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Sustainable Trip Ideas

These sustainable trips came out on top against many other great ideas in the Shape Your Trip travel competitions (the project was completed at the end of 2025; there are no further travel competitions). Not only do they help reduce climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions, but they are also adventurous, relaxing, creative and educational. Perhaps they’ll inspire you too when planning your next trip!

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Individual travel

No ideas for your next vacation? Browse through the following trips. For detailed trip planning, click the link below the short description.


Back to the Roots

An alp on a green mountain meadow, surrounded by steep slopes and scattered trees, with a narrow path leading to it under a cloudy sky.

 

Get to know your home country on foot and in a tent. A climate-friendly journey across Switzerland!

Read more on the project here

Vers Cadaqués à pédales

Coastal town with white houses and a church, situated on a bay filled with numerous boats, surrounded by wooded hills under a blue sky.

 

In the footsteps of Salvador Dalí. We want to be active on our journey from Zurich to Cadaqués and travel as sustainably as possible!

Read more on the project here

Drei Freundinnen, drei Städte

Panorama of Basel with the historic Mittlere Brücke bridge over the Rhine, flanked by traditional buildings and the Basel Minster in the background, under a slightly cloudy sky.

 

By bike from Schaffhausen via Freiburg to Basel. We want to camp in the countryside and enjoy the summer!

Read more on the project here

Ein nordisches Abenteuer

Red wooden houses on a rocky coast, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and a deep blue sea, under a cloudy sky.

 

There is a lot to discover in the far north.  A breathtaking train journey through Northern Europe!

Read more on the project here

Peaks of the Balkans Trail

Aerial view of a vast, densely forested mountain range with lush green hills extending to the horizon. A winding river flows through the valley, accompanied by a barely visible road.

 

Get fully immersed in nature and culture on the Peaks of the Balkans Trail!

Read more on the project here

Einmal Highlands und zurück

Historic stone castle on a small island, connected to the mainland by a stone arch bridge, surrounded by water and green hills, under a cloudy sky.

 

Admire the incredible nature in Ireland and the UK. Take the train to the Highlands!

Read more on the project here

El Voyage en péninsule ibérique

Harbor view of a coastal city with brightly colored buildings lining the waterfront. Two traditional boats float on the calm water, while houses are tightly packed on the hillside in the background.

 

Travelling the beautiful coasts of Portugal in a climate-friendly way? Sure, we'll show you how!

Read more on the project here

Fliegen ohne Emissionen!

A paraglider with a yellow canopy soars over a mountainous landscape with green slopes. In the background, tall mountain peaks rise beneath a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.

 

Paragliding to Slovenia. Flying without causing emissions!

Read more on the project here

Interrailreise Skandinavien 2024

Dramatic mountain landscape with rugged, snow-capped peaks under a cloudy sky. At the base of the mountains, a small beach glows in golden sunlight next to a turquoise lake.

 

Impressive, huge and beautiful countries. That's Scandinavia! We'll show you how to travel there in a climate-friendly way!

Read more on the project here

La Suisse sous un autre oeuil

Idyllic alpine scene with a chalet on the shore of a clear lake, surrounded by dense pine forests. In the background, a snow-capped peak rises majestically under a slightly cloudy sky.

 

Whether city or country, Switzerland has a lot to offer. Would you like to travel sustainably? Then you've come to the right place!

Read more on the project here

lago maggiore con bicicletta

Picturesque village on the shores of a deep blue lake, with a historic church, surrounded by green hills and wooded mountain slopes, under a blue sky with light clouds.

 

Lake Maggiore is probably one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland. Follow us on a bike tour with a tent in your luggage!

Read more on the project here

Pedal and People: Berlin to Copenhage

Row of colorful buildings with red, yellow, blue, and pink facades along a waterfront. In the foreground, a red boat is anchored on the calm water.

 

From Berlin to Copenhagen by bike! We show you how we get there with a tent and couchsurfing! 

Read more on the project here

Swiss Alps Bikepacking

Milan Cathedral in the evening light, with its Gothic style and pointed towers, against a sky with pastel-coloured clouds.

 

From Bern to Milan by bike. We show you how we get to Milan by bike and couchsurfing!

Read more on the project here

Tour du Mont-Blanc a piedi e in treno

Majestic mountain range with snow-covered, sharp peaks under a partly cloudy blue sky. Green forests blanket the slopes at the base of the mountains.

