What to Expect: The unique WORK of a Family International Volunteer Trip

Faithful Parent
family travel
Apr 23, 2023

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

ACTS 20: 35


In previous posts, we’ve encouraged families to consider taking a Family International Volunteer trip if they have the means to do so but have not discussed in detail the work of a family international volunteer trip. We’ve had the pleasure and privilege of doing six different “vacations” like this and have traveled to Peru, Costa Rica, South Africa, Guatemala, Kenya, and Indonesia. 

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Why This Central American Country Is Perfect For Every Type Of Traveler

As one of the top Latin American destinations for 2023, Costa Rica is in no way a secret to our Globe Aware volunteers. Find out why this destination is perfect for every type of traveler!


Why This Central American Country Is Perfect For Every Type Of Traveler

MARCH 26, 2023
MARCI RIVERA
Travel off Path

As one of the top Latin American destinations for 2023, Costa Rica is in no way a secret. In fact, this lush country was also recently crowned the 2022 leading destination for Central America.

Costa Rica is an ideal destination for all types of travelers, and it is definitely a country that should not be missed.

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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.

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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.

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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.

The Top 7 Trending Asian Travel Destinations for 2023

Globe Aware volunteers are ready and eager to explore Asia once again. We are delighted to offer open volunteer vacation programs in the trending destinations of Vietnam and Thailand!


Travelers Are Heading Back To Asia In 2023: These Are The Top 7 Trending Destinations

DECEMBER 25, 2022
BY: VINICIUS COSTA
Travel off Path

Travelers are eager to return to Asia and explore its natural wonders and colossal Buddhist temples now that it’s slowly reopening for tourism following nearly three years of closure. In fact, demand for country-hopping experiences in the continent is so high it now accounts for 7 out of the top 10 trending destinations for 2023.

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The friendliest countries in the world

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.

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Costa Rica: Central America’s Leading Destination

Globe Aware volunteers will be delighted to learn that Costa Rica has this week been crowned the leading destination for travelers in all of Central America for 2022. We offer three unique volunteer vacations in this picturesque country, open all year round!


 Costa Rica Crowned Central America’s Leading Destination

Sept 5 2022
Breaking Travel News

Costa Rica has this week been crowned the leading destination for travelers in all of Central America for 2022. The picturesque country – famed for its stunning natural landscapes and near unrivaled levels of biodiversity – received the much sought-after accolade from the World Travel Awards this week. In winning the award, Costa Rica beat off stiff competition from the likes of Mexico, Belize and Honduras, whilst also managing to win several other awards in the process.

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Be aware: Food importation rules can bite travelers

Many countries have their own laws regarding the importation of food items, and the United States is no exception, having issued 7,190 violations in 2021. Globe Aware volunteers should be aware of what food items could result in expensive consequences.


Think Twice About Flying With Food, Huge Fines Could Be Waiting

By Tyler Fox
August 15 2022
Travel Off Path

Grabbing a last-minute breakfast before flying is common practice when rushing through the airport. However, that breakfast could cost you much more than anticipated if you aren’t careful. Recently, a passenger heading to Australia was fined $1,874 USD for bringing his McDonald’s breakfast with him from Bali. That breakfast will end up costing more than the original flight to Bali, and it should serve as a warning to other travelers. Many countries have their own laws regarding the importation of food items, and the case above shows how serious the repercussions can be. The United States is no exception and issued 7,190 violations in 2021 for “failures to declare prohibited agriculture items.”

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Traveling to Costa Rica during Covid-19

If you’re planning to travel to Costa Rica, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to travel to this popular Globe Aware destination.


Travel to Costa Rica during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go

CNN Staff
July 2, 2021

If you’re planning to travel to Costa Rica, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the global coronavirus pandemic.

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