Travel is a luxury that many people will not give up, even when they are trying to be more eco-conscious. The thought of traveling green for most people calls to mind mud huts, tents and long hours of trudging up hillsides.

But, you don’t have to give up comfy beds or traveling by plane to be a green traveler. You just need a little bit of information, some careful research and some planning. From travel to stay to activity, having a green vacation or business trip may be more doable than you ever realized.

When you are booking a hotel for your trip, try to find those that have been deemed as eco-friendly. Making sure that you know a few things about the hotel or hotel chain upfront can help you decided whether it is or is not a green choice. Hotels should be:

1. Locally owned and operated or staffed by the local people. This reduces the number of jobs that are lost by the local economy which in turn means that the owners and staff care more about the area.

2. Does the hotel comply with all environmental precautions that are exclusive to the area, and do they try to reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible? Does the hotel recycle paper and aluminum at the very least?

3. Can you skip maid service during your stay, or at least for part of your stay? Ask upfront if you can reuse sheets and even the towels instead of having fresh ones brought to your room everyday. The hotel may be very grateful for this suggestion as it saves them time, money and effort.

4. Does this hotel have low-flow toilets, high efficiency heating and cooling systems and other eco-helpers? Does the hotel encourage guests to turn off appliances and lights when they leave the room? Does it seem like the place is just one giant buzz of electrical drain?

During your trip, investigate ways to see as much of the sights without resorting to private car travel. Take a bus tour, walking tour or bike around to explore. Some of the most beautiful cities of the world are best appreciated slowly, so consider one of the more efficient, eco-friendly travel methods.

The advantage of doing so means that you can stop and have a closer look at something when it catches your eye without waiting for a chance to pull over in traffic. And think of this: you cannot smell some of the best foods in the world from inside of a car. Make your next trip a green trip and you might find new wonders that you might have missed on a more traditional vacation.