 

Experience the breathtaking Mont Blanc massif. We'll show you how we plan our trip with the climate in mind!

Read more on the project here


Winter is Coming

Luminous aurora borealis in green and purple above a silhouetted row of trees at night, under a starry sky.

 

A train journey from Zurich to Bodø. Experience the Northern Lights up close!

Read more on the project here

Auf zwei Räder durch
die Nordländer

Expansive landscape with grassy hills and steep cliffs leading to a calm sea. In the distance, a small island is visible under a cloudy sky.

 

Our trip should be as climate neutral as possible. For this reason, we would like to cycle most of our journey to the Nordics.

Read more on the project here


Biking the Balkans

Panoramic view of a historic city with a stone bridge spanning a river. The city is surrounded by green trees and lies at the foot of a hill under a partly cloudy sky.

 

The idyllic landscapes of south-eastern Europe are still largely undiscovered. What better way to explore such hidden beauties than on your own bike?

Read more on the project here

Der Weg des Wassers als Lebenselixir

River landscape with gentle green hills and a wide river. On the right, a small village with a church is visible, while a barge moves along the water under a partly cloudy sky.

 

From Chur to Rotterdam. But how do we get to our final destination in an almost climate-neutral way? We show you.

Read more on the project here

In 6 Tagen nach Bilbao

Modern museum building with wavy, metallic facades situated on the riverbank. In the background, a glass tower rises into the sky, while mist drifts over the water.

 

The easy part is done by train, but the adventurous part is done on foot in Spain.

Read more on the project here

Interfail (hoffentlich nicht)

Modern train station with high-speed trains at the platforms. The setting sun shines through the glass walls, casting long shadows as passengers move across the platform.

 

The journey to Berlin, Vienna and Ljubljana is made by IC train. The city is explored in a climate-neutral way on foot and by bicycle.

Read more on the project here


OneWayNorWay

Aerial view of a coastal city spread across several islands, surrounded by calm waters. The colorful houses are tightly packed, with hills and the sea in the background under a pastel-colored sky.

 

Climate-friendly despite different means of transport? Then our trip is the right choice for you.

Read more on the project here

Zu Fuss von St. Moritz nach Birmensdorf

Remote mountain hut perched on a rocky ridge, with snow-covered peaks in the background. The rugged, barren landscape is enveloped by low-hanging clouds.

 

Climate-friendly travelling in Switzerland! Be inspired by this sustainable travel option! 

Read more on the project here

The Central European Trainpackers Trip

View of a grand parliament building situated along a riverbank, bathed in soft evening light. The building features a large dome and towers, surrounded by other historic structures along the waterfront.

 

Low-budget travel and eco-friendly too? Find out how to combine both perfectly!

Read more on the project here


Via Alpina

View of a city on the shore of a calm lake, with snow-capped mountains in the background. Layers of mist hover over the lake, while the city is surrounded by greenery and trees.

 

Back to old school! Eco-friendly and low-tech? We’ll show you how it’s possible!

Read more on the project here

Le ragazze del
mercato

A surfer sits on their surfboard in the ocean as the sun sets on the horizon, casting the sky in warm shades of orange. Gentle waves roll in the foreground.

 

Biking to the Côte Sauvage for surf lessons. This offers freedom and fitness!

Read more on the project here


Karaköl

Panoramic view of a large city with numerous skyscrapers lining a harbor. Gentle hills are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

 

In 50 days to Hong Kong! Many exciting experiences are guaranteed on this long train journey.

Read more on the project here

Arme Schlucker /
Donald Duck

The Colosseum in Rome, an ancient amphitheater with its iconic arches, surrounded by lush vegetation and trees. In the background, historic buildings are visible under a partly cloudy sky.

 

Discover Italy despite a small budget? No problem with this itinerary.

Read more on the project here

Nora und Paula auf Abenteurfahrt

A woman in a patterned dress walks across a sunny square surrounded by historic, yellow-hued buildings. In the background, café tables and umbrellas are visible.

 

Tour through the near southeast with many cultural stops and delicious cafes.

Read more on the project here


Lebensdurst

A dirt road winds through a green, rural landscape lined with trees and bushes. The sky is clear and blue.

