As we yearn to travel again, the desire for responsible travel burns ever brighter. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are at the heart of Luxury Gold’s sustainable travel strategy and our just-released Impact Report shows how we, along with our sister brands at The Travel Corporation, are working to meet our ambitious goals. 

To see how you can enjoy responsible travel safe in the knowledge that you are leaving a lasting impact, here are 4 incredible MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences you can enjoy with Luxury Gold.  

Join a farmhouse cookery workshop in Ireland 

In the secluded paradise of Strangford Lough in County Down, you are warmly invited to step inside Tracey’s Farmhouse for the ultimate Irish home-hosted culinary experience. Learn how to make one of the most famous foods of the Emerald Isle as you roll up your sleeves for an Irish soda bread cookery workshop. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you will have the privilege to meet with Tracey herself for a tour of her organic farm. Through this unique opportunity, discover everything you ever wanted to know about the slow food movement and sustainable farming. Prepare to have your taste buds tantalized as you savor a Farm-to-table lunch and leave with a wealth of knowledge and some new acquired cooking skills. 

At the heart of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is a focus on seasonal produce and organically grown ingredients sourced from the immediate community. Tracey’s Farmhouse is actively practicing and encouraging the slow food movement. With a focus on preventing the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, the movement believes that through our food choices we can collectively influence how food is cultivated, produced and distributed.  

UN Global Goals 

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience directly advances UN Global Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, through the promotion of sustainable farming methods and the support of locally grown produce.  

@traceysfarmhousekitchen

Discover on Ultimate Ireland 

Ride a rickshaw like no other in India 

Upon arrival in Rajasthan’s stunning capital of Jaipur, you can see the distinctive salmon hue across the city’s skyline. More affectionately known as the Pink City, this pretty destination owes its name to a visit from Queen Victoria in 1876, when all its buildings were painted pink as a sign of hospitality. Steeped in heritage, a tour of Jaipur is a heady cocktail of traditional folk song and dance, stunning architecture, textile markets, handmade designer shopping and exquisite local cuisine. 

 Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and explore the city in flamboyant style, aboard bright pink, custom-designed and eco-friendly rickshaws driven by local women. More than just a fun way to explore Jaipur, the Pink City Rickshaw offers a unique opportunity to help support more than 200 local women from low-income households. Hop in, hear their stories first-hand and discover how proud they are to have developed their skills by joining this inspiring organization. If you are looking for responsible travel experiences, this is the perfect way to explore the city and we guarantee you will delight in their enthusiasm and knowledge as you embark on a historical journey around Jaipur.  

UN Global Goals 

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience directly enhances UN Global Goal 5, Gender Equality, as through your custom you are both empowering women and supporting a women-owned business.  

Discover on Essence of India with Ranthambore and Spirit of North & South India 

Read more: A New Way to Navigate Jaipur – The Pink City 

@trishalalovebug

Saving the Iberian Lynx in Portugal 

In the exquisite landscapes of southern Portugal, join an unforgettable feline MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Visit the charming hilltop town of Serpa with its cobbled streets graced by olive trees, red-sloped roofs and white sun-baked houses and learn all about the Iberian Lynx, the world’s most endangered feline. Meet with experts and hear how Serpa has implemented conservation programs to protect and re-introduce the species to the local area.  

The Iberian Lynx has been gradually reintroduced to the Vale do Guadiana Nature Park since early 2015. This was once its natural habitat, but the lynx disappeared from the area due to direct hunting. Today, the population is booming and a visit to the region offers a unique responsible travel experience to get to know the extraordinary species and this beautiful, protected area.  

UN Global Goals 

When you visit Serpa, you’ll directly contribute to UN Global Goal 15, Life on Land, as the region aims to preserve the Iberian Lynx through concentrated conservation efforts.  

Discover on Spain & Portugal in Style 

A unique dining experience in Sweden 

Be treated to a delectable plant-based fine dining experience and bask in magnificent views over Stockholm on this mouthwatering MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Visit the iconic Fotografiska Museum, dine at their acclaimed restaurant which has been honored with the Michelin Sustainability Emblem, and meet the chefs and creators behind their inspiring food philosophy.  

 Striving to achieve taste sensations and increase awareness in equal measure, learn about the conscious kitchen and the benefits of hydroponic cultivation. Leave with a wealth of knowledge, including the concept of zero waste, upcycling and ideas of what to do with leftover buns and bottles.  

The culinary team at Fotografiska strive to explore the full potential of raw ingredients, with creative and innovative dishes. The five-course menu includes delicious creations such as celeriac confit flavored with pastrami spices, cream of fermented celery, pickled cucumber and deep-fried sauerkraut, and their signature Fotografiska curry featuring rapeseed shoots and mustard. The focus is largely vegetarian, however meat, fish, poultry or seafood are available as an option or side dish. 

