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How the Covid-19 Pandemic Could Give Sustainable Travel a Boost

by Jane Marsh

Global tourism has no doubt slowed down due to the pandemic. Although global economies have experienced hardships because of it, there has been an increased demand to rethink how the sector can start up once more. Tourists and the tourism industry want to get back on their feet, but there must be changes rather than going back to normal. As the world is slowly...

06/08/2021
Eco Travel, Featured Articles

Travel ::

Explore Hobart Five Ways :: A Mini Travel Guide

by Linda McCormick

Tasmania used to be the brunt of many jokes by their fellow mainlanders, but now it’s Tasmanians who are having the last laugh. This small island state lying off the tail end of Australia is turning out to be quite the getaway. And Hobart, the capital, is stealing the show.

04/07/2019
Australia, Featured Articles, Travel, Travel Guides
Cerro Concepcion Valparaiso

A Day in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Valparaiso, Chile

by Helen Cordery

Built from recycled shipping containers and painted every color under the sun, WineBox Valparaiso is one of the world’s most unique hotels, so unique that it’s owner, Grant Phelps, had no-one to turn to for help but himself.

24/10/2018
comments 2
Destinations, Featured Articles, South America, Travel, Travel Guides
Gili Lankanfushi lead image

Sustainable Luxury at its Best :: Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

by Linda McCormick

Gili Lankanfushi is a sustainable luxury resort on North Male Atoll in the Maldives. It was recently named the world’s most ‘Eco-friendly Hotel’ at the Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards 2017 and the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort 2017’ at the World Travel Awards. And it’s my home for the next four days.

18/12/2017
comments 5
Asia, Destinations, Featured Articles, Travel
bloo lagoon sustainable village

Bloo Lagoon Ecotourism Village, Bali :: A Sustainable Utopia

by Linda McCormick

Renowned for its lack of building regulations, Bali is in desperate need of more sustainable developments. Has Bloo Lagoon Ecotourism Village got it right? Sitting high on a hilltop, with panoramic views overlooking Labuhan Amuk Bay and Badung Strait, Bloo Lagoon Village in Padang Bai feels a million miles from the frenetic, hedonistic hotspot of Kuta. We stayed for five days and found a...

05/05/2015
comments 12
Travel

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Hello!

sustainable travel blog

Hello, I’m Linda. Welcome to Verdemode, a green lifestyle, travel and design blog. It’s a place where I get to share my passion for the environment and all things sustainable. 

Want to know more? Check out the about page or browse the menu above. You’ll find eight years worth of travel articles, tips and guides, and there is lots more to come.

If you’d like to get in touch, ping me an email at editor@verdemode.com

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earth day 2020

The Good Earth: Climate Change, Public Health and Corporate Social Responsibility

by Indiana Lee

Our Earth is the only home we have ever known. It is the only home we will ever know. For far too long, it was all too easy to take this good Earth for granted. Nowadays, however, it seems that the issue of climate change is on everyone’s lips. It saturates old and new media. But when we speak of climate change, the first things that spring to most people’s minds are melting glaciers, raging wildfires, and emaciated polar bears desperately scavenging for food. What is little recognized in all the rightful furore over climate change is the profound public health threat that climate change poses. And, as usual, it is the world’s poorest and most vulnerable who are affected first and who are affected worst.

17/04/2020
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Featured Articles, Lifestyle

@_verdemode on Instagram ::

