After traveling virtually to South Tyrol and Trentino in the first part of this series, we now take a look at three more areas in Northern Italy, Liguria Lombardy Friuli.  In  particular, we’d like to introduce you to the Italian concept of the Albergo Diffuso, where a hotel is distributed among several existing houses in a town. This is sustainable and brings you together with the local population. We also take a look at the vintage trend in the fashion capital of Milan and tell you about some great places to stay, plus travel and excursion tips!

Green Travel Guide Italy

Sustainable Destination South Tyrol

You are here: Green travel in Liguria, Lombardy and Friuli

Sustainable travel in Southern Italy and Sicily

Sustainable travel in Liguria – reviving old villages

When you think of Italian villages, you probably picture narrow alleys, children playing, church bells ringing, and elderly seniors sipping espresso on red and white tablecloths. But the idyll is threatened in many places. Italy’s villages are struggling with rural exodus and decay. One attempt to stop this is the 1-euro houses you may have heard of (you can apply in various municipalities, but you have to commit to renovating and maintaining the house). Another idea is the Albergo Diffuso (distributed accommodation).

Relais del Maro in Borgomaro

The charming village of Borgomaro in Liguria (about 13 km from the coast) has only 300 inhabitants. About 10 years ago, the place was in danger of being abandoned and forgotten – but Elena Scalambrin had a wonderful idea. She transformed her family’s old commercial and residential buildings into a 4-star Albergo Diffuso hotel. The main house in the former butcher’s shop has 6 rooms, a reception, a swimming pool, and a large breakfast terrace. Other rooms are located in other buildings in Borgomaro.

Preserving old buildings and turning them into a hotel is much more sustainable than building a new one. It also gives you a whole new vacation experience, living among the locals.

Relais del Maro was able to help preserve the last bakery in the village – and now there’s even a hairdresser and a pharmacy. In addition to the products from Bruna’s bakery, Elena buys as much as she can from the region. There is an organic farm about a mile away where she sources eggs and vegetables, and the cold-pressed Taggiasca olive oil is also local. If you would like to learn more about Relais del Maro, we recommend this TV-Feature on YouTube (it’s in German, but you get a good impression of Elena and the place).

Tip: To be eco-friendly, you can rent e-bikes at Relais del Maro!

Tips for excursions in Liguria

Liguria is a coastal region on the left bootleg of Italy. The most famous part is the Mediterranean coast. Here you can find wild pebble beaches, sandy beaches with deckchairs lined up in rows (typical Italian), ports, and seaside towns. To the west, Liguria borders the French Côte d’Azur.

• Borgomaro: Picturesque village with a bridge, river, and waterfalls.
• Cervo: The Ligurian town on the coast is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.
• Imperia: Small coastal town with fishing boats and beach
• Olives of Lucinasco – here the special Taggiasca olives and olive oil of the region are grown and processed (perfect as a souvenir). If you decide to hike up the Olive Mountain, be sure to think about the weight (of the olive oil bottles) in advance!

Genova: The capital of Liguria should not go unmentioned. It is one of the largest ancient port cities in Europe and is known for its magnificent baroque palaces

Sustainable travel in Milan

Lombardy, with its industrialized areas and heavy traffic, is unfortunately not a model region for sustainability. Nevertheless, we can use Milan as an example to show some ideas.

For a city trip, you can reach Milan from any major European city with Flixbus. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, long-distance bus travel is the most environmentally friendly way to travel – even ahead of the train, as we explain in more detail in this blog post on air travel and alternatives. Plus, a long-distance bus ticket to Milan often costs less than 50 euros!

Emission-free accommodation in Milan

Hotel Milano Scala is a Green Pearls® partner in the heart of the city, with a beautiful roof terrace and herb garden. Since its opening in 2010, the hotel has been a “zero-emission accommodation” and the first carbon-neutral hotel in Milan. Milano Scala uses a geothermal system. This means that the heat of the earth (from over 30 meters below the hotel) is used. The heating and cooling of the rooms is computer-controlled. In 2019, the British National Geographic Traveller named it one of the “world’s top eco-friendly drawlings.” It’s right next to Milan’s La Scala.

