What’s better than travel you can feel good about? From buildings and art made from ethically sourced origins to creations fueled by hydro and solar power, these five attractions are making a difference around the world.
Byron Bay Solar Train, Australia
To many, trains are a relic of the past, but in The Land Down Under, the Byron Bay Train is forging a path to the future as the world’s first-ever solar train. 100% fueled by sunbeams, soal panels and onboard batteries power the Byron Bay Train from North Beach to Byron Beach seven days a week, 364 days (excluding Christmas day) a year.
Although the trip is short, just 10 minutes each way, travelers will enjoy stunning scenery along the way as they admire the scenery of lush Littoral Rainforests and active coastal wetlands from the comfort of a newly upholstered vintage lounge seat.
Ocean Atlas, Bahamas
Just off the western coast of New Providence in Nassau, Bahamas, sits a modern work of art with an important story to tell. Nestled beneath the waves, Ocean Atlas is a massive (over 16 ft tall) underwater statue that depicts a local youth perched in such a way that they appear to have the weight of the ocean on their shoulders. The artwork is a nod to the Ancient Greek myth of Atlas — the Titan who was tasked with upholding the heavens — and was designed to symbolize the weight that future generations carry and the collective responsibility humans must embrace to prevent the ocean’s eventual collapse.
Ocean Atlas was made using PH-neutral materials and is the first in what will be a future underwater sculpture garden commissioned by the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (B.R.E.E.F). The garden, and the statues that inhibit it, will act as homes for native marine life while drawing travelers away from overstressed natural reefs in the region.
Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore
Part botanical garden, part gateway to the world, Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport is like something out of a dream with lush greenery (over 200 species of plants!), an indoor “Rain Vortex" and multiple stories of fun to explore. In fact, each terminal has something unique to offer with a cactus garden, water lily garden and "discovery garden" in Terminal 1 and an LED “enchanted garden,” a 700-flower orchid garden and a rooftop packed with sunflowers in Terminal 2. Over in Terminal 3, Jewel Changi plays host to the world’s first airport butterfly garden and the world’s tallest airport slide making it the perfect place for travelers to channel their inner child. Terminal 4 takes a different approach, acting as a homage to Singaporean history with exhibits, galleries and architecture that pay tribute to Peranakan culture.
Its unique features make Jewel Changi more than just a transient space. Instead, it’s what architect Moshe Safdie called, “(an) uplifting and vibrant urban center,” acting as a place for people to gather and grow. Going beyond the airport's obvious beauty, visitors will be interested to learn that the water that flows through the 121-foot-tall Rain Vortex is recirculated to cool the indoor environment for continual use resulting in several sustainability-focused awards including the Green Mark Gold Award and a sustainability certificate from the Singapore government.
Vena Cava, Mexico
Wine from an eco-friendly origin that you can feel good about? Sign us up! One of the trendiest vineyards in the Guadalupe Valley, Vena Cava is an Instagrammer's paradise with charming repurposed furniture and decor paired with sparkling string lights and a dramatic, mountain-dotted backdrop. Perhaps it's signature feature, a prime example of upcycling at Vena Cava are the upside-down boats affixed to the main structure, a unique detail the winery can thank for its iconic, high-vaulted ceilings.
As for the goods, each varietal from this Baja-based establishment is organic as the crops at Vena Cava are grown free of pesticides, sulfites and artificial fertilizers resulting in what winemaker, Phil Gregory called, “retaking the elegance of the old world with the intensity and fruitiness of the new world.”
The Sauna in Frihamnen, Sweden
As goteborg.com, the official visitor's guide to Goteborg, said, “The Sauna in Frihamnen is probably the most spectacular sauna in Sweden.” Crafted from various recycled materials — glass bottles, corrugated steel and thinly cut larch strips — the exterior of this Raumlabor-designed creation is reminiscent of a slightly rusty AT-AT Walker (hello, Star Wars fans). Inside, the vibe is starkly different, it’s warm and welcoming with walls that are covered by short planks of moisture-absorbing wood, resulting in an otherworldly effect that will instantly transport travelers to a vacation state of mind, even in the midst of a chilly Swedish winter.
The beginnings of a return to Swedish bathing culture, the goal of The Sauna was to create a place that brings together the city’s current residents with Raumlabor citing gardeners, roller-skaters, racing drivers and couples who want to watch the sunset as just a few of its potential visitors. While closed for the summer, the Sauna reopens each fall, welcoming anyone and everyone, free of charge.
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