From France To Switzerland, How These 10 Clean Green Destinations Call

It’s not hard to understand why clean has become such a key word in the lexicon of the global traveler, and why clean green destinations from France to Switzerland are set to boom in the post-Covid travel renaissance.

As our lockdown existences end, and global travel horizons expand again, many people will be looking for spic-and-span. As much in a destination as a hotel.

The lockdown produced a global phenomenon of turning even habitually noisy and polluted cities from Los Angeles to Delhi bird-tweeting peaceful and clean. Given the clean air streak in some places has alas already come to an end, travelers will be hankering for more enduring fresh air and pristine surrounds.

Here are 10 countries where you may expect to find both. As well as forests and wild flowers aplenty. The list is based on findings from researchers at Yale and Columbia University. Every year they conduct a probe into the most environmentally friendly countries in the world (and the dirtiest). In 2020, all the top 10 environment stars are in Europe. Here they are, in descending rank:

While waiting for Denmark’s border restrictions to lift, feed your face on some visuals of its pioneering sustainable ways. From its cycling “superhighways” connecting city and countryside, to farm-to-fork restaurants. Energy efficient Copenhagen aims to be the first carbon neutral capital by 2025. There are many green hotels in the capital too which capture the country’s green streak. And culture, nature and astounding architecture blend in light-filled museums and art galleries. Such as the Natural History Museum (Statens Naturhistoriske Museum), which plunges over the botanical gardens and Kongens Have–King’s Garden.

Small but green, forests cover 20% even of the city of Luxembourg. High water quality, low pollution levels, the density of its “green spaces” and extensive cycling routes regularly see it rank high for quality of life. The city is swept in by woods, rocky gorges and hiking trails–including the 112 kilometre Mullerthal route passing by rocky outcrops, castles and churches. The country is recognized for its eco-innovation and smart city initiatives. Despite ongoing problems with traffic congestion, it’s striving for a sustainable public transport system, and boasts a great network of cycling routes.

Switzerland reigns for copious sparkling fresh alpine air and water and green velvet scenery. In late May, Eric Jakob from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs told the media that the somewhat boring cleanliness of Switzerland has now become an asset on an international level. Clearly alluding to the post-Covid desire to travel to clean, safe places. The small central European nation is opening borders to fellow Europeans this month, while selling its soothing green virtues to the world. Soak them up from central Switzerland, Schwyz, to the Jungfrau region.

The no. 4 clean green award goes to the U.K. Wallow in greenery, from the iconic countryside of the Cotswolds and Yorkshire Dales National Park to Scotland’s Outer and Inner Hebrides and Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast. Add to that prim, preened and debonair towns and villages. There’s just one major hitch, the U.K quarantine on arrival coming into effect June 6. It will be reviewed at the end of the month, with hopes of reviving tourism for mid-summer.

France has among the most amazing diversity of natural and cultural heritage rolled into one. It’s not for nothing it’s the no.1 tourist destination in the world. Outside the incredible gardens of the capital, the most peaceful, greenest regions include Burgundy, the Jura, the neighboring Lot and Dordogne departments in the south, the Loire Valley and the Alps. Many of these have the added bonus of great wine and food. France is blessed with natural riches, and has made huge strides in the past decade to become one of the world’s most eco-friendly countries. Once your national travel advisory allows, soon you will be able to visit.

From the mind-bogglingly beautiful Hohe Tauern National Park and Grossglockner High-Alpine Road to cows grazing in the fields of Tyrol … Austria’s natural wonders are extraordinary, and life is generally green. Lace up your hiking boots (or don the snowshoes) for the Hohe Tauern: Central Europe’s largest national park is home to giant mountain massifs, wildflower-covered meadows, waterfalls and lakes. Even in Vienna, forests and parks abound. Amid Vienna’s green oasis, the MuseumsQuartier is also home to some of the best art galleries in the world. And there are some great post-lockdown exhibitions to be seen.

Finland is such a nature-loving country, like its Nordic neighbors. The hedgehogs will wait for the tourists to return. So get your hiking boots ready for whatever the season. Trekking is part of the national identity. As is cross-country skiing. Though hopefully tourists can visit the Finnish Lapland before winter. Northwest of Helsinki, hit the trails of the Nuuksio National Park. One of just 40 in the country, the path meanders via lakes and woods. You may even spot a flying squirrel.

Sustainability’s in Sweden’s nature-loving veins too. “Sweden’s shift from oil to district heating in the early 1990’s is perhaps the single most important factor in explaining the country’s reduced greenhouse gas emissions, both in the housing and service sector,” says the green-tinged government. Today such heating accounts for more than 80% of the heat and hot water provided to Sweden’s apartment blocks. Gothenburg, Sweden’s funky, green, garden-filled second-largest city, boasts a 1200 kilometre-long (745 mile) district heating network, meaning most of the city’s flats and 12,000 detached homes stay Swedish cozy through winter.

Think Oslo, which was named European Green Capital 2019. Then the fjords, mountains, islands and forests galore. The country expects to make announcements on international tourism towards mid-June says Visit Norway. The tourism board’s current border-closed hashtag is #dreamnowvisitlater. Unless you’re Danish, you might have to dream for quite some time yet. “By 15 June, the Norwegian government will decide whether or not to open up the borders for travellers from the other Nordic countries. By 20 July, the government will decide if travellers from other nearby countries can visit Norway this summer.” For others, the date may be as late as August 20. 

Castles, cows, Hansel & Gretel villages, bike paths and deep green pine forests galore. “Enchanted forets” at that says Visit Germany in the U.K. Often the woods go with wellness. Think Baden-Baden’s Black Forest thermal spas and wellness hotels like Brenner’s reopening June 10. Travelers from the EU, the U.K. and Schengen zone can visit again from 15 June. Despite the additional U.S.-Germany flights already in place, others have to wait until the EU travel ban ends.