Eco family holidays in Austria

Families with a green conscience should consider heading to Austria for their summer holiday this year.

Austrian family holiday specialists Kinderhotels is providing sustainable family holidays at affordable prices across their portfolio of hotels.

Every Kinderhotel separates and recycles waste into five categories: plastic, glass, food, paper and metal. Many invest in alternative energy and heating systems. Four of the company's hotels recently won awards in environmental excellence, including the European Eco-Label and the BIO Austria certificate.

In addition, Kinderhotels provide families with the opportunity to learn about animals, nature and where food comes from on Smiley's Working Farms. Here they can help take care of chickens, pigs, sheep, cows and horses, pick fruit and bake bread.

Depending on the rating, the hotels offer a range of children's activities from skiing and wizard school to cinema and swimming lessons as well as child-minding services and spa facilities. For prices, visit the website and submit an enquiry for your chosen hotel and dates.

Austria is leading the way in environmental policies relating to energy-efficiency, renewable energies, public transport and waste management. It was the first European country to use more than 50% renewable energy and recycles 60% of all waste.

The country has taken on environmental issues as a national responsibility and in a recent BBC Newsnight report Liz MacKean said, "In Austria they boast that when they see a European waste directive, they try to beat it - such a different instinct from the UK."

To keep your holiday really green, you can take the train to Austria or use a reputable carbon offsetting scheme if you decide to drive or fly.

Written by: Maxine Clarke

Even if you're flying you can help the environment by travelling to the airport by rail with Holiday Extras, saving up to 20% on standard fares