Hotels

Photo by: roadsidepictures

Enviro-friendly hotels are pretty easy to scope out with the help of organizations like the Green Hotels Association. All partner hotels and vendors are listed by state and include chains ranging from Comfort Suites to Wyndham.

Interested travelers can get more specific information on what the organization considers green to be. Find lodging in cities across the globe at iStay Green—even checkout the "green rating" for each hotel.

Vacationers need not drop huge amounts of cash to stay in an environmentally respectful establishment. Most online booking sites have started to offer a green hotel search as well. Both Travelocity and Expedia are working to build their eco-happy hotel search engines and offer impressive selections for various price points.

It makes financial sense for owners to take a close look at hotel practices that encourage smart traveling habits—using towels and sheets more than once saves a killing in the long run. Let's hope that our collective cooperation will eventually make green hotels more competitive in pricing.

Souvenirs
Souvenirs are an absolute must for most travelers—you want to have a physical remembrance of a place beyond pictures. Something that says been there, done that. So do it! Buy a small, light, and locally produced artifact for your treasure trove. Don't annoy your friends with the "I heart diving in Cozumel" t-shirt or Mayan ruin snow globe made in China. Support the local economy, especially off the beaten path, and you'll find a unique gem.

Next: Become a Green Bookworm