 

The journey is the destination! But also the final destination Barcelona has a lot to offer.

Read more on the project here


FlyingLamas

Colorful umbrellas in shades of blue, pink, and yellow hang above a narrow street between brick buildings. The sky is blue with a few clouds.

 

Combine vacation and visiting relatives! In this case in Ireland.

Read more on the project here

Zurück nach Hause in den Norden

Bright green Northern Lights dance across the night sky above a mountainous landscape, reflecting in the calm waters of a lake. The sky is deep blue, creating a serene and magical atmosphere.

 

Climate-friendly travel in Switzerland!

Read more on the project here

Tritt für Tritt zu Ötzi und weiter...

Snow-covered mountain peaks under a blue sky, with steep, partly grassy slopes in the foreground.

 

A hike to the summit. On foot to the Ötzi discovery site!

Read more on the project here

Class trips

Matura trip or class trip for in between? These trip ideas might inspire you


2 Sprachen, 2 Länder, 2000 Kilometer

The sun shines through a hole in a large rocky cliff by the coast, as waves crash onto the shore. The water sparkles in the sunlight, and the sky is clear and blue.

 

We want to explore the picturesque regions of Saint-Malo, Saint Hélier and Saint-Martin by train and boat.

Read more on the project here

Intensivwoche zum Thema in, auf und neben dem Wasser

View of the Aletsch Glacier in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by steep, green mountain slopes and snow-covered peaks under a cloudy sky.

 

All about water. A climate-friendly class trip to the most beautiful places in Switzerland!

Read more on the project here

M22c – oh yeah – nachhaltig auf nach Amsterdam

Bicycles on a bridge over a canal in Amsterdam, surrounded by trees and traditional buildings, with boats on the water and a blue sky with clouds.

 

A sustainable school trip to Amsterdam? Sure, we'll show you how!

Read more on the project here

Ökofreaks in der Toskana

Winding country road, lined with cypress trees, leading through the rolling hills of Tuscany, in the light of a colourful sunset.

 

Italy, the land of joie de vivre. We are travelling there as a class by train!

Read more on the project here

Sportpsychologie und Grenzerfahrungen

Two tents in a misty landscape, set up in a meadow in front of a dense forest, with low-hanging fog obscuring the treetops.

 

A class trip where experiencing nature and sustainability are the top priorities!

Read more on the project here

Von Zug im Zug zum Ziel!

A stone mountain hut sits on a rocky slope, surrounded by dense clouds and a dramatic sky. Two hikers are visible near the hut, as the sun breaks through the clouds, casting a striking light.

 

An eventful school trip to the SAC hut. Experience nature on foot!

Read more on the project here


Klasse G19A

A large historical building stands behind a shallow water basin. In the foreground are the iconic "I amsterdam" letters, surrounded by trees and pedestrians.

 

Combining cultural sightseeing and environmental outreach in Amsterdam.

Read more on the project here

Les aventuriers écolos

Traditional stone houses in a picturesque mountain village, surrounded by lush vegetation. In the background, towering mountains rise under a cloudy sky.

 

Class trip on two wheels. Discover the beautiful and nearby Ticino.

Read more on the project here

Klimawandel und Handysucht im Fokus

Expansive glacier landscape surrounded by snow-covered mountains. The glacier stretches through a wide valley, framed by towering peaks under a partly cloudy sky.

 

We directly explore the consequences of climate change at the Morteratsch glacier in Switzerland.

Read more on the project here

Dijon une découverte culturelle et durable

A picturesque square with a nostalgic carousel in the foreground, surrounded by historic buildings. People are seated at a café, and the cobblestone street adds to the cozy atmosphere.

 

Get out of your comfort zone and jump on your bike. We show you how to discover Dijon in a climate-neutral way.

Read more on the project here


To Bury in no hurry!

Aerial view of London with Tower Bridge in the foreground and the River Thames winding through the city. In the background, the skyscrapers of the financial district rise under a hazy sky.

 

Travelling in a climate-friendly way costs time, but those who use it protect the climate - our motto: To bury in no hurry!

Read more on the project here

Additional information

Fancy travelling sustainably? Discover our tips and tricks for sustainable travelling or our learning module and take the first step towards an environmentally friendly adventure!

 

Contact us!

Lou Pfister

Project Associate Education

+41 44 500 43 50

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