Through the magic of Facebook, my freshman college roommate, Sommer, and I recently reconnected. She was married now and had two adorable children. But the best part, was that she was temporarily living abroad- in London- with her family and traveling through Europe with her two children.  I loved that she and her husband had the courage to say yes to a great opportunity (despite having a whole life with children in Florida) to live and work in London. An opportunity which would give their children the chance to experience life abroad, to learn in real time, to shape the very people they would become, and to create such great and lasting memories for them.

If you are an avid reader of this blog, you know that my main goal is to encourage you to travel no matter what stage you are in life and to give you the resources to help you do that.  The holidays are here, and with them comes time for family travel. Maybe you aren’t crossing the pond this year, but maybe next year you will. Because she can offer a perspective that I cannot, I asked Sommer to share some of the things she has learned in her six months of international travel with two small children, and she graciously agreed. I hope these tips give you the courage to take that trip that you have been putting off and to bring the family, too!

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If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know two things.  The first is that I am a meticulous pre-trip planner, which includes taking all proper precautions for vaccines and clothing treatment before we go abroad and bringing the best bug repellent I can find along with us on trips. The second is that Chad and I seem to be on the Zika World Tour this year.  By the time this year ends, we will have visited the Caribbean and South America four times, and we live in South Florida: the first location in the United States to report a Zika outbreak.

All I think about is Zika.  I basically bathe in DEET. So, imagine my panic when, despite being covered in DEET and bug repellent, I got bit 21 times by mosquitoes in Cartagena, Colombia a few weeks ago (if you read that post, you would know that I mentioned those aggressive little suckers more than once).  Same for Chad, except less bites, which isn’t surprising because if there is a mosquito within a mile, it will bite the crap out of me, but never Chad.

I nearly had an anxiety attack after the first bite. After the 20th, I was a real pleasure to be around.  Just ask Chad.  Surely, I had Zika now! So I did what every panicked person does when they get bit by a mosquito while visiting a Zika hot bed, I turned to the internet. This was a mistake!  First, I learned that Colombia was second only to Brazil in the prevalence of Zika (oh, great!), and that in Colombia, Zika started near Cartagena (Perfect! Now, I can never have kids!). I also read that the Colombian government had announced that they had eradicated Zika, but I was sure that was just a lie.  Next, I Googled the symptoms, even though most people do not experience any symptoms at all because I am not most people so surely I would get all the symptoms. Fever.  I did feel hot (it was also 90 degrees most of the day). Joint and muscle pain.  I felt that (I also work out 7 days a week and was walking all over creation in Cartagena). Headache. I think my head hurt (please refer to the heat and activities of the day). By now, I had diagnosed a full fledged case of Zika! (For the record, Chad was equally convinced that I was a crazed hypochondriac.)

The minute I got home, I started making calls.  Chad and I both needed the Zika test! I started with the Department of Health. They will only test you if you are a pregnant woman.  Not me.  I next called my gynecologist.  They referred me to the Department of Heath. When I told them that I had already tried that route, they said they would write me a script to get the test done in a lab, but would not write one for Chad since he was not their patient! What?!? Um obviously, he is not a patient of a gynecologist office, but exactly how did these people think that babies got made? This was starting to become a nightmare.  I called my PCP. They told me that they didn’t do the tests in the office. So I called Chad’s PCP who agreed to test both me and him.  Finally! Within a few days we both had our blood drawn, and then we waited. And waited. After calling the office every few days, we were finally given the results. Negative! Thank GOD!

Here is my point.  There is  A LOT of hype about Zika, and, in my experience, many of the health care providers are ill-equipped to handle patients who call requesting a test. They refer you all around town, and many providers don’t know that they can write you a script to get your blood work done in a lab.  Also, many of the labs or offices don’t frequently give the test, so they are learning how to administer the test and handle the sample. And, in my opinion, the Department of Health’s policy is just insane considering what we know about the transmission of Zika.

