At this time of year, many of us begin to dream of brighter days and the possibility of a holiday. Time away can be deeply refreshing — an opportunity to rest, explore new places, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. But holidays also have an impact on the people and places we visit.

February’s Eco Tip from A Rocha encourages us to plan our holidays with creation in mind. This means pausing to consider how our choices — often made without much thought — can either harm or help the environment and local communities.

One simple step is to travel more lightly. Choosing trains, buses, car-sharing, walking or cycling where possible can significantly reduce carbon emissions and often allows us to experience places more slowly and attentively.

Where we stay also matters. Opting for eco-friendly or locally owned accommodation helps reduce environmental impact and ensures that money spent benefits the local economy rather than large international chains.

The tip also invites us to support local people and landscapes. In practice, this can mean eating in local cafés, shopping in independent stores and markets, using local guides, and respecting countryside codes and wildlife. By spending locally and treading lightly, we help protect the very places we have come to enjoy.

As a church community — and especially as we celebrate achieving the A Rocha Eco Church Gold Award — these choices are part of living out our faith. Caring for creation is not only something we do within our church buildings; it shapes how we live, travel, rest, and relate to the wider world.

As we plan our holidays this year, may we do so thoughtfully, with gratitude for God’s creation and a commitment to protect it for future generations.