Whether you are visiting Naples, Hamburg, or Paris, a sustainable city trip in Europe offers short travel distances and, instead of long commutes, more time for relaxation, exploration, and enjoyment.You save a lot of emissions thanks to travel that is friendly to the environment. It is time to get to know European metropolises from their green side with a wide range of culture, cuisine and options.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL IN BELLA NAPOLI

The lovely Naples is worth a visit for its impressive cathedrals and mystic catacombs alone. From lunch at the world’s first pizzeria, take the metro for a quicker and more flexible trip to the Libreria Colonnese and its beautiful vintage postcards. People who are not convinced by the small ecological footprint will be a fan of traveling by metro at the Toledo metro station. Napoli’s metro stations are known for their intricate mosaics and vivid color transitions.

However, a trip to “Bella Napoli” is also worth it for nature: The Bay of Naples is home to several reefs and thrills sea lovers with rare fish species and small, spotted sharks.

 From the terrace of the vacation apartment A’ Cràpa Mangia, you can see the best view of the bay of Salerno. A’ Cràpa Mangia is a Green Pearls® partner and is located 2 hours away from Castellabate. According to ecological principles, the property has been transformed into a vacation paradise. Besides the gorgeous views, you will appreciate the homemade fresh pasta, olive oil, and jams.

EXPLORE THE HIP CAPITAL

A city break to Berlin isn’t just a welcomed change from the daily grind—with a journey originating in Germany, the travel time-to-stay ratio is just about unbeatable. Away from typical tourist stops like the Brandenburg Gate, modern Berlin offers you great sustainable activities. For example, how about a tour around the vegan lifestyle? Or would you rather go shopping at the natural department store Steglitz and have a drink afterwards? From a down-to-earth beer on the banks of the Spree to a sophisticated cocktail on the rooftop terrace—Berlin has something for every moment. On a tour, hop off your e-bike or scooter and stop by an urban gardening project or Tempelhofer Feld to enjoy nature.

If you do want to get out of the city, you don’t have to compromise on sustainability: the CO2-positive Landgut Stober at the Großer Behnitzer See Lake invites you to relax. The direct proximity to the water and the charm of the listed building make many guests come back again and again to our Green Pearls® partner

DUBROVNIK: GRÜNE METROPOLE AN DER BLAUEN ADRIA

If you haven’t visited Dubrovnik yet, now is the perfect time to put it on your travel wish list.The historic city is decorated with impressive buildings, which also lie directly on the Adriatic Sea. In addition to theater performances on grand open-air stages, you can enjoy Croatian delicacies in authentic restaurants.  Of course, Croatia is famous for its breathtaking blue water—and you won’t have to miss that in Dubrovnik either. Dubrovnik’s numerous national parks and commitment to nature conservation make it easy to splash around in crystal-clear water, and the drinking water is also of excellent quality.

The wonderful blue-turquoise invites you to take a boat trip. Driven by the power of the wind, a catamaran takes you to the picturesque island of Lumbarda. At the Eco-Apartment Hotel The Dreamers Club, a green pearls in Croatia , you can enjoy a sporty as well as a comfortable vacation. Here you can enjoy a sustainable breakfast in the morning and then head to the beach, which is only 50 meters away. During the day, try your hand at stand-up paddling, and in the evening, sip a drink in the beautiful garden area. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

FIND PEACE IN THE FASHION METROPOLIS OF MILAN

Milan attracts countless fashion and art lovers every year. And not without reason: here you can see famous paintings like Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” and even explore the renowned painter’s winery, which he was given to create the masterpiece. In addition to sites like these, Navigli’s alternative neighborhood is a real insider’s tip. If you like sustainable shopping, you’ll find it in the vintage and secondhand stores. You can also buy beautiful souvenirs for your loved ones at home directly from the artists or family businesses, thus supporting the local economy.

After your discovery tour, you can take a deep breath on the roof terrace of our Green Pearls® partner Hotel Milano Scala. In the green oasis over the roofs of the vibrant city, you’ll round off the evening with a menu peppered with in-house herbs from the hotel’s own rooftop garden. Before sleeping, take a warm bath with a doubly good conscience: in Milan’s first emission-free hotel, the water is sustainably heated with geothermal energy and the marble in the tub comes from the region.

STARRY SKY INSTEAD OF STARRY HILL IN HAMBURG

 The “Pearl on the Elbe” is largely unknown outside of rainy weather and Reeperbahn tourism. But did you know that despite its industrial port and 1.8 million inhabitants, Hamburg is one of the greenest major cities in Europe? Almost a fifth of the city is covered with meadows, forests, parks, and water—half of which is protected nature. If it’s too chilly for a picnic by the Alster, you can have brunch in the hip Schanzenviertel district or visit the Meßmer Tea Museum. 

Not far from Hamburg is Timmendorfer Strand, a popular destination for many fans of the north. Here you will also find the Green Pearls® partner Lifestylehotel SAND. Hosts Marion and Lambertus know: “It’s no longer about being able to drive everywhere—it’s more about arriving at the right place.” And arriving here is not difficult: after a relaxing day on the roof terrace with a vegan menu and a visit to the sauna, you can fall asleep under the stars in the sleeping beach chair.

DISCOVER PARIS ON FOOT

For some people, original French pain au chocolat, crêpes and croissants are reason enough for a trip to Paris. But there’s much more to discover in the French capital, from a stroll along the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Seine to the world-famous Louvre. Did you also know that you don’t have to travel all the way to America to see the Statue of Liberty? You can see her model from 1875 at the Musée des Arts et Métiers. Your city break to Paris is just a step on the train from Cologne, Frankfurt and 5 other German cities.

Within walking distance of the Champs-Elysées and Orsay Museum, Hôtel Le Pavillon, a Green Pearls® partner, is waiting for you around the corner. The owners have sustainably renovated the former convent and transformed it into a beautiful boutique hotel with an inviting garden. Here you can enjoy your morning breakfast of organic, local and fairtrade treats amidst the herbs and ancient trees before heading back to your cozy spot by the train window. By the way, the hotel has 3 specially shielded rooms for electro-sensitive people with protection from low and high-frequency radiation.

Which cities have you visited in a sustainable manner in the past? Please don’t hesitate to communicate your experiences with us.

This is a guest article from Marie Jakobi.