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We’re obsessed with Philly. But sometimes we have to take get away – even it’s for a day or two.

Traveling provides opportunities to connect with others, slow down, new experiences and take a break from our routine. I’m addicted to traveling – with a compass tattooed on my foot to prove it.

But even with the benefits of traveling, it can take a toll on the environment – including air pollution, shortage of water and land degradation.

So how can you enrich your life with travel and leave a minimal impact on the planet?

3 ways to travel Sustainably

1. Live like a local

Stuffy hotels are so passe. With accommodations like Airbnb, you can get an apartment of your own or stay in a shared house, eliminating that constant stream of tiny hotel shampoo bottles or brand new towels every day. In the U.S., hotels use approximately 25 gallons of water for each occupied room every single day, just on laundry.

Or, you crash with a friend or family if you can.

2. Support locally sourced fare

Locavore dining isn’t exclusive to Philly. Choosing restaurants that source locally and support local farms furthers the local food movement.

Last weekend, we found Meadowsweet, which sources locally from their Meadowsweet Farm and uses herbs grown in their restaurant garden. I’m still dreaming of their mushroom omelet…

3. Transportation Choices

Bike around town

If it’s a new city with bike share or bike rentals, try exploring on two wheels! I took a spin on Denver’s bike share a few weeks ago, and Brooklyn had a whole lotta bike racks:

Take Mass Transit

Taking a train or public transit (where possible) saves on carbon emission from cars. If you’re carless like me, the costs of renting can add up quite quickly too – from car rental, insurance, tolls, and gas.

Another option for sustainable travel is…

Take the Bus

Bus companies like Megabus take you from downtown Philadelphia straight into the heart of cities so you can kick back and start exploring. Last weekend, I took megabus to catch up with friends in Manhattan. We booked our bus the night before and were well on our way to explore the big apple and Brooklyn.

For over 10 years, megabus.com has helped over 50 million passengers travel and lighten their carbon footprint in a cheap and safe way.

Plus, all megabus double-decker buses are outfitted with a GreenRoad system, which gives drivers real-time information including potentially hazardous areas or problematic traffic patterns, how to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Pretty fancy, eh?

the megabus Masterpiece contest

If you have artistic inspiration, Megabus is currently hosting a Megabus Masterpiece contest which began April 3 and ends on Earth Day (April 22). One lucky grand prize winner’s artwork will be displayed across the side of a megabus – they’ll receive $1,000 for art classes or more eco-friendly travel.

You can enter your artwork here: http://woobox.com/ogjv7a. Stay tuned for the winner to be announced via megabus social channels on May 15, 2017.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of megabus.com. The opinions and text are all mine.

Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher