If you’re looking for more meaningful travel interactions and are interested in giving something back as you travel, it’s important to understand the concept of social enterprise — what is it, how it works with local communities, and where to find it in the travel industry.
Continue ReadingHow to Use Social Enterprises to Improve Your Travels…and Make a Difference
Are you interested in traveling to Brazil, but only have a limited amount of time? Maybe you have a couple of weeks and you feel overwhelmed by Brazil's size and variety of destinations. Don't worry, we've been there. That’s why we created this Brazil Experiential Travel Guide to get you started in organizing and planning your own trip.
Continue ReadingBrazil Experiential Travel Guide: 18 Things to Do, See and Eat + 2 Week Itinerary
In this piece, we explore the nature and meaning of favelas in Brazil and the ethics of favela tours. Through conversations with residents and community leaders in Vidigal favela in Rio de Janeiro, we consider how community-driven favela tour experiences can create positive social impact and reduce the exclusion and separative otherness of marginalized communities.
Continue ReadingA Favela Tour in Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro: How to Do One Respectfully and Responsibly
If you are interested in volunteering internationally or going on voluntourism trip, what are the ethical considerations you should be aware of? Which questions can you ask to better ensure that your actions and any financial contribution are aligned with your values and expectations? That you don't end up doing unintended harm with your goal of helping or “doing good”?
Continue ReadingVolunteering and Voluntourism: The Good, The Bad, and The Questions You Should Ask
Although this ultimate guide to Iranian food could also be entitled Persian Food, today’s Iran is ethnically broader than its Persian roots. So too is its cuisine. Influences on Iranian food draw from across Central Asia, Turkey, former Mesopotamia, and … Continue Reading
You care about the kids you encounter while traveling, right? Are children ever props in your photos? Do you location tag them? What about giving money to begging children? What about passing out gifts to random kids you meet? What about those school visits? How does it all impact children and their well-being? Can any of your actions cause unintended harm?
A recent release of a set of child welfare in travel guidelines and code of conduct seems to be tipping the apple cart. What many of us thought were perfectly acceptable behaviors when we encounter kids while traveling are now called into question.
Continue ReadingChild Welfare in Travel: 10 Do's and Don'ts for Engaging Responsibly
Accelerating tourism growth and the threat of overtourism are here to stay. This is our advice on how to travel better in the age of overtourism — tips and actions which will improve your travel experiences and also help to reduce pressure on the places you visit.
Continue ReadingTraveling in the Age of Overtourism: 10 Ways Travelers Can Help
Whether you’re visiting St. Maarten / St. Martin as a day trip from a Caribbean cruise or you’re spending a few days to explore the island, here’s all you need to know to plan your visit. Drawn from spending ten days traveling all around the island, our St. Maarten Experiential Guide provides the best things to do in St. Maarten, including our favorite beaches, non-touristy adventures, and day tours, as well as recommendations on restaurants and practical travel details to help you plan and book your trip.
Continue ReadingSt. Maarten Experiential Travel Guide: 20 Things to Do, See and Eat
Travel in Central Asia, the little known and under-visited ‘stans along the Silk Road. What is there really to see and do? And is it safe to travel there? After spending over three months traveling overland through Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan) we've answered these questions countless times. Our Central Asia Travel Ultimate Guide and Resource provides an overview to the region for those unfamiliar. Then it offers an extensive recommendations on what to do and see in each of the countries in this fascinating region, as well as practical travel details to help you plan and book your trip.
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Argentine steak, empanadas and pizza play a big role in the country’s cuisine, but there’s much more to food in Argentina. From asado (barbecue) to the stew-like national dish of locro, our Argentina food guide offers an extensive list of traditional dishes, European-influenced Argentine food favorites, desserts and wine. And it’s drawn from our travels across Argentina for four months, including meals in family homes, cafes, wineries and restaurants.
Continue ReadingArgentina Food: A Culinary Travel Guide to What to Eat and Drink