I love the idea of electric cars. While Tomorrow's World predictions of all us driving around in one by the beginning of the 21st century have obviously come to naught, it does seem there is real momentum in this market right now. And not before time especially with oil reserves drying up....

Which is why I was excited to hear that that the makers of the wonderfully quirky G-Whizz, Indian firm Reva, unveiled two new electric car models at the Frankfurt Car Show earlier this week. Thankfully both the 4-seat NXR and sporty 2-door NXG look much more substantial than the G-Whizz (that's not saying much - it really is the modern day equivalent of the Citroen 2CV).

Offering a top speed of around 60 miles per hour and 125 miles of driving on a single charge, the NXR and NXG sound great. They look OK too. The only fly in the ointment is that they are likely to cost around 10,000 Euros when they go into production next year.

Paul Ridden writes: I travel a lot. Modern working life probably means that everyone travels much more than they would like. Whether it's by trains, planes or automobiles, travel is for many of us part of our daily existence.

There are many websites that offer travel information and very useful they are too. You can find out how long a journey will take, you can find out which method of transport would be the cheapest and on some sites you can even book your tickets via an interface on the site itself. But Routerank offers all that and more, even telling you how much CO2 is produced during your journey.

A year ago, I embarked on a special train journey I'll never forget. Travelling to Madrid from London, my partner and I opted to forego the quicker flying option and take the Trenhotel instead: a luxurious sleeper train from that goes Paris to various Spanish cities.

To me, this is quite simply the most exciting way to travel, but it's also undeniably greener than air travel: a trip from London to Barcelona, for example, racks up 277 Kg of CO2 by plane but just 40 kg by train, including the Eurostar transfer. Many travellers who would once have baulked at the idea of taking the train anywhere beyond Brighton are now opting for long-distance rail travel as part of their holidays. And the best way to book if you're coming from the UK is via The Man In Seat 61, a site that was created with the belief that 'getting there is half the fun' in mind.

Related: Poll: Train vs. Plane: which is greener? | How to get cheaper train travel across the UK

If you're off on your travels shortly, packing is often half the fun. Check out our list of eco-friendly items you want want to leave behind to make this your greenest summer break ever (that is, assuming you're not intending to travel by private jet).

Click on the image below to start the gallery

Related: How to reduce your carbon footprint on holiday | Perfect pack of facial care travel miniatures

Does it get any better than this? Not only could you enjoy being pampered in stunning surroundings with the assurance that you're not destroying the planet in the process -- you could update your facebook status to brag about it at the same time.

The teepee, from Perfect Earth Tours is more or less the physical embodiment of what we all want out of life these days: utter luxury without all that pesky guilt business getting in the way. With its solar powered DVD player, queen beds and spa, these 'tents' are just about the least natural way to get close to nature imaginable...and sound like absolute heaven for it.

[Via Born Rich]

Follow the jump to find out just how much better it gets inside...

However 'green' you think you are, you've got to admit that 'the travel thing' is where most of us fail miserably. On the one hand, we're told that our flights and cruises are responsible for as much as a quarter of the world's pollution; on the other, we know only too well that the mad pace of modern life leaves us all in need of a break every so often, and who wants to deny themself the pleasure of discovering new and exciting places?

The Green Travel Guide was written with the dilemmas faced by eco-conscious travellers, and offers helpful suggestions on how to reduce your holiday footprint as much as possible, focusing in particular on the issues many people simply aren't clued-up on, such as "is it better to cross the Channel by train or ferry?"

Related: How to reduce your carbon footprint on holiday

Holidays are a time for fun and carelessness, not worrying about your carbon sandal-print. The best way to ensure you have a guilt-free break is to plan ahead, taking note of the steps you can take to ensure your behaviour on holiday is kind to the environment, such as remembering to turn off your hot water before you leave.

Follow the jump for some top tips on how to make this year's summer holiday the greenest yet.

If you're chosing to spend your holiday in the UK you're already off to a good start in the green stakes, and if you choose accommodation with sound eco credentials, you'll lesser the impact of your trip even further.

The Green Tourism site is a great first port of call if you're looking for an eco friendly B&B or hotel in the UK, and has a handy online list of establishments that have been approved by the scheme. And this weekend, I had the chance to visit one hotel that's doing its bit for the environment, Three Acres Country House, which is set in the beautiful, remote surroundings of Exmoor National Park.

