AAA projects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period from Tuesday, November 25 to Monday, December 1. This year’s domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record. Thanksgiving is the single busiest holiday for travel compared to others like Memorial Day and July 4.
As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of Americans prepare for what is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. But a growing number of travelers are asking a strategic question:Is it actually better to travel on Thanksgiving Day itself? Factors such as cost, traffic volumes, and destination popularity suggest that the answer may increasingly beyes – especially for those seeking a more purposeful holiday experience, such as a volunteer vacation with Globe Aware.
I loved learning about Kimberly Haley Coleman and Globe Aware – an award-winning short-term volunteer abroad program available in 26 countries. I didn’t know this was a thing, but I’m so glad it is! You can travel abroad to learn about a new place, help people and find purpose – this sounds like my kind of vacation! Tropical destinations, cooler weather, far away, or closer by, there’s something for everyone. Kimberly says they can teach the skills; they just need kind, willing people to offer short-term support – solo, or as a group!
Ancient South America, vast American national parks, and volcanic islands in Asia all appear on the travel guide’s roundup for the year ahead, two being Globe Aware destinations! Find out which one on today’s blog!
Ancient port cities, volcanic islands, lush mountainous counties and vast national parks all appear on the travel guide’s roundup for the year ahead
By Liv Kelly
October 23 2025
TimeOut
As 2025 gradually draws to a close, you’re probably going to not only start thinking about all the cool places you ticked off the bucket list this year, but also about what lies ahead for your travel plans in 2026, right?
Well, if you need some fresh contenders, Lonely Planet has just published its roundup of the best places to travel, and along with some already-popular destinations like Mexico City, Botswana and Sardinia, there are some out-of-the-box suggestions on the agenda, too.
Tune in to the latest episode of Amplify Your Legacy, where Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder of Globe Aware, shares how one woman’s choice to serve transformed lives — including her own. Hear insights on the importance of ethical volunteerism, how short-term volunteer travel can create lasting global impact, and the mindset shifts behind leading with purpose. Discover how to turn your professional experience into a legacy of service through meaningful, culturally immersive programs that empower communities worldwide.
In this episode, Brent welcomes a truly inspiring guest – Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and CEO of Globe Aware, an organization redefining what it means to travel with purpose. Kimberly’s mission is simple yet profound: to make “voluntourism” – the combination of travel and meaningful community service – accessible, sustainable, and life-changing for both volunteers and the local communities they serve.
Imagine jetting off to a remote village, not as a tourist, but as a volunteer, building infrastructure alongside indigenous elders and realizing that true success isn’t in the bricks laid, but in the trust earned across cultures.In this episode of Powering ProjeX, host DK sits down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware, to explore how culturally aware project delivery creates lasting impact.
From grassroots community design to stakeholder alignment across continents, this conversation uncovers how purpose-driven projects can transform not only communities but the people who lead them.
What if your next vacation changed a community and changed you? In this episode, Jake sits down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder/CEO of Globe Aware, to unpack the reality of short-term, no-politics/no-proselytizing volunteer vacations—one-week service projects designed to build cultural awareness, gratitude, and real-world impact.
In this podcast conversation, we explore the transition from executive leadership to volunteer-driven roles and how designing a life centred on giving back can create lasting impact. Through the lens of volunteer service vacations and ethical travel, we explore how to bridge professional success with global purpose — utilizing skills, time, and resources to empower communities. Key themes include valuing depth over breadth, building intentional teams, and recognizing the expertise of local partners. Whether through short-term service vacations, volunteering overseas or ongoing volunteer work, giving back isn’t a break from achievement — it’s an evolution of it. That transforms your life and theirs; transformational travel!
Since 1990, Kimberly Haley-Coleman has built long-term partnerships and projects across the nonprofit and for-profit sectors worldwide. Before co-founding Globe Aware, she served as Vice President of Business Development for aerospace firm Team Encounter and led international expansion efforts for Infotriever, a Canadian communications company. As Director of International Business Development at Telescan (now InvestTools), she developed strategic relationships across 20 countries, helping millions access free financial education tools. She also contributed to the launch of CNBC.com as interim Product Manager and co-developed Dcipher, an AI-driven investment analysis engine that provides free, real-time portfolio insights.
