Is Ecuador safe to visit after unrest?

Globe Aware volunteers considering Ecuador for a volunteer vacation will be relieved to learn that the country is safe for travelers. Find out the latest update on the situation in this South American destination and what to expect.


Is Ecuador safe to visit after unrest? On this tour, a traveler finds serenity

By Jeri Clausing
Feb 05, 2024
Travel Weekly

QUITO, Ecuador — Not long after I posted my first picture from Quito on Facebook, the comment I was expecting came in: “Isn’t Ecuador blowing up right now?”

Hardly, I thought, slightly amused as I sat in my room in the historical Casa Gangotena hotel here, listening to children gleefully chasing pigeons and puppies in the plaza outside my open window.

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These Are The 13 All-Time Best Movies About Travel

The Oscars are coming up in a few weeks, and here are some of the best travel movies to celebrate! Do our Globe Aware volunteers recognize any of these movies, and do you have more to add!?


These Are The 13 All-Time Best Movies About Travel

By Gary Leff
February 18, 2024
View From The Wing

The best travel movies ever made is a mix of life up in the air (the art of traveling) and life on the ground (human drama unfolding in interesting places around the globe). The list of best movies about travel weighs heavily towards planes and airports but I’ve also given some thought to being in an unfamiliar place and growing as a person because of the places you’ve been.

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The 12 Best Places to Find Tigers in India

India has around 3,000 tigers which makes up about 80% of the world’s tiger population! Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places to find tigers in India and is conveniently positioned if your travel includes the volunteer vacation site of Jaipur.


The 12 Best Places to Find Tigers in India

February 18, 2024
Breaking Travel News

Although tigers in India are seriously endangered, numbers are on the rise thanks to the herculean efforts of conservationists. However, there is no guarantee of a tiger sighting when visiting, but the wonderful National Parks which India has to offer are still a rewarding experience, with the chance to spot a multitude of creatures and an array of flora.

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14 Valentine’s Day traditions from around the world

En Masse Marriages in the Philippines, snowdrop letters in Denmark, and more!? Globe Aware volunteers, find out how the rest of the world celebrates Valentine’s Day!


14 Valentine’s Day traditions from around the world

Find out how countries like France, Italy, Germany and others celebrate February 14 each year.

Jan. 6, 2023
By Barbara Bellesi Zito and Sarah Lemire
TODAY

Each year on Valentine’s Day, Americans shower friends, family and lovers with gifts, greeting cards and romantic gestures to let their special someones know just how much they’re loved.

But what about other countries around the world — what kinds of Valentine’s Day traditions do they commemorate? And how are they the same and how do they differ from V-Day celebrations in the U.S.?

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Travellers targeted as scammers run wild on social media

Scammers intent on stealing money from unhappy travelers are running wild on social media. Globe Aware volunteers should watch out for these imposter accounts.


Travellers targeted as scammers run wild on social media

Exclusive: When an easyJet passenger complained on X, no fewer than 10 imposter accounts contacted him

Simon Calder
Travel Correspondent
Independent

Scammers intent on stealing money from unhappy travellers are running wild on social media. One easyJet passenger who complained on X (formerly Twitter) about a baggage issue was contacted by 10 scam accounts. Even 24 hours after they were reported to X, five were still running.

As The Independent first revealed in 2022, scammers based in East Africa are seeking to cash in on travellers’ complaints to airlines and holiday companies.

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The Year of the Dragon could be lucky — but only if we’re kind to one another

It’s the Year of the Dragon, and people can expect a lot of good fortune — but only if they’re harnessing the animal’s most important quality: compassion. Globe Aware volunteer vacations are an opportunity to spread that compassion and kindness worldwide.


The Year of the Dragon could be lucky — but only if we’re kind to one another

“Long-term, it could also be the year in which major conflict can be resolved, if people can focus on empathy,” one Chinese folklore scholar said.

Jan. 30, 2024
By Kimmy Yam
NBC

It’s the Year of the Dragon, and people can expect a lot of good fortune — but only if they’re harnessing the animal’s most important quality: compassion.

