With global temperatures rising, our environment is something that everyone should be concerned about. All over the world, massive efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse gasses, limit pollution and repair the planets delicate ecosystem. Many of us here in the United States and Canada have taken measures at home to reduce our own carbon footprint by walking, biking and driving more fuel efficient cars, eating organic foods that weren’t grown using harmful pesticides, using energy efficient lights in our homes and work places, and supporting companies who do the same. Many of us are finding that “going green” reduces costs and saves money on everyday expenses. This is good news for our planet, as well as your bottom line.

When on vacation there is no reason not to continue these practices. Here are some helpful hints designed to help you have the green vacation you’ve always wanted, without having to sacrifice the amenities you are used to.

Try to find an eco friendly hotel. There are many of them all over the world, and they generally won’t cost you more than anywhere else.  Conserve resources as much as possible by turning off the lights when you’re not in the room and by limiting the use of the heat and air conditioning.  Also, do you really need a fresh towel every day? Put a do not disturb sign on your door and stay with the same linens, for at least two days.

Take your digital camera along. Digital cameras are far better for the environment than a disposable camera. You can also take more photos, see them immediately, and print only the ones you want.

Eat the local food, as it does not have to travel as far to get to your plate. By eating locally, not only are you supporting the local economy, you are supporting the families of the region directly. Avoid all fast food and chain restaurants. After all, you wouldn’t go to Florida for a fresh Maine lobster would you?

When renting a car on vacation, there are little things that you can do in order to cut down on your gas consumption.

Rent the smallest car possible. If you are willing to be slightly cramped in the back seat of a compact versus renting a midsize, not only will you save money on the rental, but you will get better gas mileage.  Accelerate gradually in your rental car. Acceleration uses more gas than anything else. Once the car is moving, it will use less gas to stay moving, so set the cruise control at a reasonable speed while on highways.  When stopping, don’t wait till the last minute to use those breaks. Use the clutch and allow the car to stop gradually.  Ease off the air conditioning if you don’t need it. Roll those windows down instead and breathe in the fresh air!  Check the tire pressure, every time you fill up, even with your rental car.  You can sometimes do this before you even drive it off the lot, and attendants will show you where to fill up those tires.  Carry as little around with you while driving. The less weight in your car, the better it will perform.  Pack light in general to save fuel while on the plane. The less baggage the plane has to carry, the better it will run.

Do you have some eco-friendly travel tips?  Leave a me a comment with anything you can think of!

Greetings from Portland, Maine! My name is Hans Ericsson and I will be sharing ideas, travel tips and stories for your information and enjoyment. Having family all over Europe, travel is a large part of my life, and I look forward to writing more on the blog here at Auto Europe.

Don’t Fear the Locals

A couple years ago I took a solo tour of Ireland. A scary idea at first, it ended up being one of the best possible travel experiences. Basically, I landed in Dublin, picked up my rental car, practiced driving it around the airport for an hour (right side drive) and hit the road. I soon found a safe place to park my car overnight, locked my belongings in the trunk and took off on foot.

After visiting the Guinness brewery and taking a city bus tour, I stepped into the nearest pub for a two Euro ale and some local Irish craic (light hearted conversation). I enjoyed the company of locals all afternoon. I asked many people what they recommended I do, and was mostly told to visit Cork, Kerry and Galway.

It was soon eight in the evening and I mentioned I needed a place to stay. Within minutes I had several people offer me their couch. Then one gentleman came over and said he owned a motel two blocks down, and would give me a room for €20 euro if I would buy the next round. Needless to say I did, and drifted off in a cozy bed around eleven. The rest of the trip was just as fun, as I met many more friendly people, all of whom had excellent advice on where to go, places to see, and what to drink.

To me this was the perfect balance of seeing the main attractions, and experiencing the local culture. If you speak the language and feel comfortable, talk to as many people as you can, you will be glad you did. Locals can provide insightful information that no guide book will ever have. Use your better judgment when approaching people and you will be sure to see some things you otherwise never would have heard about.

Feel free to comment about your experience with locals while traveling abroad!

I was talking to one of our customers the other day who told me about this new trend in overnight lodging that has started in Germany. Hay Hotels (Heuhotels). Yes, Hay Hotels. You spend the night in a barn, sleeping on a pile of hay. My initial reaction was “You’ve got to be kidding me,” but as I did some research into the matter, it actually seems like a fairly fun and unique experience. Hay Hotels are currently the most popular in Germany, but the concept is catching on and spreading throughout Europe.

