(Flickr photosource – thanks velodenz)

Here’s a cluster of holiday action ideas to help you think about going Generous for your summer holidays.

House swap

House swapping means someone will be in your property while you’re away, giving you peace of mind…and someone to water the flowers and feed your pets. It also means you get to stay in someone’s house, with all its quirks and character, rather than in bulk-standard accommodation. It’s also cheaper than booking hotels, hostels or campsites too.

There are loads of websites out that will help you house swap – both here in the UK and abroad. Google ‘house swap’ and browse away.

Here’s an international one we found and here’s a UK one.

Alternative holidays

Think differently about the kind of holiday you take. Why not a cycling or walking holiday -either with a company or one you arrange yourself. Or go away with a charity to work with one of their projects at the same time as experiencing something and somewhere different. After all, a change is as good as a rest.

Google ‘cycling holidays’ or ‘walking holidays’ and bring up the results. Loads of them!

Walking holidays in the UK
Walking holidays in Europe
Cycling holidays here in the UK
Cycling holidays in Europe

Or take a holiday with a charity working on one of their projects – click here for some options.

Free days out

If money is tight and a week or two’s holiday is out, then why not plan some free days out. Avoid theme parks and just go for a walk, a bike ride, or to a beach. It’s cheaper, better for environment … and it can be more fun. (Thanks Annie for this suggestion.)

Here are some websites that might help you out:

A Free Day Out
Do Free Stuff
Enjoy England

(Thanks Annie for these suggestions.)

Go by train to Europe

Hankering after a European holiday ? Why not swap the plane for the train? You could skip the airport queues, relax en route, and make big CO2 savings.

With the growth of Europe’s high-speed rail network, traveling city centre to city centre not only cuts out the misery of airport check-in, it can even be quicker than the plane on some trips. And a rail trip can save as much as 90% of the CO2 emissions from your journey.

Despite over 50% of us saying we are more concerned about the effects of flying than we were five years ago, only 8% of us actually fly less.

During the next 30 years, predicted air travel will create an extra 3000kg CO2 emissions per person – that’s the equivalent of driving a petrol car for an entire year. Scientists claim we need to reduce emissions by that amount to avoid dangerous levels of climate change.

Here’s a good website to start with: Rail Europe

(Thanks to the BBC’s Bloom site for this suggestion.)