Gross National Happiness, minimum sustainable development fee, typical foods, national sport, what the projects are, how to dress, how difficult is the hike up to Tiger’s nest, how much currency should you bring – Phallus Palace what is that about? The food, the chilis, the culture, the people. How to get there – Bhutanese people, joy, tips and tricks and why anyone who possibly can should consider coming to this beautiful, peaceful country and be part of this extaordinary, unique country!
Things you REALLY need to know getting to Cuba
Lots of people are finding all the forms and paperwork required to enter Cuba extremely challenging to understand and get through. This is a mini audio blog intended to walk through the essentials. Which pieces of paperwork will be checked and when? Why you need to go straight to the boarding gate if on layover en route to Cuba? How the dining and restaurant scene has been changing. What about which currency you should be bringing now? Donations? Gifts of friendship? How to manage. What little amenities are at the Havana airport, why you need to be prepared to have everything you need there. What about your phone and data plan? Why wifi is so much more difficult. We hope this helps you prepare for your Cuban people to people program, doing the work of our private foundation supporting the Cuban people.
Preparing for Globe Aware’s People to People program in Cuba
Lots of people are finding all the forms and paperwork required to enter Cuba extremely challenging to understand and get through.
This is a mini audio blog intended to walk through the essentials. Which pieces of paperwork will be checked and when? Why you need to go straight to the boarding gate if on layover enroute to Cuba? How the dining and restaurant scene has been changing. What about which currency you should be bringing now? Donations? Gifts of friendship? How to manage.
Bourdain: ‘The Best Thing You Could Ever Eat With A Cold Beer’
Anthony Bourdain enjoyed the Philippines so much that he called this particular dish his “single favorite Filipino street food.” Find out the history of the sisig and get tempted to try it on your next volunteer vacation in the Philippines!
Bourdain Called This Food ‘The Best Thing You Could Ever Eat With A Cold Beer’
BY HOPE NGO
MARCH 3, 2023
TASTING TABLE
Anthony Bourdain enjoyed the Philippines so much that he featured the country’s cuisine at the heart of two of his shows — once in a 2009 episode of “No Reservations” and again in 2016 in the seventh season premiere of “Parts Unknown.”
It was no secret that the country loved him back because he did something no Western celebrity chef had done before: he saw Filipino cuisine as they did. As cookbook author and restauranteur Jacqueline Chio-Lauri opined in HuffPost, “He understood what food meant to the people who made and ate it, and he was careful to treat the food ― and, by extension, Filipinos ― with respect.”
Dallas-Based GlobeAware Organizes ‘Voluntourism’ Trips of a Lifetime
March 5, 2023
By Joy Donovan
Candy’sDirt
Landmines — the explosive leftovers from the Vietnam War and other conflicts — are about the size of a toy and sometimes colorful, making them attractive to children. Two decades of war made these weapons of destruction plentiful in the forested landscape of Southeast Asia. Consequently, many children in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam are living as amputees.
The memory of one of those injured children receiving a wheelchair is seared into Kimberly Haley-Coleman’s mind.
Traveling by plane for spring break? Here’s TSA’s advice on what to leave at home
As the spring break travel season approaches, the Transportation Security Administration has some guidance for those who will take flights. Globe Aware volunteers can learn what to leave at home, and what they can pack.
Traveling by plane for spring break? Here’s TSA’s advice on what to leave at home
By Charles Dunlap
Columbia Daily Tribune
March 5, 2023
As the spring break travel season approaches, the Transportation Security Administration has some guidance for those who will take flights.
A media demonstration held Wednesday at Columbia Regional Airport showcased the variety of items confiscated from TSA security checkpoints in the state.
I asked ChatGPT to help me plan a vacation
Here’s an interesting dive into what ChatGPT can and can’t do when it comes to planning a vacation. Have any of our Globe Aware volunteers used this new chatbot?
I asked ChatGPT to help me plan a vacation. Here’s what happened next
Monica Pitrelli
CNBC
FEB 26 2023
Some people love travel planning.
But I am not one of those people.
So the idea that artificial intelligence chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Bing, can research travel destinations and create itineraries is intriguing.
But I’m skeptical too.
Do recommendations just scratch the surface — for example, suggesting that I see the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Or can they recommend lesser-known restaurants and handle specific hotel requests too?
The answer is: yes and no — at least for ChatGPT.
Five Best places to explore in India this summer
Whether winter or summer, Rajasthan offers many sights and activities to experience. Find out why this Globe Aware destination makes the list of best places to explore in India!
5 Best places to explore in India this summer
Be it winters or summers, India offers a wide range of destinations to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a hill station getaway, a beach vacation, a cultural experience, or a spiritual retreat, India has something for everyone to explore during this summer.
India TV
Lifestyle Desk
India TV Lifestyle Desk
February 26, 2023
Summer is almost here, and it’s time to plan your next vacation. India is a country that offers a diverse range of destinations to choose from. From the hill stations to the serene beaches, there are plenty of options to suit everyone’s taste. Here are some of the most incredible destinations to explore in India during the summer season.
Ship Your Clothes to Avoid Paying Airline Baggage Fees
TikTok folks are debating on whether it’s a smart idea to mail your luggage. Do any of our Globe Aware volunteers do this when flying domestically…or have you even done this for international trips?
TikTokers Are Shipping Their Clothes to Avoid Paying Airline Baggage Fees
Anything to avoid the checked bag fees.