The things you do in lockdown. Learning how to do watercolour nebulae with @anavictoriana via @domestika. Kids loved doing it too. Getting a bit hooked! #watercolour #watercolor #painting #lockdownart #art #nebula #skies #stars #colour #indianink
One last photo of Infinity Blue sculpture at The Eden Project so you can see the scale of the project. It really is impressive up close. #theedenproject #edenprojectcornwall #infinityblue #sculpture #science #bacteria #blue #bigblue #art #giant #instagood #instagram #design #cornwall #visitcornwall #eco #travel
Infinity Blue Sculpture, @edenprojectcornwall • #theedenproject #cornwall #edenprojectcornwall #infinityblue #sculpture #art #biology #science #fun #smokerings #oxygen #studioswine
Infinity Blue Sculpture, @edenprojectcornwall Designed by @studio_swine, this 8.5m high ceramic sculpture pays homage to one of the world's smallest but most important organisms: cyanobacteria. It 'breathes' smoke rings at random, and is totally mesmerizing. The kids had great fun guessing where the next smoke ring was going to come from. From the Eden Project blurb: Cyanobacteria were the first bacteria to perform oxygenic photosynthesis and produce oxygen. To this day their descendants are found inside every living green plant, in the form of chloroplasts. Chloroplasts capture sunlight and combine it with water and carbon dioxide to make an energy source; sugar and building blocks that make flowers, trees, crops and eventually all animals - including us. Their only waste product is oxygen. #theedenproject #cornwall #edenprojectcornwall #infinityblue #sculpture #art #biology #science #fun #smokerings #oxygen #studioswine
On this grey, chilly day I am delighted that #lockdown2 has included keeping the schools open. When the kids are home, while I love having them around, life seems to revolve around them only leaving very little time for me. It’s the story of mums everywhere, I’m sure. Stealing quiet moments on the sofa are all the more special now, and I can finally enjoy a properly HOT cup of tea! This tasty treat is from Birchall’s plastic-free range - Virunga Afternoon Tea, and it’s lush. I don’t know about you, but I was devastated when I found out that most teabags contain about 25% plastic. I’ve been buying organic, non-wrapped teas for a while thinking I was doing the right thing, not knowing that plastic was woven into the bag. I’ve been putting the teabags into our compost bin, which means plastic too. @BirchallTea teabags are plant-based therefore biodegradable and suitable for even council food waste bins. And if you buy Birchall’s Afternoon Tea Collection, 10p of the proceeds will go towards helping save Virunga, Africa’s oldest national park and home to the endangered mountain gorilla. Makes drinking the tea so much more satisfying. Now, back to interior design inspo with @enkimaguk - one of my fave reads. Yep, today is all about me-time. Do you have any plastic-free or sustainable tea suggestions? Let me know and I’ll include them in a round-up on the blog. #tea #teatime #metime #birchalltea #birchallmoment #quietmoment #enkimaguk #interiordesignmag #tealover #tealovers #lovetea #teaaddict #blacktea #instagood #teabags #tealife #teacup #instagram #instatea #breakfast #tealove #chailover #sustainable #sustainabletea #plasticfree #plasticfreetea
I have avoided wearing poppies on remembrance day for years as in Northern Ireland, where I'm from, poppies are a divisive symbol. When I was growing up, wearing a poppy was regarded as a badge stating your political allegiance rather than as a token of memorial for those that died in the World Wars. As a pacifist, I didn't want to show connection with any war so didn’t wear one. • But as I've grown older, a bit wiser and more educated, every time November 11 comes around I get lost in thought and sometimes tear up when I think of those who went to war, many of whom had no choice about it. I imagine how horrendous conscription must have been, and how difficult it must have felt as a mum watching your young teenage son/daughter go to war, knowing you may never see them again. Knowing that during the winter they're sitting in rain-filled trenches, half starving, terrified of the sights and sounds that would have bombarded them day and night, fighting for people who will never see their face. Fighting so we can have the freedoms that we do. I thank you. • Now, I embrace the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and hope. Despite how unbelievably rubbish 2020 has been, we’re incredibly lucky to have the life that we do - most of us - to not be living during a world war, and hope that we never see one again. So for those who have fallen - in all the wars - from whatever religion, race or place, these poppies are for you. • 'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.’ (Laurence Binyon) • #poppy #poppies #remembranceday #november11 #thankyou #lestweforget #weremember
When pumpkin is your favourite vegetable, imagine the delight at finding a whole barrel full of them. So many different types, so many to choose from. These giant gourds were sitting at the entrance to The Eden Project @edenprojectcornwall. We were there for about twenty minutes discussing all things pumkin. Which is your favourite type?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pumpkin #pumpkins #squash #veggies #vegetables #edenproject #harvest #orange #conservation #theedenproject #cornwall #visitengland #loveveggies #vegetarian #vegan #foodie #fall #autumn
Since it first opened nearly 20 years ago, I have been desperate to get to The Eden Project in Cornwall. We finally made it in November last year. You usually see images of the place in summer, in full bloom, but to be honest I'm delighted we were there in autumn. The colours were amazing. And it wasn't overrun with people. In fact the day we were there was cold and a bit rainy, but with indoor biomes to explore it didn't really matter about the weather. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Now @edenprojectcornwall is open again after #lockdown we're planning on going for a second wander around soon.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #edenprojectcornwall #theedenproject #edenproject #autumn #fall #autumncolors #biomes #biodomes #cornwall #visitengland #lovecornwalluk #conservation
