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EcoExplorer: Our Top Sustainable Travel Itineraries in Europe

May 21, 2026
4 Minutes Read
Group of cyclists pedalling down a winding road through a European countryside landscape on a sustainable group travel programme Group of cyclists pedalling down a winding road through a European countryside landscape on a sustainable group travel programme
World Tourism Day exists to inspire global awareness of responsible travel — and at Kuoni Tumlare, our EcoExplorer campaign is how we bring that commitment to life. This employee-driven initiative invites colleagues across our global offices to design practical, sustainable travel itineraries, creating a growing library of over 20 routes built for greener, more meaningful journeys. Here, we showcase the top picks from our most recent cycle: three winning European itineraries voted for by our teams.

What Is the EcoExplorer Campaign?

Every September, in celebration of World Tourism Day, Kuoni Tumlare launches the EcoExplorer campaign — inviting colleagues across our global offices to design practical, sustainable travel itineraries for any destination. Each entry focuses on eco-conscious choices that honour local communities, cultures, and the environment, creating routes that are as meaningful as they are low-impact. In two years, the campaign has produced over 20 itineraries spanning multiple continents, with colleagues voting for the year's standout picks. These winners demonstrate how sustainable tourism can seamlessly blend adventure, cultural immersion, and environmental responsibility.

Spotlight on Top Sustainable Travel Itineraries by our Experts

Our winning itineraries share a common thread: lesser-known destinations, hands-on local experiences, and a genuine commitment to low-impact travel. Each route prioritises green transport, support for local businesses, and immersive cultural engagement.

Green Escape: From Auvergne to Lot (France)

This seven-day itinerary combines soft sports, heritage, and natural beauty across some of France's lesser-known countryside. All restaurants and hotels carry recognised green certifications, transfers can be arranged by eco-friendly van, and the route deliberately avoids the more heavily touristed parts of southern France.

Starting at Puy de Dôme — reached by rack railway, with yoga or paragliding at the summit — the route travels south through the volcanic landscapes of the Auvergne, stopping in Salers and Fournels before reaching the heart of Cantal. Day three includes a visit to a local organic farm near Aurillac with a Cantal cookery workshop, followed by a walk to the Puy Mary volcano. The route continues to Figeac, then Cahors — where a full day takes in a UNESCO World Heritage walking tour, lunch at a restaurant with an 80% bio seasonal menu, and an afternoon at an organic vineyard. Montauban follows with a bike ride along the Canal du Montech, before the route ends in Toulouse with a guided bike tour along the Garonne.

"We designed this route to showcase the best of France's lesser-known regions, focusing on eco-friendly travel that respects both the environment and local traditions. For us, sustainable travel means reconnecting with nature while supporting local communities and preserving cultural heritage. We believe this itinerary truly reflects the essence of responsible and meaningful travel!" — Kuoni Tumlare, Paris

Destinations on this route: Clermont-Ferrand, Salers, Fournels, Aurillac, Figeac, Cahors, Montauban, Toulouse

 

Hikers on trail in the Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne, on a sustainable group travel itinerary through central France
Medieval Pont Valenté bridge crossing the Lot river in Cahors, France
People riding a bicycle in a bike lane safely across a city bridge, Toulouse, France

Green Trentino Alto Adige (Italy)

Running from April to October through Italy's most sustainable region, this seven-day itinerary is built on a foundation of verifiable green credentials — SQNPI-certified wineries, GSTC-certified hotels, a LEED-certified cultural venue, and locally sourced food at every stage. Trento itself is recognised as the most sustainable city in Italy. The itinerary opens in Trento with a walking tour and a visit to the LEED-certified MUSE Museum. Day two offers seasonal activities — a local train tour through Trentino's most beautiful castles, or apple picking side-by-side with local farmers. The route continues to Bolzano via a SQNPI-certified winery, with a cable car and narrow-gauge railway journey to the Ritten Plateau. Day four heads to Lake Braies for a full-day e-bike experience and rowing on the lake with views of the Dolomites. Moving on to Vigo di Fassa and Canazei, the itinerary takes in Lake Carezza and a visit to the Caseificio Sociale Val di Fassa cheese cooperative before riding the Sass Pordoi cable car. The route closes with an agri-experience at organic mountain farms in Soraga di Fassa, run on a Slow Food model.

"Trentino Alto Adige is the perfect destination for eco-travel. Its breathtaking landscapes, from the Dolomites to the lakes, offer endless opportunities for hiking, biking and staying in close touch with nature. The region's commitment to sustainable practices, such as organic farming, recycling and renewable energy aligns perfectly with our values. Our itinerary celebrates the region's sustainable spirit through authentic local experiences — from apple picking to food tastings — while minimising our footprint with e-bikes and trains." — Kuoni Tumlare, Rome

Destinations on this route: Trento, Bolzano, Braies, Vigo di Fassa, Canazei, Soraga di Fassa

 

Hands harvesting apples on a sustainable farm visit, part of the local food programme on the Trentino Alto Adige itinerary
Walkers on mountain path towards a turquoise alpine lake in the Dolomites, Trentino Alto Adige, Italy
Sass Pordoi cable car ascending above the Dolomites mountains, Trentino Alto Adige, Italy

Liguria & Piemonte (Italy)

Ideal for small active groups of up to 15 people, this six-day itinerary takes a distinctive approach — framing sustainability as a hands-on, collective experience rather than a passive one. Guests leave with a personalised Sustainability Report detailing the measurable impact of their choices across the trip.

Genova opens the route with a clean-up activity, a visit to the Aquarium and Biosphere focused on biodiversity, and a pesto workshop, with all meals plastic-free and seasonal throughout. Day two heads to Cinque Terre by regional train — either a guided coastal trek on the Sentiero Azzurro or a whale-watching excursion with a briefing on the Pelagos Agreement. Day three follows the Maremonti Cycle Path by e-bike from Levanto to Framur, with lunch at an organic farmhouse. The Langhe brings a truffle hunt with a local trifolao and search dog, followed by a visit to the Slow Food Wine Bank of Pollenzo. Torino offers a private experience at the Venaria Reale and a visit to the Vigna della Regina — a rare working urban vineyard. The route closes in the Alpi Cozie with a nature trek and guided mountain hut lunch, before groups return to Torino to receive their Sustainability Report.

"We wanted to transform traditional travel into a shared, interactive experience. This itinerary encourages customers to engage with sustainability through group activities, making the trip both meaningful and unforgettable." — Kuoni Tumlare, Rome

Destinations on this route: Genova, Cinque Terre, Riviera di Levante, Langhe, Torino, Alpi Cozie

 

Genoa waterfront and aquarium, starting point of the Liguria and Piemonte sustainable travel itinerary
Colourful buildings of Vernazza village, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
Couple cycling on seaside bike path along the Ligurian coast, Italy

Plan Your Own Sustainable Journey

The itineraries in this article are just three examples from a growing library of over 20 sustainable routes developed by Kuoni Tumlare's destination experts worldwide. As a destination management company with over 100 years of experience, we design and deliver tailored travel programmes across Europe and beyond — covering everything from custom itinerary design and accommodation to guided tours, local experiences, dining, and on-the-ground logistics. Whether you are a travel buyer building a sustainable group programme, or an organisation planning an incentive trip with genuine environmental credentials, our teams combine local expertise with global standards to create journeys that are as seamless as they are meaningful.

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