Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal: Wine Country with a Sustainable Heart
Set among rolling vineyards and centuries‑old woodland, Six Senses Douro Valley is more than a wine lover’s paradise. It’s a sanctuary built around wellness, sustainability, and community.
The estate’s 19th‑century manor has been carefully restored using local materials. You’ll find organic bedding, energy‑efficient architecture, and locally sourced food — all served with Six Senses’ signature style of laid‑back luxury.
Here, the idea of sustainable luxury travel is part of every detail. From its Earth Lab education space to in‑room air quality monitors, it’s clear this isn’t surface‑level greenwashing.
You’re not just staying in Portugal. You’re supporting it.
Six Senses offers daily sustainability tours that show you exactly where your food comes from, how your waste is managed, and what you're contributing to by staying there. Guests leave feeling recharged — and often inspired to make changes at home too.
When a hotel shows you how it’s helping its community and invites you to take part, it sticks with you. That’s what meaningful travel looks like.
Want to explore Six Senses Douro Valley and the Douro wine region in full comfort?
At Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, we work directly with Six Senses properties to create tailor‑made packages, including vineyard experiences, river cruises, and exclusive wellness retreats.
What Protection Do You Get When Booking with Awake & Wander Luxury Travel?
Booking through us means your holiday is not only seamless, but secure.
Awake & Wander Luxury Travel is fully protected under Protected Trust Services (PTS) and holds an ATOL licence, giving you complete peace of mind. Your payments go into an independent trust account, and every booking comes with:
· ✈️ Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI)
· 🧳 Supplier Failure Insurance (SFI)
· 💼 ATOL Protection for flight‑inclusive packages
These layers of protection mean you won’t be left out of pocket if a supplier or airline goes bust — and you’re never on your own if things don’t go to plan.
With us, your holiday is in safe hands from start to finish. We don’t just plan your trip — we protect it.
Other Destinations Going Green — Quick Hits
If you’re seeking sustainable luxury travel options beyond the classics, here are a few destinations where eco-meets-elegant:
Costa Rica: Nayara Tented Camp
This boutique jungle hideaway is built entirely on stilts to protect the forest floor. Every tent includes a plunge pool, and 80% of staff are local.
We work with Nayara specialists to help you enjoy waterfall hikes, organic dining, and hot springs. Ask about our exclusive offers.
New Zealand: Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses
Located in Kaikōura, it runs on solar, uses reclaimed timber, and supports marine life conservation. Treehouse suites overlook roaming deer and the Pacific Ocean.
Let us tailor a New Zealand escape with private guides and sustainable stays. Check availability for unique offers.
Kenya: Ol Donyo Lodge
This Relais & Châteaux safari lodge supports anti-poaching units and local schools. It also harvests rain‑water and uses zero single-use plastics.
We can arrange safari game drives and cultural visits, and share any current offers on request.
Each of these properties offers experiences that don’t harm the environments or communities they’re rooted in. And we have access to exclusive offers on all of them — just ask.
How High-End Resorts Are Going Green: Key Trends
Here are trends shaping sustainable luxury travel across the globe:
- Renewable Energy: Resorts turning to solar, wind and hydro instead of diesel generators
- Waste-to-Resource: Composting, recycling and turning kitchen scraps into biogas
- Farm-to-Fork Dining: On-site organic gardens, fish farms, and local produce markets
- Conservation Projects: Coral reefs, native forests, endangered species
- Community Integration: Training programmes, local hires, village craft and tourism education
- Carbon Offsetting: Responsible travellers can offset flights or support reforestation
- These efforts aren’t marketing talking points. They’re built into operations. Guests can see them, touch them, learn from them.
- A stay becomes a story — one you’ll share long after the holiday ends.
How You Can Travel Sustainably—and Luxuriously
Here’s how to plan a sustainable luxury travel holiday that truly delivers:
- Pick certified resorts with transparent green credentials
- Choose local guides and small-ship excursions
- Travel lighter: eco-minded packing and refillable toiletries
- Opt for direct or carbon‑offset flights
- Learn onsite: join workshops, tours, or conservation activities
- Leave nothing behind: no plastic, no damage, only respect
A smarter approach makes your holiday richer—while supporting people and places you love.
FAQ Preparation: What You’ll Ask Next
You might be wondering about cost differences, property access, or whether green travel truly makes an impact. Don’t worry—each question gets answered in our FAQ section below.
These answers offer extra guidance as you plan your next eco-luxury escape.
Your Invitation to Book
When you choose Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, you’re choosing care.
You get access to exclusive rates and offers on the resorts we’ve mentioned — and all tailoring and protection comes standard.
Whether you want to retreat among vineyards in Portugal, snorkel above restored reefs in the Maldives, or sleep in a treehouse by the sea in New Zealand, we’re here to help.
Phone us on 01495 400011 or use our holiday enquiry form to start planning. You can create and book your own bespoke holiday on our website — or simply message us and we’ll take care of every detail for you. Your dream trip awaits. We’re just a call or message away.
