over time. One had three legs. Another, Pupita, carries a toy in his mouth when she’s nervous. She is looking for her forever home.

Peanut had a spinal chord injury and now works as an emotional support dog for the other dogs. He drags his two back legs around behind him but his situation doesn’t seem to stop his smiles or passion for life. Peanut is looking for his forever home and he’d make a great emotional support pet, says Kim, the assistant on duty.

You don’t explain this to teenagers. You let them see it and touch it.

The people who stay

Salem came from London and works at a retreat on the island. He adopted a dog a few years ago called Mellow, once called Bones. Now he’s adopting another, Syrup. Salem and Syrup were excited about going home together.

“I saw him when he was tiny,” he says. “He came with a bunch of other puppies and one by one they were adopted but he stayed. From the beginning, I liked him.”

That day Syrup, now about 5 months old, was going home. They were going for Syrup’s last walk as a shelter dog. Salem often connects two worlds that don’t usually meet: wellness tourism and animal rescue. He brings his island friends to come to the shelter to walk the dogs.

Then there’s a German man Lungs Hai (name means uncle, and probably a Thai name he adopted) who found a dog chained to a tree (named Tongmung, now Clyde), fed him for three months, and watched his neck become raw and infected from his leash and collar.

At that point the shelter stepped in, according to Thai law, and could take the dog. That was a few months ago and Lungs Hai comes every day for a check in and some cuddles. Clyde’s neck is healing and he is looking for his forever home.

This is not a place for clean endings and not all stories belong in a brochure. A nurse named Kim who shows us around and welcomes us, tells me about the resident pig (my daughter would water down with a hose) that killed nine dogs and broke a volunteer’s leg.

The myth of healing

Koh Phangan will sell you healing in a coconut wearing Lululemon yoga pants. But healing isn’t always soft or pretty. Washing a dog with a skin disease, feeding a cat that might not survive the week.

We didn’t save anything that day but the center showed our teenagers what compassion looks like. The people working and showing up at PACS did that.

If you travel with kids, especially teens, try to build in something uncurated. Last summer we found volunteer opportunities for them in a forest in Canada. If you are traveling look for a place that’s working in the community to better it: because somewhere between the zip line and the beach, between the dance floor and the detox smoothie, there is a quieter education happening to help those who can’t speak at PACS.

How PACS started

PACS (Phangan Animal Care for Strays) was founded in 2001 by a veterinarian named Shevaun. She arrived on Koh Phangan while traveling and was struck by the condition of the animals: they were injured, untreated, and with no veterinary services on the island at the time. Stray population control was often done through culling (killing, as they do in Hebron), and locals had to travel by ferry to Koh Samui just to treat their pets.

So she started small, asking vets back home to send supplies, treating animals for small donations, and using those funds to help strays. From that, PACS grew into what you see today: a hospital, a sterilization program, and a quiet force of nurses, vets and volunteers, trying to stabilize the island’s stray population.

How you can help

PACS runs on small acts that add up.

• Donate through their website – this keeps the clinic running, pays for surgeries, medicines, and daily food.
• Follow and share on Facebook and Instagram – awareness leads to adoptions and support from outside the island.
• Adopt, or help find a home – even sharing a dog or cat’s story can connect them to a forever family. There are people on the island, PACS says, that can help you with pet relocation and adoption to foreign countries much like the cats of Istanbul. Fall in love with a Thai dog or cat? It’s possible to take them home with you.

Not everyone can take a dog home from Koh Phangan. But everyone can do something.

::PACS

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International holidays, as a whole, are not the most sustainable, especially when they involve flying. On the other hand, we all deserve a sunny getaway every now and then, and breathtaking destinations like Algarve offer a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, how do you find the right balance? A walking holiday could be your answer. 

Reducing your footprint

A walking holiday in Portugal essentially means that, once you get to the airport, you stop using any kind of transport. Instead, you simply walk from A to B, wherever that may be for you. As such, you reduce your carbon footprint significantly, avoiding the use of cars or public transport all together. Besides the sustainability aspect, it’s a highly rewarding way to explore a country, since you get to see parts of it you would normally miss out on. 

Your walking holiday will typically take place on a pre-planned long-distance trail, which could last anywhere between a week and a month. One of the most popular walking routes in Algarve is the Rota Vicentina network of walking and hiking trails. The Fisherman’s Trail, in particular, is a great option if you want a 7-day experience with a balanced mix of sandy beaches, stunning landscapes, authentic villages and delicious foods. 

The idea behind walking holidays is to explore Algarve’s natural beauty in the most respectful and sustainable way possible. The “Leave No Trace” principle is absolutely fundamental here, meaning your footprints should be the only sign of your visit. Respecting the wildlife is also key, particularly as the region is home to a vast variety of bird species (if you’re lucky, you’ll see them stork nests on the cliffs in spring!). 

Supporting the local communities

A huge part of sustainable holidays is where you choose to spend your money. The local communities benefit from tourism, as long as it helps to grow their economy. On a walking holiday, you will typically be staying in small, independent hotels or B&Bs along your route, rather than those owned by global chains.

Moreover, you will be visiting numerous historic towns and fishing villages, where you can savour fresh seafood and other Portuguese produce. Again, when choosing where to shop or eat, make sure to go for locally owned spots, as opposed to tourist restaurants and franchise cafes. Not only will this ensure that your money stays in the local economy, but you will also most likely receive a much more authentic, quality meal without the tourist price tag. 