Most of these Hay Hotels can be found in the northern region of Germany, and also Lower Saxony near Lake Constance. There are actually hundreds of these facilities, which are located on beautiful plots of rural land, usually on working farms. This makes it a particularly fun experience for travelers with children. Many Hay Hotels offer the chance to interact with farm animals, tour the untouched countryside, go on horseback rides, and more.

You can bring your own sleeping bag, or some hotels offer the ability to rent one for the night. The hotels are also incredibly affordable; rates can be as low as 8 euros a night, and a homemade breakfast is usually included. The people that run the Heuhotels are generally very accommodating and friendly.

If you are planning on staying at a Hay Hotel, it’s probably advisable to rent a car, as most Heuhotels are somewhat off the beaten path. It’s best to try and find a place with lots of fun activities so that you can make a whole day out of the experience. Spending the night at a Hay Hotel is a unique and fun traveling experience, not to mention that it can save you a lot of money on your lodging expenses.

Safe Travels,

Ted Phelps

Customer Travel Consultant

Here are the Top 3 casinos on our list. These three destinations represent the classiest gaming places in the entire world. They were picked because not only are they especially distinguished, but they also have incredible décor, and a unique history behind them.

3.The Clermont Club, London:

The Clermont Club has the designation of being one of the classiest gambling establishments in the entire world. It was originally founded in 1962 by an elite and wealthy group of British gamblers, known as the Clermont Set. The interior of the building is absolutely breathtaking, with a huge spiral staircase the goes the whole height of the building. Inside you will find a cozy but opulent bar and club room. The restaurant within the club provides for the finest of dining experiences. The actual gaming takes place in the Holland Room, which offers a “light and gentle ambiance.” There you can play roulette, blackjack, three card poker, and casino stud poker. When you conjure up the classic image of high class gambling, The Clermont Club in London is exactly how you would imagine it.

2.Casino Metropol, Moscow

This place is so cool. I have to say that I would love to make it here some day. If anyone reading these posts has been there, please write in and share, it would be great to hear about from someone that’s been there. Casino Metropol is one of the most respected casinos in the entire world. Located in the heart of Moscow, Russia, the Metropol is in close proximity to the Kremlin and Red Square. The casino is high-stakes only; even the blackjack tables have a minimum bet of $25. They also require you to wear appropriate business attire, so get out your best suit and visit the Metropol for a true gamer’s experience. The casino was built in 1898, and was once a place where men like Tolstoy, Rachmaninov, and Bernard Shaw came to pass the time. The building has been remodeled over the years, now blending old and new with tremendous aesthetic saavy. Over the years the Casino Metropol has been visited by Presidents, Prime Ministers, and a number of celebrities.

1.The Monte Carlo, Monaco

The Monte Carlo is known all over the globe, and is my pick for the #1 casino in the world. The Monte Carlo opened in 1863, and is most assuredly one of the finest casinos ever built. Inside, you will find the original 19^th century frescoes, inspired by the different seasons. There are 8 giant chandeliers made from pure bohemian crystal, each weighing more than 330 pounds apiece! There are a number of rooms for you to gamble in, but make sure you check out the Salle Touzet, decorated with precious woods and large paintings. This has been one of the casino’s finest rooms since its construction in 1890, the year of the first electric lighting. The reason that Monte Carlo gets 1^st place is ambiance. Once you have observed this place, there will be no doubt in your mind that this really is the finest casino in the world, and has been for almost 140 years. The sense of history, coupled with the welcoming atmosphere is what makes this casino the popular destination it has always been.

It’s time for numbers 5 and 4 on our Top 7 Casinos of the World countdown. Both of these casinos represent some of the finest gambling establishments, not only because of the gaming rooms, but also because of the overall ambiance that the hotels present.

5.St. James Club, Antigua:

Fly to the beautiful Caribbean Islands for an unforgettable stay in Antigua. There is nothing like warm sunshine and pristine beaches to make you feel lucky. The posh resort and casino are located on a 100 acre isolated peninsula, giving guests the feel of being in a tropical Shangri-La. The casino has a classy, intimate European design, which allows even low-stakes players to feel like high-rollers. The décor is a nice blend of wood, metal, and a soothing golden ambiance from the lighting. The St. James Club has 56 slots, 5 blackjack tables, roulette and stud poker. The exciting island atmosphere of Antigua will make you feel like you are part of a James Bond movie. The best part about St. James is, when you’re not cleaning up at the tables, you can be down by the beach, catching some sun.

