If you've got a little thing called a conscience, a vacation abroad can be a constant conundrum. 

True, the countryside is beautiful – but while you're gawking at the grassy fields, are you simultaneously supporting a brutal government? When you buy a piece of exotic handcrafted jewelry to bring home to your mother, do you know if the artisan who created it will even see a penny of your money? And how about that flight over – any idea how much fuel it took to get you here?

These days, there's a lot for a concerned citizen to be concerned about. But luckily, there are ways to calm your conscience without killing off your wanderlust. By following a few tenets of ethical travel, you can make sure that you're supporting, rather than damaging, the environment and local culture, wherever you may roam.

Research your destination. For years, you've dreamt of visiting the Taj Mahal. But India's also known for a few elements that aren't quite so enticing – the widespread use of child laborers, for one. So how can you feel good about supporting the country's economy while on vacation? Learn all you can before you go, so that you'll know which businesses and tourism groups deserve your support. If possible, hook up with a responsible tour operator who'll help you spend your vacation money wisely and avoid the shady businesses that abound.

Offset your flight. Did you know that when you crisscross the country by plane, you're using up 100 gallons of fuel? Yes, that's per passenger – so just imagine how much gas you'll be guzzling on that winter trip to Guatemala. But unfortunately, unless you're psyched to spend a month or more at sea, air travel is usually the only way to cross an ocean.

Want to feel better about all those ugly greenhouse gases your plane is giving off? With a carbon offset program, you can calculate how far you're traveling to see how much gas you're using up. For a small fee – just $10 for a cross-country flight – you can purchase a carbon offset, such as a TerraPass, which goes to support clean energy and environmental projects all around the world, neutralizing your plane's negative impact on the environment.

Give the locals a hand. No matter where you go, there's plenty you can do – feel like donating some goods to a local school or orphanage? Check out Stuff Your Ruck Sack to find out what's most needed in the community where you'll be traveling. If you want to make an even bigger difference, sign up for a volunteer vacation. Depending on your passions, you could help save the rainforests, monitor critically endangered animals, teach English to rural students, or try a wide variety of other philanthropic adventures. To find the perfect volunteer vacation for you, try an operator like Responsible Travel.

Keep in mind, this is only a small sampling of the infinite ways you can turn your run-of-the-mill holiday into an ethically-minded adventure in a foreign land. Want more tips before you start planning your next trip? Then pick up a copy of Polly Pattullo's comprehensive guide to a guilt-free vacation, The Ethical Travel Guide.  Available at Amazon. 

Then all you need is a backpack, the latest Lonely Planet guide, and a camera, and you'll be good to go – in good conscience.