If you book your holiday through Orbis Ways, they will take care of the accommodation and other services for you. Working with a well-established network of local businesses, Orbis Ways ensure that you stay at charming local hotels or country cottages. Not just that, the agency encourages sustainable travel by compensating the CO2 emissions produced by your trip! 

Small actions with big impact

A walking holiday across Portugal’s Algarve coast will certainly be an unforgettable adventure. And, the small compromises that you make during your travels do not just contribute towards the preservation of this beautiful region, but also make your experience more authentic and rich – making it a win-win for everyone!

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That untouched rainforest or pristine reef you’ve been dreaming about? It’s on the brink—and your vacation could tip the balance.

Sensitive ecosystems aren’t just scenic backdrops. They’re living, breathing networks under constant threat from careless tourism, single-use waste, and shortcuts disguised as “authentic experiences.”

But travel doesn’t have to be destructive. With the right mindset, you can explore wild places without wrecking what makes them wild. Think smarter routes, vetted guides, low-impact gear, and habits that protect rather than consume. Let’s go through the rest of the info you need.

Know Where You’re Going and Why It’s Fragile

• Rainforests
• Wetlands
• Coral reefs
• Alpine meadows

May all look lush and resilient, but they are often held together by surprisingly fragile relationships between species, climate, and terrain. One broken link can trigger a chain reaction. Before you set foot in a place like this, learn what makes it vulnerable.

Understand if the area is home to endangered species or native-only plant life. Learn what human activities have already threatened it. Look into local environmental challenges, like illegal deforestation or unsustainable fishing. Showing up with knowledge means you’re already traveling more responsibly than most.

Choose Travel Partners with Conservation in Their DNA

Not all travel operators are created equal. 

There are operators that focus specifically on eco-minded small-group adventures. For instance, travelers looking to experience the Amazon rainforest can join an Amazon luxury cruise that prioritizes environmental education and conservation funding as part of its core mission. These kinds of experiences offer immersion with integrity.

Always check if a company works with biologists, employs local guides, or contributes financially to regional conservation efforts. Bonus points for:

• Carbon offsetting
• Plastic-free operations
• Minimal-impact lodging

Pack Like You’re Staying Off the Grid

Even if you’re not camping deep in the jungle, your packing list should reflect the idea that you are entering a space with limited resources and a delicate balance. Bring what you need, avoid what you don’t, and plan as if there’s no waste disposal site at the end of the trail.

• Some essentials for low-impact travel include:
• Reusable water bottles and utensils
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Biodegradable soap
• A water filtration system
• Durable clothing that reduces the need for fast-fashion replacements

Leave single-use anything at home. Choose rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. Keep your toiletries minimal and non-toxic.

The goal is to leave no trace, but also no microplastics, no extra weight on the local waste infrastructure, and no ecological confusion introduced by foreign materials.

Support Local, Leave Global Impact

When you buy your souvenirs, your food, and your excursions from local vendors or cooperatives, you are contributing directly to the community’s incentive to protect the land rather than exploit it. Supporting locally made products that use traditional, sustainable methods keeps the cultural ecosystem alive alongside the natural one.

Eat regional food made from native ingredients. Stay in locally owned eco-lodges rather than imported hotel chains. Work with guides who know the land because they’ve lived it for generations. Your money has weight, and in sensitive areas, that weight can tip the balance toward preservation or destruction.

Be the Traveler Who Doesn’t Just Visit, But Listens

Sustainable travel in sensitive ecosystems isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness and a willingness to follow the lead of those who know the land best. That way, we allow these fragile environments to keep thriving.

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Up Norway, Scandinavia’s sustainable luxury travel curator, shares with Green Prophet, its top recommendations for romantic train journeys. The unforgettable escapes were designed for honeymooners, couples in love, solo travelers indulging in self-romance, or families embracing quality time together to experience the true magic of travel by rail.

Everyone is advertising rail travel these days as a slow mode to see where one travels, offering affordable journeys and local insights. Some trains like Saudi Arabia’s new slow train are also offering luxury options.

Blending intimacy, adventure, and the unhurried rhythm of slow travel, each recommended train route can be seamlessly integrated into any Up Norway itinerary or crafted into its own fully customized adventure, making them the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a year-round romantic getaway.

Up Norway’s recommended train routes where the journey itself becomes as memorable as the destination include:

Head North:

Travelers can begin their journey in Oslo aboard the Dovre Railway, which winds through the scenic Norwegian countryside with views of rolling hills and forests. In 90 minutes, the train arrives in Brumunddal, near Hoel Manor, a lakeside estate on the Nes Peninsula where couples rediscover romance through farm-to-table dining, lakeside wellness experiences that include saunas, cold plunging and hot tubs, and scenic bike rides to Helgøya Island—a heart-shaped gem celebrated for its panoramic views and tranquil setting.

Continuing along the Dovre Railway for another 25 minutes brings couples to Lillehammer, a historic Olympic town known for its alpine landscapes. From the train windows, passengers can glimpse snow-covered peaks and frozen lakes, adding to the anticipation of their arrival. Here, the brand-new Nermo Hotel, launched late last summer and still relatively undiscovered, offers stabbur suites—converted Norwegian storage houses offering panoramic views, crackling fireplaces, and access to winter sports like skiing and bobsledding.

