Regenerative travel may help halt the rapid degradation of tourist destinations all over the world–and eventually slow down climate change. 

Earlier this year, an article pointed out the beneficial effects of regenerative travel, a mode of travelling that posits helping the world regenerate itself, adopt less social crowding, and acquire an environmentally conscious mindset.

Prior to the onset of the novel coronavirus outbreak, tourism was one of the largest industries all over the world. In 2018, total tourism revenue was $5 billion per day, according to a World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) report.

Tourism earnings helped various countries boost their economies. However, the same tourism activities ultimately affected—and degraded—the environment. Hence, the said industry caused major impacts on the local communities that were frequently visited by travelers worldwide.

Several areas in different European cities, for instance, were metamorphosing into unlivable locations while the exponential rise in various rentals also exacerbated the problem. Beaches in Thailand, for example, were increasingly filling up with plastic residue coming from various hotels and tourist boats in the country.

The necessity of adopting sustainable travel became a popular outcry as mass tourism became the norm. Before the advent of the term, regenerative travel, advocates began asking travelers to minimize travel impact in the different places they visited. Initiatives including the minimized usage of plastic and the reduction of waste were encouraged.

Regenerative travel, however, takes the advocacy a step further. Whereas sustainable travel merely aims to eradicate the effects of tourism in specific locations, regenerative travel calls for the improvement of the particular locations that visitors go to.

Jonathon Day, an assistant professor at Purdue University, stresses that “[tourism] is sort of a low bar. At the end of the day, it’s not just making a mess of the place. Regenerative tourism says, let’s make it better for future generations.”

Regenerative travel does not merely postulate buying local stuff or decreasing your carbon footprint. Regenerative travel stresses the necessity of executing actual, measurable, and concrete change. Hence, tourists are encouraged to provide meaningful improvements to the places they visit. This can be initiated by joining restoration groups or even supporting a local business school for the area’s indigenous women. In a sense, regenerative tourism means leaving the place a better one than when you first stepped into it.

Various travel companies are now starting to support the regenerative travel campaign. The preference for quality over quantity is stressed. With the help of various groups and organizations like the ConsciousTravel, a service that provides guidance to tour and destination operators regarding positive change, more and more travel agencies are now advertising the need to create more meaningful, environment-based changes to each tourist destination in their lists.

As visitors to these tourist hotspots, it is essential to be a major player in the creation of environmental improvements. International travelers must be aware of the destructive impacts of tourism and help promote regenerative travel. The present pandemic has been a huge eye-opener as we see the ill effects of pollution to the world. Climate change is a major issue that will ultimately affect everyone if we do not begin saving our environment now.

In a recent survey, Italian food was crowned the world’s favorite cuisine.

But how do you find the best Italian restaurant when you get that craving? It’s not just about pizza and pasta anymore. Italian food has so much more to give.

So if you’re feeling hungry, let’s take a look at a few things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best of the best.

If you’re serious about Italian food, it’s important to do some research before visiting a new restaurant. A few key questions you will want to answer are:

1. Who are the owners?
2. Is the food authentic?
3. Is the restaurant self-service or table service?
4. Do they serve other cuisines?
5. How are the reviews?

Ideally, you will be able to find the answers on the restaurant’s website. However, in some cases, you may need to look further, such as on social media. 

Who Are the Owners?

Great food comes from passionate Chefs. When trying to decide how to choose a restaurant, the owner should play a part in your decision.

Finding an Italian restaurant run by an Italian is a great start. Chances are the food is more authentic, having been passed down through the family. 

However, it is possible to find authentic and delicious food made by a non-native. The key is to avoid franchise restaurants with generic menus that are the same at all locations. 

Is the Food Authentic?

A few keys things to take into account when checking out an Italian menu are:

• Italian food is usually seasonal
• The dishes shouldn’t be covered in cheese and sauce
• It’s so much more than just pasta

Great Italian food changes with the weather and highlights quality ingredients. They use lots of fresh vegetables, and rarely will you see a bowl full of pasta drowning in sauce. 