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But, obviously, as evidenced by my own experience, even the best preparation is not total protection; so if, despite all the precautions, you still get bit, here is what you need to do: First, don’t freak out and stay off the internet! Second, reapply your repellent immediately to prevent other bites, and keep liberally applying for the rest of your trip. Third, cover exposed skin and stay indoors as much as possible. Fourth, refrain from sharing drinks and from sexual intercourse until you are tested. And, finally, as soon as you can, get tested for Zika.  Do not take “No” for an answer.  If you are getting the run around from doctors, like I was, just keep trying.  It is very important that you get tested within a week, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. Chances are you do not have Zika; BUT, “better safe than sorry,” as they say!

Chad and I will be off to South America again very soon; and, as always, I am going to be super duper vigilant about our precautions. I hope this post was helpful to you.  I’d love to hear your feedback.  Leave a comment or drop me an email.  Cheers to a Zika-free Zika World Tour!

If you read this blog, then, like me, you probably have a passion for travel.  A curiosity about the world. A desire for a more meaningful existence. I personally think that travel is one of the best educations and investments in you.  Through travel, you learn about yourself, you learn about others, and you bridge the gap between yourself and that which was previously unknown to you. It is then that you realize that, despite different languages, cultures, and religious beliefs, most of the world is the same. In a way, travel erases fear and, sometimes, prejudices.

The goal of this blog is to encourage you to travel. In my opinion, what stops people from traveling is not always the time or the money (those are just the excuses), but fear and maybe a little bit of ignorance. I found 5 quotes that sum up my travel philosophy, and I would like to share them with you. Truer words have never been spoken. As the saying goes, the only certainty in life is death and taxes. So, since you know you only have a limited amount of time on this planet, why not spend it living? I am not advocating that you just quit your job, shirk all your responsibilities, and run around the world living a gypsy life. What I am saying is make time to live. Go outside of your comfort zone. Try something new. Go somewhere new. Learn something new. Which brings me to my next philosophy:Dreams are aspirational. Plans are more concrete. Travel doesn’t have to be a dream. It should be a plan. Make travel part of your plan. Pick a place that has always interested you, set aside some time (like literally request the time off of work and put it on your calendar, even if it is a year away), set a realistic budget (a little internet research and can help you determine how much it will cost to get there and stay there, and then add 10 to 20% so there are no surprises), and then work towards that goal (skip that morning coffee, and put the money in your travel fund; bring your lunch instead of going out, and put that money in your travel fund; walk instead of uber, and get exercise and a few more dollars for your travel fund). That way, you canBecause, let’s be honest, there is nothing worse than regret. And, You were meant for so much more than that! So, the next time you are feeling the pressures of work (and life), just remember,Take some time out in your life to enjoy all that hard work and to fill your soul. You deserve an adventure! You deserve toOkay, so that was 6 philosophies.  I guess I was feeling generous. Anyway, I hope this post inspires you to take that trip that you have pushed to the back of your mind, and, as always, I would love to hear about it.
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Recently, I have gotten a lot of requests for a post about packing- how to pack and what to pack. As I started to give this some thought, I realized there is so much more to trip preparation than just packing.  I mean, the preparation process is enough to induce an anxiety attack; but, with a little advanced preparation, it does not have to be stressful. So, I am going to give you an overview of how I prepare for a trip.  This is not just a packing post; it’s a trip preparedness post.

When it comes to packing, though, keep in mind, where you are going and what you are doing when you get there largely dictates what you will pack. There are, however, a few general guidelines that I find helpful, paramount among them is the importance of packing in advance!  I like to pack at least one week before my trip. Why? Well, one week gives you enough time to “live” out of your suitcase such that you will be reminded of things that you forgot to pack.  I don’t mean that you should literally live out of your suitcase, but generally, as you go through the week leading up to your trip, you may remember that you forgot to pack underwear, your contact solution, your Advil, etc. So, without further adieu, I present to you my tried-and-true packing and trip preparation tips!