Further along the Dovre Railway is Otta, a gateway to UNESCO-protected farm culture, and Hindsæter Lodge, which invites guests to unwind with gourmet dining and spa indulgence amidst dramatic mountain trails.

Central Norway:

For a dramatic fjord experience, couples can transfer to the Rauma Railway at Dombås, a mountain town in central Norway, to embark on a one-hour, 40-minute journey through one of Norway’s most iconic rail routes. The train passes deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and towering peaks before reaching Åndalsnes, where a short transfer leads to Storfjord Hotel. This Relais & Châteaux retreat offers outdoor hot tubs and private fjord cruises to immerse couples in the region’s breathtaking beauty.

Arctic Norway by train:

The Ofotbanen Railway offers a 43-minute journey from Narvik to Riksgränsen, Sweden, crossing the Arctic with snow-covered plains and towering peaks. Here, Niehku Mountain Villa offers activities like snowmobiling and snowshoeing by day, followed by magical moments beneath the northern lights on winter nights.

Southern Norway:

The Sørlandsbanen Railway provides a four-hour, 20-minute route from Oslo to Kristiansand—recently featured on this year’s New York Times list of 52 best places to visit— passing through coastal forests and charming towns before arriving at Boen Manor. This riverside estate combines gourmet dining with access to the historic Setesdal Line, where guests can embark on nostalgic steam train rides through Norway’s idyllic countryside. Guests can also visit Kunstsilo, Norway’s celebrated contemporary art destination, for an inspiring blend of heritage and modern creativity.

Western Norway:

Lastly, the Bergen Railway crosses Europe’s highest mountain plateaus on a three-hour, 45-minute route from Oslo to Ustaoset. Here, the exclusive Hallinghi Lodge near Geilo—where only one group or couple can stay at a time—offers a remote, off-the-beaten-path experience with secluded dining, scenic hikes, and sauna rituals, all set against awe-inspiring highland vistas.

Want to start booking your train? Try Rail Ninja for scheduling and prices in Europe.

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Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and the Italian hospitality company Arsenale have officially unveiled the final designs for the ‘Dream of the Desert’, the first five-star luxury train in the Middle East.

Related: the 5 best slow trains for travel

This milestone follows the 2024 agreement between SAR and Arsenale to bring this groundbreaking project to life.

Designed by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman and her studio, Culture in Architecture, the train’s interiors draw inspiration from desert landscapes and traditional Saudi architecture. The design features exquisite craftsmanship, earthy tones, luxurious textiles, and intricate details, evoking iconic landmarks such as Hegra and Hail.

The train comprises 14 carriages, including 34 luxurious suites, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for travelers. Departing from Riyadh, it will traverse the Northern Railway network, allowing passengers to explore Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and stunning natural sites.

Onboard, guests will enjoy specially curated cultural programs developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, transforming the journey into an immersive celebration of Saudi traditions.

Set to launch by late 2026, Dream of the Desert is not just a luxury train—it symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s bold vision for the future of tourism.

The post Dream of the Desert Train is like a luxury Orient Express appeared first on Green Prophet.

Thailand is known for luxury travel, great massages and food, unbeatable weather, lots of smiles and miles of beaches. But as inflation rises and the standard of living increases for Thai people, finding luxury on Phuket in your price range won’t be easy.

For about $200 a night you can get a room in a medium+ star hotel close to the beach, the strip of shops that offer mango shakes, pancakes, pad thai. For much less you can travel to the North and visit hill tribes and villagers in the areas of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, which is really not to be missed. We sent our kids to live with a hill tribe in Chiang Mai. You can too!

But if you can increase your budget for a few days, a trip to Keemala, an eco luxury resort in the jungle, offers a mini vacation inside the regular fun of Thailand. It costs about $900 a night for a luxury pod, with two floors, and a private pool, and for a few days you can dream away to the sound of crickets at night and quiet during the day at the large pool or spa.

Daily yoga lessons in a cave and cultural enriching crafts (like weaving plant fronds) are part of the deal at Keemala, along with the regular fare you can find at any Thai spa: massages, facials, and alternative treatments.

Keemala caught my eye from the sea when we were on a boat trip coming home from a hidden beach. It’s not on the beach in Phucket, but a half hour walk or short taxi drive to a small Muslim village down by the coast, and taxis in Thailand, including Thailand car rental with driver, are affordable and convenient.

The concierge gives you a checklist of what you expect before your arrival, including what kind of pillows you like and how many. You will be given hand-crafted luxury soaps and creams and coffee you can grind in an old fashioned coffee grinder in the mini bar area on the first floor of your pod.

Every evening at sunset, some of the crew put on drums and bells and march around the property in a traditional ceremony the likes you won’t find at any beach bar on a strip in Phuket.

Arriving to Keemala is a chance to feel true Thai hospitality and luxury, started every morning with a delicious, healthy breakfast, made to order and on buffet in the restaurant that looks from up high over the sea.

The only complaints are that the hydroponic farm wasn’t operational when we visited, and the kids activities only happened once. There were a couple of Asian influencers busy taking way too many photos eating breakfast and by the pool, but it was sort of funny as well, especially seeing how bored their kids were by it all.

