Nachhaltig reisen mit Enkeln

Kurt Iglesias (KI) by Kurt Iglesias (KI)
01.01.2025
Nachhaltig reisen mit Enkeln

Why sustainable travel is important

As grandparents, you have the opportunity to teach your grandchildren a valuable lesson: how to travel responsibly while protecting the environment. Sustainable travel is not just a matter of environmental protection, but also an investment in your grandchildren's future. When you travel consciously today, you help preserve the beauty of our world for future generations.

Your grandchildren will grow up in a world where environmental protection and sustainability are becoming increasingly important. When you show them how to travel in an eco-conscious way, you give them tools that will accompany them throughout their lives. These values will help them make responsible decisions and protect the world they will inherit.

Sustainable travel does not mean having to give up travel. Rather, it is about making conscious decisions: which destinations to choose, how to travel, how to behave at the destination. As grandparents, you can show your grandchildren that travel and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive, but can be combined.

Responsibility for the future

As grandparents, you have a special responsibility: you can show your grandchildren how important it is to protect the environment. Every sustainable travel decision you make today helps ensure that your grandchildren can experience the beauty of our world in the future. When you travel consciously, you show your grandchildren that each individual can make a difference.

This responsibility does not mean you have to be perfect. Rather, it is about acting consciously and taking small steps. When you travel sustainably with your grandchildren, you show them that environmental protection does not have to be complicated, but that there are many simple ways to travel responsibly.

Your grandchildren will internalize these values and integrate them into their own lives. When you show them how important sustainable travel is, you give them an important message: that we all have a responsibility for our environment and that every contribution counts. This lesson will accompany your grandchildren throughout their lives.

Environmental impact of travel

Travel has an impact on the environment, that is undeniable. But as grandparents, you can show your grandchildren that there are ways to minimize these impacts. When you travel consciously and choose eco-friendly alternatives, you show your grandchildren that you don't have to give up travel to protect the environment.

The way we travel affects the environment in many ways: through CO2 emissions during travel, through resource consumption at the destination, through how we behave on site. As grandparents, you can show your grandchildren that every decision matters and that you can make a difference through conscious choices.

When you travel sustainably with your grandchildren, you show them that environmental protection is not abstract, but that there are concrete actions each of us can take. These experiences will shape your grandchildren and help them become responsible travelers themselves who keep the environment in mind.

Choosing sustainable destinations

The choice of destination is an important aspect of sustainable travel. As grandparents, you can choose destinations together with your grandchildren that are eco-friendly and support the local population. When you choose consciously, you show your grandchildren that travel can not only be fun, but also responsible.

Sustainable destinations are often closer than you think. Perhaps there are beautiful natural areas in your region that you can explore together with your grandchildren. Or you choose destinations that particularly focus on environmental protection and promote sustainable tourism. When you choose such destinations, you show your grandchildren that sustainable travel can be diverse and exciting.

Choosing sustainable destinations also means supporting the local economy. When you stay in small, family-run accommodations or eat in local restaurants, you help strengthen the region while gaining authentic experiences. This type of travel shows your grandchildren that travel also means supporting other cultures and communities.

Prefer nearby destinations

Nearby destinations have many advantages: they are often faster to reach, cause fewer CO2 emissions, and allow you to get to know your own region better. As grandparents, you can discover the beauty of your home region together with your grandchildren. Perhaps there are nature parks, historical sites, or cultural attractions you don't know yet.

When you choose nearby destinations, you show your grandchildren that you don't have to travel far to have adventures. Perhaps you can hike together, ride bikes, or explore nature. This type of travel is not only eco-friendly, but also relaxing and allows you to enjoy time together without long journeys.

Nearby destinations also offer the opportunity to visit multiple times and really get to know the region. When you regularly return to the same place, you can observe how nature changes throughout the seasons. This continuity shows your grandchildren that travel doesn't always have to be something new, but that it can also be nice to visit familiar places and experience how they develop.

Eco-friendly accommodations

The choice of accommodation has a great impact on the sustainability of your trip. As grandparents, you can choose accommodations together with your grandchildren that focus on environmental protection. Perhaps there are hotels or guesthouses that use renewable energy, save water, or use local products. When you choose such accommodations, you show your grandchildren that companies can also take responsibility for the environment.

