When you travel to an unfamiliar place, you will likely face barriers to an authentic experience unless you choose a tour operator well-versed in cultural immersion. You’re unfamiliar with the basics, like how to get around, how to speak the language, which restaurants serve the real deal, and which serve a touristy rendition of local food. … Continued
People are inspired to travel because they’re curious and fascinated by the world around them. Which is great! The world is a beautiful, exciting place. But travel can have negative impacts on that world we love so much. Which is why responsible travel matters. Responsible travel has become a buzz word lately, but it’s so much more … Continued
People who seek out volunteering experiences when they travel usually do so with the intention of making a positive impact. We want to help people. We want to help animals. We want to save the environment, improve living conditions, and build futures. In essence, we’re devoting our time and energy to something much greater than ourselves: The idea … Continued
Are you traveling to a developing country for the first time? If so, you may be worried about getting sick. Though it’s always a possibility, there are certain steps you can take to ensure you stay healthy while traveling. It’s important to remember that illness and injury can happen wherever we are. We must always take … Continued
According to a recent story by NPR, volunteer tourism (a.k.a. voluntourism) currently ranks among the travel industry’s fastest growing trends. Rather than taking traditional sun-and-sand vacations, an average of more than 1.6 million people are spending about $2 billion annually on voluntourism. Instead of hanging out on a cruise ship or sunning themselves on some gorgeous tropical beach, … Continued
The indigenous peoples of the world offer a glimpse into ancient histories that live on today. By learning more about indigenous cultures and experiencing their lifestyles, we can better understand the places they call home. From the ancient civilizations of Central America’s Mayan people to the nomadic families of East Africa’s Masaai, exploring indigenous cultures offers another level … Continued
With the recent warming of relations between the United States and Cuba, interest in traveling to the Caribbean’s island nation has never been higher. According to Paste Magazine, search traffic on flights to Cuba is up 500% from last year. Airlines such as American and JetBlue are pushing to ad more daily flights to the … Continued
Family is so important. We’d all like to see our families grow closer and stronger. But finding the time and the activities to bring our family members together can be a challenge. Different ages, interests, schedules, and personalities can make it difficult to get everyone on the same page. But despite our many differences, we’re … Continued
Born and raised in Chicago to parents who immigrated from India and Peru, Andrew Motiwalla had many immersive cultural travel experiences long before he became a Peace Corps volunteer. But it was his time serving in northeastern Honduras (1996 to 1998), in a small town of 500 people called Jano, that would ultimately inspire him to create Discover … Continued
