Why don’t more Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Here’s everything to know about the holiday

Globe Aware volunteers know that Cinco de Mayo holds significant recognition as one of the most celebrated Mexican holidays in the United States. Discover why Cinco de Mayo goes beyond tacos and tequila!


Why don’t more Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Here’s everything to know about the holiday

By Tiffany Acosta
Arizona Republic
April 26, 2024

Cinco de Mayo is one of the most recognized Mexican holidays in the United States. It’s when people go in search of half-price margaritas and feast on Mexican food.

But Cinco de Mayo isn’t actually about burritos and beer, and while it’s celebrated in Mexico, it is not as deeply ingrained in the national culture as it is in the United States.

Read More

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Wildlife, Surfing, and Fewer Crowds

These are the best months to visit Costa Rica for our Globe Aware volunteers interested in continuing their stay after their volunteer vacation!


The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Wildlife, Surfing, and Fewer Crowds

These are the best months to visit Costa Rica—whether you’re looking to spot sea turtles, chase swells, or learn to surf.

BY AMBER PORT
Condé Nast Traveler 
March 12, 2024

Costa Rica is easy to love with its awe-inspiring landscape and infectious atmosphere. With so much to offer, the best time to visit Costa Rica depends on what you’re looking to do during your holiday. Whether you’re off wildlife spotting or chasing swells, spending time in this picturesque Central American nation quickly teaches visitors what the “pura vida” lifestyle is all about. Below, see the best months to plan a Costa Rican getaway for surfing, budget travel, whale spotting, and more.

Read More

THE TOP 10 ECO-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS TO VISIT

In continuing celebration of Earth Day, here are the top ten eco-friendly destinations to visit, many being Globe Aware volunteer vacation destinations!


THE TOP 10 ECO-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS TO VISIT

By Stephen
Mar 25, 2024
My Baggage

Exploring the world and experiencing its stunning natural beauty, as well as discovering a wealth of cultures and traditions, has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity for many people.

However, we’re more aware than ever before of the impact our actions can have on the planet. That’s why so many of us are committed to keeping our carbon footprint in check while travelling. Many travel providers have adopted this approach by introducing various initiatives to support eco-friendly tourism.

Read More

Eat your way around the world with these six food travel books

To mark World Book Day, Globe Aware suggests these travel books that will immerse you in a global culinary adventure, possibly sparking your interest in experiencing the cuisines firsthand during a volunteer vacation!


Eat your way around the world with these 6 food travel books

These travel books take you on a culinary journey around the world, from coastal Italy to the culinary belly of Seoul.

BySarah Barrell
March 07, 2024
National Geographic

Travel books with a real sense of place are often those you can almost taste. And there’s a tantalising crop of globetrotting food books hitting the shelves this spring. We’ve really enjoyed Cold Kitchen, Caroline Eden’s travel memoir hewn through recipes from as far and wide as Central Asia, Ukraine, the Baltics and Turkey. And Jenny Jefferies’ Islands in a Common Sea, which delves into farming and fishing in countries such as Bhutan, Australia, Nigeria and Argentina, with human stories, recipes and beautiful photography celebrating biodiversity. Along with these tasty titles, here’s our selection of books that will work up your appetite for travel this season.

Read More

Latest travel advice for Israel, Iran and other Middle East countries

Globe Aware volunteers intending to arrange flights or travel through these countries should be aware of the current situation.


Latest travel advice for Israel, Iran and other Middle East countries

With recent attacks between Iran and Israel threatening to escalate tensions, here is the latest Foreign Office travel advice for countries in the region.

By James Hockaday
15 April 2024
Yahoo! News

British foreign secretary Lord David Cameron has said Israel should think “with head as well as heart” as he urged it not to retaliate to a drone and missile attack by Iran. The strike in the early hours of Sunday has raised fears of escalation towards a wider regional war in the Middle East, but Israeli officials said 99% of more than 300 drones and missiles had been intercepted.

Read More

Vietnam among top 10 graduation destinations of 2024

Vietnam has secured the 5th position among the top 10 best graduation trips to undertake in 2024. It’s the perfect destination for Globe Aware volunteers planning one as a gift to a graduate!


Vietnam among top 10 graduation destinations of 2024

By Bich Phuong
March 4, 2024
VNExpress

PTVietnam has secured the 5th position among the top 10 best graduation trips to undertake in 2024, recognized for its affordability, according to travel magazine Lonely Planet.

Vietnam stands out as the only Asian destination on Lonely Planet’s list of 10.

Read More

A guide to Songkran, Thailand’s annual New Year festival

Songkran marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year and is usually celebrated from April 13-15. It is filled with unique cultural traditions, making it an excellent time for Globe Aware volunteers to visit.