UN Global Goals 

Your visit to the Fotografiska Museum restaurant will directly advance UN Global Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, as it helps to promote sustainable food experiences and small-scale farmer interactions through its food sourcing and zero waste strategies. 

Discover on Timeless Scandinavia 

@fotografiska.food

To find out more about sustainable travel experiences and responsible travel, take a look at our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences and read our Impact Report. 

Rajasthan’s capital of Jaipur certainly lives up to its nickname of The Pink City. Upon arrival, you can see the distinctive salmon hue all across the city’s skyline. But beyond appearance, it’s also a place that is steeped in heritage. Traditional folk song and dance, textile markets, handmade designer shopping, and local cuisine are all just part of Jaipur’s rich culture.

Newer additions to the streets of Jaipur are the bright pink, custom-designed and eco-friendly rickshaws driven by local women. What better way to see the sights of the city? However, more than just a fun way to explore Jaipur, the Pink City Rickshaw offers a unique opportunity to help support more than 200 local women from low-income households.

Employing women from low-income neighborhoods, many of whom have no work opportunities prior to guiding Jaipur tours, Pink City Rickshaw equips its employees with professional training, and opportunities for economic empowerment among their communities.

Now does that sound like your kind of ride? Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on our Essence of India with Ranthambore luxury guided tour, meet these women for yourself and learn all about the initiative. Hop in, share stories and see the magnificent sights of Jaipur.

“Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are a beautiful exchange of values between our guests and the people that we meet,” explains Lucie Dalila, Sustainability Manager, Travel Experiences at Luxury Gold “This is a two-way experience – a sharing of stories, ideas and knowledge that shines a whole new light on your destination. We all leave feeling empowered, inspired and keen to contribute even more.”

Empowering local women

Puja Gour, Vice President of ACCESS Development Services, a nonprofit organization based in Jaipur, that partners with Pink City Rickshaw tells us: “Empowering women is our main initiative but creating an engaging and curated experience on our sightseeing tours is a top priority as well. Tourism meets philanthropy as you are guided through the medieval mystique of the walled city, seeing the local culture and sites through the eyes of the smart, enthusiastic and knowledgeable women who navigate Jaipur’s streets.”

A modern icon since the 1880s

“The presence of rickshaws in India has played an important role, from the electric cities to the smaller towns of rural regions,” explains Puja. “Growing up in Patna in Bihar, we didn’t have a public transportation system. Hopping on a rickshaw (usually hired by a family or friend) for weekly outings with other neighborhood children continues to hold a warm place in my heart.  While the city’s rickshaw industry has traditionally been dominated by men, the societal backdrop is adapting to the transition of new drivers — giving women the power to gain professional experience and income, while also giving you a fuller experience compared to the standard point A-to-B taxi service.”

Soaking up the sites

Sites like the 16th-century Amber Palace, known for its cobbled paths and views of Maota Lake, and UNESCO world heritage site Jantar Mantar observatory, are part of what draw in so many visitors to the magic of Jaipur. The magnificent City Palace is home to Mughal and Jajput architecture and is the present residence to the last ruling royal family, which lives in a private section of the palace.

You’ll also get lost in some more off-the-beaten path destinations, like the partially hidden lower level of Mansagar, a beautiful place of solitude often overlooked by the masses.  By taking a tour with the women of Jaipur, not only are you making a personal impact on the local community and contributing to a cleaner environment, you’re also experiencing the magic of one of India’s most dynamic cities.

Feeling inspired to rickshaw around Jaipur?

Jaipur is a featured destination on our Essence of India with Ranthambore and Spirit of North & South India luxury guided tours.

Travel with us on these tours and enjoy the opulent rooms of the 5-star Jai Mahal Palace, located in the heart of the Pink City.  This magnificent hotel is set in 18 acres of Mughal style gardens and showcases Rajasthan’s stunning heritage.

Sample the best of the city’s exquisite food as you dine at the sumptuous 1135 AD, with its royal interior, traditional music and breathtaking sunset views. And, celebrate the final night of your voyage at the Cinnamon Restaurant in Jai Mahal Palace. Here the chef expertly blends traditional and contemporary cuisine from the four princely states of India, leading to an unforgettable feast.

Visit our website for more information on all our luxury guided tours to India. Download our interactive brochure for 2022 & 2023 Worldwide tours. And learn more about our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences.

At Luxury Gold Vacations, along with all our sister brands in The Travel Corporation, we passionately believe in making travel a force for good – for people, wildlife and the planet. Through the TreadRight Foundation we support projects across the globe, including the innovative regenerative ocean farming project, GreenWave.

