The 4 Best Destinations For Eco and Vegan-Friendly Travel
Many global destinations are catering the more conscious traveler, from offering more vegan-friendly options, creating dedicated wellness facilities or by being more sustainably aware. These four destinations stand out from the rest. Tel Aviv, Koh Sumai, Playacar and Bali topped our list because they all offer a plethora of vegan-friendly dining options, make a conscious effort to limit their impact on the environment and give back to their communities, and because they are all undeniably gorgeous to visit.
In most large cities, finding vegan options isn’t too much of a challenge, but there definitely are destinations that are more vegan-friendly than others. The last thing you want to spend your precious vacation time doing is frantically looking up places you can find something to eat or where you feel comfortable investing in. These four vegan-friendly, progressive destinations are not only making sustainability and inclusiveness part of their goal, but its one of their driving factors to success.
TEL AVIV | israel
STAY The Levee For a home away from home experience, The Levee wants you to “live like a local” in one of their eight apartments. Nestled in Tel Aviv’s oldest neighborhood, the property was originally built in 1913 and spent eight years undergoing a meticulous restoration. These fully stocked apartments feature Nespresso machines, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, washing facilities, and equipped kitchens. The sleek, modern suites are blanketed in concrete, high ceilings and warm woods, and provide a safe retreat from the day’s activities.
SNACK With more vegans per capita than any other nation, Tel Aviv’s farm-to-table dining scene has been commonplace long before the movement was considered trendy. Anastasia is one of the most recommended spots in the city for upscale vegan fare in a cozy space. For artfully prepared plates full of farm-to-table seasonal goodness, Opa is your answer. 416 makes everything from salad dressings to soup base in house, and invites first time guests too order a variety of dishes to share with the entire table.
SEE Jaffa Flea Market + Gordon Gallery + Tel Aviv Museum of Art + Caeserea National Park
SPEND $$
KOH SAMUI | thailand
STAY Kamalaya Koh Samui A complete wellness retreat on the lush island of Koh Samui, Kamalaya offers holistic health solutions and combines anchient Eastern healing traditions from yoga and meditation to sound therapy. With tailor-made programs, the property is ideal for more wholistic lifestyles, while the property isn’t fully vegan, all restaurants on property encourage guests to create their own experience. Most menu items can be made vegan, and they all start off as low in sugar, salt and dairy. The Signature Detox Cuisine option is completely vegan and is designed to support the body for optimum function on a cellular level. The accommodations at Kamalaya seem to blend with the environment, and their spaces suites overlook both the jungle and the turquoise Gulf of Thailand.
SNACK With a menu inspired by a collaboration between not one chef but two, Vikasa Life Café presents raw plant based dishes with one of the best views on the island. For casual bites near the sand, Wild Tribe Café offers smoothies, small plates, and light veggie rolls. If you’re venturing out for the night, Halapua Restaurant & Lounge offers vegan dining and craft mixology in a contemporary new rooftop space.
SEE Na Muang Waterfall Preserve + Secret Buddha Garden + Mae Nam & Bophut Night Markets
SPEND $
PLAYACAR | mexico
STAY Palmaïa the House of Aia A secluded sanctuary right on the water that features locally sourced plant-based cuisine, Palmaïa is a vegan-friendly dream. Situated just south of Playa Del Carmen, the property rests on its own pillowy white-sand beach, and offers guests a tranquil escape from more traditional Mexican resorts. Guests are encouraged to participate in guided meditation, yoga, south baths, and energy healing all against the backdrop of the Mayan jungle. While all meals prepared on site are vegan, guests can request animal products to compliment their meals as well.
SNACK The shining star restaurant at Palmaïa is LEK, which elevates native Mexican cuisine with artful presentation and international influence, its a must visit. If you’re up for a journey, Macondo at Nomade Tulum offers middle Eastern inspired holistic plates in a cozy, floor-seating space. For something a bit more casual, The Pitted Date is a fan favorite among both locals and tourists.
SEE Mayan Ruins + Playa del Carmen Archeological Site + Río Secreto + Cenote Cristalino
SPEND $$$
BALI | indonesia
STAY Amankila Claiming a breathtaking “private stretch of the Lombok Strait coastline”, Amankila rests on a lush hillside just beneath the sacred Mount Agung. The property’s stilted suites are connected by delicate walkways that meander through the treetops and offer unspoiled views of the ocean and their own private black-sand beach. Aman’s sustainability strategy includes strict environmental ecosystem protection programs, water conservation, food waste management, protection of and preservation of local landmarks, and growing of organic produce with local suppliers.
SNACK Zest Ubud is a cozy spot tucked away in a Balinese mural covered building that offers plunging views into the jungle. Only serving locally sourced food and homemade dishes, the view is worth visiting but the food is worth staying for. Essential Canggu Cafe serves vegan tapas and cocktails within their wholly sustainable concept, which uses essential oils in their dishes and takes “guilt free” to an entirely new level. The award-winning Sakti Dining Room at Fivelements creates wonderfully inventive vegan dishes with an artful hand.
SEE Atuh Beach + Diamond Beach Nusa Penida + Thousand Islands Viewpoint + Pura Batu Medawu Temple
SPEND $$$
Photos in this article are courtesy of featured hotels and are copyright protected.
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