Eco-friendly accommodations are often smaller and more personal than large hotel chains. When you stay in family-run guesthouses or small hotels, you support the local economy while experiencing a more authentic atmosphere. This type of travel shows your grandchildren that travel is not just about comfort, but also about encounters with people and cultures.

When you choose eco-friendly accommodations together with your grandchildren, you can also talk about the various aspects of sustainability. Perhaps the accommodation uses solar energy, has its own vegetable garden, or offers regional food. These details show your grandchildren that sustainability has many facets and that there are many ways to act in an eco-conscious manner.

Planning eco-conscious travel

The mode of travel has a great impact on the environmental footprint of your trip. As grandparents, you can choose eco-friendly modes of transportation together with your grandchildren. When you decide consciously, you show your grandchildren that there are alternatives and that you can make a difference through the choice of transportation.

Eco-conscious travel does not mean you have to give up comfort. Modern trains are comfortable, fast, and eco-friendly. When you travel by train, you can enjoy the landscape, relax, and protect the environment at the same time. This type of travel shows your grandchildren that sustainable travel can also be pleasant.

When you travel in an eco-conscious way together with your grandchildren, you can also talk about the different modes of transportation and explain why some are more eco-friendly than others. These conversations help your grandchildren develop an awareness of environmental protection and understand that every decision has an impact.

Train instead of plane

The train is one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel. As grandparents, you can take train trips together with your grandchildren that are not only eco-friendly, but also relaxing and adventurous. When you travel by train, you can enjoy the landscape, play or read together, and protect the environment at the same time.

Train travel is often more relaxing than air travel. You don't have to be at the station hours in advance, there is more room to move, and you can experience the journey as part of the adventure. When you take train trips together with your grandchildren, you show them that the journey itself can be an experience and that you don't always have to get to your destination quickly.

When you travel by train, you also support sustainable transportation infrastructure. The more people use the train, the more investment goes into eco-friendly transportation. When you take train trips together with your grandchildren, you show them that you can influence the development of infrastructure through your decisions.

Direct flights for air travel

When air travel is unavoidable, you can still act in an eco-conscious way. Direct flights cause fewer CO2 emissions than flights with stopovers, as takeoff and landing consume particularly much fuel. As grandparents, you can choose direct flights together with your grandchildren and explain why this is more eco-friendly.

For air travel, you can also talk about compensation options. Many airlines offer the possibility to compensate CO2 emissions by investing in environmental protection projects. When you support such projects together with your grandchildren, you show them that you can also take responsibility for air travel.

When you take air trips, you can also talk about the importance of travel and explain that sometimes it is necessary to fly, but that you can still act consciously. These conversations help your grandchildren develop a balanced understanding of sustainable travel and understand that it's not about being perfect, but about acting consciously.

Getting around sustainably at the destination

You can also act in an eco-conscious way at the destination. As grandparents, you can use eco-friendly modes of transportation together with your grandchildren and show that you can also get around sustainably at the destination. When you choose consciously, you show your grandchildren that environmental protection is not only important during travel, but also at the destination.

Public transportation is often an eco-friendly alternative to rental cars. When you use buses or trains together with your grandchildren, you can get to know the region better, come into contact with locals, and protect the environment at the same time. This type of travel shows your grandchildren that sustainable travel can also be more authentic.

Traveling on foot or by bicycle is not only eco-friendly, but also healthy and relaxing. As grandparents, you can explore the region together with your grandchildren, enjoy nature, and do something for your health at the same time. This type of travel shows your grandchildren that sustainable travel also means enjoying the journey itself.

Using public transportation

Public transportation is an eco-friendly way to get around at the destination. As grandparents, you can use buses, trains, or trams together with your grandchildren. This type of travel allows you to get to know the region better while protecting the environment.

When you use public transportation, you can also talk about the various aspects of sustainability. Perhaps you can observe together how many people use public transportation and talk about why this is important for the environment. These conversations help your grandchildren develop an awareness of sustainable mobility.

Public transportation also offers the opportunity to come into contact with locals. When you ride buses or trains together with your grandchildren, you can have conversations, get tips, and experience the region from a different perspective. These encounters show your grandchildren that travel also means meeting people and understanding other cultures.