Is the Restaurant Self-Service or Table Service?

Typically, a self-service restaurant is thought of as a lower class of dining experience than table service, and in some cases that is accurate. 

On the other hand, when you learn more about it, you can see why many restaurants are changing their business models – especially in the current climate. By removing the servers, the restaurant has the opportunity to focus more on the kitchen and the quality of food. 

Do They Serve Other Cuisines?

Although you should be looking for a variety of dishes, a kitchen that serves up a variety of cuisines might not be the best option when it comes to quality. 

A restaurant that is trying to cater to everyone is less likely to be the best option if you want real Italian food. Their focus is more on getting tables booked than what they are serving. 

How Are the Reviews?

Checking reviews is a must. Any great meal can be spoiled by a rude server or an unappealing atmosphere. 

Search for local Italian restaurants and see what people have to say. In many larger cities and towns, you should be able to find reviews left by tourists. Look for those by visitors from Italy to get the most trustworthy information. 

It’s Ok to Order Pizza

Italy is the home of pizza, after all, so don’t be ashamed to order one when you find the right Italian restaurant for you.

By doing a little research beforehand, you should be able to find a place that will offer you some authentic local cuisine, along with the familiar favorites. The difference will be the quality of the ingredients which you will no doubt be able to taste. 

Check out our food section for more help with finding your next great meal. 

Work is done and you have little to no responsibilities since you recently retired, so what are your excuses to not travel? It’s time to enjoy your golden years and travel to some fun destinations. If you saved for your retirement, hopefully you put in some sort of travel budget so you can see the world, and stay in amazing hotels like the Marriott. Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age and that means a huge influx of retired travelers is set to hit the world’s top destinations. We can’t travel like we used to so let’s explore some excellent vacations for retirees.

Ireland

Who hasn’t dreamed of strolling through the rolling green hills of Ireland? The lush green country is a perfect vacation destination for the retired set. Dublin is a great place to start to see some of the oldest buildings in all of Europe and taste the perfect pint at the Guinness brewery. There is so much to see in Ireland you can really take your time on an extended trip and enjoy everything Ireland has to offer.  The perfect vacation for the recently retired.

Sicily

If Italian food is your favorite or if ancient architecture is your bag, Sicily is for you. Who hasn’t wanted to check out Palermo, the lively capital that boasts spectacular cathedrals and delicious street food? The small island off the coast of Italy’s big toe is the perfect destination for retired folk. The islands slow pace and miles of gorgeous beaches make Sicily a great spot. Many Italian-Americans track their heritage to Sicily and those Baby Boomers can visit their ancient roots.  Retired people will love the vibe of Sicily.

Australia

The flights to Australia will take up to 21 hours so you need to spend some time there to make it worth it. Now you are retired and you have literally nowhere to be, it’s the perfect time to take an extended vacation to the land down under. Australia has something for everyone, with major cities, extreme outback and wonderful beaches. You must see Sydney Harbor, the Great Barrier Reef and a kangaroo. Other than that, explore Australia at your own pace; you have all the time in the world.

U.S. Road Trip

If times what you have, why not take a coast-to-coast road trip across our great country. America has so much diverse landscapes that you can experience so much on a road trip. For a real adventure rent a recreational vehicle and take your time, see all the sites you want and do it in style. An RV can be rented at very affordable prices and offers a unique experience many have never lived. See the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, drive historic Route 66 or make your own route.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Why not take a road trip on the most scenic highway in America, the Blue Ridge Parkway. This picturesque 470-mile drive connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountain national Park in North Carolina. The road follows the peaks of numerous mountains along the way giving off spectacular views and winding through some cute little towns.   There are some seriously cute places to stay along the way and more than enough activities to keep you entertained.

Rocky Mountaineer

Maybe you should let someone else drive so you can soak up all the incredible views along the Canadian Rocky Mountains, in the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury train. Enjoy sitting in glass domed train cars so you can see beauty at every angle. There are multiple options available to satisfy any urge. You can get coastal views or strictly mountain routes. You can decide among many options to make the vacation fit exactly what you want.