Hotels are major consumers of water and cleaning chemicals so why not stay with a local family instead (www.homestayweb.com)? Communal meals and bathrooms use fewer resources and allow for more interesting cultural exchanges. This will also send your travel
dollars directly into the region's economy. CouchSurf...ing (www.couchsurfing.org/index.html) also offers an adventurous experience at no cost. For a bit more autonomy, search for a green hotel (greenhotels.com/members.php) or hostel (www.hostelbookers.com/article/hostel-types/eco-hostels/).