12 Spring Traditions From Around the World

Here’s a list of how 12 different countries welcome Spring, whether people celebrate Easter or observe the spring equinox. Do our Globe Aware volunteers celebrate any of these?


12 Spring Traditions Around the World

Littlepassports.com

Spring is a time of rebirth, renewal, and warm-weather activities. Baby animals are born, flowers bloom, and families around the world welcome spring with their own traditions. Through food, festivals, and various activities, the spring celebrations are endless. Here’s a list of how 12 different countries welcome spring, whether people celebrate Easter or observe the spring equinox.

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This is what happens to your body on a long-haul flight

Globe Aware volunteers, did you know that in a few years, you could have longer flight options, over 19 hours!? Find out what you can do to help your body when you’re on a long-haul flight.


What happens to your body on a long-haul flight

Tony Schiemer
March 7, 2023
CNN

(CNN) — If crowded airports are a sign, travelers are keen to get back into the skies. And if you’re flying long haul, in a few years you could have an even longer option.

Qantas has announced from late 2025, it will fly passengers on nonstop flights from Australia’s east coast to London that would see you in the air for more than 19 hours in one stretch. That’s compared with current flights that take the best part of 24 hours but are broken up into shorter legs.

So what will happen to your body during one of these longer flights? Is it any different to what happens when you fly long-haul now?

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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.

Seven Wonders of the World to Visit in 2023

The long-awaited Trans Bhutan Trail, a 250-mile long distance-trekking route that crosses the country is now awaiting our eager Globe Aware volunteers. Visit the wondrous country of Bhutan and explore villages, temples, and 12 mountain passes to experience the ultimate way to see one of the last great Himalayan kingdoms.


Seven Wonders of the World to Visit in 2023

Author Aaron Millar elects seven new wonders every year—the most awe-inspiring places on the planet for star-gazing, wildlife spotting, and astonishing panoramas

BY AARON MILLAR
Condé Nast Traveller U.K.
January 6, 2023

Seven Wonders of the World for 2023

Of the original Seven Wonders of the World, only one—the Great Pyramids of Giza—still exists. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus have all faded to dust and memory. These, instead, are seven new wonders for our time. They are the Acropolis of our day, the Stonehenge of now. Which also means they can be seen firsthand. And so they should. Because the real magic of wonder is not in the thing itself, but in the fact that the more you look for wonder in the world the more the wonder of the world becomes a part of you.

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Countries around the world celebrate New Year after Covid lull

Countries around the world celebrated New Year, after two years of muted or canceled events due to the Covid pandemic. Here’s a summer of celebrations and world news for our Globe Aware volunteers, as we begin a brand new year!


New Year: Countries around the world celebrate after Covid lull

By Elsa Maishman
BBC News
Jan 1, 2023

Countries around the world have celebrated New Year, after two years of muted or cancelled events due to the Covid pandemic.

Celebrations have taken place on the east coast of the United States, and in Brazil, Argentina and the Caribbean.

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Top Seven Foodie Destinations for 2023

We know so many of our Globe Aware volunteers are true foodies! You’ll love this list, and you can try many of these on our volunteer vacations!


Top 7 Foodie Destinations To Visit In 2023

Keeping up with the yearly tradition, TasteAtlas has unveiled its World’s Best Cuisine ranking. 95 major tourist destinations were assessed for food excellency, taking into account ingredients, regional varieties and quality of national beverages, but there are 7 mouth-watering picks in particular you might want to bookmark for 2023. That is, if you’re a true foodie:

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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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Unique Christmas Traditions From Around The World

Christmas is a special time of year full of beliefs, rituals, traditions, and special foods. Globe Aware volunteers may be surprised to learn about these traditions, or may even participate in themselves!


10 (More) Unique Christmas Traditions From Around The World

By Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey
November 27, 2022
TRAVEL AWAITS

Christmas is a special time of year full of beliefs, rituals, traditions, and special foods. Some of the traditions feature in pretty much every family, such as, for example, the good old Christmas tree, as first started by the Germans. Then there are traditions that vary from country to country, such as, say, the English celebrating Christmas on Christmas Day, the 25th, whereas in Germany, it is Christmas Eve, the 24th, which is the important night.

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Top International Christmas Destinations for Americans

These are the most popular international destinations where Americans are traveling this holiday season. Mexico pops up a few times, and we just had over 30 Globe Aware volunteers in Mexico this month!


Top 10 International Destinations Americans Are Heading To This Christmas

BY: Dale Peterson
Travel off Path

These are the most popular international destinations where Americans are traveling this holiday season.

According to data gathered by travel insurance company Allianz, holiday travel is up 17% compared to 2021.

Aerial view of cancun hotel zone with a boat in the ocean, destinations

Although U.S. destinations like New York City and Orlando top the charts for domestic travel, these are the 10 most popular international destinations for American travelers this Christmas.

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