As Soon As You Book:Visas and Vaccines

As soon as you book your trip (and I hope this is not a last minute booking because if it is, this won’t apply), check the visa and vaccine requirements for your chosen destination. Make an appointment at a travel clinic to get your vaccines and call the embassy of your destination country to advance purchase your visa.  Also, now is the time to check your passport.  Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return. Back in June, I wrote a post about adventure travel preparation. More detailed information on vaccines and visas can be found in that post.

The Month of Your Trip: Travel Documents and Money

Its time to get your travel documents and money in order.  I like to bring a folder that has all my trip information with me.  In this folder, I put a copy of my flight reservation, my hotel reservation confirmations, my transfer confirmations, the confirmations of all our tours/activities/reservations, and a copy of our itinerary and travel insurance documents, if applicable.  I make a duplicate folder to leave at home with my mom, and, in that, I include all relevant phone numbers and email addresses for our travel agent, hotels, guides. etc.

Next I gather my passport, my visa if applicable, my driver’s license, my travel insurance policy if applicable, my health insurance card, and my credit cards.  I make several color copies of both the front and the back of each.  I leave one set in my home, one in my office, and one with my mom. I also take one copy in my carry-on luggage, I hide one in my checked luggage.  In addition to the copies, I also take photos and store them on my phone and email a PDF document of the color copies to myself.  Sound like overkill?  Wait until you are stranded somewhere, or worse, you get robbed.  It won’t be overkill then. You can invest in a travel organizer to house all these documents, and if you do so, make sure to throw in a couple of pens to fill out your customs forms. I bought a large leather envelope bag from Etsy, and I put everything in there.

You’ll also want to call your bank and all your credit cards and alert them of your travels, including dates of departure and return and the countries and cities you are visiting so that they do not freeze your cards while you are traveling and also so that they monitor your accounts for fraud.  Now is a good time to inquire about foreign transaction fees too.  Finally, you will want to order a few hundred dollars of foreign currency to take with you as well as withdraw enough emergency cash (in U.S. dollars) for the trip. Yes, you can change money while in country, but I find that the change stations in airports have a higher rate than what your bank (or, better yet, a local currency exchange retailer) will charge you. Also, this allows you to monitor the exchange rate and buy on the best date.

The Week Before Your Trip: Hell Week

You have a lot to do this week, so I am going to break this out into steps for you. This will probably be the most stressful time before your trip, but you have to try and remain calm and trust in the value of your advanced preparation. Also, weeks like this will help you appreciate and savor the carefree bliss of your travels.

Step 1: Pack Your Checked Luggage
First, check your airline carrier’s weight and dimension requirements and adhere to them. If you are going to a place where insects/mosquitoes are a concern, make sure to spray both the inside and outside of your luggage as well as your clothing before packing (see the link in my June post mentioned above for more information on this). Also, make sure you have a couple of luggage locks and updated luggage tags.  You may also want to consider an electronic luggage tracking device.

Like I said, your itinerary and destination will largely dictate what you need to pack. So, I think it is a good idea to have a copy handy while you are packing.  Go through each day and think about what you are doing, the climate, and how long your days are so that you can pack accordingly.  I like to literally lay out complete outfits for day and night for each day and then add in a few extra tops.  I try to build my travel wardrobe around a few key basic/classic pieces, like a good pair of jeans, my favorite leggings, etc. The basics include lightweight clothing that can be layered. In choosing your clothing, try to pick versatile pieces to mix and match that can be dressed up or down. You don’t know anyone there so you can re-wear outfits (GASP!), and I don’t care what you see on Instagram from fashion bloggers who bring like two entire suitcases for a weekend getaway, you do NOT need that many clothes. Remember, you need to drag all this crap all over the world, so choose wisely.

