There was a time when "Las Vegas" was synonymous with "wasteful"--and with just cause. Built in the desert and celebrating all things excess, the Vegas of yesteryear did not seem to care about sustainability in the slightest.

Well, I'm here to report that those days are officially coming to an end. This past weekend I took a green getaway to Sin City and was delightfully surprised by how easy it was, thanks to a growing number of innovations and eco-friendly hotels.

If you're anything like me, you want to make more sustainable choices, but you're also on a budget. Plus, you don't have time to search high and low for greener travel options.

Well, Travelocity has heard your pleas! We've just launched a green travel deals page. This one-stop shop showcases all of our best savings on green hotels site-wide and even allows you to book a vacation package, a hybrid car rental, a carbon offset, and more. You can save up to 40% on your green globetrotting!

Step aside, Seattle. Portland? Please! Grand Rapids, Michigan is going green and gaining on you.

Fact: Grand Rapids has more LEED buildings per capita than any other U.S. city. And it ranks fifth nationally in the number of LEED buildings overall.

Photo courtesy of the Hyatt Place Grand Rapids South, a LEED-certified hotel.

A while back, I blogged about the $5,000 voluntourism grant we donated to WeTV's We Do Good Awards. For months, they've been searching the nation for the most inspiring women volunteers and now the finalists have been announced.

All of the finalists are very inspiring. Hop over to the site now, and vote for your favorite lady. (You don't have to sign up to vote so the whole process only takes a second or two.)

When people ask me for advice on reaching the "green segment," I always say the same thing: green consumers still want a good deal. When eco-friendly products first hit the market, there was a misguided belief that customers were willing to pay a "green premium" for a more sustainable product.

At Travelocity we believe that you should be able to go green and save some green while you're at it.

Right now, we're running a green hotel sale that highlights eco-friendly hotels with great customer reviews. You can save up to 30% on these green hotels that dazzle their visitors with luxe amenities, personalized service, and gorgeous rooms.

At this point, most green travelers know the basics of lowering your carbon emissions on the road. But there is one aspect you probably haven't thought much about--and it's likely to be one of the biggest contributions to your overall footprint. What am I talking about? Why your luggage, of course!

(Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member AmandaLyn)

When greening your luggage, you should consider three key factors: quality, materials, and weight. But first, let's consider if you really need new luggage, shall we?

I grew up in Panama City, Florida, running wild and free on the "World's Most Beautiful Beaches." Here's what my hometown looked like when I visited last summer. I promise this wasn't photoshopped. It really is that perfect.

If you've been dreaming of a little fun in the sun, but you're nervous about the oil spill's path, we've got the perfect solution. Today, Travelocity announced its Gulf Beach Guarantee. If you travel by September 10, 2010 and stay at one of the more than 180 participating hotels, you can receive a refund for any/all unused nights if the government closes a beach within 20 miles of your resort.

Check it out! www.travelocity.com/gulfguarantee

As you can see from this interactive map, the oil spill has only impacted very specific areas at this time. (You can use your cursor to "grab" the map and move it around. Plus, you can zoom in and out.)

We here in San Francisco always groan a little when visitors rent a car. After all, Fog City is one of the few destinations in the U.S. where it's not necessary to have a car to see the sights. Why pay all that money just to leave the rental in the hotel's parking garage?

Often in the U.S. when we think about "car-free destinations," we think of big cities like New York City, Boston, and San Francisco. But what should you do if you want to go car-free and get away from the hubbub of urban life? I now have an answer for you: visit Santa Barbara.

Imagine monitoring a meerkat population in the Kalahari. Picture tracking black sea turtles in Baja California. This summer, you could take a volunteer vacation with our partner Earthwatch Institute and work side by side with scientists who are doing important research in the field.