Going on vacation alongside thousands of other people can be a daunting prospect. While package tours and mass tourism are commonplace today, travel habits have become more diverse, as appreciation for the tranquillity of nature is growing and sustainable travel practices are becoming increasingly important.
Conscious travel opposes fast and rushed mass tourism and emphasizes high-quality journeys and genuine relaxation. This corresponds to the growing desire for individualization and self-planned vacations, especially in a fast-paced world where the need for breaks and time to slow down is increasing. Conscious travelers value the journey as an integral part of their vacation experience and take their time on the way to their destination.
This form of travel prioritizes sustainability by supporting local economies, respecting cultural and environmental integrity, and reducing travelers’ carbon footprints. It offers diverse options for luxury or budget accommodations, urban or natural settings, and business or leisure trips, promoting informed choices that benefit both destinations and the global environment.
For smart, sustainability has been an integral part of the brand’s identity from the very beginning. In 2019, smart became the first automotive company to convert its entire portfolio to electric drive. With its new all-electric premium compact SUVs, smart #1 and smart #3, the company offers environmentally friendly mobility, ideal for conscious travel, with equipment tailored to different needs. The vehicles combine a compact exterior with a spacious interior and offer innovative solutions for travelers who want to connect with nature.
With ranges up to 455 kilometers and fast charging capabilities, the smart #11 and smart #32 facilitate long trips without the need for frequent recharging. The Hello Smart app and the vehicle’s central display help locate nearby charging stations, often situated in areas perfect for exploring nature. We put together eight destinations in Europe that are worth a trip with your smart and make conscious travel possible:
smart vehicles offer a towing capacity of up to 1,600 kilograms, making them ideal for towing caravans, horseboxes, or small boat trailers for emission-free outdoor adventures. The trailer coupling can be ordered directly when purchasing a smart.
is the ideal destination for mountaineers and cyclists. Thanks to the compact size and powerful all-wheel drive technology of the smart #1 Pulse and BRABUS and the smart #3 BRABUS, they can even tackle narrow, winding roads and steep climbs with ease. Great ground clearance also makes off-road adventures possible. By adding a bicycle rack, you can take your bike for a spin while charging your vehicle alongside a stunning view.
UK’s Glencoe Mountain Resort and Bovey Castle are perfect for hikers and nature lovers. The extended all-wheel drive capabilities of the smart #1 Pulse and BRABUS and the smart #3 BRABUS can handle unpaved roads easily and have plenty of room for sports equipment. Advanced navigation helps you find the best routes. Premium interiors and state-of-the-art comfort such as ergonomic seats with electric adjustment, a comprehensive infotainment system with navigation and smartphone integration, a high-quality sound system, and two- and three-zone automatic climate control ensure a comfortable ride. Efficient energy use and great road handling let you enjoy scenic roads and experience nature to the fullest.
smart’s compact five-seaters are great for both everyday use and vacations. They offer various storage options including the front center console, extra space without a center tunnel, and comfortable seats with a variety of fabrics, and features like the halo panoramic roof for a relaxed road trip experience. For longer journeys, such as to El Chorro, Spain, smart vehicles provide sufficient trunk capacity and convenient features like ventilated seats in the smart #3 and an integrated air-cooling fan in the armrest in both cars. The smart #1 has a trunk capacity of 323 liters (Pro+, Pulse) and 313 liters (Premium, BRABUS) while the smart #3 has 370 liters in all lines. The sliding and folding rear seat bench in the smart #1 allows you to create additional storage space so that all your luggage and equipment can be easily accommodated.
Comfort is particularly advantageous on the Stelvio Pass, Italy's highest mountain pass with 48 hairpin bends. The compact dimensions of smart vehicles offer optimal driving characteristics – even in heavy traffic and steep inclines. Regenerative braking enables efficient energy recovery during descent, significantly enhancing travel comfort. Additionally, the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function enables you to power electric bikes or other equipment, adding convenience to your outdoor adventures.
At an altitude of 1606 meters, the Chasseral in the Bernese Jura, Switzerland features an impressive 360-degree panoramic view and numerous hiking trails. smart vehicles ensure safe and comfortable navigation on winding mountain roads with precise steering and excellent traction. Advanced assistance systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) for maintaining safe distances, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for detecting and braking for potential collisions, and the Advanced Navigation System offering real-time updates, route guidance, and predictive navigation based on your driving habits, enhance safety. While charging on one of the highest peaks in the Jura, you can enjoy local specialties and the incomparable scenery of the Chasseral Nature Park.
smart’s innovative Pet Mode ensures your four-legged friends stay comfortable and safe during short stops.
After charging your smart at one of the over 70 charging points at the Sortimo Innovation Park near Augsburg, Germany, you can take your fully charged vehicle to visit the historic old town of Augsburg. Pet Mode ensures optimum temperature and sufficient ventilation for your pet during short stops.
Even in much warmer climates, your smart is the ideal companion for a drive into nature. Explore the cultural and scenic beauties of Ardèche, France worry-free while the intelligent climate control and safety functions ensure that your animal companion is comfortable and safe during brief moments when you need to leave the vehicle.
From vehicle design to the entire life cycle analysis – with its vehicles, smart offers an environmentally friendly alternative for private transportation and is the perfect companion for conscious travel. These models represent a new era of mobility that reduces your ecological footprint while offering both comfort and style. With emission-free driving technology, they make it possible to explore nature without polluting it with engine noise and exhaust fumes from conventional combustion engines. Through these features and initiatives, smart strives to promote the idea of conscious travel and shape a more sustainable future of mobility.
We have put together a checklist for your next sustainable travels here.
[1]Electricity consumption combined in kWh/100 km: 18.2 (BRABUS/Pulse), 16.8 (Premium), 17.4 (Pro+), 18.1 (Pro), 17.4 (Pure+), 18.1 (Pure) (WLTP); Combined CO2 emissions in g/miles | g/km: 0; Electric range (WLTP) in km: 400 (BRABUS/Pulse), 440 (Premium), 420 (Pure+/Pro+), 310 (Pure/Pro).
[2] Electricity consumption combined in kWh/100 km: 17.6 (BRABUS/Pulse), 16.3 (Premium/25th Anniversary Edition), 16.8 (Pro+), 17.2 (Pro) (WLTP); CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 0; Electric range (WLTP) in km: 415 (BRABUS/Pulse), 455 (Premium /25th Anniversary Edition), 435 (Pro+), 325 (Pro).