Keeping everything organized can be a challenge, so packing organizers can be a life saver. You can keep clothing organized in compartments by using packing cubes. These are some staple items that you want to pack:

• Tops (1 to 2 per day and then 2-3 extra; short sleeved and tanks for warm weather and long sleeved or sweaters for cold weather)
• 2 pairs of jeans (preferably one blue and one black)
• 1 pair of leggings
• If it’s a warm weather destination, then a couple pairs of shorts
• 1 versatile,  neutral colored jacket and/or a cardigan (I like to bring a jean jacket)
• Active-wear (I love Lululemon.  I bring a few pairs of their yoga pants, some sports bras, and a few tanks)
• Swimwear if necessary (1 to 2 pieces is plenty and 1 cover-up)
• 1 to 2 dresses or dressier options (like a skirt, a pair of dress pant, a jumpsuit, or rompers)
• Socks
• Underwear and bras (I usually bring 2 bras, 4 sports bras, and 2 pairs of underwear per day)
• Pajamas/sleepwear (1 set is usually enough)
• 1 pair of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes (or flat boots/booties if necessary)
• 1 pair of comfortable flats or sandals for evenings
• 1 pair of flip flops (for walking around the beach or the hotel room)
• Water shoes, if necessary
• 1 versatile belt (I like a gold skinny belt)
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 lightweight, neutral colored rain jacket or a poncho
• 1 neutral colored cross-body day bag (again, I like a metallic, like gold or pewter)
• 1 small evening wristlet or clutch
• If it’s cold, then:
  •  1 puffer vest
  • 2 neural colored scarves
  • 1 pair of gloves
  • 1 neutral colored hat or ear warmers
  • 1 set of thermals
  • a heavier coat (that you should carry on the plane with you)

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Forget the jewelry. It takes up space, you have to keep track of it, and you don’t need it.  Leave your wedding bands and watches in a home safe and your costume jewelry at home unless you are traveling for an event, like a wedding. I also like to pack a plastic laundry bag to house my dirty clothes. Also, I am assuming that you will get your hair blown out and a gel manicure before you leave. Most hotels now have a pretty decent blow dryer so just bring a light flat iron, or, better yet, find a nearby salon to get your hair blown out in-country and don’t bring anything (this is very cheap in Asia and South America)! I recently got a lightweight travel steamer, so I will be bringing that when I travel next year for my sister’s wedding in Greece.

Step 2: Pack Your Carry-On Bag
The next thing you’ll want to do is prepare your carry-on bag. Again, check your airline carrier for required dimensions and weights. Some airlines are very strict about this. I like a roller-board over a duffel bag. The first thing you need to do is make sure you have one or two complete outfits, sleepwear, and underwear in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost or delayed (or you miss a flight/connection). I also like to carry my essential toiletries in my carry-on. Remember, you’ll be carrying this bad boy with you, so keep it light. Here are some things to include:

Technology

• Mobile device/iPad/e-reader, charger, and converter/adapter
• Cigarette lighter charger for the car
• Mobile/wireless charging device
• Mobile Wi-Fi device or personal hotspot and charger
• Headphones
• If you still travel with a camera and/or a video camera/GoPro, you will need the charger and memory card (same goes for your laptop)

Health Items

• Hand sanitizer or wet wipes
• Baby wipes (which can also double as toilet paper when you visit countries where that is a luxury in public restrooms, aka, almost everywhere outside of the U.S.)
• Prescriptions (in case something happens to your checked luggage)
• Glasses and case
• Advil or a pain reliever
• Birth control
• Antacids
• Band-aids
• Anti-diarrhea medications
• Tissues
• Lip Balm
• Gum
• Snacks (I like protein bars, nuts, and dark chocolate)

I usually also pack a pair of plane socks and my flip flops. Your selfie stick can go in here or your checked luggage, and I sometimes bring a small, lightweight, hand-held fan with batteries. Did she just say a fan?!? Yes, she did. Go to Asia for three weeks (or the Greek Islands in the summer) and then tell me what the one thing you wished had with you was.  I bet it’s a fan. And a cool towel (which I also brought). By the way, if you are traveling to a place where you will be visiting temples or mosques, then remember to always have a pair of socks on you and something to cover your shoulders. You can’t wear shoes inside these places.