4.The Bellagio, Las Vegas:

Perhaps Las Vegas’ most famous and elegant casino, The Bellagio is located right on the strip. The building cost $1.6 billion to construct, so no expense was spared in trying to create one of the finest casino experiences in the world. There are 3,933 guest rooms, and the hotel gets a 5 Star rating from AAA. At the Bellagio, everything is high-class, from the beautiful ballet of the fountains as they dance in choreographed splendor, to the impressive collection of fine art found in the hotel’s gallery. The casino is large enough to lose yourself. You can play any of the popular games or slots on the main floor. Or, if you’re looking to play high-stakes, you can go to the Club Privé, where you will find an unforgettable ambiance made up of dark wood, metal and glass. This intimate and private setting is where you can sit down with other professionals and test your abilities. If you can get into the Club Privé, it will definitely be an experience you won’t soon forget.

For those of you that enjoy the thrill of testing your luck at games of chance, the opportunity to play in some of the most luxurious and historic casinos in the world would be a dream come true. Being a fan of the skillful wager myself, I thought I would make a list of the top 7 casinos in the world, both for those who have the opportunity to go, and for those that merely enjoy the idea of sitting down in some of the finest gaming establishments on the planet. To make things more interesting, I figured I would do a countdown over the next week, leading up to what I think is the finest casino in the world. If you’ve been to any of these places, please write in, I would love to hear some first hand stories of your experiences.

7.Sun City Casino, South Africa:

Just two hours outside of Johannesburg, the Sun City Casino is a mind-boggling resort in both its scale and luxuriousness. Set in the heart of South Africa, the resort itself boasts stunning views, easy access to scuba diving and guided tours of the jungle. There’s even a giant wave pool. Located in the most opulent part of the complex is The Palace of the Lost City. Here you will find the immaculate and architecturally stunning casino, with 852 slot machines and 38 tables to play American Roulette, blackjack, stud poker and Punto Banco. Put on your best clothes and stroll through the main floor, removed from the every day world in the heart of the African bush landscape. Playing here is not only incredibly exciting; it’s a truly surreal experience in and of itself.

6.Grand Lisboa, Macau, China:

Here you can test your luck in one of the oldest gambling destinations in the world. Originally the casino tables were licensed to the Portuguese back in 1847. A visit here will make you see why 20 million visitors come to Macau each year to gamble. The area has some of the finest Casinos in the world, but you’ll definitely want to visit the Grand Lisboa. Shaped like a giant yellow Lotus flower, the casino has 200 tables and 300 guest rooms on 40 floors. Macau is the only place in China that has legalized gambling, so let it ride in this modernized Forbidden City. Play your favorite games with people from all over the world in one of human history’s oldest countries, regardless of the outcome; you will never forget your time in Macau.

Next week we’ll continue the countdown, until then,

Safe Travels,

Ted Phelps

Customer Travel Consultant

Although the word “tourism” often conjures up the positive notion of visiting foreign places and learning about them, something that people don’t often think about is the impact of humans on the environment that they are visiting. This issue is something that has become increasingly important to address, but doesn’t get a lot of play in the news or in public forums. This needs to change, or many of the world’s most popular environmental destinations will be destroyed, and unavailable to future generations.

In 1992, 182 countries signed Agenda 21, which states that “Tourism should contribute to the conservation, protection and restoration of the Earth’s ecosystems.” While this is a nice thought, more often than not, tourism ends up being the exact opposite of Agenda 21’s definition. The major problems that stem from environmental tourism occur in the form of:

· Disruption of the ecosystem’s cycles

· Pollution

· Collection of environmental objects as souvenirs

· Erosion due to foot traffic

· Illegal hunting

I’ll give you a few examples to bring this into perspective:

· In the New Forest in southern England 25,000 empty bottles are removed each year.

· On Mt. Everest 16,510 kg (36,400 lbs) of trash have been deposited on the mountain between 1952 and 1991. In destinations like Mt. Everest, there is really no easy way for the trash to be removed. Leading a trek to try and haul trash back down the mountainside is just too dangerous.

· On Mt. Kilimanjaro hikers and mountain climbers have caused severe soil erosion because of too much foot traffic.

The destruction of these environments presents a serious challenge to the countries where they are located, and the global community as a whole. For many countries, especially some of the third world nations, tourism is a significant source of revenue. A happy medium has to be found where tourism and protecting the environment can balance out.

Destinations at risk need to be well managed, and the number of people that are allowed to visit needs to be limited to a reasonable number. Furthermore, visitors as a whole need to be more cognizant of how they interact with the environment around them, and also make sure that they are not creating trash. 182 countries have signed the Agenda 21 agreement, but it doesn’t seem to me that many of them are taking their own words to heart. Instead of making Agenda 21 a hollow commitment, it should be seriously addressed in the worldwide forum, and used to create a strategy to realistically combat this problem.