If you’re going on a fall camping trip…to a lake…in the future, you might want to consider this cool little vehicle we saw on Treehugger. It’s called the Sealander and it’s a camper and boat in one.

Pull it behind your vehicle to the campsite (you can turn the back into a bed). If there’s water nearby, just switch it into a boat! It’s an all-in-one vacation funmobile! As Treehugger notes, it is unfortunately not cheap and won’t be available until at least next year. Would you consider this a wise investment for future vacations or would you rather just invest in a separate camper or boat?

Images courtesy of Treehugger.

Home cleaning checklist and cheat-sheet
Curbly
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve been offering free, downloadable check lists and cheat sheets to make your spring cleaning efforts simple and effective. First, we shared a list of tasks and DIY, green cleaners for the kitchen, and last week, an easy way to make it through that most dreaded of rooms, the bathroom. Today, we’re tackling everything else: carpets/rugs, windows, furniture, walls, and odors.”

Modern Kitchens Worthy of The Jetsons
CalFinder Blog
“We’ve shown how a kitchen renovation can give you the biggest return on investment in your home. Yes, even simply replacing your dishwasher and oven can majorly revolutionize the function, efficiency and beauty of your space. Well. These kitchens go above and beyond in their modernization. Not only do they incorporate the latest and most efficient appliances (steel, think steel), but they have added cabinetry and other beautiful materials to make the entire space positively out of this world.”

A sink made of leather
DigsDigs
“What is that? A sink made of leather?! It’s not, actually, this sink is made of copper. This sink is made by a California-based company Native Trails. The sink is manufactured of special copper, it’s recycled copper from pipes and wirings which are melted down. The rest of the process is made by an artisan, so it’s hand made.” And it looks like leather!

Home safety tips for travelers
DIY Life
“In the craziness of planning for our holiday travel and vacations, we often forget to take the necessary steps to safeguard our home from intruders. It’s not necessary to have a home security system such as a home alarm or security camera, although those types of precautions are a great deterrent. Here are some tips for homeowners who don’t have home security systems but want some piece of mind before locking up.”

FSC Reclaimed Teak by IndoTeak Design
Jetson Green
“California-based IndoTeak Design has what it calls “the greenest teak products on the market.“ Its FSC-certified, post-consumer, recycled teak products — flooring, paneling, siding, and decking — come from Indonesian structures up to 300 years old.”

It’s Spring Break time, and we’re all feeling a sense of cabin fever. We hope you have a vacation planned, but if you don’t and are looking for some ideas, or just want to day dream, here are some of MLuxe’s favorite spots in the U.S. We’ll cover international places next week. Where would you choose to go?

Sea Island, Georgia
The right blend of Southern gentility, golf and the beach. Perfect for a quiet family vacation.

Image courtesy of Sea Island Company

Yellowstone National Park
If you’re looking for a more active vacation, consider Yellowstone. Its mountains, valleys, thermal springs and other geographic features are like nothing else. Seeing Old Faithful erupt is part of the classic Western experience.

Image courtesy of Tim Pearce, Los Gatos on Flickr

Las Vegas
Where else can you take a spin with Lady Luck, enjoy a top-notch sushi dinner in the middle of the desert, catch a show, and get married (we kid) all in one night? Viva Las Vegas! Plan on spending the next day relaxing by the pool at your hotel — you’ll need it with the frenetic energy Vegas has to offer.

Image courtesy of mkoukoullis on Flickr

Boston
Take in all the historical sights and enjoy this cosmopolitan city. Culture and fun? Yes please.

Image courtesy of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

It’s March, and many people are getting out of town, either due to cabin fever or spring break. If you’re not lucky enough to be staying with a friend or family member, you’ll probably be in a hotel. Bing has a slideshow of some very interesting and unusual hotels. Here are a couple of MLuxe’s favorites. Next time you travel, consider checking one of these out, or staying at a fun hotel in your chosen destination.

This California motel ingeniously recycles old cabooses for rooms. It’s perfect for railroad buffs or anyone who wants to relive the golden age of American railroads.