Remember, you also get a personal item (like a purse or a backpack), so use that space as well.  In here, I pack my travel wallet, my phone, extra cash, my travel document organizer/folder, a pen, a light scarf that can also be used as a blanket, and some extra luggage locks and keys in case mine break along the way. I don’t use a travel pillow anymore because all airlines give you pillows on board, but if you do, stick it in your carry on, and don’t forget your earplugs, eye-patch, book and/or magazines.

Step 3: Pack Your Toiletry Bag
I like to pack this a week in advance and actually live out of it for a week to make sure I packed everything I need.  I will usually pack two toiletries bags: one that I carry on with essentials and one that I check in my luggage.  If you’re carrying on, keep your toiletry bag light and TSA-compliant. The TSA’s 3-1-1 rule makes it easy to remember: liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container and they must be in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag. Here is what I pack:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Hair brush
• Hair ties, clips, and bobby pins
• Deodorant
• Shampoo and conditioner (sometimes I skip this since all hotels have these)
• Dry shampoo
• Small bar soap or body wash
• Razor and shaving cream
• Sunscreen
• Face Wash (and my travel Clarisonic)
• Moisturizer
• Hairspray
• Feminine hygiene products
• Extra contacts, solution, and case
• Personal prescriptions
• Pain and fever relievers
• Cold medicines and throat lozenges
• Diarrhea/laxative medicines
• Allergy medicines
• Band-aids/blister covers
• Hydrocortisone cream/antibacterial ointment
• Sunburn relief
• Insect repellent/mosquito net/sting reliever
• Motion sickness pills or bands
• Eye drops
• Medicines and vaccinations specific to the region/activity, including precautionary antibioitcs and oral yeast infection treatment if that is a side-effect to your antibiotic
• Make up
  • concealer
  • pressed powder compact
  • blush with brush
  • eyebrow brush
  • mascara
  • lip gloss
  • lip balm
  •  travel sized perfume
  • tweezers and nail clippers

Step 4: Prepare Your Home

Now is the time to make preparations for your home, your pets, and your workload.

• Have the post office hold mail or arrange for a friend or family member to come pick it up
• Stop newspaper and meal delivery services
• Cancel your pool service, pest control service, and cleaning service companies
• Check upcoming work deadlines and coordinate for coverage with a co-worker
• Set up an email auto reply and leave the information of your coverage co-worker
• Arrange care of pets, lawn, and plants
  • If you are having someone stay at your house or come by periodically while you are gone, make sure to leave specific feeding instructions for pets, including instructions to administer medication and emergency vet numbers
  • If you are boarding, make sure to make a reservation and pack food, medication, a bed, toys, and emergency contact information (yours, a local contact, and your vet)
  • Leave watering instructions for your plants and/or care instructions for your house
• Pre-pay bills online
• Prearrange school absences for children
• Empty your refrigerator of perishables, but leave some non-perishable items for your return
• Unplug appliances
• Turn up your air conditioner
• Set up light and sprinkler timers
• Take out your trash
• Lock all doors and windows and set your alarm
• Leave a set of keys to your car and home with a trusted friend or family member
• Store valuables in a safe place
• Leave your trip itinerary with a trusted friend or family member, including flight and hotel itineraries and contact numbers
• Reconfirm/check-in online with airline and print boaridng passes or send them to your mobile device
• If you will be gone for a long time, consider putting up your hurricane shutters (just in case)

Phew! You are done! It’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy that vacation, because you earned it! Also, you can now enjoy your time away knowing that you’ve taken care of every last detail! I hope you found this post helpful. If so, drop me a comment or an email and let me know.  If I have forgotten anything or you have some other great tips, I’d love to hear them.

The promise of a new adventure brings so much excitement.  Where will you visit? What will you see and experience? Who will you meet? What will you eat? But, in my opinion, there is a far more important consideration to take into account.  One that likely gets little or no thought at all. That consideration is what effect will your visit have on the people and the place you are visiting.