Other than that the kids enjoyed our treehouse in the jungle and three nights was perfect for feeling rested so we could enjoy the festival of Songkran or New Year’s Eve.

Love Thailand? Read my reviews on Akyra on Koh Samui and on Zazen for Buddhist sensibilities.

Then there is The Kala – the only true, intentionally-built eco resort I stayed at in Thailand in the 20 years I have been going there on and off. 

The Kala on Samui Sets Eco Bar for Thailand

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Starting operations in 2025, this train will offer scenic journeys across Saudi Arabia’s deserts from Riyadh to Qurayyat in 40 custom luxury cabins, embracing the growing trend of sustainable, slow travel.

In the realm of travel, speed often reigns supreme. From bullet trains hurtling across continents to supersonic flights whisking passengers across oceans, the modern traveler is accustomed to reaching their destination swiftly and efficiently. Trains are the most common way of getting around countries in Europe and between cities in India, but it isn’t so for more places in the world.

But as luxury standards change to sustainable and slow a new train is emerging from the sands of Saudi Arabia – a country renowned for its opulence and penchant for the extravagant – where plans are underway for a leisurely journey aboard the “Dream of the Desert,” the kingdom’s first luxury slow train experience.

Scheduled to start at the end of 2025, the Dream of the Desert is crafted in Italy by the prestigious hospitality company Arsenale Group, and commissioned by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), this 40 cabin train promises to traverse the kingdom’s awe-inspiring desert interior at a leisurely pace, offering passengers an unparalleled blend of comfort, luxury, and cultural immersion.

Spanning 800 miles of existing railway lines, the Dream of the Desert will embark on a journey from the capital city of Riyadh to Al Qurayyat in the northern province of Al Jawf, with stops along the way. The meticulously planned route, spanning one to two days, will encompass cultural gems such as Al Qassim, Hail, and Al Jouf, culminating near the border with Jordan, close to the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Nature Reserve.

Interestingly, the inception of the Dream of the Desert comes at a time when the global travel landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift. As the world emerges from the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, travelers are increasingly seeking meaningful and immersive experiences that are authentic.

Luxury train cruising, with its emphasis on unhurried exploration and indulgent hospitality, is poised to emerge as a prominent trend in post-pandemic travel, offering discerning travelers an opportunity to savor the journey as much as the destination.

With aspirations to attract 150 million visitors by the end of the decade, the kingdom has embarked on a flurry of initiatives aimed at showcasing its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and boundless hospitality.

From the ancient oasis city of AlUla, with its awe-inspiring sandstone monuments, to the pristine shores of the Red Sea coast and the futuristic allure of the Neom gigaproject, Saudi Arabia beckons travelers with a tapestry of experiences waiting to be unraveled.  Read more about Saudi Arabia and travel with: THE LINE, a linear 15-minute city that represents the future of urban living; Trojena, its year-round mountain destination and the first outdoor ski experience in the GCC region; and Oxagon, a floating port city.

Famous slow train journeys for travellers

1. The Orient Express:

Step aboard the Orient Express, and you’re instantly transported to a bygone era of glamour and intrigue. This legendary train has been synonymous with luxury travel since its inaugural journey from Paris to Istanbul in 1883. With its plush carriages, sumptuous interiors, and attentive service, the Orient Express epitomizes the golden age of rail travel.

Today, the Orient Express continues to captivate travelers with its meticulously curated itineraries through Europe’s most enchanting destinations. From the romance of Venice to the grandeur of Budapest, passengers can immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the continent while indulging in gourmet cuisine and fine wines.

2. The Marrakesh Express:

Venture into the heart of Morocco aboard the Marrakesh Express, a train journey that embodies the vibrant spirit of North Africa. Departing from the bustling city of Marrakesh, this iconic train winds its way through the scenic landscapes of the Atlas Mountains, offering breathtaking views of rugged terrain and traditional Berber villages.

As the train meanders towards its destination, passengers are treated to a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and flavors. From the bustling souks of Marrakesh to the serene beauty of the Moroccan countryside, each moment aboard the Marrakesh Express is an exploration of the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

3. The Trans-Siberian Railway:

Spanning over 9,000 kilometers across Russia, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the ultimate rail adventure, offering a journey through the vast expanse of Siberia and beyond. From the bustling streets of Moscow to the remote wilderness of Siberia, this epic train journey traverses diverse landscapes, including dense forests, sweeping plains, and majestic mountains.

Passengers aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway can immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Russia while enjoying the comfort and luxury of the train’s cabins. Whether savoring traditional Russian cuisine in the dining car or gazing at the endless horizon from the comfort of their compartment, travelers are bound to be enchanted by the beauty and grandeur of this iconic railway.

4. The Blue Train (South Africa):

In South Africa, the Blue Train is synonymous with elegance, luxury, and unparalleled hospitality. Journeying between Pretoria and Cape Town, this iconic train offers a glamorous way to explore the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture of the country.

With its opulent furnishings, gourmet cuisine, and attentive service, the Blue Train promises an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Whether sipping champagne in the lounge car or marveling at the rugged beauty of the South African countryside, passengers aboard the Blue Train are treated to a journey of a lifetime.

