Rhodes daily guided walks, Greece
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We are supporting tree planting in Rhodes, following a large fire in 2008 large part of the tree area on the island was destroyed, we are aiming to help plant 20,000 trees.
We recommend that all people order local produce, as Rhodes is an island, anything basically that is not Greek will be imported by air or cargo ships which increases the island carbon footprint.
Transport either in the form of cars, mini buses are used to transport you to the walking route but we have tried to minimise the time spent on buses etc in order that more time is spent on foot. We have been able to do this by careful planning in creating our routes and the logistics of picking people up efficiently minimising the use of large vehicles.
We only use local hire companies who maintain their vehicles to a high standard and are thriving to reduce CO 2 emissions. The vehicle is chosen on a need basis so we never use a vehicle larger than what is required.
Walkers as a rule are very environmentally aware of the consequences of their actions and have a high regard for the environment. Our leaders are instructed to always carry bin bags on route to take away any rubbish that we generate and usually we will pick up what was not generated by us.
We make positive contributions by studding our walking routes and refrain from using some during parts of the year in order protect: rare flowers, Jersey Tiger Moth of Petaloudes and the endangered Gizani Fish.
Within our own office we use energy saving lighting, recycled paper; recycled ink cartridges and we recycle glass, plastic, steel and cardboard and old brochures etc Solar panels for heating water and producing electricity.
We would like for people to remember that Rhodes is an Island, while here anything you purchase and consume that is not from the island it will be either flown in or brought in by cargo ships which will affect the island carbon footprint.
While you are here, please buy local goods and home grown food, Rhodes is a very fertile island and will give you a wide variety of foods to choose. If you are considering self catering please use the farmers market in Rhodes Town, it is to be found south east on your way out of the Rhodes Town every Saturday and Wednesday, you have got to visit it to believe it, there are probably up to a 100 stalls selling home produce.
Community
The daily guided walks gives you an opportunity to visit and walk in any part on the island of Rhodes, you can experience and be involved in bringing income to remote mountain villages to shops and tavernas that are open all year, not the ones that open only for the tourist season. Meet the locals of the villages while quenching your thirst from a rewarding walk you will get an understanding of how the different villages all over Rhodes continue through the year (dependant on time of year your holiday to Rhodes), this is an unique opportunity to make a difference to real life people that are sometimes left behind because of there remote villages off the beaten path.
We have been in Rhodes for 10 years, we live in Rhodes and we are Greek Citizens. Basically we are part of the local community; we pride ourselves on our Responsible Tourism. Working and living with local Greeks we ensure that we have full permission for the areas we go walking in, our local neighbours and friends have fruit farms were you have already been invited to, walk in the orange groves and for you to pick your own oranges straight from the tree and pay the farmer direct. We continually promote the fact that Rhodes is open all year, the tourist industry only promotes from May to October, Rhodes is open all year round.
We employ local Greek persons to assist with our walks, and encourage their self development by sending them on walking leader courses in Wales, U.K, to achieve the correct training and qualification for taking groups out walking. We work with a local company owned by a Greek family in our daily guided walks.
The transport company we use is based in a small village in the middle of Rhodes owned and run by a local Greek family, we stop at many different taverns, cantinas on our walks and rotate between them for all to benefit from our clients.
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