Globe Aware news

Our planet is home to some seriously friendly countries, and our Globe Aware volunteers will delighted to see some of our own program locations on the list. Get ready for warm welcomes in locations like the Philippines, Peru and more!

The friendliest countries in the world: 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards

The most welcoming destinations from all four corners of the globe, as voted for by you.

CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER
October 4, 2022

They say you can travel the world and you’ll never find anywhere as welcoming as home, but we don’t quite think that’s true. From the ever-beaming people of Sri Lanka to the famously open-armed population of New Zealand, our planet is home to some seriously friendly countries, ready to share the love they feel for their country with you. So, once again, we asked our readers to vote for the countries they consider to be home to the friendliest people in our 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. This is how you voted – counting backwards from 10 to one.

Do any of our Globe Aware volunteers do this already before they head out to travel? Find out why snapping photos of luggage might help if they ever get lost!

Why You Should Always Take a Photo of Your Luggage Before Checking It

It could save you a massive headache — and money.

By Stacey Leasca
October 16, 2022
Travel + Leisure

Preparing for a trip always comes with a long to-do list and even though you may have thought of everything, from calling your bank to buying travelers insurance, taking a photo of your luggage — contents and all — may be just as important.

As airlines recover from a summer of delays, cancellations and yes, lost bags, having proof of what your belongings look like may help you receive compensation in case your checked luggage doesn’t arrive to your destination, or arrives damaged.

“Airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost,” the Department of Transportation’s website reads. “Airlines are required to compensate passengers for reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses that they may incur while their bags are delayed — subject to the maximum liability limits.”

By now there are 118 countries completely open, but there are still quite a few with restrictions or closed borders. Globe Aware volunteers will want to know where our Nepal and China programs stand.

No entry: These are all the countries that are still closed to tourists thanks to COVID

By Charlotte Elton
28/10/2022
Euronews

After two years of tough restrictions, travel has started to resemble the pre-pandemic ‘normal.’

From vaccination certificates to testing to last-minute border closures, would-be jetsetters have abided by stringent rules.

Summer starts in December in South Africa with temperatures in the 70s, ideal for being outdoors. Globe Aware volunteers can enjoy hiking and the beaches comfortably during their volunteer vacation there.

11 Best Places to Travel in December 2022

These are the best places to visit in December in the U.S. and around the world.

By Patricia Doherty
October 15, 2022

From frosty ski resorts to warm-weather destinations, there are many fantastic places to travel in December. Love winter, snow, and chilly weather? Mountain ski resorts like Vail are already booking plenty of December reservations, so it’s time to start planning your cold-weather getaway.

Want to stay warm and relax on the beach or by the pool? Cancun and Anguilla are sunny options. Miami in December offers warm weather and annual festivities centered around art. Summer fans might want to head to the southern hemisphere where the season is just beginning in Cape Town and northern Chile. Travelers still wishing for a trip to Europe might consider Portugal’s island of Madeira.

Globe Aware volunteers won’t be surprised to know that Halloween dominates October in much of the Western world. But the rest of the world also celebrate a variety of other traditions in October.

October Traditions Around the World

While Halloween dominates October in much of the Western world, a variety of other traditions are observed that month.

By Brianna Navarre
Oct. 21, 2022
U.S. News & World Report

Though many English-speaking countries spend October awaiting the thrills and chills of Halloween, the month is also marked by a host of other traditions across the world – from daylong holidays to full festivals.

While some, such as Oktoberfest, share the carnivalesque tone of Halloween, many highlight religious customs or pay tribute to local lore. Here is a non-exhaustive smattering of October traditions across the globe:

Pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup considered a national dish, ranked 34th in a list of 100 most popular dishes in the world as complied by an international food magazine. Globe Aware volunteers can taste authentic pho when they visit our Hoi An volunteer vacation site!

Vietnamese pho among world’s 100 most popular dishes

By Hoang Phong
October 13, 2022
VN Express International

Pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup considered a national dish, ranked 34th in a list of 100 most popular dishes in the world as complied by an international food magazine. Globe Aware volunteers can taste authentic pho when they visit our Hoi An volunteer vacation site!