5. The Glacier Express (Switzerland):

For travelers seeking a scenic escape, the Glacier Express offers a breathtaking journey through the Swiss Alps. Connecting Zermatt with St. Moritz, this iconic train winds its way through snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and picturesque villages, offering panoramic views of Switzerland’s most stunning landscapes.

As the train makes its leisurely journey through the heart of the Alps, passengers can relax in the comfort of their seats and soak in the beauty of their surroundings. From the iconic Matterhorn to the majestic Rhine Gorge, every moment aboard the Glacier Express is a celebration of Switzerland’s natural beauty and alpine charm.

6. The Royal Scotsman (Scotland):

Step aboard the Royal Scotsman, and you’re transported to a world of luxury and refinement amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland. This boutique train offers an intimate and exclusive way to explore the country’s rich cultural heritage, from historic castles to whisky distilleries and scenic landmarks.

With its elegant furnishings, gourmet dining, and personalized service, the Royal Scotsman promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of Scotland. Whether enjoying a traditional Scottish ceilidh or savoring a dram of single malt whisky, passengers aboard the Royal Scotsman are treated to a truly immersive experience that captures the essence of Scotland’s charm and hospitality.

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A small island with a big history

While the name for most people doesn’t ring a bell, history tells us the sultanate of Tidore used to be a force to reckon with. Though only 600 square miles wide – now home to approximately 50,000 people – it was a major regional, political and economic power in the pre-colonial area. Founded in 1409, the sultanate once ruled large parts of eastern Indonesia, including Halmahera, Buru, Ambon and New Guinea. Largely funded by the spice trade, it was locked in a fierce battle for control over it with its neighbor Ternate. Dutch interference during the colonial period significantly weakened the kingdom’s control and the sultanate was abolished after Indonesia’s independence. But in 1999, the sultanate was re-established and the sultan returned to power.

Chance encounter

Nowadays, there is not much left to remind of the grand ambitions of the tiny kingdom, except for some remainders of Dutch and Portuguese fortresses that attest to the historical significance of the island. I first visited Tidore on a day-trip from Ternate – about fifteen minutes by boat – and fell in love with the mellow and friendly atmosphere. Although the sights weren’t particularly special, strolling through the small villages with colorfully painted and well-kept houses was a joy. Near the  market, I was stopped by a local man, who invited me to his family home for a cup of traditional coffee. I ended up spending a wonderful afternoon with mister Ipin, his wife Nadira and their daughter Ira. Nadira made the tastiest coffee – flavored with local spices and nuts – and mister Ipin turned out to be a passionate teacher of Tidore’s culture and history. The family ran a small homestay and I left feeling sorry I couldn’t stay longer, but promising I would be back.

Becoming a part of the family

A few months later my phone went off: I received a text message from mister Ipin, inviting me to the annual Tidore Festival. At the time I was living in Manado, in Sulawesi, located a short flight or overnight boat ride from Ternate. Not really knowing what to expect, but driven by the good memories of my former visit, I made my way back to the Moluccas. I was given a room at the home of pak Ipin’s father- and sister-in-law, who took me in as if I was a family member. This was a real homestay: not the kind that acts as a small guesthouse, but the kind where you actually become part of the family for the duration of your stay. I shared my meals with the family and whenever they had the opportunity they would come and hang out with me, or take me on trips around the island.

Meeting the local community

I was also made part of all the community activities and events the family attended. One night, I joined them to a traditional ritual in honor of a deceased friend. As soon as I entered the house where the event was to take place, I was taken along to the kitchen area, where I joined a group of chattering women. Peeking from behind a curtain with some of the other women, I witnessed an elaborate ritual of men chanting and praying. Afterwards, there was a communal meal with plenty of friendly exchanges and jokes. It was an experience unlike any other: I felt accepted straight away. I was a white western female, visiting an intimate ritual within a traditional Muslim community, but I didn’t feel like an outsider for one second. That night, inspired by the kind hospitality of the local community, I felt convinced that people from around the world can truly connect, no matter how big their differences.

A memorable evening at the sultan’s palace

The Tidore Festival turned out to be an annual celebration of the sultanate’s anniversary, featuring a week-long program celebrating local culture through traditional rituals and events. For the most impressive ritual of them all, my host family and I headed to the sultan’s palace or kraton. As we entered the palace, a circle of men was forming in the main area. Soon, the men started to sing synchronized, rhythmic chants that filled the air. As in trance, one man after the other got up and made his way to the middle of the circle. The men in the center – two at a time – repeatedly stabbed themselves in the chest with large knives. I held my breath, but to my surprise and relief the knives hardly drew any blood. A participant afterwards told me that the small wounds only itched and would be healed the next day. Until today, I have no explanation for it, other than that I had an up-close encounter with something supernatural.

Thousands of candles and crazy bamboo

The peak event of the festival was preceded by an atmospheric evening program. While walking to the event location, we passed streets lined with burning candles. At a square, people gathered around a huge bamboo construction with hundreds of candles, which were being lighted by men with long bamboo poles. By the candlelight, young men engaged in traditional games, such as bambu gila or ‘crazy bamboo’, in which two groups of men try to keep hold of a bamboo stick, while a spirit is supposedly moving it left and right. It was a magical evening, and while mister Ipin drove us home on his motorbike, with little Ira falling asleep on my lap, I felt grateful to be part of this world so different from mine for a little while.

