This is my detailed review of the Tortuga Travel Backpack, the Cotopaxi Allpa, and the Osprey Farpoint / Fairview. These include some of the best sustainable backpacks for travel – right up my alley as a sustainable traveler blogger! But after lots of comparison in my living room, the one bag I ended up keeping […]
Blog
35 Unique & Sustainable Gift Ideas for Picky Gifters (2023 UPDATE)
This is my annual guide to the best sustainable gift ideas, now in its third iteration for 2023! (Originally published Nov. 15, 2021, I’ve fully updated these unique, eco-friendly gift ideas in November 2023, with new products and discounts.) Consider this your cheat-sheet of the best sustainable gift ideas for very picky people. I mean […]
How to Make Dirty Tap Water Safe: A Real-Life Test for Plastic-Free Travel in El Salvador
This is part story, part product review. It’s the story of how I used two water bottles (the Grayl GeoPress for removing contaminants with a filter, and the LARQ PurVis for killing pathogens with UV light) to safely drink the tap water in El Salvador – proving that it can be done! (So you might […]
3 Days in the Adirondacks: The Eco-Conscious Foodie Guide to a Weekend in the High Peaks
After living in New England for two years as a full-time travel writer, I think I’ve found my favorite roadtrip in the area: A weekend getaway in the Adirondacks – specifically in the stunning High Peaks region. And if I’d realized what a special area this 6-million-acre park is, I can think of a lot […]
SBTRCT Review: The (Solid) Future of Skincare?
If you’re on my email list, you might remember me gushing about the new solid skincare brand SBTRCT a few months ago. Well, after thoroughly testing 5 of their 6 products since then, that little brand is the one I’m reviewing here today. (Know what you’re looking for? You can jump down to my overview […]
Viori Shampoo Bar Review: Great Hair Products that Support an Indigenous Group?
I’ve tested and reviewed a lot of shampoo and conditioner bars (dozens!), and I have to say, Viori is among the best. And I’m talking about the whole package – the ingredients, the plastic-free packaging, and the company’s dedication to supporting a rural indigenous tribe in Southern China. What else makes Viori unique? The most […]
E-bike Tour In Italy: Highlights of An Affordable, Sustainable Cycling Vacation (You’re Invited!)
Imagine you want to take a trip through the Italian countryside. You could always rent a car and drive through Tuscany – but you’re aiming for something a bit more adventurous, a bit less expected. So instead, you start looking into an e-bike tour in Italy’s Marche region. And instead of planning it yourself, and […]
How to Pack Light for Europe (or Anywhere): 12 Mindset Tricks + the Packing List to Actually Make it Happen
Do you always plan to be a light packer, but then you just can’t ever seem to make it happen when you’re getting ready for vacation? Then this guide is for you. And it isn’t just about what to pack to keep your suitcase or backpack lighter. It’s about how to think about packing light […]
Unbound Merino Review: Travel-Testing a Merino Wool Wardrobe [2023 UPDATE]
This is my detailed review of Unbound Merino’s new line of women’s merino wool travel clothing (plus one of their men’s merino t-shirts). Do they stand up to their claim of being practically all you need to pack for travel? And do they really look and smell good for weeks without washing? Here’s what I’ve […]
Climate-Smart Travel: 10 Tips to Make You Feel Less Bad About Flying [Part 5]
This is Part 5 of my series for Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency – all about climate smart travel and finding realistic ways to do better. Need to catch up? Here are the rest of the posts in this series on travel and climate: A few posts ago in this series, I calculated my carbon footprint […]
Omio vs Trainline vs Rail Europe: How to Buy Train Tickets in Europe
Do you have questions about booking train tickets in Europe, or in North America? Then you’re in the right place! I’m simplifying the process in this guide, and comparing the best options for buying tickets in different situations, with the pros and cons of each service. This is a sustainable travel blog, and there’s no […]
Lomi Composter Review: My Pros, Cons & Lessons Learned (After 6 Months of Use)
Did you know there’s such a thing as a “kitchen composter” appliance that turns your food scraps into dirt, so you can compost without a backyard? Yep, I’ve been testing one of the most popular ones – the Lomi – for more than six months now. Right now is their biggest sale of the year on […]
