From Europe's only demilitarized zone to Japan's sacred mountains. By clicking on the green button, you can read the complete guides.

Back to when Kumano was not a sacred region. In prehistoric times, the area was revered as a sacred place where gods inhabited the natural landscape. During the Heian Period (794-1185), the Kumano pilgrimage gained prominence when retired emperors and aristocrats began making the arduous 30 to 40-day journey from Kyoto to seek spiritual enlightenment in this remote mountain sanctuary.

In 2004, these ancient paths were registered as part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range."

Kumano Kodo literally means "old ways to Kumano." It is a network of seven pilgrimage routes that converge on the Kumano Sanzan, the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano.

Along your route, you can witness the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism, two religions that coexisted here before being forced to disappear in the 19th century. This syncretic tradition is still visible throughout the pilgrimage, where Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples coexist within the same sacred precincts, and where natural features like waterfalls and ancient trees are venerated as divine.

But before you swear off travel forever and resign yourself to staycations for life, let me tell you something hopeful: the industry is actually changing, and YOU can be part of it.

The issue behind the change is overwhelming. Tourism now accounts for around 8-9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That's not a typo.

Between 2009 and 2019, those emissions grew by 3.5% annually—more than twice the rate of the rest of the global economy.

By 2024, even if the sector's economic recovery surpasses pre-pandemic levels, we project that approximately 7.3% of total global emissions will still stem from our passion for travel.

Context. The World Travel & Tourism Council reported that, in 2024, while tourism GDP grew by 6% compared to pre-pandemic levels (from $10.3 trillion in 2019 to $10.9 trillion), emissions decreased by 9.3% compared to 2019 levels. This is what we call decoupling growth from environmental impact, and it is precisely what needs to happen.

Beyond feeling good about your choice, sustainable hotels deliver tangible benefits: properties with eco-certifications report a 12% increase in overall revenue and significantly reduced operating costs through energy efficiency. When you choose one of these hotels, you're directly supporting local communities, protecting Mexico City's unique cultural heritage, and minimizing your environmental footprint.

Your accommodation choice for the World Cup is an opportunity to experience world-class hospitality while contributing positively to the city that welcomes you

Choosing where to stay during the FIFA World Cup 2026 isn't just about comfort and location—it's about making a real impact.

Åland represents a unique destination where Swedish culture, Finnish governance, and Nordic nature converge. The islands' commitment to sustainability, combined with their rich maritime heritage and autonomous identity, creates an experience unlike any other in the Baltic region.

A land in the middle of the Baltic Sea that, although it belongs to Finland, is more accurately recognized as an autonomous region. It is here that more than 6,500 islands form what we know today as Åland.

At the end of World War I, when Finland gained independence from Russia, the League of Nations granted Finland sovereignty over Åland with a single condition: to guarantee the population their Swedish culture, language, local customs, and system of self-government.

Åland is internationally recognized for its demilitarized and neutralized status, which dates back to 1856 when British and French forces destroyed the Russian fortress of Bomarsund during the Crimean War. This unique status was confirmed by the League of Nations in 1922 and later reaffirmed in the 1947 Treaty of Paris.

Now, Åland is a symbol of peaceful autonomy and a region WITHOUT military bases.