Victoria and Amelia Blog

  Ofelas Islandshästar & Guideservice In the shadow of Sweden’s highest mountain Kebnekaise you find a small, experienced guiding company with Icelandic horses. The area is close to Kalix river in the north, an ancient Sami country, where you are constantly reminded of the previous generations and their way of life. Kerstin Nilsson and Matti Berg, who run Ofelas, actually both have Sami roots, and the word Ofelas refers to the word “guide” in Sami. An environmental pioneer The first country in the world to establish an Environmental Protection Agency in 1967, Sweden also hosted the first UN conference on the global environment in 1972. Ambitious goals for sustainability in Sweden The Swedish government has set ambitious goals for sustainability, including going fossil-free by 2045 and 100 per cent renewable energy.

  Key Aspects of Finnish Sustainable Tourism National Strategy :  Finland's 2025-2028 strategy aims for sustainable, competitive growth, prioritizing sustainability management as a key advantage. Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) Program : A free, comprehensive toolkit for tourism companies and destinations. Guides businesses through a 7-step development path towards sustainability. Companies earning the STF label demonstrate commitment to minimizing harm and continuously improving. Focus on Nature & Culture: Leverages deep Finnish connection to nature, with 41 national parks managed by Metsähallitus. Includes cultural aspects like Sámi traditions, historic towns, and supporting local artisans. Community & Local Economy:  Encourages buying local products and services to support vibrant communities, as seen in examples like Salla's controlled growth. Proactive Management:  Develops indicators to manage visitor flows and prevent negative impacts, balancing growt...

Celebrating the arrival of 2026 with themes of  innovation, growth, continuous learning, skill development, and digital transformation , focusing on empowering individuals and shaping a smarter, connected future. Amelia at Croptik Services. #ict #digitaltransformation

 

 #sustainability #sustainabletourism Essen (Germany): 💗💗💗💗💗💗 The city of Essen, recognized by the EU in 2017 as the  European Green Capital , has maintained its commitment to sustainability, a philosophy that is also reflected in how it celebrates Christmas. Its international Christmas market ranks in first place as "Best sustainable Christmas market in Europe" in the scoring set up by European Best Destinations. Powered  100% by renewable energy , it stands out for having replaced plastic dishes and bags with a  deposit system  for cups, mugs, and plates in which products are served. Maribor (Slovenia): 💗💗💗💗💗💗 Slovenia's second-largest city, following the capital, holds official recognition as one of the country's  “Green Destinations” . Their Christmas market is unique for its  eco-friendly constructions  and its commitment to avoiding the use of cut fir trees. Instead, it showcases its renowned traditional  "living trees" ...

Boasts magical Christmas markets, with top destinations like  Montreux  (lakeside wonder with Santa, castle festivities),  Basel  (largest, fairy-tale Old Town,family friendly), and  Zurich  (indoor station tree, Old Town charm)  offering festive stalls, mulled wine, crafts, and carols, alongside beautiful markets  in  Lucerne ,  Bern ,  Lausanne , and Italian-influenced  Lugano   (often stays open till late) . Each market offers unique ambiance, from Swiss traditions to lakeside views,  festive lights, fondue chalets, flying Santas, and more   attracting visitors with seasonal treats and festive cheer.  That is Switzerland - charming !

Promoting local, organic and artisanal products to reduce the carbon footprint, reduce waste or the use of renewable energy are some of the key elements for making Christmas markets more sustainable.  In order to reduce the environmental impact, some Christmas markets have been setting up  more sustainable  practices for years. Lighting has evolved towards the use of renewable energies, as seen in the  Christmas market in Cologne  (Germany), powered by 100% renewable electricity - hydroelectric and wind - a measure which saves, according to its estimates, 152 tons of CO2. Or that of  Madrid’s Plaza Mayor , one of the most emblematic in Spain, which will be lighted with sustainable energy for the first time in 2024. Source: https://www.moeveglobal.com/en/planet-energy/environment/ #sustainability #christmas

  In 1696 Pieter de Vos could feast his eyes on what you see today.   Sustainabilty An important way of honouring  our heritage  is to bring back traditional farming practices where viable. And then we combine them with new agricultural technology. We find that with ongoing trial and practice and the application of detailed precision tools, we can measure and manage with greater accuracy. All in the interests of making  great wines  that are in balance with and a reflection of our terroir. We call it a progressive, adaptive approach - another way of saying that we always try to farm with, rather than against nature. And it has earned us  WWF Conservation Championship status  for our “exceptional commitment to the collective conservation of threatened habitat in the Succulent Karoo and Cape Floral Kingdom as well as outstanding dedication to environmentally responsible farming practices.” A big focus here is  regenerative farming  wi...

