Do our Globe Aware volunteers enjoy any of these Christmas traditions from around the world? If not, what traditions does your family celebrate during the holidays?

25 Christmas Traditions Around the World That Will Surprise and Delight You

Brooms, books, and even roller skates are all part of some beloved holiday customs.

BY MICAELA BAHN
Sep 11, 2023
The Pioneer Woman

Every family has their own special Christmas traditions that they carry out year after year: the game of Pictionary that always follows opening gift or the delicious punch your mom makes for holiday parties. In the case of the Drummond family, they always wear matching Christmas pajamas and savor dishes that Ree is famous for (like cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy). And then there are those larger, cultural traditions that each country celebrates as well. For some, it might be going to Christmas Eve Mass, singing Christmas carols, or hanging up twinkling lights on your house.

With 2024 just around the corner, Globe Aware volunteers have probably noticed that travel publications are releasing list after list on where to travel next year. But what about the world’s most exciting places to visit in 2024? Find out what they are!

These are the most exciting destinations for 2024, according to National Geographic

From places with prehistoric stories to hot spring havens, this list is sure to provide you with some fresh ideas

By Liv Kelly
November 1, 2023
TimeOut

With 2024 just around the corner, travel publications are releasing list after list on where to travel next year. We’ve covered the most budget-friendly, most underrated and top trending destinations – but what about the world’s most exciting places to visit in 2024?

Long overlooked, Filipino food is finally recognized for its diversity and ingenuity. Here are some essential Filipino foods you must try at least once on your Globe Aware volunteer vacation in the Philippines!

BY ANDREW COLETTI AND CRAWFORD SMITH
OCT. 17, 2023
TastingTable

The first food in the Philippines was shaped by the environment. Early human inhabitants of these mountainous islands had a diet rich in tropical produce and seafood, adopting rice as a staple once it was introduced around 3400 B.C.E. Subsequent centuries of interaction with foreign cultures, including long periods of colonization by Spain and the U.S., introduced new dishes and ingredients. Further innovations were born out of scarcity and hardship, as resourceful chefs found ways to make use of limited resources. These many factors have created a modern cuisine like no other in the world: One in which unlikely flavor combinations and diverse international influences come together in delicious harmony.

From TV travel inspiration to dry tripping, Globe Aware volunteers can learn more about the emerging trends that may possibly have people packing their suitcases in 2024.

These are the biggest travel trends for 2024

It’s been a busy year for travel as people flocked to see Taylor Swift in concert and visited destinations made famous by hit TV shows like HBO’s The White Lotus.

Expedia Group just released Unpack ’24, a report based on a survey of 20,000 travellers, revealing key trends in 2023 that we can expect to see in the new year. The report includes data from travellers across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.

The holiday season is getting underway, and for many Americans, traveling home to gather with family and friends at the Thanksgiving table is an annual rite of passage this time of year. Amid all the joyous hustle and bustle, it’s important for folks, including Globe Aware volunteers to take steps to remain healthy when you’re hitting the road. Here are some expert tips to ensure you don’t spread sickness to vulnerable family members and you feel at your best for this year’s festivities.

Thanksgiving Travel: Tips to Stay Healthy

TRAVEL AWAITS
DIANE FENNELL
OCT.23.2023

The holiday season is getting under way, and for many Americans, traveling home to gather with family and friends at the Thanksgiving table is an annual rite of passage this time of year. Amid all the joyous (and sometimes stressful) hustle and bustle, it’s important to take steps to remain healthy when you’re hitting the road. Here are some expert tips to ensure you don’t spread sickness to vulnerable family members and you feel at your best for this year’s festivities.

Black Friday is coming up soon, and Globe Aware volunteers looking to give the perfect gift to a fellow adventurer can check out this list of travel items!

The Best Travel Accessories to Make Your Trips a Breeze, According to an Expert

Add these to your cart before you jet

By Casey Clark and Erika Reals
July 8, 2023
People

Whether you’ve had a dream vacation planned for months or recently decided to pack up your bags and hop on the next flight out, you won’t want to leave without those travel essentials. You may already have your luggage and neck pillow packed and ready to go, but what about everything else? (You know, the stain sticks, earbuds, power banks, blankets — we could go on.)

With the help of Nabila Ismail, seasoned traveler and creator of Dose of Travel, we put together a list of the most helpful travel accessories worth packing, as well as some thoughtful travel advice for your next adventure. “I am team carry-on only, so everything comes with me,” Ismail tells PEOPLE. “Things I remember to put in my carry-on bag specifically are medications (OTC or prescription), electronic devices, contact lenses, lip balm, a hoodie in case it gets cold, and an extra pair of clothes in case your luggage goes missing.” With that in mind, we did our research to find the travel accessories worth buying, some of which we tested ourselves.

Would Globe Aware volunteers pay extra to have a free row of seats? Here’s what you need to know about this new service!

A major airline is letting customers pay $30 for elbow room

Would you pay extra to have a free row of seats?

By Veronika Bondarenko
Oct 23, 2023
The Street

While many travelers will remember scoring that elusive free row of economy seats on an empty plane, even a single free seat next to you has become increasingly rare in 2023.

More and more, airlines are planning routes to minimize the number of planes flying half-empty and spreading out staff based on routes with the most travelers amid the surge of demand (and dearth of staff to meet it) post-pandemic.

The focus on family travel is huge: 81 percent of parents said it’s likely they’ll travel with their children in the next year. Many Globe Aware volunteer vacations are family-friendly, open all year round, and ready for booking.

What Families Want When Traveling in 2024

By Lacey Pfalz
October 26, 2023
Travel Pulse

The Family Travel Association (FTA) has released the findings of its 2023 U.S. Family Travel Survey, identifying an increased desire for families to travel more while being more budget-conscious as costs continue to be higher than average for travel.

The Hindu festival of Diwali is coming up this weekend, Globe Aware volunteers can join in the celebrations by learning more about the sweet treats that go along with it!

A Spoonful of Culture: Why Sweets Hold a Special Place in Indian Festivals

By Slurrp Desk
Apr 15, 2023

In India, several states have their own distinctive sweets, made with ingredients and preparation techniques that are widely accessible. Using new mixtures while retaining the original base ingredients, modern Indian sweets are transformed. These desserts are now consumed by millions of people all over the world.

Our Globe Aware volunteers probably won’t be surprised by the results of a recent survey. “Experiences over gifts” continues as a trend for U.S. travelers and their choices for the upcoming end-of-year holidays that largely involve classic winter adventures.

Millennials and Gen Z Prioritizing Mental Health and Travel: Survey

Selene Brophy
Skift
October 27, 2023

It’s the season for holiday surveys, with sentiment for exploration and unique experiences abounding.

“Experiences over gifts” continues as a trend in the latest Amex travel spending survey of U.S. travelers and their choices for the upcoming end-of-year holidays that largely involves classic winter adventures and quality time with loved ones.