Sustainable travel in Italy: ditch the big cities and travel in the low season!

The attitude towards sustainable travel has changed over the last few years. We no longer view it as an option but as a necessity. Not only is green tourism ethical, but most travellers also now consider it to be their duty to make sure we leave our destination in the best possible condition. That might not always mean that we save the world. But it should at least mean that we leave places in a better state than how we found them. We are 100% on board with this and we are delighted to see a growing number of tourists showing interest for sustainable travel in Italy.

Italy is a dream destination for tourists from all around the world. It is known for its beauty, unique places, and stunning beaches. However, it's fairly common to see tourists that are not very conscious of the environment, and they don't pay attention to waste management, supporting local businesses or reducing their impact on the environment. Things are slowly changing, but there's still plenty of room for improvement. So, how can you make your Italian holiday more sustainable? We have a few pro tips for you!

There's more to Italy than Venice...

Italy has many big cities like Rome, Florence and Venice that attract millions of tourists every year. But Italy's mass tourism has been the subject of much criticism. The country's cities are often overcrowded, with visitors jostling for space at historic landmarks, museums, and monuments. In order to make your holiday more sustainable, you should avoid the big cities and pick lesser-known destinations. Venice cannot take any more tourists, but there are plenty of amazing little villages that can. Instead of staying in one of the most famous cities and enjoying only one side of it (the old town), avoid these tourist traps by choosing smaller towns instead. You can find plenty online - just search for ‘best small cities in Italy’ or ‘hidden gems’ and see what comes up! You'll have a better experience, get to know the real locals, and save money too!

Travel in the low season and find alternatives to flying.

The best way to avoid having to elbow your way to the nearest monument through a mass of fellow tourists is simply to travel during low season: depending on where you are going, this might mean different things, but generally speaking June to August is absolute peak season pretty much everywhere. Coincidentally, travelling off-season will also save you a considerable amount of money.

Book your flights early to get cheaper fares, but also consider taking an overnight train instead of flying because trains are much more efficient than planes when it comes to CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre travelled. Choose slow travel over fast travel whenever possible. You can also look for companies that offer cycling holidays and avoid driving on your own. You will have a much better time if you explore Italy on two wheels and enjoy the scenery instead of speeding through it all.

Choose an accommodation with a low carbon footprint and shop and eat local

Rather than going for standard accommodation, look for apartments or B&Bs that use renewable energy sources for heating water and electricity, recycle their wastewater or compost their waste matter onsite.

Choose farm-to-table restaurants and eat local food. If you're looking for a place to eat in Italy, try seeking out restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients as much as possible. This will help ensure that your meal is as sustainable as possible in terms of CO2 emissions. Points for choosing restaurants that use organically farmed ingredients. Many Italian dishes are made with regional ingredients and recipes passed down through generations. This means you'll be eating like a local while supporting small businesses and reducing your impact on the environment.

Support local artists and craftsmen instead of buying mass-produced souvenirs

You do NOT need that cheap, plastic replica of the leaning tower of Pisa or a T-shirt with a picture of Michelangelo's David on the front. Put it down. Instead, buy locally made ceramics, furniture, textiles, or jewellery from local artisans or artists who live in Italy. These items will be much more interesting than anything you could find at home — and you'll support local businesses while you're at it!

Respect the local environment, culture, and traditions

The first thing to consider is that you should respect the natural environment you visit. Don't litter and don't expect others to pick up after you. It's easy to fall into this trap when on holiday; we're all happy, relaxed, and enjoying ourselves. However, you should keep in mind that your passing through a particular place should not ruin the experience for those who will come after you.

Don't take home souvenirs from protected areas. There are many places in Italy where certain plants or animals are protected because they're endangered or because they're part of an important ecosystem. It's illegal and unethical to take things like shells, coral or even sand and stones from these areas - so don't do it!