In honor of World Food Day 2021, we spoke with GreenWave about the systems of sustainable food production the project creates, who they benefit, and how we can all support sustainable farming on a day-to-day basis.

An introduction to GreenWave

In 2021, TreadRight invested in GreenWave as part of point 3 of The Travel Corporation’s Climate Action Plan: to invest in new technologies and nature-based solutions to remove excess carbon from our atmosphere.

While there have been many attempts to increase soil’s ability to store carbon, (known as soil organic carbon), one unintended effect is the release of nitrous oxide, (N2O), a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The largest contributor of the steadily increasing N2O into our atmosphere is agriculture. Nitrous oxide is a by-product from the use of nitrogen, largely used in farming as a fertilizer.

Bren harvesting kelp

The use of kelp as a soil additive is emerging as a tool to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and create a net climate benefit. GreenWave is a regenerative ocean farming organization studying how kelp can be added to soil to increase its carbon storage potential while decreasing harmful nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from regenerative land farms.

By its very nature, GreenWave is tackling more than just carbon removal and demonstrating the many benefits to nature-based carbon solutions.

What does sustainable food production mean to GreenWave?

We have to think beyond relying on mother nature and focus on how farmers can grow crops that actively breathe life back into our ecosystems, so we can all make a living on a living planet. We must protect ecosystems because there are no jobs and no food on a dead planet. For GreenWave, sustainable food production means growing what is regenerative – not simply what consumers demand, collaborating and building circular economies and business models, and investing in the regenerative economy so small- and medium-sized farms and businesses can succeed.

How does your organization contribute to or enhance sustainable food production?

Kelp line

GreenWave’s polyculture farming system (the simultaneous farming of multiple kinds of crops) grows a mix of seaweeds and shellfish that require zero inputs — no fresh water, fertilizer, feed, or land — while sequestering carbon and rebuilding marine ecosystems. These crops grow with no input, simply by soaking up nutrients in the ocean, making it the most sustainable form of food production on the planet. Since our farms sit vertically below the surface, they produce high yields within a small footprint.

As a nonprofit, GreenWave’s 10-year goal is to provide training, tools, and support to a baseline of 10,000 regenerative ocean farmers to catalyze the planting of 1 million acres and yield meaningful economic and climate impacts.

How can everyday citizens do their part to support sustainable food production?

• Eat and cook more seaweed and bivalves such as clams, mussels, scallops and oysters. Get creative, invent new dishes that center these climate-positive crops. Every meal you cook increases demand for these ingredients and supports regenerative ocean farmers.
• Use seaweed and shellfish-based products to fertilize your garden. Try using seaweed fertilizers to lessen the impact of your garden. Your plants will love it.
• Support GreenWave and other organizations working towards sustainable food systems and resilient coastal communities.

What are your thoughts on sustainable food production and its role in fighting the climate crisis?

There is tremendous potential to mitigate climate change and feed the planet by moving towards replicable and scalable climate-positive food production models.

The regenerative ocean farming model works to mimic the diversity of ocean reefs by growing a mix of species that act in concert to revive ecosystems. Each crop plays a vital role. For example, it takes just 0.6 kilograms of carbon to grow one kilogram of mussels — that’s an even smaller carbon footprint than lentils! Farming seaweed in less than 0.1% of the world’s oceans could sequester the carbon equivalent of 20 million cars and produce the protein equivalent of 3 trillion cheeseburgers. Leveraging the environmental benefits of seaweed and shellfish, we can turn these farms into a climate solution powerhouse and stack benefits by growing seaweed and shellfish together while growing food for local communities.

How does sustainable food production also support healthy communities?

Bren cranking up the kelp line

Because the regenerative ocean farming industry is in its infancy, we have the chance to do this right — to create a future where climate resilience and equity drive decision-making in the new blue-green economy at sea. We can build a food system from the bottom up, ensuring that we focus on polyculture rather than monoculture, that we don’t privatize our seeds, and that under-resourced families can begin farms. As the emerging regenerative ocean farming industry matures, GreenWave’s goal is to ensure that fishermen and Indigenous communities directly affected by climate change benefit from the industry’s growth and have pathways to become leaders in the field.

If there’s one takeaway you want to leave your reader with, what would that be?

There is an alternative route, both for our oceans and for our economy as a whole. We can farm to restore, not deplete, while creating soul-filling jobs for millions of people, breathing life back into our oceans, and exploring the uncharted world of underwater tastes.

If you are interested to read more about the exciting work of TreadRight and GreenWave, click through and take a look at their websites.