Hey beautiful people, it's been a while since I've posted. Hope life it treating you well. Life in the VM household has been, er, challenging. Yep, coronavirus has certainly had an impact, but that was nothing compared to all the other shennigans we've had to deal with. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Just before Christmas my hubby had an accident and spent some time in the hospital over xmas and New Year. He had a spinal cord injury so the prognosis was scary, but he pulled through and has had an amazing recovery. Once he was back on his feet then I had to have surgery for suspected ovarian cancer - in the height of coronavirus here in the UK. It was easily one of the most stressful times of my life. Thankfully it turned out to be borderline/stage 1 OC so surgery got everything and I didn't have any further treatment, but we didn't know that for six weeks - longest wait ever. The week after I got out of hosptial my dad died. It wasn't coronavirus, but still unexpected. I wasn't well enough to travel home so we did his funeral by zoom. It was tough but strangely lovely too as it meant my Aussie family and friends could be there. The day after the funeral I landed back in hospital as I was heamorrhaging from the surgery site. It was a really tough time. However, I'm a strong old bird and after taking some proper time out I'm all recovered and back to work. Back to publishing on Verdemode and back to life.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How the heck have you all been? I'd love to know. Really.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ps. this is the view from my desk. I love this scratch-off world map. My mum bought it for me last Christmas. I started to scratch off the places I'd been to but then realised it's all colour underneath so stopped. I like the gold. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #backtolife #toughtimes #coronalife #crazycovid #challenges #borderlineovariancancer #ovariancancer #ovariancancerawareness #strong #workingfromhome #homeoffice #butterflies #worldmap #travel #dreamingoftravel #staygold
The thick walls of The Drewe Arms make a perfect recess for a window seat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #cosy #intimate #light #warmth #window #windowseat #pub #pubinteriors #thedrewearms #drewearms #pubsofdartmoor #dartmoor #exeter
:: The entrance/dining room at The Drewe Arms, Drewesteignton. ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ :: Previously known as The Druid’s Arms, this 17th century pub had a name change in the 1920s when Julius Drewe built nearby Castle Drogo. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ :: There are a couple of dining rooms here, one featuring an old Aga. The ceilings are so low it made our tiny girls look super tall. It was quiet when we visited but the menu looked good; I hear the Sunday roast is pretty awesome. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #drewsteignton #drewearms #drewearmspub #drogo #castledrogo #dartmoor #dartmoornationalpark #englishpub #lovedartmoor #visitsouthdevon #visitdevon #visitbritain #travel #sundayroast
:: Driving to Cornwall recently we veered off the beaten path for a spot of lunch and happened upon the little village of Drewesteignton. Here you’ll find the most gorgeous 17th century pub The Drewe Arms in the old square, right beside Holy Trinity Church, which dates back to the 15th century. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ :: The weather was shocking that day. Cold and very wet so we were delighted to find a fire going in the hearth in the main room of the pub (pictured). There was no one else in the pub that day which meant we had the pick of the seats. There might have been a small hustle over the closest seat to the fire – the littlest won! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ :: We found the board games and had a few rounds of good old ‘Guess Who’ while waiting for our lunch to come. Ordering at bar was easy – that ledge sticking out to the image is the whole bar! So cute. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ :: Photos of regulars hang on the walls, alongside images of Mabel Mudge, who when she retired at the ripe old age of 99 was known to be the longest serving pub landlady in Britain. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #drewsteignton #drewearms #drewearmspub #drogo #castledrogo #dartmoor #dartmoornationalpark #englishpub #lovedartmoor #visitsouthdevon #travel #travelblogger #visitbritain
Pulteney Bridge from the other side. I love this view of it. You can imagine what the bridge would have been like centuries ago, with the buildings cantilevered out over the water. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pulteneybridge #bath #bathstone #bridge #bridges #travel #visitbath #sightseeing
After a little hiatus from Insta, we're back with more images from beautiful Bath. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's still chilly here in Blighty (an informal term for Britain), but it doesn't stop us from getting out there and exploring. Since this photo of Pulteney Bridge was taken, I've been back a few times... still haven't managed to get a blue sky. However, I have managed to have tea and scones in a little cafe on the bridge and a beer on the balcony. #smallwins ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #bath #bridges #bathstone #buildings #boat #beer #balcony #thingsbeginningwithb
Bath in the autumn looks incredibly lovely. I want to spend a few days here absorbed in the architecture. It's something I really missed when living in Australia... the old buildings with so much history. The bridge in the picture is Pulteney Bridge, completed in 1744. It is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops along both sides. Great spot to have tea and scones. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #bath #visitbath #architecture #pulteneybridge #daytrip #travel #traveluk #river #daycruise
Fabulous flowers around the entrance of The Ivy restaurant in Bath. But I do wonder why it's not surrounded by ivy instead of flowers. Answers on a postcard, please. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #flowers #theivy #bath #foodiehaven #food #restaurantsbath #goodeats #ivy
Swans on the River Avon, #Bristol, with the colourful houses of Hotwells and SS Great Britain in the background. Such a lovely place to have a wander around.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #visitbristol #swans #riveravon #travel #travelblogger #bristolbloggers #igersbristol
Words to live by.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #Bristol #streetart #laughmore #worryless
Graffiti artist Jody Thomas painted this mural on the wall of The Florist, a restaurant on Park Street in #Bristol city centre. It was painted in 2018, but I love the way it has weathered with the building. @jody_artist is probably more famous for the mural of @gretathunberg, also in Bristol. It's the place to be for graffiti artists. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #jodyart #jodybristol #jodyartist #art #bristol #bristolart #bristolstreetart #streetart #bristolgraffiti #graffitiart #flowers #mural #gretathunberg #climatechange #bethechange #artforchange #makegoodart
I can't really describe how much salivation was going on while I was standing in front of this delicious cake stall @AhhToots. If you're as into cake as much as I am, then you get it. LOOK at them! Real roses on a cake! We tried to grow them afterwards. Didn't work... but we tried! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #Ineedmorecake @stnicksmarket #bristol #allthecake #cake #cupcake #cakestall #stnicksmarket #visitbristol

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