Milan’s La Scala

Teatro alla Scala is one of the most famous opera houses in the world.

The opera house has over 2,000 seats, with the best seats costing around 500 euros, but cheap tickets are available from 20 euros!

Tip: If you want to get acquainted with the world of opera, you can take a 1-hour guided tour of La Scala (about 30 euros).

Milan Fashion – Sustainable Shopping

The atmosphere in Milan is more sober than in Florence, Rome or Naples. Apart from the Duomo and the famous painting of the Last Supper, people do not come to Milan for the historical sights. They come to Milan to enjoy a modern metropolis that is one of the world’s most important fashion capitals, to the delight of all fashion lovers. This means: Let’s go shopping! And shop sustainably! Besides the Milan Fashion Week (where every year it’s all about what’s NEW) and the flagship stores of Gucci, Armani or Dolce & Gabbana, Milan has a huge vintage and second-hand scene!

Buying used clothes makes much more ecological sense than buying new clothes made of organic cotton or recycled PET. However, be prepared that vintage is not cheap in Milan. You will still spend more on one used Gucci bag in a vintage store in Milan than on ten new fast-fashion handbags! But you will be getting a really durable, quality product.

Shopping Tips for Milan

#1 Navigli district and antique market: The trendy district of Milan is about 30 minutes by train from La Scala. It’s dominated by the Navigli canal, and you’ll find many vintage shops, cafés and art galleries. Tip: Every last Sunday of the month, there is an antique market. Check out the dates here.

#2 Cavalli e Nastri: In the old town of Milan, on Via Gian Giacomo Mora, is one of the most famous vintage fashion stores: Cavalli e Nastri. This is not just a high-end second hand store, but a boutique for real fashion treasures – some dating back to the 18th century. There is a women’s vintage store and a men’s vintage store. You will also find other vintage and consignment shops on the street.

#3 Panpepato: No second-hand clothes, but a handmade collection by the owners Martina and Eva. You’ll find unique women’s and children’s clothing (dresses, tops) and handmade jewelry.

#4 Progetto Quid: Progetto Quid is a social fashion project that exists in Milan, Verona, Bologna, Venice, and other cities. They use fabrics and clothing remnant stocks, that are donated from Italian fashion labels to Progetto Quid. Part of the concept is to give employment to disadvantaged women who would not otherwise have a chance in the job market due to their curriculum vitae or illness. In the current collection, you will find many chic and office-appropriate outfits.

For more tips on Milan, check out our blog post on sustainable urban development, where we introduce you to Bosco Vertikale, the vertical forest.

Sustainable hotel in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Finally, we’d like to introduce you to the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and our local Green PearlsⓇ partner, La Subida Country Resort. While Liguria is on the Mediterranean side of the left boot, bordering France, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is on the Adriatic side of the right boot, bordering Slovenia and Austria. It is called the bridge between Western and Eastern Europe. Here you will find the high mountains of the Alps to the north and the sea to the south.

Regional specialties at the Michelin-starred La Subida

La Subida Country Resort is located on the border with Slovenia and is run by the Sirk family. The accommodations consist of several houses and suites that are luxuriously and naturally furnished with lots of wood. From the huge windows, you look directly into a mixed forest, which is perfect for hiking and mountain biking. If you want to be romantic, you can even book a treehouse with a freestanding bathtub!

La Subida Trattoria has been awarded a Michelin star and is listed in the Michelin Italy Guide 2023. 

Another recipe you can make at home is Girini Pasta Crumbs, for which we have published the original recipe from La Subida.

Tip: As a souvenir, you can buy homemade vinegar in the restaurant.

Excursion tip: Riserva Naturale della Foce dell’Isonzo

As an excursion tip in Friuli-Venezia Giulia we recommend the nature reserve Reserva Naturale della Foce dell’Isonzo. It is located in the south on an “island” in the mouth of the Isonzo river and a tributary. The reserve consists of water and marshland and is ideal for waterfowl watching. Another highlight is the free-roaming Camarque horses.

We wish you a good trip!

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