Anna Staropoli

Deep in Green Spain, on a quiet, residential street in Palas de Rei, a narrow stone block stands tall, engraved with a blue square and yellow seashell — the telltale sign of Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Here, the well-trafficked pilgrimage route intersects with a stone farmhouse, robust herb garden, and outdoor tienda. These components form the Milhulloa Coop, where pilgrims can purchase — or make — herb-based toiletries, cosmetics, and even a drink, all without veering off-course.

In Orlando’s Mills 50 neighborhood, Filipino restaurant Kaya — which means “capable” — rarely uses an ingredient just once. The bar repurposes the fatty excess of pork belly to fat wash bourbon for cocktails, while the kitchen utilizes vegetable trimmings for vinegars. It’s this resourcefulness that earned Kaya one of Florida’s first-ever Michelin Green Stars this spring, alongside Miami's Los Félix and Krüs Kitchen.

With oceanfront suites, a hammam-anchored spa, and an intimate rum room, Anguilla's Zemi Beach House has five stars — and nearly 3,000 solar panels. Installed this past winter, a solar farm runs adjacent to the Caribbean resort and powers the property from dawn until dusk. The resort ranks as Anguilla’s first five-star hotel that’s completely solar during the day, indicating a bright future for green travel. 

North of the Arctic Circle, Norway’s Henningsvær plays to the strengths of its surroundings. Framed by dramatic, jagged mountains and the icy Norwegian sea, this Lofoten fishing village attracts hikers, climbers, cold plungers, and divers alike. Two of these divers — Norwegian couple Matias Nordahl Carlsen and Alexandra Anker — repeatedly zip up their dry suits for more than just sport. Since the pandemic, Carlsen and Anker have been repurposing self-collected sea urchins into colorful table lamps. The idea began when Anker accidentally illuminated a decorative sea urchin with her phone flashlight while working at Henningsvær Bryggehotell. The result? Lofotlys, which serves a role in both Henningsvær’s business ecosystem and Norway’s environmental one.