Lunar New Year — which includes Chinese New Year, Seollal in Korea, Tet in Vietnam and more — will begin Feb. 10, kicking off more than two weeks of festivities, customs and plenty of feasts. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the start of a fresh year based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar.

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What does “Year of the Dragon” mean?

Across the globe, around 2 billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year, an international holiday observed throughout many Asian countries. Each culture that celebrates has its own historically rich customs, traditions, and beliefs, which Globe Aware volunteers can learn about on a volunteer vacation.


We’re approaching the Year of the Dragon. What does that mean?

Olivia Munson
USA TODAY
Jan. 27, 2024

Some consider the start of the new year to be when the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31. While this is true for those who follow the Gregorian calendar, many others celebrate the new year on a different day.

Across the globe, around 2 billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year, an international holiday observed throughout many Asian countries, but not all. The U.S. has its own unique celebrations.

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Nine places in Bhutan that should be on your itinerary

For Globe Aware volunteers interested in trekking, Buddhist spirituality and more, here are the picks for the best places to visit. Many are included in your Bhutan volunteer vacation itinerary.


9 places in Bhutan that should be on your itinerary


By Katie Lockhart
Jan 3, 2024
Lonely Planet

Colorful monasteries, snow-capped peaks, peaceful villages lined with chili farms: the beauty of Bhutan is visible around every turn of its hairpin roads.

Internationally famous for its commitment to “Gross National Happiness,” carbon-negative status and eye-popping daily Sustainable Development Fee for visitors, Bhutan has worked hard to protect its unique culture and natural beauty – for good reason. With nearly 70% of the country blanketed in forest, the country is rich in outdoor activities and charming villages that showcase a distinctive culture found nowhere else on Earth.

And while it can take hours via car to reach each destination, the scenic drives (and those terrifying curves) are part of the experience of visiting this truly special place. For those interested in trekking, Buddhist spirituality and more, here are our picks for the best places to add to your Bhutan itinerary.

1. Paro
Best for hitting Bhutan’s highlights

The gateway to Bhutan, Paro International Airport is where travelers careen between steep mountain slopes before their aircraft touches down in the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” Less than 10 minutes away from the airport, the historic riverside town of Paro is known for the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong fortress and iconic Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). The town is a place you will – and must – visit in the country.

Wander Paro’s streets and the Paro Weekend Market to peruse shops and stalls offering handmade souvenirs. When you’ve worked up an appetite, stop into any number of restaurants, like Momo Corner, for fresh, handmade momo dumplings.

Planning tip: Due to its airport-side locale, Paro is either the first or last stop on any Bhutan traveler’s itinerary. Whether you’ve just arrived or are wrapping up your trip, hire a car and a guide to take in all historical and religious sights spread throughout Paro Valley.

2. Thimphu
Best for a bit of city life

Bhutan’s capital city beautifully combines culture with a cosmopolitan vibe. Spend the day creating your own stamps at the Bhutan Postal Museum, touring the massive Thimphu Dzong and watching policemen manually direct traffic (there are no traffic lights in the entire country).

When the sun dips below the mountains, enjoy the nightlife at bars and clubs like Mojo Park and the Grey Area, a popular art bar with live music where you can shout “tashi delek!” (a Tibetan expression for good luck and health) with locals over a bottle or two of Bhutanese ara (a spirit distilled from rice).

3. Punakha
Best for experiencing rural life

Beloved for rustic riverside farms where cows graze among rice and chili fields, Punakha is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan and home to what is arguably its most beautiful dzong (or monastery-fortress), which sits majestically along the Punakha River.

Life in Punakha revolves around its rivers. A short walk from Punakha Dzong, one of the country’s largest suspension bridges is wrapped with fluttering prayer flags. Travelers can also go white-water rafting along the rapids.

Planning tip: Punakha’s low elevation means its temperatures tend to be warmer and sunnier than nearby towns and districts – which means you’ll need fewer layers and more sunscreen.

