Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Blog

Being in the travel industry ourselves, it is all the more important to “practice what we preach.” Traveling responsibly means conserving natural resources, supporting local cultures, and making a positive impact on the places we visit. Some steps are big, others are small, but all can make a difference, especially if we take them together!

1.     Pack Your Environmental Ethic

Just because you are vacation doesn’t mean you can throw your environmental ethics out the window. According to a telephone survey of 1,041 travelers conducted by the research firm, STUDYLOGIC, 60 percent of respondents reported that they are more likely to leave the light on when they leave a hotel room compared to when they leave home. And while 70 percent say that they attempt to conserve water at home “as much as possible,” less than 20 percent practice water conservation when traveling.

2.     Unplug Your Home or Office

Responsible traveling begins at home. Before you head out, unplug any appliance that won’t be in use while you’re away such as computers, chargers, televisions, video game players, and microwaves.

3.     Go Paperless

Use online resources to plan and book your trip, and then, when necessary, print out maps and other materials at home on recycled paper. Don’t forget to try the great travel apps available for smartphones!

4.     Lighten Up

Packing lightly will make it easier to get where you’re going, while also reducing your negative impact on the environment. So leave that extra pair of shoes at home, and stick with durable, neutral-colored clothing that can be easily mixed and matched to create different looks over several days of travel.

5.     Bring Your Own Water Bottle

According to the Container Recycling Institute, more than 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown away in the United States each day! And that is just in the United States. Worried about the space in your suitcase? There are convenient collapsible water bottles that you can simply fill up when need, and fold when you don’t! 

Returned from this cruise on December 25th, highly recommend it, Best food I have ever eaten, along with the finest staff, very willing to see that we were enjoying ourselves. Jean Louis was a fabulous guide and Emmauelle a wonderful cruise director. In spite of the lousy weather and the small rooms it was wonderful!

We are planning a trip to Vietnam. Has anyone used the Visa On Arrival program that they have? If so, how did it go?

Whether you are walking through a parade of holiday markets while in Europe, or sitting by the fire in the comfort of your home, you can warm your hands and spirit with a mug of Glühwein.

Ingredients 

• (serves 3 – 5 small mugs)
• 1 bottle of dry red wine (750 ml). Wine should have a full and rich flavor, not too flat
• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 2 sticks of cinnamon
• 3 cloves
• 3 tablespoons of sugar
• A pinch cardamom or ginger (optional)

Directions

1. Heat the red wine in a pot (don’t boil). Cut the lemon and oranges into slices and add to the wine.
2. Add the cinnamon, cloves, sugar, and a little cardamom (optional).
3. Heat everything for about 5 minutes – do not boil – just simmer lightly a while
4. Strain and serve hot

Tips from our Culinary Director:
Glühwein can be made with different variations such as:

• Blueberry wine or syrup
• Cherry
• Cranberries
• A touch of vanilla
• Gingerbread spices
• A touch of chili
• Star anise