  Zurich and Lausanne   are excellent urban green destinations in Switzerland, known for their extensive parks, commitment to sustainability, and green infrastructure like public transport and bike-sharing programs. Other cities with significant green spaces include Bern, which has scenic walks along the Aare river, and Geneva, which is also focused on green initiatives.   Zurich Sustainability:  Consistently ranked among the world's most sustainable cities, with ambitious goals for the future, such as its "2000-watt society" target. Green transportation:  Offers free public bicycles and has extensive public transport options. Green spaces:  Features various green areas and is a gateway to the surrounding natural landscapes. Eco-friendly options:  A thriving scene of zero-waste and plant-based restaurants is available for eco-conscious travelers. Lausanne Urban green spaces:  Offers numerous "green oases," including Park Mon-Repos, Park Sauvabelin...

 Zermatt and The Matterhorn. Zermatt, in southern Switzerland’s Valais canton, is a mountain resort renowned for skiing, climbing and hiking.  The car-free city of Zermatt,attracts everyone who loves mountains.  Its main street, Bahnhofstrasse is lined with boutique shops, hotels and restaurants, and also has a lively après-ski scene. There are public outdoor rinks for ice-skating and curling. Discover the famous Matterhorn mountain, as you walk along the Haute Route from Brig to Zermatt. The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy,  whose summit is 4,478 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe.  

😇😇😇😇😇😇 Smiling face with Hallow  

  Orlando, Florida Attractions : Famous for theme parks such as Walt Disney World (including the Magic Kingdom and Epcot) and Universal Orlando Resort (which includes Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure). Universal Orlando Resort

Portland, Oregon’s largest city, sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. It’s known for its parks, bridges and bicycle paths, as well as for its eco-friendliness and its microbreweries and coffeehouses. Iconic Washington Park encompasses sites from the formal Japanese Garden to Oregon Zoo and its railway. Portland Japanese Gardens

  A new entertainment redevelopment project will soon be underway in downtown Scottsdale.  The city council recently approved the proposed plan, and now Scottsdale is getting a $450 million entertainment district. Below Scottsdale Plaza Resort.

  Panama ,  A country located at the southern end of Central America, bordering South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast. The Panama Canal, a famous feat of human engineering, cuts through its center, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to create an essential shipping route. In the capital, Panama City, modern skyscrapers, casinos and nightclubs contrast with colonial buildings in the Casco Viejo district and the rainforest of Natural Metropolitan Park. Currencies:  United States Dollar ,  Panamanian Balboa Official language:  Spanish

For a green travel experience in Vietnam, consider visiting  Ba Vi National Park near Hanoi, or Cat Ba Island  with its blend of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.  Other excellent options include  Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park ,  known for its caves and forests, and  Sapa ,  famous for its terraced rice fields Ba Vi National Park: Located near Hanoi, this park offers a refreshing escape with its mountains, forests, and diverse flora.   Walking among the trees and enjoying the fresh air is a highlight.   Cat Ba Island : A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Cat Ba offers a mix of stunning limestone karsts, lush forests, and vibrant coral reefs.  It's a great destination for hiking, kayaking, and exploring the diverse ecosystems.   Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park: Famous for its spectacular caves, including  Son Doong ,  the world's largest cave, this park also features vast forests and underground rivers.  It's a haven for na...

Several Thai cities and islands are known for their green initiatives and sustainable tourism practices.  Chiang Mai, Nan, Sukhothai, and Bangkok  (specifically  Bang Kachao  or "Green Lung") are examples of urban areas with a focus on green spaces and sustainable tourism.  Additionally,  Koh Mak  is recognized as the first low carbon destination in Thailand.     Koh Mak To face the common environmental challenges linked to a persistent growth in the number of tourists, the island of Koh Mak has been making great efforts to become the first “Low Carbon Destination” in Thailand for almost ten years now. With all the public and private sector being fully involved in the process, an impressive number of environmentally-friendly activities have been pushed all around the destination, together with the accomplishment of many headways in the use of digital technologies, advanced research in the field of carbon sequestration, and the production of s...