More and more Germans want to make their vacation sustainable and tourism (hears) them. From eco-certified campsites to climate-neutral excursions - Germany is going green. Here we present you 5 ideas for a greener vacation:

Do you have any suggestions for us? Then write us on nachhaltigkeit@entdecke-deutschland.de

1

Eco-Cities - The future has already begun

Freiburg is Germany's environmental capital, and not just because of its high bicycle density. It is home to the world's first plus-energy building, which can orient itself to the sun. The city hall uses just 40 percent of the energy compared to other modern office buildings, and the light rail system has long been climate-neutral. Motivated, the city is continuously working on new projects and cooperations that will make Freiburg even greener. In the west of the city, for example, Dietenbach is currently being built, a climate-neutral district.  

And if we're going to award the title of capital city, Frankfurt should be awarded the title of passive house. In the Main metropolis, new buildings on public land must be as energy-neutral as possible. This was implemented, for example, in the new building of the Historical Museum, which is partly made of passive house components. Or in Frankfurt's "New Old Town," where state-of-the-art energy concepts were implemented behind historic-looking facades. 

You can also go green in the north. The town of Celle in Lower Saxony, for example, has been certified as a sustainable destination since 2017. Various facilities, such as the Celle Badeland, as well as some hotels and stores, have committed to acting sustainably. Even the city tours are climate-neutral - they are offered by electric train or horse-drawn carriage, among other things. 

And it's also worth taking a look at our seas. Some of the German islands, for example, are completely car-free. How is everyday life managed there? On Juist, for example, by horseback.

2

Going on vacation by train: Better for the climate - and comfortable

Heat and cold from the earth, solar modules on the green roof and an electric charging station in front of the door - Lutherstadt Wittenberg station is one of 16 stations of the future, an innovation project of the Deutsche Bahn (German Railways)
Heat and cold from the earth, solar modules on the green roof and an electric charging station in front of the door - Lutherstadt Wittenberg station is one of 16 stations of the future, an innovation project of Deutsche Bahn © Deutsche Bahn AG / Christian Gahl

Deutsche Bahn plays an important role in achieving Germany's climate targets. As Germany's largest purchaser of green electricity, it is moving at high speed toward a green future. All electrically powered ICE and IC/EC trains are already running on 100 percent green electricity, and all journeys are to be so by 2038. 

DB's night train connections with its partner railroads from Austria and Switzerland are also climate-friendly. This is because trains save a great deal of CO2. And the network is being expanded further: By 2024, 13 major European cities can be reached overnight. 

Moreover, the concept of sustainability does not end at the railroad track. There are numerous concepts for making station buildings climate-neutral as well. Charging stations, geothermal energy, solar modules - at the so-called "Future stations", an innovation project of Deutsche Bahn, the climate-friendly innovations are being tested in Horrem/Kerpen, Lutherstadt Wittenberg and 14 other cities and stops.

And via Call a Bike and the railroad's own car-sharing platform Flinkster, travelers can also get around in a climate-friendly way at their destination. 

3

Ecocamping - From the beginning

At the time of its foundation, 12 campsites belonged to the eco-network - today there are 233
At the time of its foundation, 12 campsites belonged to the eco-network - today there are 233 © Park-Camping-Lindau - ECOCAMPS

Founded 23 years ago as a small eco-network at Lake Constance, Ecocamping today is the Online platform for sustainable camping - with many sites also in Germany. The website ecocamping.de is the right place for those who are looking for an ecological campsite for their vacations, as well as for site owners who want to become more sustainable. 

The criteria for the label are strict; among other things, the campsites must operate in a water-saving manner, promote biodiversity, use energy efficiently, and avoid polluting the soil and water. At seminars, however, Ecocamping also helps operators on the road to sustainability. 

The steadily growing network includes over 220 certified, six climate-friendly and seven EU Ecolabel campsites. 72 of them are located in Germany. 

Here you can find more information about the Initiative and to the Campsites.

4

Sustainable accommodation - Dreaming in a better world

Sustainable overnight stays can be so beautiful: For example, at the Longen-Schlöder Winery in Rhineland-Palatinate
Sustainable overnight stays can be so beautiful: For example, at the Longen-Schlöder Winery in Rhineland-Palatinate ©Good Travel

An organic breakfast buffet and a climate-neutral overnight stay in natural surroundings? Would you rather sleep in a modern pine Tiny House or move into a loft in the former cotton mill? Sustainable vacations have long since slipped out of the well-trodden eco-slippers and have become a healthy and stylish form of vacation.

Different platforms like Good Travel, bookitgreen or Viabono simplify the search and, in addition to the usual hotel description, also provide insights into the sustainability approaches of the accommodations. 

To be listed on bookitgreen, organic farms and organic hotels must meet at least four of 15 sustainable criteria. These include, for example, sustainable construction, green electricity, or accessibility by public transport. And on Good Travel, in addition to the architectural features, the treatment of employees is also addressed.

5

Guest cards - vacation without a car

In more and more regions of Germany, vacationers receive a free guest card upon arrival at their accommodation. These cards not only provide free or discounted admission to attractions and swimming pools, they also serve as tickets for local public transport. 

Just a few examples: With the KONUS guest card, you can cruise through nine transport associations in the Black Forest. In Oberstaufen in the Allgäu, even the mountain railroads are included. And the Ammergau Alps and the Eifel and Harz National Parks have also introduced comparable guest cards. On our Overview page for Destination Nature destinations - National parks, nature parks and biosphere reserves, which you can easily reach by train and in which you can usually travel free of charge with guest cards - you will find an overview.

Cover photo: Sustainable can be quite stylish. A good example: The Vulkaneifel houses in the Volcanic Eifel © Good Travel