4. Khoma
Best for fashion and textile lovers

Adventurous travelers can expect to peek behind the curtain (or perhaps the shawl) in Bhutan’s textile hub, Khoma. In the eastern district of Lhuentse, this village is home to roughly 100 residents – and zero cars. Khoma’s artisans spend their days weaving ornate patterns and motifs on traditional Bhutanese looms, using dyes made from the area’s minerals and plants.

5. Gangtey Valley
Best for outdoor activities

Drive past the mountainside yaks and into one of Bhutan’s most sacred places. Tranquility and peace emanate from its main attraction, Gangtey Goemba, a 17th-century monastery overlooking the valley’s farmland.

But its Gangtey’s natural beauty that really stands out. Here, you can hike myriad trails, many with relatively flat stretches. Archery, mountain biking, camping, birding and picnics are other pastimes possible throughout the valley.

Planning tip: Naturalists should plan a visit between late October and mid-March to see the famous endangered black-necked cranes that migrate yearly from Tibet.

6. Dochu La
Best for a pit stop

We’ll bet you 100 Bhutanese ngultrum that this scenic rest stop will make an appearance on your Bhutan itinerary. Known as one of the best lookouts in Bhutan, this mountain pass lies on the route from Thimphu to Punakha.

It’s marked with 108 stupas to honor the Royal Bhutanese soldiers who died in the 2003 military battle against Indian insurgents. On the opposite side of the road, you can visit a temple named Druk Wangyal Lhakhang and a restaurant serving coffee, cakes and momos. On a clear day, sparkling views of Himalayan peaks lie beyond.

7. Laya
Best for off-the-beaten-track adventures

An arduous seven-hour ride from Thimphu to Gasa only takes you part of the way to this remote northwestern village. From Gasa, you’ll strap on your hiking boots and trek three to five hours up to the highest village in the country.

And the views of the Himalayan peaks are worth it.

Home to the Indigenous Layap people, this car-free village is filled with yak herders, farmers of cordyceps (a precious mushroom) and others who honor old traditions.

Planning tip: Arrange your trip around the famous Royal Highland Festival in late October, when you’ll witness one of Bhutan’s most culturally unique and significant annual events.

8. Bumthang
Best for spirituality seekers

This centrally located and mountainous district is also one of the country’s most spiritual. In its four valleys, important sites include Jampey Lhakhang, a historic 7th-century Buddhist temple, and the Jakar Dzong, an auspicious fortress built in 1549. Rest your legs and indulge in some fresh cheese and jams at Bumthang Swiss Cheese, followed by a local beer next door at Red Panda Beer Factory.

Planning tip: Driving to Bumthang takes hours over often treacherous roads. If you’re pressed for time or prone to motion sickness, consider a domestic flight from Paro.

9. Haa Valley
Best for immersing yourself in nature

While there’s no shortage of postcard-worthy vistas in Bhutan, Haa Valley is in a league of its own. Near the China–India border three hours from Paro, you’ll find some of the country’s most spectacular hiking trails, which lead through lush green valleys and monastery-dotted villages.

Covered in alpine forests and jagged mountain peaks, this small section of the country is also one of the most unspoiled. Travelers can take off on the Haa Panoramic Hiking Trail and the multiday Sagala Trek, or simply sit by the Haa River and take in 360-degree views of pristine nature.

Best Dates to Save Money on Flights in 2024

If Globe Aware volunteers are looking for the best flight and travel deals, timing is everything. These are the best dates to book travel!


Put These 9 Dates in Your Calendar to Save Money on Flights in 2024

If you’re looking for the best flight and travel deals, timing is everything.

By Joe Erbentraut
1/25/2024
Thrillist

Listen, we like to look out for you here at Thrillist. We know travel—everything from the planning of it to the actual doing of it—can be incredibly stressful, time-consuming, and expensive, so we’re always looking for shortcuts for you to get the most out of your travel experience while also minimizing your stress and out-of-pocket expenses.