Early morning parades and traditional dances

The next morning, the whole island woke up early for the traditional parade to the sultan’s palace. From every corner of the island, groups of people dressed in traditional attire started before sunrise on a long walk to the kraton. In every village the parade passed, new people joined, so that the line of people grew bigger and bigger. I too joined the swelling numbers and let myself take along the stream of chattering, drumming, and singing people and waving flags. At a crossroads near the palace, parades coming from all four directions met, and the large crowd entered the palace. After flag carriers ritually brought in the flags, an elaborate show featuring local dance and music took place, and the sultan – who was unfortunately sick – even made a quick appearance.

What traveling is all about

I returned to Manado feeling overwhelmed and extremely touched by the hospitality and kindness I had encountered in Tidore. While making my way back to the harbor, I teared up just a little, and realized that encounters like this are the reason I love to travel and will always continue to do so. With the guidance of mister Ipin, one week in Tidore had taught me more about local culture than I would have learned traveling on my own in a year. I got to know a world guided by traditions and rituals, where the supernatural is real, and the mystical and the ordinary mingle. I also got to know people who opened their homes and their hearts to me, and experienced a connection that bridged all the gaps between us. To me, this is exactly what traveling is all about.

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The post A memorable night at the Sultan’s palace – exploring the Tidore festival appeared first on Green Prophet.

Traveling and green living are an awkward combination. At first glance, traveling seems to be at odds with a green lifestyle, as it almost inevitably involves carbon emissions. Yet traveling can also contribute to a greener world as I learned working with an NGO in Indonesia: it can be an eye-opening and transformative experience, planting seeds for a new environmental consciousness. In my own case, traveling the world installed a deep appreciation of the beauty of the natural world, the destruction that humans are causing to it, and the way in which our lifestyle fuels that destruction. Traveling has taught me invaluable green lessons (like how to use a moon cup)– lessons that I wouldn’t have learned staying at home.

Breaking free from the bubble

I long considered myself to be a city girl. Being born in a big city and having grown up in an urban environment, I hardly ever got out into nature. When I started traveling and finally got out there I was overwhelmed by the beauty of our planet and positively amazed by the natural wonders I encountered. I realized I was a nature lover after all.

It was in the lush jungles of Laos that I first discovered my love for hiking. I was stunned by the peace I experienced walking through ancient forests and sleeping under the stars. Scuba diving in Indonesia’s oceans showed me a whole new magical world existing under the surface. I learned to love the sound of ocean waves and the way it eased my mind.

In Nepal, eighteen days of trekking through the Himalayas showed me the power of nature. Making my way through mighty mountain peaks, it became clear to me how incredibly strong nature is and how tiny us humans are in the grand scheme of things – I suddenly realized we are completely dependent on our planet.

Being out in nature means feeling connected to the planet. Human beings have lived close to nature for ages, but modern life in big cities has disrupted this pattern. I’m sure I’m not the only city girl who never knew she loved nature: it’s hard to cultivate a love for nature when you’re stuck in a concrete jungle. You have to break free from the bubble and experience the force of nature first.

Traveling Slow Benefits You, Local Communities and the Environment 

The big disillusion while traveling

The euphoria that came with my newly found appreciation for nature was accompanied by another feeling: disillusionment. When you love someone or something, you don’t want to see it get hurt. But I was watching our planet get hurt beyond imagination. Of course, I had heard about environmental problems such as climate change and plastic pollution. But it’s one thing to know it’s there, and another to see it with your own eyes. It wasn’t until I started traveling that I truly grasped the nature and scale of the environmental crisis.

While wandering through a 130 million-year-old rainforest in the heart of Malaysia, I heard a local guide explain how climate change is killing the majestic trees. From a boat on the Mekong river, I saw the building of an industrial dam destroy vulnerable ecosystems. But worst of all was the endless piles of plastic trash: I saw plastic trash lining roads, choking rivers, covering beaches, and floating in oceans throughout Asia. Once you’ve seen this, it’s impossible to deny the environmental crisis is real – you’ll know without a doubt the crisis is happening and it’s happening right now.

Mind you, I’m not pointing my finger at developing Asian countries for causing the plastic pollution problem. Highly developed countries are also to blame: they produce the largest amount of trash per capita and export much of it to developing countries. The difference is, in many developed countries, pollution is not that visible. Trash gets collected, so people don’t see it. This makes it easy to pretend the problem doesn’t exist. Traveling will surely cure you of this illusion.

The freeing effect of downsizing

People all over the world – but especially in developed countries – use and throw away enormous amounts of stuff at incredibly high rates. Most people aren’t even aware of it: they take their material wealth for granted and buy and ditch things without giving it a second thought. I used to be like that too – until I started traveling.

Just before I took off traveling, I got rid of my apartment and most of my stuff: my remaining possessions fit into a storage box. On the road, I carried all of my belongings on my back, which meant I wasn’t eager to carry anything unnecessary. Stuff I never used got ditched quickly and I resolved to throw something out for every new item I bought. This made me extremely conscious of what I bought: I only purchased things I really needed. Like a menstrual cup. Read all about it here.