In my mind, every traveler is an ambassador of his or her country and a guest in the host country. With that in mind, Chad and I have made the decision to be responsible travelers, positively impacting the communities we visit, and leaving them with a positive view of our culture. The goal of this post is to encourage you to travel with a heightened sense of social awareness.  I think you will find that this will ultimately change the course of your travels and your travel experiences.

In my opinion, socially conscientious travel is important because it has the potential to be a catalyst for change. But what exactly does it mean to be a “socially conscientious traveler?”  I think that there are different meanings for different people, but, to me, socially conscientious travel means two things: the first is to be vigilant about avoiding travel experiences and activities that exploit the local community you are visiting, especially those attractions that exploit animals, children, and women; the second is the idea of giving back as part of the travel experience.  I am certainly not saying that you should turn your vacation into a mission trip. I am simply suggesting that you incorporate socially conscientious decisions and experiences into your awesome adventure. Let me explain.

Avoiding Exploitative Travel Experiences 

Chad and I were not always socially conscientious travelers.  I think this awareness comes from the experience of travel. The more you travel, and, quite frankly, the more you expand your geographic travel regions (like, travel outside of the United States and Europe), the more aware you become about (and, hopefully, engaged in) this concept.

I can pinpoint the exact moment that the notion of socially conscientious travel occurred to me.  If you know Chad and I well, then you know that we are major animal lovers. So it was only natural to us that we would spend out honeymoon on a photo safari in South Africa. It was literally the best experience ever. After our safari adventure was over, we made our way back to the city, and our itinerary called for a visit to Lion Park in South Africa. Lion Park offered the opportunity to have a personal experience with baby lion cubs, including petting them. We love animals so much that we didn’t even think twice about this. We were so excited to get to interact with and pet a baby lion!

It wasn’t until we returned to the United States that I started to think about this experience. Chad and I would never do anything to hurt an animal or intentionally support any organization that exploits, kills, or hurts animals, but I could not help but wonder, how were people able to pet baby lions? Where were their mothers? What happened to the baby lion when it grew up and had lost its fear of people?

I decided to do some internet research. My worst fears were confirmed. The cubs are bread in captivity for the purpose of being petted by tourists, and, even worse, after 6 months of age (when it’s too dangerous to continue to allow tourists to pet the lions), the cubs are sold to canned hunts where tourists pay up to $100,000.00 to hunt these lions (who have been petted and fed by humans all their lives) in enclosed spaces. I was literally sick to my stomach over this. I could not believe that Chad and I had paid money to this awful organization to exploit a baby lion that would ultimately die by being “hunted.”

After this experience, Chad and I decided that we would never again do something like this.  It was at this exact moment that I became a travel agent’s worst nightmare. When we use travel agents, I am very clear with them at the beginning of our consultation that Chad and I will not engage in any activity or experience that exploits animals, women, or children.  In fact, if the company offers these experiences to other tourists, we won’t use them at all. Once I get the draft itinerary, I research every single aspect of the trip activities to make sure we are not engaging in exploitative travel.

Two years later, we visited Thailand.  We worked with a travel agency that used only local, in-house guides with ties to the communities we visited and was socially conscious about the activities it planned. Elephant tourism is very popular in Thailand, and that often means that the elephant is being mistreated for the sake of tourism and revenue generation. While Chad and I were very excited about the possibility to have one-on-one interaction with these beautiful, gentle giants, we love animals and we did not want visit a program that exploited them.