By Opheli Garcia Lawler
February 2, 2023
Thrillist
If you’ve ever flown budget airlines, you know that the true price for a cheap flight doesn’t come out of your bank account. It comes with the need to pack a teeny tiny carry-on bag, or risk incurring additional fees that turns a cheap flight to a not-so-cheap flight. Checked bag fees can sometimes cost more than the ticket itself.
6 Sunny Destinations Trending On Social Media Right Now
With winter still upon us, winter sun getaways are trending on TikTok. Here are 6 places for maximum sunshine, and with Costa Rica on the list our Globe Aware volunteers have three different programs to choose from!
6 Sunny Destinations Trending On TikTok Right Now
BY: MARCI RIVERA
Travel Off Path
February 18, 2023
If you are somewhere deep in the middle of winters cold grasp right now, it should be no surprise that one of the biggest social media searches at the moment is winter getaways. The hashtag winter sun has over 26 million views on TikTok right now, and there’s no better time to sit and dream about these sunny destinations.
Each location is known for its long sunny days in March and April, and most of them offer high temperatures as well. If you are looking for some inspiration to get away and escape the winter blues, any of these sunny destinations should help to give you some ideas.
Here are 6 Sunny Destinations Trending On TikTok Right Now
Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Average daily temperature: March 66° / April 68°
- Average hours of sunshine a day in March: 8 Hours
- Average hours of sunshine a day in April: 8 Hours
- TikTok Views for #Tenerife: over 1.4 billion views
Most people in the UK and Europe know that the Canary Islands are the warmest you can get in March and April without leaving Europe. Despite being so far south, the Canaries are a territory of Spain, making them still a part of the European Union. Laying off the coast of Western Africa, Tenerife is a clear favorite for many reasons.
It’s been called The Island Of Eternal Spring, and a visit to this diverse land in the months of March or April will bring enjoyable weather without the summer crowds and roasting temperatures.
While the south of the island is much more touristy and arid, don’t miss out on the lush and mountainous north as well. A visit to Tenerife is not complete without a trip up the mountains to the village of Masca, where you can taste the famous coffee drink, barraquito, and watch the sunset into the Ocean.
Curaçao
- Average daily temperature: March 81° / April 88°
- Average hours of sunshine a day in March: 9 Hours
- Average hours of sunshine a day in April: 10 Hours
- TikTok Views for #Curaçao: over 6.7 million views
This Caribbean island is known for having some of the best weather in the spring, when it’s warming up but not too hot. March is the driest month of the year, and April is the best, as it’s nice and warm but not too hot yet. March is also a quieter time for the island, as spring breakers don’t venture to Curaçao as much as the other Caribbean islands, and many locals are recovering from the carnivals.
There is no shortage of ways to spend your time on this island paradise. While its ABC island neighbors of Bonaire and Aruba are also good choices, Curaçao seems to be a favorite among those looking for a winter sun getaway.
Malta
- Average daily temperature: March 57°/ April 60°
- Average hours of sunshine a day in March: 7 Hours
- Average hours of sunshine a day in April: 8 Hours
- TikTok Views for #Malta: over 2.4 billion views
If it’s history and culture you are looking for, Malta might be a good choice for you. This destination enjoys much cooler weather than the others on this list, yet the average hours of sunshine leave for long days exploring in the mild and breezy climate.
You would not want to hike around Malta’s Gozo island in the summer or explore the dusty and windy streets of Mdina or Rabat. It’s still a bit too cold to swim for most tourists in March and April in Malta, but you will see many locals enjoying a dip.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Average daily temperate: March 78° / April 80°
- Average hours of sunshine a day in March: 9 Hours
- Average hours of sunshine a day in April: 10 Hours
- TikTok Views for #PuntaCana: over 1.6 billon views
It’s no surprise that the Dominican Republic has made the list of trending sunny destinations, as its place as a favorite for spring travelers has all but been written in stone. While there are many other choices on the island for sun and sea in spring, it is Punta Cana that travelers seek out the most.
With an average temperate of 80° in April, it’s no wonder so many Americans visit to escape the never-ending winter that grips most of the northern half of the U.S. Punta Cana is also relatively painless and cheap to reach, with a variety of carriers servicing this route form all over the US.
Cancun, Mexico
- Average daily temperate: March 77° / April 79°
- Average hours of Sunshine a day in March: 10 Hours
- Average hours of Sunshine a day in April: 10 Hours
- TikTok Views for #Cancun: over 7.6 billion views
Although recent news coming out of Cancun and neighboring towns in the Yucatan have been less than favorable for travel, it still remains a long-standing favorite for travelers looking for a beach escape. Through travel warnings, sargassum, and taxi drama, Cancun seems to enjoy large crowds and overall traveler satisfaction. It’s hot and sunny in Cancun in the spring, and it’s easily the cheapest on the list to reach from most places in the U.S.
Costa Rica
- Average daily temperate: March 80° / April 86°
- Average hours of sunshine a day in March: 7 Hours
- Average hours of sunshine a day in April: 9 Hours
- TikTok Views for #CostaRica: over 12.7 billion views
Costa Rica is having a bit of a moment with US tourists, and the Central American country is drawing crowds nearly year-round. This tropical hotspot has also won the title of Central America’s best tourist destination. Spring, however, is an ideal time to visit, as the dry season is just coming to a close, and the green season is starting to make its appearance.
It’s important to note that Costa Rica is a country with many different climates, from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean and the Central Mountain area in between. March and April will bring different weather to each of these regions, so staying on top of the latest forecasts is crucial to ensure a good holiday.