Living out of my backpack, with so little possessions, had a surprisingly freeing effect. Having just a few sets of clothes I never wondered what to wear, and carrying just a small toiletry bag I stopped using unnecessary personal care products. It made life a whole lot easier. I learned that having a lot of things equals having a lot of things to worry about. Whatever you have, you can lose. If you don’t have much, you don’t have much to lose either. Getting rid of most of my possessions meant I gained a lot of mental freedom.

A lesson on the value of possessions

Inevitably, traveling led me to reflect on the value of possessions. Traveling through developing countries, I saw local people with few possessions living very happy lives. These people didn’t have a fancy home or shop for new clothes every month, but they valued the things they had. What’s more, they were quite satisfied with it – they weren’t driven by a constant need to purchase more.

You could describe this life as simple, but I realized that in non-materialistic ways it was a lot richer than the modern life I knew. I encountered tight communities with strong social ties, where people spent a lot of time together and derived much of their happiness from social interactions. I saw people living close to nature, only taking from the land and sea what they needed, and actually being thankful for it. They lived a life rich in meaning and connection.

Encounters like this taught me that happiness doesn’t come from buying things. When it comes down to it, the things that really matter in life are non-materialistic. The constant strive for more stuff keeps people trapped in busy but ultimately unsatisfying lives, deprived of meaningful connections. 

The powerful influence of media

If downsizing is such a freeing experience and having a lot of things doesn’t make us happy anyway, then why are people buying so much stuff in the first place? The media play a major role in this – and traveling can be a good way to break their spell.

Traveling drastically lowered my media-intake: I stopped watching television, dramatically decreased the amount of time I spent on social media and started using the Internet more selectively. I had some of my most impactful travel experiences on remote islands without an Internet signal. In places like that something magical happened: I was able to slow down and focus on the simple things in life – the ones that really matter. Far away from the noise of modern life, I could finally connect to my environment, other people, and ultimately myself.

We are bombarded with advertisements on a daily basis: through television, radio, social media, and the Internet we are constantly – often unconsciously – influenced by adds. These adds have one specific purpose: to convince us that we don’t have enough stuff and need to buy more in order to be happy. Taking a media break allowed me to take a step back and created space for a different perspective. It was like resetting my system.

Towards a new green mindset 

The number one lesson I learned while traveling is that we live on an incredibly beautiful planet, and everything and everybody living on it is interconnected and interdependent. But modern life tends to disconnect us from nature and each other. It makes us believe we should pursue happiness through buying stuff, the production and disposal of which is leading to the destruction of our natural world.

Traveling made me see the beauty of our planet and the true scale of the environmental crisis. It led me to experience a life free of possessions, question the value of material things, and get rid of my addiction to stuff. It helped me connect the dots and see things in a new light. Traveling didn’t just mean breaking free from the concrete jungle and getting out into nature. It also meant breaking free from a mindset and lifestyle based on consumption. Instead, it taught me to pursue a meaningful life based on connection to nature and other people.

If we want to reverse the process of environmental destruction, we have to find ways to create a new awareness and reconnect to our planet. Traveling is one way to do that.

The post How traveling slow led me to live a greener life appeared first on Green Prophet.

We have a tendency to go about traveling as we go about our busy daily lives: frantically ticking off our to-do list to make sure we make the most of our time – and have a lot of Instagrammable pictures to show for it. But more and more people are realizing that making the best of our time might mean something completely different: it requires us to slow down, so we can really appreciate the places we visit.

The best part: while traveling slow gives us a more meaningful experience, it also maximizes benefits for local communities and the environment. With traveling slow, everybody wins. (I even learned what it takes to build a successful NGO).

My travel burn-out (yes, it’s a thing)

I learned to travel slow by experience, long before I knew there was such a thing as a slow travel movement. In January 2017 I quit my job, sold my belongings, and bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok: I was off on a long backpacking trip through Asia. Although I had all the time in the world, I felt the need to see and do as much as possible and moved around a lot, staying in one place only for a few days before moving on to the next.

While I had an amazing time at first, a few months into my trip I noticed I just wasn’t that excited for anything anymore. Another gorgeous waterfall? Mwah, I’ll pass. Another mesmerizing temple? Please, no. Was that a camel passing me by on the street just now? Ah well, what’s new. After the excitement of the first months of traveling wore off I was left with a feeling I had seen it all before. I had caught a serious case of travel fatigue.

I concluded it was time for a break from traveling and decided to look for a comfortable place to settle down for a while. I found the perfect spot on some remote beach on a Malaysian island and resolved to make no plans, but instead stay put as long as I felt like it, doing absolutely nothing remarkable. I ended up staying two months – and emerged from it with a new perspective on traveling.

During this time something incredible happened: I made amazing connections to other people, got a renewed appreciation for nature, and learned an awful lot about myself. These two months had more impact on me as a person than all the previous months of traveling together. From then on, I would not even bother with trying to see it all. Instead, I would focus on connecting to the places I visited – I chose quality over quantity.

Welcome to the slow travel movement

Later I learned that the new way of traveling I discovered actually has a name: it’s called slow travel. It’s part of an increasingly popular movement that includes other aspects of slow living, such as slow food and slow fashion.

It all started with the slow food movement, that originated in Rome in 1986, as a protest against the opening of a McDonald’s restaurant in the city. Many Italians considered fast food an insult to the long-standing Italian culinary tradition. Journalist Carlo Petrini launched a culinary philosophy that embodied exactly the opposite of fast food: slow food. It stood for quality food, use of local ingredients, and preservation of traditional dishes, and emphasized the importance of enjoyment in buying, preparing, and sharing food – qualities that were being lost in fast-paced modern society.

