The best Christmas markets taking place around the world in 2024

Globe Aware volunteers planning a holiday-themed vacation might enjoy exploring these destinations. We would like add our Philippines program, where Christmas festivities start as early as September and are celebrated with great enthusiasm!


The best Christmas markets taking place around the world in 2024

By Tamara Hardingham-Gill
CNN
November 3, 2024

There’s nothing quite like a festive market to bring out the Christmas spirit in people.

While these events can be traced back to Vienna – the city’s first recorded December market was in 1298 – the tradition has spread across the world over the centuries.

From Germany and Switzerland to Singapore and New York, it’s difficult to find a coveted destination that doesn’t hold an impressive annual market. In fact, some have grown so popular that they’ve become tourist attractions in their own right.

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Cambodia’s New Initiative to Surge Tourism Policies

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.

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Tourist fees are taking over popular destinations. Will they impact your next big trip?

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 fees are taking over popular destinations. Will they impact your next big trip?

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.

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Celebration of Easter in Asian countries with tradition and rituals

Did Globe Aware volunteers know that the locals in our program locations like Goa and the Philippines also celebrate Easter? Discover how across this vast continent, Easter is a vibrant testament to Asia’s diverse cultural heritage.


Celebration of Easter in Asian countries with tradition and rituals

March 19, 2024
Travel and Tour World

Easter, a time of reflection and joy across the globe, unveils its unique splendor in Asia through a mosaic of cultural festivals that blend tradition, spirituality, and community celebration. Across this vast continent, Easter is not merely a religious observance but a vibrant testament to Asia’s diverse cultural heritage.

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How Gen Z Is Changing the Travel Industry

Gen Z’s growing share in the travel market continues to impact the way it operates, in many ways for the better. Do our Globe Aware volunteers who are also a part of Gen Z, agree with this?


How Gen Z Is Changing the Travel Industry — and Where They Plan to Go in 2024

Gen Z’s growing share in the travel market continues to impact the way it operates, in many ways for the better.

By Acacia Gabriel
March 16, 2024
Travel + Leisure

Maybe it is shared distrust in corporate America, but Gen Z is not waiting to see the world. They’re taking it by storm right now, and they are traveling in a way that is far different from other generations.

In fact, more than half of Gen Z adults are already considered frequent travelers. “Millennials paved the way and created this sort of idea that travel is a right, not a privilege,” says travel analyst Lindsey Roeschke, adding that Gen Z has built upon this mindset, continuing to prioritize travel above more traditional paths. While other generations are more likely to wait until they have a certain level of income before spending on trips, 61% of Gen Z travelers earn less than $50,000 annually, according to a study by Bankrate.

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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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Emma’s Song of Gratitude

This song of joy and gratitude for Globe Aware volunteers was written and sung by Emma Peraulta, one of our community program recipients, in December of 2023 in the Philippines. 

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Different New Year’s Traditions Around the World

Fireworks and champagne might be common worldwide, but have our Globe Aware volunteers heard of these other New Year’s traditions?


14 Different New Year’s Traditions Around the World

By Chris Ciolli, Jessie Beck
December 15, 2023
AFAR

Although much of the world festively rings in the new year each December 31, we don’t all celebrate the same way. In the United States, we all know the traditions: the ball drop at Times Square, sharing a kiss with a loved one at the stroke of midnight, and countless amounts of fireworks. But elsewhere around the globe, traditions can include everything from giving your house a thorough cleaning to cracking open a fresh pomegranate.

From Spain to Japan, read on to learn about 14 different New Year’s Eve celebrations around the globe.

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20 Popular Filipino Foods You Have To Try At Least Once

Long overlooked, Filipino food is finally recognized for its diversity and ingenuity. Here are some essential Filipino foods you must try at least once on your Globe Aware volunteer vacation in the Philippines!


BY ANDREW COLETTI AND CRAWFORD SMITH
OCT. 17, 2023
TastingTable

The first food in the Philippines was shaped by the environment. Early human inhabitants of these mountainous islands had a diet rich in tropical produce and seafood, adopting rice as a staple once it was introduced around 3400 B.C.E. Subsequent centuries of interaction with foreign cultures, including long periods of colonization by Spain and the U.S., introduced new dishes and ingredients. Further innovations were born out of scarcity and hardship, as resourceful chefs found ways to make use of limited resources. These many factors have created a modern cuisine like no other in the world: One in which unlikely flavor combinations and diverse international influences come together in delicious harmony.

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Planning Your Experience in the Philippines

4:16 – Globe Aware Executive Director Kimberly Haley-Coleman introduces the community where Globe Aware guests volunteer. 6:10 – A look at some cultural nuances. 7:47 – We talk about leisure and some ways to explore. 13:31 – Kimberly talks packing essentials. 22:40 – We explain accommodations we offer during your adventure. 26:20 – Kimberly goes over food in the Philippines – her favorites and some specialties. 30:42 – Detailing the tropical weather of Cab City.  32:50 – An introduction to our lovely coordinator Mx Gege. 33:56 – Kim walks through arrival, meet up, and departure. 37:43 – A few minor safety and security details to know before you go.

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