“Pilots,” are the men who ride the iconic motorcycle taxis, a charming relic of the past that has seamlessly integrated into the present, making them a nostalgic yet practical mode of transportation in Goa. Learn all about the history and grab a ride yourself on your Globe Aware volunteer vacation in India!

Riding into Goa’s Past and Present: The Tale of Bike Taxi

By Walwyn D’ Souza
31 Aug 2024
O HERALDO

In Goa, where the sun kisses the earth with a golden hue, and the salty breeze carries tales of old, there lies a peculiar breed of individuals. They are not just riders; they are ‘Pilots.’ No, they don’t fly planes, but they certainly navigate the streets with the same precision and pride. These are the men who ride the iconic motorcycle taxis, a mode of transportation that has become as synonymous with Goa as its beaches and vibrant culture.

As the unofficial end of summer approaches, millions of Americans, including Globe Aware volunteers, are gearing up for Labor Day air travel in record numbers. Here’s what to know!

The Best And Worst Days To Fly For Labor Day Weekend

As the unofficial end of summer approaches, millions of Americans are gearing up for Labor Day air travel in record numbers. Here’s what to know.

By Faith Katunga
Aug 23, 2024
Travel Noire

As the unofficial end of summer approaches, millions of Americans are gearing up for Labor Day travel in 2024. With air travel expected to reach near-record levels, knowing the best and worst days to fly can make a difference in your travel experience. Here’s what you need to know to navigate the skies during this busy holiday weekend.

A gem of Southeast Asia, Laos attracts visitors who love natural beauty, intriguing culture, and off-the-beaten-track experiences – without the throngs. Here are 10 places where Globe Aware volunteers can discover the treasures – and pleasures – of Laos.

10 of the best places to visit in Laos

By Dave Stamboulis
Aug 20, 2024
Lonely Planet

A gem of Southeast Asia, Laos attracts visitors who love natural beauty, intriguing culture and off-the-beaten-track experiences – without the throngs.

The country’s low population density means that many of the landscapes here are untouched by humans, which means exciting adventures for outdoor lovers. Yet in Laos’ cities and towns, visitors find historical treasures, alluring temples and a warm welcome from Lao locals.

From getting through security checkpoints to dealing with unexpected flight delays, our Globe Aware volunteers know that airline travel is messy and then some. To glide through the process as effortlessly as possible, you need an airport dad in your crew. Find out what an “airport dad” is!

We Asked Airport Dads To Share Their Best Advice For Low-Stress Travel

You don’t have to be an actual dad to be an airport dad.

By Brittany Wong
Aug 16, 2024
Huffington Post

From getting through security checkpoints to dealing with unexpected flight delays, airline travel is messy and then some.

To glide through the process as effortlessly as possible, you really need an airport dad in your crew. What, exactly, is an “airport dad”? The term went viral on TikTok around 2021, when kids began documenting their hyperfocused, multitasking dads in airports.

TSA Precheck can significantly reduce your time at airports, and more travelers, including Globe Aware volunteers, are taking advantage of it. These tips are also useful for regular security lines—do you follow them?

So you finally got TSA pre-check. Here’s how to avoid being the most annoying person in line and get through fastest.

By Joey Hadden
Aug 13, 2024
Business Insider

TSA PreCheck can save you so much time in airports, and more travelers than ever are getting in on it.

The TSA reported on August 8 that more than 20 million travelers are enrolled in the program — a new record number of users since PreCheck first became available in 2013.

Our seasoned Globe Aware volunteers are no strangers to unusual and rare travel situations. Here’s a recent situation that occurred on a flight from Puerto Rico to Miami, which makes us all wonder if it’s a good idea to carry our passports to any destination at all times. Let us know what you think!

Should You Keep Your Passport Handy No Matter Where You’re Traveling?

Some American Airlines travelers felt “kidnapped” after a recent flight gone wrong.

By Opheli Garcia Lawler
Aug 8, 2024
Thrillist

Every week, the internet delivers new travel content that makes me never want to leave my house again. This week, the video that has me worried about getting on an airplane comes from @ItalianKate on TikTok. In a video viewed 6.3 million times, a traveler (@griptape_ on TikTok) details how a flight from Puerto Rico to Miami became a quasi-hostage situation.

International Globe Aware volunteers should be aware that Cambodia is actively working to boost tourism by hosting cultural events, lowering visa costs, and more.

Cambodia’s New Initiative to Surge Tourism Policies

August 9, 2024
Travel And Tour World

Cambodia, known for its rich cultural heritage and the iconic Angkor Wat, is grappling with a slow recovery in its tourism sector since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The figures from the first half of 2024 have painted a bleak picture for the industry. The number of foreign tourists arriving at Siem Reap’s airport has plummeted by 67% compared to the same period in 2019, with only 313,145 arrivals. This stark decline underscores the challenges Cambodia faces in revitalizing its tourism industry. So the visa fee reduction will serve as a potential booster.

These are valuable tips for Globe Aware travelers bound for Romania or any volunteer vacation destination worldwide!

How not to be a terrible tourist: What Europeans want travelers to know

Two people posing for a selfie together, a crowd and ornate fountain and buildings behind them

Tourists take a selfie in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome. “A city is not only monuments and marbles; it is people,” says Giovanni Andrea Martini, a city official in Venice. (Andrew Medichini / Associated Press)

By Laura King
Aug. 11, 2024
LATimes

AMSTERDAM — Travel can be exhilarating or awful, and like it or not, we all leave footprints. Of course, some tourists tread more heavily than others, leaving residents swearing, slack-jawed or just shaking their heads.

In this busy European travel season, here are some things tourism professionals and local people would like you to know, so you won’t be that tourist:

Globe Aware volunteers ready to adopt a furry friend while on a volunteer vacation should know that the CDC has begun implementing new regulations for dogs entering the United States. Learn more about these changes, which aim to prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies into the U.S. and align with international standards.

Strict rules about flying with dogs start Thursday, after months of confusion

By N’dea Yancey-Bragg
USA TODAY
July 31, 2024

Summer is a busy travel season for both people and their pups.

Heather Blas, a pet relocation specialist at Continental Pet Relocation, was already trying to navigate the hectic time for moving and seasonal airline restrictions when a slew of new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements for bringing dogs into the United States “turned things upside down.” As the deadline for the new rules drew closer, she constantly scoured the CDC’s website for the latest guidance and asked for advice from fellow pet shippers around the world who were hearing contradictory information.

Great news for Globe Aware volunteers interested in visiting Malawi. The country has waived entry visa fees for travelers from the U.S. and over 75 other countries as part of a new initiative to streamline access for international visitors and boost tourism.

Malawi scraps entry visas for U.S. visitors

By Dorine Reinstein
Mar 24, 2024
Travel Weekly

Malawi has waived entry visa fees for travelers from the U.S. and over 75 other countries as part of a new initiative by its president, Lazarus Chakwera, to streamline access for international visitors and boost tourism.