By Karla Cripps
April 5, 2024

CNN

On the surface, Thailand’s annual Songkran festival appears to be just one great big water fight.

Every April, people young and old take to the streets all over the country, armed with plastic guns and water buckets, and engage in hours-long battles from morning till dusk.

And while that’s certainly the most famous aspect of the celebrations, Songkran is filled with unique cultural traditions, making it an excellent time for travelers to visit.

Read More

Why do airlines charge so much for checked bags?

Globe Aware volunteers may not be surprised to learn that five out of the six biggest six US airlines have raised their checked bag fees since January 2024. Here are the reasons why.


By Jay L. Zagorsky
March 28, 2024
CNN

Five out of the six biggest US airlines have raised their checked bag fees since January 2024.

Take American Airlines. In 2023, it cost $30 to check a standard bag in with the airline; today, as of March 2024, it costs $40 at a US airport – a whopping 33% increase.

Read More

Savvy Senior: Healthy Travel Tips for Older Travelers

Here are some great tips for our Globe Aware volunteers who are also retirees with health issues. Find out what steps you can take before you depart on your volunteer vacation abroad.


Savvy Senior: Healthy Travel Tips for Older Travelers

March 31, 2024
By Traci Bishop
Savvy

What tips can you offer retirees with health issues who are planning some trips? We’ve been looking forward to traveling again after staying home the past few years, but my husband has a heart condition and some back problems that worry me.

Concerned Wife

Dear Concerned,

A dream vacation can turn into a real nightmare if you get ill or injured while you’re away and aren’t prepared. Before setting out, here are some tips to help ensure a safe and healthy trip for you and your husband.

Get prepared: Before you go, talk with your doctor about your travel itinerary and what precautions you need to take before traveling. You should also have your doctor’s contact information with you when you travel, as well as a list of the medications you’re taking in case you need emergency medical care while you’re away.

It’s also a smart idea to locate health clinics or urgent care facilities near the areas you’re visiting. Your hotel can help you with this or a simple internet search can identify nearby health care services. If you’re traveling abroad, the U.S. consulate or embassy in the countries you’re visiting (go to step.state.gov to enroll your trip) is a good place to get a referral. Or use the International Society of Travel Medicine’s directory at ISTM.org.

If you’re traveling outside the U.S., you also need to find out the health conditions of the country you’re visiting and what, if any, vaccinations and/or preventative medications are recommended. See CDC.gov/travel or call 800-232-4636 to get this information.

Check your insurance: If you have private health insurance or a Medicare Advantage plan through an HMO or PPO that covers in-network doctors only, check your plan to find out what’s covered if you need medical care when traveling outside your geographic area.

Beneficiaries that have original Medicare are covered everywhere in the U.S. But if you’re traveling abroad, you won’t be covered outside the U.S. and its territories except in rare circumstances, although some Medicare Advantage plans and some Medigap supplemental policies do provide limited coverage. Most private health plans don’t pay health care costs outside the U.S. either. Be sure to check.

Many retirees traveling abroad purchase travel insurance with medical coverage, which may cover expenses if you cancel the trip, need to be treated while traveling or need to be evacuated for medical care. Make sure the policy will also cover your preexisting medical conditions. To shop and compare policies visit TravelInsurance.com, InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth.com.

Organize your medications: Make sure you have a sufficient supply of medications to last the entire trip.

If traveling by air, you need to pack your medicine in your carry-on bag, so if your checked luggage gets lost or misdirected you won’t be without. It’s best to keep your medications in their original containers to get through airport security without delays. It’s also a good idea to bring along a note from your doctor that explains why you take these medications, especially if syringes or other medical supplies are involved.

For airport security requirements visit TSA.gov – click on “Disabilities and Medical Conditions.” You can also call TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint.

Maximize technology: Keep a list of your medications and other important health and medical information handy on your smartphone so you can easily access and share it with emergency health care providers when you’re traveling. Some good apps that can help with this are Backpack Health (BackpackHealth.com) and Capzule (Capzule.com).

Passport checks for air travellers lifted as Bulgaria and Romania join EU’s Schengen

News from Romania for our Globe Aware volunteers planning travel in Europe. Airports in Sofia and Bucharest on Sunday removed passport checkpoints for those departing to or arriving from most European Union member states as Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the Schengen open-travel zone.


Passport checks for air travellers lifted as Bulgaria and Romania join EU’s Schengen

By Reuters
March 31, 2024

SOFIA, March 31 (Reuters) – Airports in Sofia and Bucharest on Sunday removed passport check points for those departing to or arriving from most European Union member states as Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the Schengen open-travel zone.

The two countries reached an agreement late last year to join Europe’s free-travel area by air and sea after Austria opposed full membership, including land crossings, saying Romania and Bulgaria needed to do more to prevent illegal immigration.

Read More

Archives