All concepts related to slow living counter the prevailing notion that “faster is better”, which translates into a lifestyle that’s typically hurried, stressed, impatient, and superficial. Instead, slow living centers around living consciously, intentionally, mindfully, and deeply. It means taking the time to do things properly, thus creating a more meaningful and fulfilling experience. It’s about savoring the minutes, not counting them, and living a balanced life in a fast-paced world.

Applied to traveling, this means slowing down your pace in order to really immerse yourself in your environment and connect to places you visit. It means letting go of your schedule and allowing yourself to explore freely. It involves getting to know a place on a deeper level by connecting to local people and immersing yourself in the local culture. It’s about being open to new experiences and learning to appreciate different ways of life in all their complexity.

Back to the roots (why we travel in the first place)

Traveling slow makes all the more sense when you consider why people travel in the first place. Most of us travel to experience something we can’t experience back home. Personally, I set out to travel the world because I wanted to break free from my predictable life, my daily routines, and fixed patterns. I was aching to experience new and different things, to see what the world was like outside my little bubble, and get a glimpse of how other people lived their lives. I wanted to see the world to get a fresh perspective on life.

But how was I ever going to get a new perspective by sticking to a pre-arranged plan? That would only allow me to see the things I was expecting to see, the things I already knew existed. The only way to go beyond that and explore new, unknown territories, was to create space for the unplanned, the unexpected, the spontaneous. If you want your travel to mean something, to transform you, and to provide you with new insights – and it should! – you have to be willing to let go and explore with an open mind.

Traveling slow, by the way, doesn’t mean you must travel at a snail’s pace or have oceans of time at hand. Traveling slow, above all, is a mindset. It’s about having a basic habit of pacing yourself, taking as much time as you need to immerse yourself in a place, and prioritizing the quality of the experience. Whether you apply them during a gap year or a weekend break, the principles remain the same.

An ethical alternative to mass tourism

From the above, it naturally follows that slow travel provides a way more enriching and fulfilling experience than the kind of fast travel that sees a trip as a checklist or photo competition. But it gets better: slow travel doesn’t just benefit the traveler, but local communities and the environment as well.

Slow travel values connecting with local people and culture. In their search for authenticity, slow travelers tend to venture off the beaten trail and stay away from tourist hotspots, big chain resorts, and international restaurants. They’d rather explore the hidden gems, wander around local neighborhoods, stay at small guesthouses or homestays, and try traditional dishes at local eateries. They can’t be bothered with buying touristy souvenirs, but are interested in original local produce. By doing so, the money they spend supports local families and helps traditional local businesses thrive.

This stands in stark contrast to traditional mass tourism, which often does little to advance the interests of local communities. Mass tourism is big business, with profits often flowing to rich foreign investors and large companies that push local entrepreneurs out of business. Unrestricted tourism risks changing the character of places beyond recognition and threatening traditional ways of living. Overtourism can even make places unliveable for local residents. This obviously doesn’t do local communities justice – their interests should always come first.

Slow travel promotes a fair and ethical travel industry by empowering local businesses, supporting the preservation of the unique character of places, and taking the pressure off tourist hotspots suffering from the effects of overtourism. Beyond that, slow travel invites travelers and local people to engage in meaningful interactions, which promotes cultural exchange and cross-cultural understanding, for the benefit of all parties involved. Slow travel doesn’t capitalize on places, but aims to make places better – for local communities as well as travelers.

An eco-friendly travel style

In less obvious ways, slow travel also benefits the environment. A big environmental issue related to traveling concerns the emissions travelers inevitably produce by moving from A to B. While slow travelers might not be completely carbon neutral, they minimize their footprints by visiting a small amount of locations and traveling short distances, consequently using less transportation than fast travelers who hop between destinations all the time.

Slow travelers are also more likely to use public and shared forms of transport – such as trains and buses – which provide great opportunities to mingle with locals and are less damaging to the environment than flights or private cars. Plus, for slow travelers there is no better way to explore an area than by bicycle or foot, using all five senses to experience the place. After all, a slow traveler wants to enjoy every step of the way. From that point of view, sitting in planes is the ultimate bore.

In addition, slow travel puts less strain on the environment by emphasizing the consumption of regional produce and traditional food, typically prepared with locally sourced ingredients – meaning no products have to be imported from abroad just to cater to their culinary wishes (and really, why would you want to have a hamburger when you can eat the best pasta in the world anyway?).

An added bonus to slow travel

Last but not least, slow travel often has an unintentional but most welcome side-effect – at least for those of us who don’t have unlimited resources to fund our trips. Although slow travel can take many shapes and is suitable for different budgets, it can reduce the costs of traveling significantly. Cutting down on transportation costs and entry fees for expensive tourist attractions makes a big difference in your budget, and local guesthouses and eateries are often cheaper than luxury resorts and fancy restaurants.

Slow travel isn’t just friendly to people and the planet, but also to your wallet. If you still needed convincing of the benefits of slow travel – maybe this wins you over.

The post Traveling Slow Benefits You, Local Communities and the Environment  appeared first on Green Prophet.