The end of the calendar year marks the time when people commit to resolutions that will hopefully improve their lives in the coming year. We can work to make improvements in our lives all year long, of course. But there’s something about the fresh possibilities of a New Year that inspire us to make resolutions, set goals and start … Continued
The holidays are a time to be grateful for what we have, like good health, warm clothes, food on our table, and loved ones around it. They’re also a time to consider others who may not enjoy those same blessings. While we embrace the joy of this holiday season, it’s also important to reach out … Continued
Giving the gift of travel is a wonderful way to share the world with your loved ones this holiday season. But as with any other gift, it can be overwhelming to select one that’s just right. There are so many travel styles and preferences to consider, and you want to make sure they truly enjoy … Continued
Belize had been near the top of my bucket list for 20 years before I visited in January. It’s nature/wildlife attractions are equally impressive to the ecotourism in Costa Rica, but with less crowds. It’s also among the few places we’ve explored in-depth that we’re dying to return to. There are so many great tourist attractions in … Continued
Holiday promotions have been sneaking into our Facebook timelines and storefront windows for several weeks now. It’s easy these days to become distracted by the commerce-driven hubbub of the season, so we thought we’d take a step back to reflect on the importance of gratitude and giving back to those less fortunate. The holiday season encourages us … Continued
For most travelers, visiting new countries typically produces one of two effects: Either it’s another dream destination checked off the bucket list, or it’s the beginning of a life-long fascination with the place. For many people, traveling to Guatemala tends to have the latter effect. Guatemala is one of those places that seems to completely entrance visitors … Continued
Lola Biuckianas didn’t plan on traveling to Peru when she first started researching Volunteer Vacations. But the path she found herself on would be much longer and more rewarding than she ever could have imagined. After her Discover Corps trip to Peru, Lola found herself drawn to the people she met there. The Spirit of … Continued
November 4 is World Responsible Tourism Day, a day designated by World Travel Market and the United National World Tourism Organization in 2007 to encourage the travel industry to focus on responsible travel issues. Their major objectives were to drive change by educating the industry and consumers alike on responsible travel behavior, exploring ways of … Continued
In general, travel helps to make the world a smaller place. But traveling responsibly and sustainably makes it both smaller and better. If you’ve ever traveled far from home, you’ve probably been personally impacted by the experience of seeing a new part of the world. When we travel, we meet new people, experience new cultures … Continued