On foot and by bicycle

Traveling on foot or by bicycle is the most eco-friendly way to get around. As grandparents, you can hike, ride bikes, or walk together with your grandchildren. This type of travel allows you to enjoy nature, explore the region at a leisurely pace, and do something for your health at the same time.

When you travel on foot or by bicycle together with your grandchildren, you can also talk about the various aspects of nature. Perhaps you can observe animals together, identify plants, or enjoy the landscape. These experiences show your grandchildren that sustainable travel also means experiencing and appreciating the beauty of nature.

Traveling on foot or by bicycle is also relaxing and allows you to enjoy time together. When you hike or ride bikes together, you can have conversations, take breaks together, and explore the region at a leisurely pace. This type of travel shows your grandchildren that sustainable travel is not only eco-friendly, but can also be particularly beautiful and relaxing.

Eco-conscious behavior at the destination

You can also act in an eco-conscious way at the destination. As grandparents, you can show together with your grandchildren how to conserve resources, support the local economy, and treat nature with respect. When you act consciously, you show your grandchildren that sustainable travel is also important at the destination.

Eco-conscious behavior does not mean giving up comfort. Rather, it is about acting consciously: saving water, avoiding waste, buying local products. When you make such decisions together with your grandchildren, you show them that sustainable travel can be simple and that every contribution counts.

When you act in an eco-conscious way together with your grandchildren, you can also talk about the various aspects of sustainability. Perhaps you can observe together how the region handles resources, or talk about the importance of local products. These conversations help your grandchildren develop an awareness of sustainable travel.

Conserving resources

Conserving resources is an important aspect of sustainable travel. As grandparents, you can show together with your grandchildren how to save water, conserve energy, and avoid waste. When you act consciously, you show your grandchildren that every contribution is important and that you can also be eco-conscious at the destination.

When you conserve resources together with your grandchildren, you can also talk about the various aspects. Perhaps you can observe together how the accommodation handles resources, or talk about the importance of recycling. These conversations help your grandchildren develop an awareness of resource conservation.

Conserving resources does not mean giving up comfort. Rather, it is about acting consciously: perhaps you shower for a shorter time, turn off the light when you leave the room, or avoid unnecessary waste. When you make such decisions together with your grandchildren, you show them that sustainable travel can be simple.

Supporting local economy

Supporting the local economy is an important aspect of sustainable travel. As grandparents, you can eat in local restaurants, shop in small stores, or buy local products together with your grandchildren. When you choose consciously, you show your grandchildren that travel also means supporting the region and gaining authentic experiences.

When you support the local economy together with your grandchildren, you can also talk about the various aspects. Perhaps you can try local specialties together, talk to locals, or learn about local crafts. These experiences show your grandchildren that sustainable travel also means understanding and appreciating other cultures.

Supporting the local economy also means gaining more authentic experiences. When you eat in local restaurants or shop in small stores, you experience the region from a different perspective and get to know the people and their culture better. This type of travel shows your grandchildren that sustainable travel can also be particularly enriching.

Teaching grandchildren about sustainability

As grandparents, you have the opportunity to teach your grandchildren about sustainability. When you travel sustainably together, you can talk about environmental protection, experience practical examples, and show that sustainable travel does not have to be complicated. These experiences will shape your grandchildren and help them become responsible travelers themselves.

Teaching sustainability should not be instructive, but curious and open. When you travel together with your grandchildren, you can talk about the various aspects, answer questions, and explore together what sustainable travel means. These conversations help your grandchildren develop an awareness of environmental protection.

When you travel sustainably together with your grandchildren, you can also experience practical examples. Perhaps you can observe together how the region handles environmental protection, or talk about the various ways to act in an eco-conscious manner. These experiences show your grandchildren that sustainable travel can be diverse and exciting.

Talking about environmental protection together

Conversations about environmental protection are an important part of sustainable travel. As grandparents, you can talk about the various aspects together with your grandchildren: why sustainable travel is important, what impact travel has on the environment, how to act in an eco-conscious way. These conversations help your grandchildren develop an awareness of environmental protection.

When you talk about environmental protection together with your grandchildren, you should proceed in an age-appropriate manner. For younger children, you can use simple explanations: "We travel in an eco-friendly way so that nature remains beautiful in the future." For older children, you can have more complex conversations about CO2 emissions, resource conservation, or the importance of sustainable tourism.

