Sustainable Summer Travel 2025: Where Luxury Meets Responsibility

From Kyoto to Puerto Vallarta, these destinations combine design, culture, and conscious hospitality

Is sustainable summer travel 2025 just a trend, or the new standard for luxury escapes? Around the world, hospitality brands are proving that responsibility and refinement can go hand in hand. From Kyoto’s revitalized heritage hotels to chef-led retreats in Tuscany, today’s most inspiring destinations invite travelers to connect more deeply with place, purpose, and the planet.

Imperial Hotel, Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan
imperialhotel.co.jp | @imperialhotel_jp_official

Courtesy image Imperial Hotel, Kyoto

Set to open in Spring 2026, the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto reimagines a historic theater as a modern boutique destination rooted in culture and conservation. Rather than building from scratch, the team restored the 90-year-old Yasaka Kaikan, preserving thousands of original tiles and honoring traditional ikedori techniques. The result blends timeless hospitality with architectural stewardship and a deep respect for Kyoto’s creative economy.

Canada Strong Pass
Canada
canada.ca | @cdn.heritage

Shutterstock license

For those seeking sustainable summer travel 2025 on a budget, Canada’s new nationwide pass invites travelers to explore national parks, museums, and rail routes—free or at a discount. With access running June 20 to September 2, it’s designed to support public transportation and deeper regional exploration, especially for families and young travelers looking to connect with Canada’s culture and landscapes.

1 Hotel Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia
1hotels.com | @1hotel.melbourne

River Reserve Suite at 1 Hotel Melbourne Credit: Mikkel Vang

1 Hotel Melbourne sets a new bar for eco-luxury. Designed with reclaimed materials and more than 7,000 plants, the hotel transforms a historic waterfront warehouse into a biophilic retreat along the Yarra River. Programming includes zero-waste mixology, sound baths, and hyper-local menus. Guests can explore the city via complimentary electric Audi or Melbourne’s free tram line.

À la Park Festival
Helsinki, Finland
alapark.fi | @alaparkfestivaali

Held in the heart of Helsinki, À la Park highlights a city where casual dining meets global collaboration. This new open-air festival showcases rising culinary talent, including Noma alum Toni Toivanen. À la Park aims to become fully vegan in the coming years. The festival reflects Helsinki’s broader sustainability initiatives and positions the city as a top pick for food-focused travelers.

Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
premiereonline.com.mx | @villapremiere

Courtesy Image Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel

At this adults-only escape in Puerto Vallarta, Executive Chef Rogelio Domínguez Vargas brings Mexican culinary heritage to life with a sustainable twist. Working closely with local farmers and fishermen, he’s expanded Villa Premiere’s garden-to-table program. Guests enjoy refined coastal cuisine, whether dining beachside at La Ceiba or indulging in a multi-course tasting at the Chef’s Table.

Il Visibilio at The Club House
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany – Italy
fontanellestate.com | @fotanellestate

Courtesy Image Il Visibilio

For a more intimate take on sustainable summer travel 2025, Il Visibilio offers Michelin-starred dining in the hills of Chianti Classico. This summer, its Four-Hands Dinner series brings together Italy’s most innovative chefs for seasonal, terroir-driven tasting menus. With just 16 seats per evening, it’s a rare experience for travelers who appreciate both luxury and restraint.

Looking for more places where sustainability feels like a luxury, not a limitation?

TASTE will continue to spotlight destinations where eco-conscious travel means slower mornings, deeper conversations, and unforgettable moments. Bookmark this list, pack your curiosity, and follow along for upcoming guides on where to eat, stay, and celebrate the season—sustainably.

Lisa Morales

Lisa Morales is the owner of Allegory PR Services and founder of Live in Italy Magazine. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief for Live in Italy Magazine. She is a Contributing Editor for Widewalls, and a Contributor for Impact Wealth Magazine, Food Wine Travel magazine, Culture Trip, and La Ceramica in Italia e nel Mondo. Lisa’s “beats” are the visual arts, food and wine, Art Basel Miami and other South Florida art fairs and art exhibitions. Seeking solace from her PR and marketing life, Lisa cooks and blogs about her food and wine pairing adventures. She is WSET 2 Certified with Distinction.