The Jumbo Hostel isn’t named because of its large room sizes…it’s housed in a re-purposed jumbo jet next to the Stockholm airport. Some travelers might not want to set foot in a plane until they need to go up in the air, but for those who want a little novelty, this hotel might be just the ticket.

If you’ve made it all the way to far-off Mongolia, why not stay in traditional housing? The Three Camel Lodge features yurts, for a truly authentic experience. Plus, you can smooth your hands with camel’s-milk lotion while there!

Happy travels!

The carbon footprint of a winter getaway is one that often goes unnoticed. But even if fuel (car, plane or otherwise) were the only factor – and that’s far from true – the impact would warrant some attention. So why not try greening your getaway?

Lodging

As you plan your green vacation, consider your accommodations first. Many hotels and resorts work hard to achieve some form of “green certification.” Frankly, it’s in their best interest to be environmentally friendly because they, as a business, can enjoy the same kind of dollar savings as you do in your home by being green.

Look for hotels that have been built or remodeled using recycled materials, used eco-sensitive site selection or site clearing practices, or hotels that encourage their guests to conserve water by reusing linens and towels. There are many different criteria a hotel needs to meet to be considered green, here’s a site that can help you sort out some of the different types of accommodations and help you determine whether they meet your travel criteria.

But before you leave…

Before you even leave on your vacation you can start earning “green cred” by taking steps in your home to cut down energy usage while you’re away. Start with your thermostat. While you’re away, is there any reason to keep your home heated to your comfort level? Turn your thermostat down to a level that is acceptable to simply sustain your home before you go. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can manipulate the temperature during selected parts of the day and allow the warmth of the sun to filter through and heat your home when it is able.

Another often overlooked creature comfort is hot water. While you’re enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean waters, you don’t need the water in your home to be kept at a constant 120 degrees. In most newer, gas-powered water heaters, there is a “vacation” setting designed to be used for these occasions. If that setting doesn’t exist, you can switch to the “pilot” setting. If you have an electric water heater, you can throw the breaker switch before you leave.

Finally, unplug any non-essential appliances. Most appliances continue to draw energy even when they’re not running, especially large televisions and computers. The only appliances that would need power while you’re away are lights outfitted with timers that might come on as part of your security plan.

Road trips

For many, the current recession has changed the way they travel, with “staycations” replacing “vacations.” A staycation is a trip that involves traveling less than 300 miles or even staying at home. If you’re considering a staycation and need to know how to keep it green, start with this: The most important consideration is your vehicle. Before you leave, be sure to get the car tuned up. An oil change, proper inflation in your tires, and new air filter – all of these elements play a role in determining your gas mileage and energy usage. If your everyday car isn’t as mileage friendly as you would like, you may also consider renting a more eco-friendly vehicle like a hybrid.

Also, as your travels begin, watch your right foot to make sure it’s keeping you green. For every 5 miles per hour you drive over 60, you spend an extra 24 cents per gallon in extra gas. Do the math over the course of a decent-length road trip and your lead foot could cost you some serious dollars – and pump out some serious carbon.

Finally, turn right. Yes, right. Avoiding left-hand turns means less idling, more moving and less fuel usage. UPS, which knows a thing or two about transportation costs, has practiced this technique for years, and according to estimates they saved more than 3 million gallons of fuel in 2007 and reduced the C02 emissions of their vehicles by the equivalent of taking 5,300 cars off the road. Take a look at some of these quick tips for driving more efficiently.

Be smart when you’re there

Once you arrive at your destination, there are a myriad of ways you can go green. Park your car in the hotel ramp and take public transportation. If it’s good enough for the residents of the city, it should be good enough for you. Plus, you’ll seriously minimize your chances of getting lost. It’s a lot easier to read a map when someone else is driving.

Also, be a conscientious traveler. Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you should stop doing the smart things you do. Take care to recycle rather than tossing cans, plastic and glass into the trash. Finally, don’t be intimidated by the prospects of arranging an eco-friendly vacation. A simple Web search for green or eco-friendly vacations will return a plethora of options and ideas for your next trip. Here’s a great starting point for making those plans!

Photo courtesy of muha on Flickr