September 4, 2024
American Association of Orthodontists
As a second-generation orthodontist, Dr. Drew Lombardi had an orthodontic practice in Fort Lee and Jersey City, New Jersey for 40 years until his transition to retirement in October 2023. Considering how to spend his time in retirement, Dr. Lombardi was eager to use his professional knowledge to give back to people in need.
As summer draws to a close, it doesn’t mean our volunteers’ travel plans have to end, too. On this list, you’ll discover at least one destination that will ignite your wanderlust, with many of them being locations where we have Globe Aware programs!
September 1, 2024
By: Megi Canco
Travel Off Path
Just because summer’s coming to an end doesn’t mean your travel plans have to, too.
The insufferable crowds have started to dissipate, temperatures are coming back down to Earth, and best of all, airfare to some of the world’s most incredible destinations has plummeted, giving adventurous travelers on a budget the opportunity of a lifetime.
Peru is a unique destination for Globe Aware volunteers, with experiences that connect the past and present, through historical sites, traditional recipes, natural landscapes, and more. Discover more about this mystical country on your next volunteer vacation!
July 2, 2024
Peru
Peru is a unique destination for Globe Aware volunteers, with experiences that connect the past and present, through historical sites, traditional recipes, natural landscapes, and more. Discover more about this mystical country on your next volunteer vacation!
Globe Aware destinations, like the Galápagos Islands, are raising their visitor fees, similar to other popular locations. Discover the reasons behind these fee increases and learn how to prepare!
Tourist hot spots are implementing measures against overtourism. Will this impact your next trip
June 5, 2024
Deseret News
By Caroline McDonald
With the summer travel season approaching, popular tourist spots are planning ahead with new rules and fees to control crowds. This is according to The New York Times, which outlined recent measures taken by Bali, Amsterdam, Paris and Milan — all popular destinations for tourists.
Here’s a reminder for Globe Aware volunteers to remain vigilant when traveling, especially to new destinations. Check out this list of common scams and learn how to avoid them this summer!
James Wong
Fodor’s Travel
June 10, 2024
Surprise taxi detours, helpful strangers with ulterior motives, and pricey encounters with baby alpacas. Here’s how travelers are being ripped off abroad and what you can do to be vigilant.
Where there’s a tourist, there’s a scam. As newcomers to a destination, we’re obvious targets for criminals, ready to take advantage of our dizzying lack of local intel and jubilant holiday spirit. Back home, everyone feels pretty street-smart, right? When you’re well-versed in a destination and its customs and know exactly what to do in an emergency, few will attempt to mess with your fine ‘n fierce self.
In continuing celebration of Earth Day, here are the top ten eco-friendly destinations to visit, many being Globe Aware volunteer vacation destinations!
By Stephen
Mar 25, 2024
My Baggage
Exploring the world and experiencing its stunning natural beauty, as well as discovering a wealth of cultures and traditions, has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity for many people.
However, we’re more aware than ever before of the impact our actions can have on the planet. That’s why so many of us are committed to keeping our carbon footprint in check while travelling. Many travel providers have adopted this approach by introducing various initiatives to support eco-friendly tourism.
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.
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.
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!
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.?
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.
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.
For our extra adventurous Globe Aware volunteers who want to continue their time at a volunteer vacation destination, here are some of the most exciting events travelers can participate in for 2024.
Sitting back and spectating doesn’t always cut it. These 10 experiences — for 2024 and beyond — will get you flying, partying, painting, swimming, dancing and racing.
BY NORA WALLAYA
DECEMBER 20, 2023
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
One of the most rewarding ways to plan a trip is by building it around a specific event connected to a deep interest or passion. Taking part in something meaningful on your travels creates a unique connection with a destination that can lead to memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s testing your athletic derring-do in an ultra-marathon in Peru or whipping out your spray cans at a graffiti festival in Bristol, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting events for you to participate in for 2024.
