Travelling to Portugal within a week in June is a fantastic experience full of enchantment, sustainability, and budget. Wishing to avoid overly crowded tourist spots and give back something positive to local communities and nature, my friend and I have devised a conscious travel plan that perfectly combines eco-friendly activities and responsible travelling.
The first stop on our trip is the Toronto-Lisbon flight that takes us to Lisbon, a capital city of Portugal well known for its vibrant and spirited nature. Flight connections between Toronto and Lisbon are comparatively simple, as many airline companies provide several direct flights. Once there, our conscious travelling to Lisbon would include complete integration into Lisbon’s essence, whereby we immerse ourselves in the rich history and culture of the place while being mindful of responsible tourism. Portugal is a signatory country to sustainable tourism and eco-tourism, ensuring that economic and environmental sustainability is implemented in the tourist destinations, and it has implemented the European Union’s circular economy strategy and Green Deal initiative with a net-zero carbon goal by 2030 (Cote, 2023). Conveniently, we can support the local communities as well as minimize environmental impact if we book an eco-friendly accommodation, pay attention to public transportation use during travel, engage in sustainable tourism initiatives such as hiking or wildlife conservation
While in Lisbon, we will walk to the city’s historic locales like Alfama, Bairro Alto and Chiado by utilizing open transport. We will tour famous monuments such as the São Jorge castle, the Belém Tower, and the Lisbon Cathedral and discover facts about Portugal’s history (Earthosea, 2023). To support local businesses and artisans, we will venture for real experiences such as browsing flea markets, watching fado performances and enjoying family-oriented restaurants with traditional Portuguese cuisine. Having spent a few days in charming Lisbon, we would like to move outside the city’s boundaries and enjoy the beautiful natural sights in Portugal’s countryside. In the list of destinations in our trip itinerary, Sintra is one example that comes across as a beautiful town located within the parks of Lush forests, historic mansions and palaces with romantic gardens, both very typical at Sintra- -Cascais Natural Park (Eriksson, 2023). During one day, we will look at landmarks, including Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira and enjoy the Moorish Castle, where we can see fantastic views while feeling relaxed. We will head to the Alentejo area, passing through Sintra, which will move us away from the coastal cities of Algarve. The region is a beautiful hidden gem that boasts rolling hills oozing lush green olive groves and vineyards (Eriksson, 2023). Here, we will be accommodated in a responsible agritourism facility or encouraged whereby we are able to interact with nature while also assisting in bolstering local farming. We shall go for hiking and biking excursions in the countryside and take guided tours to family-owned wineries where we will learn about making wine and have samples of wines classified by age.
Considering our status as mindful tourists, we will choose sustainable transportation alternatives during travel, from taking trains or buses to opting for sharing cars wherever possible. We ensure that we take measures to reduce the use of private vehicles, which contributes mainly to our carbon footprint to help in Portugal’s conservation. (Fox, 2023) From a budget perspective, Portugal is very money-friendly, with eating joints that keep their prices relatively low and also attractions and activities that suit every traveller’s needs well. The adventure week we planned includes a total budget of CA$ 5,000, which covers all flights, accommodation costs, the food and drinks services industry, and the activities to be carried out during this period. It would make our tour memorable and meaningful, ensuring affordable prices.’
In conclusion, our Portugal trip, lasting a week in June, is an eco-friendly and worthwhile adventure, with some sustainable activities through cultural involvement and beautiful nature cover. By opting for eco-friendly accommodation details, patronizing local businesses and developing purposeful travel etiquette, we can develop the ability to leave a positive imprint on those who come after us while enjoying the moments, leaving behind solid memories of visiting such unique places with a friend.
References
Cote, N. M. (2023, March 25). Eco-tourism in Portugal: 13 amazing sustainable experiences. Epicure & Culture. https://epicureandculture.com/eco-tourism-in-portugal/
Earthosea. (2023, July 7). What is Lisbon famous for? Explore.Create.Inspire. https://www.earthosea.com/what-is-lisbon-famous-for/
Eriksson, I. J. (2023). Sintra, Portugal: A Fairytale Town of Palaces & Castles. Adarasblogazine.com. https://adarasblogazine.com/guide-to-sintra-portugal/
Fox, J. D. (2023, October 10). Sustainable Tourism in Portugal: How you can travel responsibly. Julie Dawn Fox in Portugal. https://juliedawnfox.com/sustainable-tourism-in-portugal-how-you-can-travel-responsibly/
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