And when it comes to saving money on travel in 2024, there is definitely both an art and a science to it. We recently shared our top expert tips, but it’s now January and we know you’re probably in planning mode thinking about all the places you’ll want to go this year. We thought it was time to get a bit more granular with this effort and offer you up all the dates you need to put in your Google calendar to make sure you’re getting the best deals on flights and actually turning these travel plans into travel reality.

Of course, when it comes to timing there are some key dates to know every year, especially when you are looking to either capitalize on the most popular times of year for flight sales or make sure you don’t miss what experts call the “Goldilocks Window” for booking trips around holidays that are popular for travel. Thankfully, our friends at Hopper recently shared some key dates to keep in mind for 2024 travel, and we’ve also identified the most common dates for taking advantage of travel deals. If you’re planning a trip for this year, don’t book it unless checking out the dates below first! You’ll be glad you did.

January—late February 2024

If you’re looking to book a cruise, this is the time to do it. This is known as the wave season for cruise lines, when they typically offer their biggest deals of the year on sailings. Book early for the most options.

February 9, 2024

If you’re planning an Easter weekend vacation (March 31 this year), you’ll will want to book it no later than this date, but you should be doing so ASAP to save money, according to Hopper’s data. If you’re looking to book a cheap spring break getaway, this would also be a smart cutoff date for getting the best deal.

February 29, 2024

2024 is a Leap Year, which means that airlines and other travel companies—always looking for an excuse to run a promotion and attract new customers—are expected to come out with major promotions around this time of year. Keep an eye out for deals in the weeks leading up to Leap Day and subscribe to the Thrillist newsletter Before You Go where we’ll be highlighting the best offers.

April 15, 2024

Looking to get away for Memorial Day (May 27) weekend? This is your deadline for getting a deal, according to Hopper. Even better, you should start looking for flights as early as February.

June 1, 2024

The Fourth of July falls on a Thursday this year, so why not make a four-day weekend out of it? You’ll want to book your travel for this popular weekend at least three months in advance (as early as March) for the best prices and most options but, according to Hopper, you should have your plans set no later than this day.

August 8, 2024

If you’re planning a Labor Day (September 2) weekend getaway, Hopper notes that you might anticipate some last-minute deals in the final few weeks before the September 2 holiday this year. Nevertheless, for the most options and best prices, you’ll want to book at least one to three months before the holiday.

October 31, 2024

You’ll want to book your Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and other holiday travel no later than Halloween this year if you are looking to save some money, according to Hopper. Thanksgiving falls later in the month (November 28) and Hanukkah (December 25—January 2) coincides with Christmas and New Year’s this year so you might think you can wait a bit, but you’ll find the best prices and availability no later than the arrival of scary season in October.

November 29—December 3, 2024

If you love a travel deal, this is your Super Bowl. Beginning with Black Friday (November 29), a trio of faux holidays will offer major savings on flights, hotels, and more—including some last-minute deals for New Year’s travel. The deals will continue to flow on Cyber Monday (December 2) and Travel Tuesday (December 3). Make sure you subscribe to our Before You Go newsletter where we’ll share the top deals.

Early January 2025

Many airlines offer heavily discounted flights to celebrate New Year’s and this time of year also tends to be the cheapest month for flight bookings. You’ve already missed the boat for this year, but don’t make the same mistake in 2025!

Responsible Travel: 5 Essential Tips for Elderly Travellers

Traveling is a delightful pursuit with no age limit, and senior citizens are increasingly venturing into the world to explore new destinations. Globe Aware welcomes all senior travelers, and covers all these essentials with our volunteer vacations!


Responsible Travel: 5 Essential Tips for Elderly Travellers

Elderly travellers, with their wealth of experience and appreciation for different cultures, can be exemplary advocates for responsible tourism

Antara Chatterjee
January 15, 2024
Outlook Traveller

Travelling is a delightful pursuit with no age limit, and senior citizens are increasingly venturing into the world to explore new destinations. As seasoned travellers, elderly globetrotters must adopt responsible travel practices that not only enhance their own experiences but also contribute positively to the destinations they visit. Here are 5 Essential Tips for Elderly Travellers to become more responsible and sustainable wanderers.

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