It is important that the conversations are not instructive, but curious and open. Listen to what your grandchildren think and feel, and try to understand their perspective. When you show that you take their opinion seriously and that there are various ways to travel sustainably, you help your grandchildren develop their own attitude.

Experiencing practical examples

Practical examples are an important part of sustainable travel. As grandparents, you can experience together with your grandchildren how sustainable travel works: perhaps you use public transportation, eat in local restaurants, or explore nature on foot. These experiences show your grandchildren that sustainable travel does not have to be complicated.

When you experience practical examples together with your grandchildren, you can also talk about the various aspects. Perhaps you can observe together how the region handles environmental protection, or talk about the various ways to act in an eco-conscious manner. These conversations help your grandchildren develop an awareness of sustainable travel.

Practical examples also show your grandchildren that sustainable travel can be diverse and exciting. When you explore nature together, try local specialties, or talk to locals, you experience the region from a different perspective and get to know the people and their culture better. This type of travel shows your grandchildren that sustainable travel can also be particularly enriching.

Sustainable travel planning in detail

Sustainable travel planning begins with the selection of the destination. As grandparents, you can choose destinations together with your grandchildren that are eco-friendly and support the local population. When you plan consciously, you show your grandchildren that sustainable travel does not have to be complicated, but that there are many simple ways to travel responsibly.

During planning, you can also talk about the various aspects of sustainability: which modes of transportation to choose, which accommodations to book, how to behave at the destination. These conversations help your grandchildren develop an awareness of sustainable travel and understand that every decision has an impact.

Sustainable travel planning also means staying flexible and adapting to local conditions. Perhaps there are unexpected opportunities to act in an eco-conscious way, or you discover new ways to explore the region. When you stay flexible together with your grandchildren, you show them that sustainable travel also means being open to new experiences.

Comparison of environmental impact of different modes of transportation

Mode of Transportation
CO2 per Person
Note
Train
14 g/km
Most eco-friendly option
Bus
89 g/km
Good alternative for longer distances
Car (2 people)
104 g/km
Better than plane for short distances
Plane (short distance)
285 g/km
Avoid high emissions if possible
Plane (long distance)
254 g/km
Prefer direct flights

Criteria for sustainable destinations

Criterion
Description
Example
Environmental Protection
Region focuses on renewable energy
Solar panels in hotels
Local Economy
Support for local businesses
Family-run guesthouses
Nature Conservation
Protected areas and sustainable tourism
National parks with visitor management
Culture
Respect for local traditions
Authentic cultural offerings

Tips for conserving resources at the destination

Area
Measure
Effect
Water
Shorter showers and saving water
Conservation of local resources
Energy
Turn off lights when leaving room
Reduction of energy consumption
Waste
Reusable bottles and bags
Avoiding plastic waste
Nature
Stay on paths and don't pick plants
Protection of local flora

Practical tips for sustainable travel with grandchildren

  • Choose destinations that are reachable by train
  • Prefer nearby destinations to avoid long journeys
  • Use public transportation at the destination
  • Choose eco-friendly accommodations with sustainability certificates
  • Support the local economy by shopping in local stores
  • Eat in local restaurants and try regional specialties
  • Conserve resources: save water, energy, and avoid waste
  • Explore the region on foot or by bicycle
  • Talk with your grandchildren about the importance of environmental protection
  • Show your grandchildren practical examples of sustainable travel

Conversation starters about sustainable travel

  • "Why is it important to travel in an eco-friendly way?"
  • "Which modes of transportation are most eco-friendly?"
  • "How can we conserve resources at the destination?"
  • "What does it mean to support the local economy?"
  • "Why is it important to protect nature?"
  • "How can we travel sustainably together?"

Sustainable activities for grandparents and grandchildren

  • Hiking together and exploring nature
  • Discovering the region by bicycle
  • Visiting local markets and buying regional products
  • Visiting museums and cultural sites
  • Cooking together with local ingredients
  • Observing wildlife and talking about nature conservation
  • Collecting trash together and keeping the environment clean
  • Learning about and supporting local crafts

Symbol for Sustainability

Travel between Generations

Nature and Environmental Protection