Related: Eco-tourism: Organic places to stay

If experiencing the great outdoors is high on your agenda for holiday success, you'll definitely want to check out the Feather Down Farms. A network of working farms, all run by 'passionate guardians of the countryside', this is the perfect opportunity to get away from it all.

While you'll be able to dine under the stars, cook by candlelight and make friends with the local livestock, you certainly won't be roughing it on one of these trips: Feather Down Farms' tents are equipped with traditional cooking stoves, flush toilets, a large dining table and are incredibly spacious; you can see the interior of one of the tents after the jump (and if that doesn't make you want to go camping, I don't know what will!)

Related: Organic places to stay | Eco holidays in eco lodges | Ecotourism in Ireland with Greenbox.com

With Boris now officially elected Mayor of London, we might as well put aside our fears about his shaky green record and focus on his twin solutions to climate change: cycling and recycling.

Cycling to the shops is a great way to a greener life, so the first thing you'll need is a good sturdy basket. My favourite is this one, which is made from old packing tape - what a great way to (re)cycle! Two straps attach it to your bike, and it'll fit most styles. £14 at Hen & Hammock.

Canadian industrial designer Alexandre Verdier has designed what has got to be the ultimate hippy lust object: a classic VW camper van that's as green as current technology will allow.

His idea for the Volkswagen Westfalia Verdier came to him when he was travelling around Europe in a traditional VW camper in 1994. Updated for the eco age his version comes with solar panels, a GPS to calculate the optimal position for maximum sun exposure, an on-boar wi-fed computer, pneuamtic suspension, sliding doors, integrated folding staircase, and a swivel cooking range to cook inside or al fresco. It also has a hybrid engine.

Dining under the stars before retiring into your earth friendly lodge is a prospect that would appeal to the hippy in most people, and Nature's Retreats can offer you all this and more with their ecologically sound lodges that don't compromise on comfort or style.

Their 'hamlet' of ten lodges in Yorkshire ticks all the green boxes. Renewable energy? Check. Recycled water? Check. Grass for a roof? Er... Check. But the best thing about Natural Retreat's lodges is that you won't be sitting around the communal fire, singing about Mother Earth and having to dash off to use the "compost toilet" when all those beans and lentils get the better of you.

You're much more likely to be lounging around in your modern living room, sipping a glass of organic Shiraz from the welcome hamper, cooking up a dish from the locally sourced produce and all the while listening to your favourite tunes on latest, renewable-energy powered entertainment system. Not exactly roughing it, is it? [via Lost Weekend]

Back in work after the first long weekend of the year, I have to admit I've developed a taste for travel, and am already planning my next break! Will I take another eco-friendly train trip down to sunny Spain, or should I explore the beautiful greenery that this country has to offer?

All that is details, because one of the most fun aspects of holiday planning is thinking about all the bits and pieces you'll be taking on your travels (at least I always think so!) And Florame's organic travel kit is just what every eco-friendly traveller needs to freshen up in style.

Most people still consider a guidebook an essential addition to their global wandering. Packed with sights, restaurants and bar listings, these weighty tomes generally require a wheelbarrow to cart them around. Geared more to the lifelong backpacker, rather than weekend breakers, a lot of unnecessary paper used to go into these guides, which in turn would add a lot of extra weight to luggage.

Now, however, Lonely Planet is offering readers the chance to download and print any chapters from over 100 of their books, including the Americas and Africa, meaning no extra paper wastage. This is also a great deal for your wallet, guidebooks aren't cheap, but these individual chapters cost as little as £2-£4. Pick them up at the Lonely Planet Shop. [Via Lost Weekend]

The recent "Tourism - Responding to Climate and Poverty Imperatives" conference focused on tourism's role in the global climate change, and the tourism community has agreed to come together and "act effectively on the common cause of climate change response". Linking climate change with the fight against poverty, the UN agency in charge of tourism, UNWTO, is the taking charge and leading the efforts to help address climate change.

This year's World Tourism Day (WTD) will take place in Peru on September 27th and will focus on the increasing awareness of the Davos Declaration Process. Aside from simply helping to advance the awareness of climate change and promote the Davos Declaration Process, they're also going to encourage tourism stakeholders to adapt and to use new technology and "secure financing for the poorest countries".