Green Business Travel Sample Itineraries
Boston Green – Not Just the Celtics!
Next time you plan to go to on business, make it a green trip. Boston has launched its own Boston Green Tourism program. From green convention centers, to restaurants, hotels and a comprehensive public transit system that integrates different modes of travel, Boston presents a great opportunity to try out a green business trip.
(Priced for October 1st through October 3rd 2008)
Total price: $799.00
Price includes: accommodations, round trip air fare, shuttles, public transit (7 day pass)
In this 2 night/3 day itinerary prepared with the help of Marie Chapman (intern), Green Concierge Travel presents some possibilities for travelers to consider when going to Boston. While this itinerary uses air to get to and from Boston, consider the train. Boston is served by commuter rail to surrounding communities as well as:
Amtrak’s Eastern corridor service,
the Downeaster between Portland, ME and Boston and
the Lake Shore Limited, connecting Boston with the Midwestern Great Lakes cities including Chicago.
Day 1 – Depart Madison, WI and arrive in Boston, MA
Departing from the Madison WI airport, you arrive at Logan International mid-afternoon. You walk to the baggage claim area and the hotel courtesy shuttles. Before leaving the airport, you purchase a 7 day, unlimited ride pass (subways and buses) for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
You pick up the courtesy shuttle for the Comfort Inn & Suites Logan International Airport. The hotel, located in Revere is 5 miles NE of the airport. The Comfort Inn & Suites Logan International Airport is owned and operated by the Saunders Hotel Group (SHG) of Boston, an award winning pioneer in urban ecotourism.
The hotel was built from scratch on an urban brownfield site and has incorporated many green design and operational elements. From energy efficiency to water conservation and indoor air quality (ozone laundry system and ionization cleaning system in the pool eliminating chlorine use), the hotel has employed both standard and innovative solutions to create green accommodations and a base for your business trip. These efforts have been rewarded; the hotel is a Four-Time Gold Medal ENERYGYSTAR winner.
So enjoy your stay knowing that you are getting both excellent business amenities while supporting a green pioneer in the hotel industry. For dinner, you can stay at the hotel and enjoy Mexican fare at Margarita’s. Or you take the subway into Boston and pick from a variety of dining options. Boston Green Tourism works with the Green Restaurant Association and Chef’s Collaborative members. It has 19 certified restaurants (9/08) in the greater Boston area. We have suggestions for you tomorrow!
Day 2 – Boston
Wake up early and enjoy a workout or a swim in the hotel pool. Note they have eliminated chlorine! After your breakfast, collect your materials for your meetings. The Wonderland subway station is a 10 minute walk. If you were unable to purchase your 7 day pass, purchase it now before boarding the Blue Line for downtown and Government Center where your business partners are located.
You will be taking your business partners to the Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro for lunch. Green Concierge Travel made a reservation for you and your guests at this member of Chef’s Collaborative. The chef blends traditional with modern techniques and tastes. The menus reflect the season and what is available locally. Located at 25 Charles St., Beacon Hill, you get a taste of history and great food in a comfortable, refined bistro setting.
After your last meeting of the day, return to your hotel for a break and to get organized for your final day in Boston. You have arranged to meet your business partner at the Beehive Restaurant for dinner. The Beehive occupies the basement and old boiler room in the historic Cyclorama building, 541 Tremont Street. A member of Chef’s Collaborative, the Beehive serves up great food and live music, mostly jazz. During warmer weather, seating is available outside where you build your own picnic delivered in a basket to your table.
Return to hotel on the subway, and get to bed early.
Day 3 – Boston; Depart Boston, MA and arrive Madison, WI
You start your day with a swim and breakfast. You leave for your last meetings. Using your MBTA pass, you travel into the city and Government Center. When your afternoon meeting cancels you decide to take advantage of the fine fall weather by having lunch on the Boston Common, America’s oldest public park in the heart of the city.
Green Concierge Travel recommends stopping first at Lionette's Market, a Chef's Collaborative member, serving up great locally grown and organic food. The Market can be reached by bus or by subway with a short walk.
After picking out a picnic, return to the Common using either the bus (little or no walk) or the subway with a short walk. The Common, established in 1634, was originally a common area for grazing cattle and now serves as a common area for recreation and a site for public activities from concerts to protests. The Common also serves as the starting point for the historic Freedom Trail.
Just in case this opportunity arose, Green Concierge Travel included the Trail map in your travel materials. The 2.5 mile trail gets you out walking in nature while visiting historic sites from the American Revolution. Including museums and burial grounds, this trail can take as long or as short as you wish, depending on how much time you would like to spend at each of the 16 nationally significant historic sites.
Should you want more information, guided tours are offered by the Freedom Trail Foundation several times a day lasting around 90 minutes. Tours leave from the Boston Common Visitor’s Center (148 Tremont Street) and cost $12 per adult.
When your time is up, you take the subway back to the hotel, collect your bags and take the hotel shuttle to the Logan International Airport. Your trip has been successful and at the same time enjoyable. You have now experienced Boston Green!
Your Carbon Footprint for the travel segments:
Air: Madison (940 miles) – Boston (940 miles) – Madison = .83 tons of carbon dioxide
Note: This trip itinerary was researched by Marie Chapman, an intern for Green Concierge Travel and a second year student at University of Wisconsin Stout in the Hospitality and Tourism Department. Should you want to plan a trip, contact Green Concierge Travel for a custom itinerary that meets your specific needs at info@greenconciergetravel.com or call 608.204.2717.
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