I needed a last minute place to stay when I realized I wasn't getting home on the flight I'd initially scheduled, and I wound up at Hotel Croydon. This hotel, new to the Miami Beach scene was a gem of a find! Great dining, beautiful accommodations, generous room size, gorgeous rooftop lounges, a charming yoga studio, and a lovely art deco pool off the lobby. The hotel also boasts a gift shop called Wanderlista. I had a few moments to pop in while waiting for my car for the airport (round two) and I was so glad! Wanderlista carries beautiful and unusual items, from shoes to cover ups, clutches to jewelry. One of the pieces that caught my eye were these delicately braided wrap bracelets with something written in metal. I thought my eyes were going until I learned it said "courage" - in Cambodian. The bracelet, which I purchased, is from The Brave Collection, and is made by a Cambodian artisan to celebrate bravery and empower women across the globe. Proceeds from the sale go to work in empowering women and girls against human trafficking through leadership development and creative education.
As I was paying for the bracelet, I learned all about the owner's commitment to engaging tourists in global action. Who knew this might be the most significant piece of jewelry The Trendy Vegan ever purchased? Below are three international properties that answer that call and “pay it forward” with philanthropic and eco-sustainable tourism initiatives supporting local communities. Guests can donate, participate and make a meaningful contribution to these destinations while exploring Siem Reap and the famed archaeological wonders of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, while enjoying a private island paradise in Fiji and as they discover the rustic rural landscape of an agritourism farm in Laconia, Greece….#ResponsibleTourism
SHINTA MANI RESORT, Siem Reap, Cambodia www.shintamani.comA giddy cocktail of contemporary architecture and design by world-renowned architect Bill Bensley, impeccable service, divine food and intriguing culture centrally located in the leafy French Quartier, a fifteen minute tuk-tuk ride to the temples of Angkor Wat. Each of the courtyard
‐style resort’s 62 rooms and junior suite feature minimalist chic interiors with unexpected details, handcrafted accents and furniture made exclusively for the resort and enjoy first floor balcony views or direct access to the stunning swimming pool and flourishing tropical gardens.
Shinta Mani strongly supports responsible tourism and community outreach through the Shinta Mani Foundation and provides free hospitality training to less fortunate members of the Siem Reap community plus a portion of each room night booked is donated directly to the foundation. Starting at $230 a night in high season.
VOMO ISLAND RESORT, Vomo Island, Fiji www.vomofiji.comA five-star private island retreat set among 255 sprawling acres where Fijian culture still exists from a bygone era, this secluded hideaway is home to 30 villa accommodations, the new Senikai Spa and a new PADI Ocean Play Dive Centre. Guests revel in Fiji’s iconic soft sandy beaches, crystalline blue waters and world-class diving in a spectacular setting, just a 15-minute scenic flight from Nadi. In March, upgrades will be completed to the 30-beachfront and hillside villas plus the introduction of two new villas, The Beach Retreats, featuring secluded private decks, luxurious outdoor bathtubs and showers.
Vomo Island Resort is a proud member of Pack for a Purpose and supports two local villages at the bottom of Yasawa islands by encouraging guests to pack various items and daily necessities to be donated. Starting at $1,000 a night all-inclusive, not including alcoholic beverages.
EUMELIA ORGANIC AGROTOURISM FARM & GUESTHOUSE, Laconia, Greece www.eumelia.com/enA 50-acre working farm and ecotourism destination located in Southern Greece in the Peloponnese, Eumelia features an ancient olive grove and beautiful herb fields that this family-owned property has cultivated for well over a century. It is complete with five spacious, sustainable and modern cottage accommodations designed in traditional Greek farmhouse architecture. The property is a serene retreat where visitors can participate in real dirt-between-your-fingers farming activities like picking olives, grapes, herbs, fruits and vegetables or participate in workshops, yoga retreats, mountain biking, sea kayaking and more. Eumelia sets a new standard for ecotourism and agrotourism, applying progressive farming techniques with a minimal use of resources and negative affect to local ecosystems. The new ecological “Five Elements Pond” in being developed which will benefit the local community, regional landscape and visitors alike. Ecological ponds are created in a manner that fully respects the environment and helps develop a new ecosystem around them and within a year or two are almost entirely self sustaining. Eumelia is utilizing crowd-funding to develop the “Five Elements Pond” and accepts contributions from guests and environmental enthusiasts. Starting at 115EU for two persons sharing a house, includes traditional Greek breakfast, all local taxes, VAT and service fees.
I was down in Miami for a business conference, and was delayed a day longer than I expected to be there due to snow. I am not going to lie--being "stuck" in Miami felt like a pretty wonderful reprieve from the far below freezing temperatures in NY these days.