On that trip (after a copious amount of vetting), we visited Patara Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai, which is an elephant conservation organization that rescues unwanted or formerly exploited elephants with the goal of preserving the Asian elephant population in Thailand. Patara emphasizes education about the plight of the elephant with programs that allow you to learn about elephants while participating in their daily care. Their “mahout” for a day program, includes a bareback ride on the elephant. We did not see bull hooks being used, and, importantly, there were no chairs or wicker basket strapped to the backs of elephants to facilitate the ride, which could hurt the elephant. Nonetheless, I continued to wonder whether riding an elephant at all was ethical. I have read several articles about this since then, and while it is probably best to not ride an elephant at all, the safest way to ride an elephant is bareback and on the neck, like we did at Patara. That is the thing about socially conscious travel- it is a constant learning experience.
The best option in Chiang Mai is probably Elephant Nature Park. They have several elephant interaction day programs to choose from and even overnight and week-long volunteer programs, but none of them allow riding. Another beautiful aspect of this operation is that they have an on-property dog rescue.
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Along the way during our travels in Thailand, we met other travelers who had also visited Tiger Temple and Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai, places that Chad and I made the conscious decision to avoid. Like the dreaded Lion Park, these tiger attractions have captive tigers and allows visitors to pet not only baby tigers but also full grown adult tigers.  Based on my research, they are known for drugging the tigers to keep them sedated enough to not attack tourists and also beating the tigers when they are too sedated to interact with the tourists.  It literally made me sick to hear that people were supporting these attractions and perpetuating the exploitation of tigers.

Another popular but controversial tourist draw in Chiang Mai is visiting the Karen Long Neck Villages. The artificial hill tribes popped up around the northern Thai border in the mid-1980s as a result of a civil war. The tribe has a custom whereby female tribe members have elongated their necks as a result of years of wearing heavy brass rings around their necks (from as early as the age of 4 or 5), thereby inspiring tourism to these villages. Many international tour companies discourage these visits because it is like visiting a human zoo, which was why Chad and I avoided the visit. This article does a nice job of explaining why the visit is considered exploitative of the tribe’s people, particularly the women and children. However, that does not stop thousands of tourists from visiting these mostly fabricated villages to buy “local” goods, watch children perform for tourists, and snap pictures of themselves with women and children who have the golden rings around their necks. To be fair, there are other articles that discuss respectful/socially responsible ways to visit these hill tribes.

It is exploitative experiences and attractions like these, found all over the world, that I emphatically encourage you to avoid. There are so many other alternatives and more meaningful and authentic experiences to have in the world that do not contribute to the suffering of an animal, a child, or a woman. You just need to spend a little time fully researching the activities, attractions, and experiences that your travel agent, your friend, or the internet recommends.

I think that this article does a really nice job of explaining what exploitative travel is and how to avoid it, but some easy and common sense steps include: i) researching each activity by cross checking them on Google, popular tourists websites (like Tripadvisor), and blogs and going through both the good and bad reviews and the photos; ii) reaching out to the organization to find out more about their conservation program, including where the money goes and inquiring about the full program details; iii) hiring local, independent guides that do not work for and have no financial incentive to bring you to places like the tiger attractions mentioned above; and iv) being weary of attractions where animals or humans are performing unnatural acts or where 100% guarantees of sightings are offered. And remember, there are no guarantees, even with hours of research and planning, that everything you do is going to be 100% ethical, but the point is to engage in experiences where animals and people are not being objectified for financial gain.

Charitable Travel 

On the other end of the spectrum is charitable travel.  This does not necessarily have to be volunteer travel (the idea of taking a trip for the purpose of engaging in a volunteer opportunity).  This can simply mean adding a charitable component to your travels.

Back to South Africa. Our agent mentioned that our private safari concession, Lions Sands Game Reserve partnered with the Bhubezi Community Projects to support a pre-school for a local village.  There were numerous volunteer, sponsorship, and donation programs to support the community project.  After doing some research, Chad and I came prepared with educational supplies to distribute to the children and medical supplies to distribute to the community.  This was such a rewarding experience, that we decided that whenever possible, we would incorporate a charitable aspect to all of our travels.

In Luang Prabang, Laos, we visited the Hmong village and its local school where we brought educational supplies, toys, and snacks to the children. We got to interact with the children in the classroom and see the look of pure joy on their faces when we gave them their very own notepads, pencils, and a snack.

We recently had a similar experience in Peru where we visited an orphanage for girls and brought them toiletries and school supplies. 

Organizing a charitable travel component is not hard, even if you are not working with an agent, it is not very expensive, it does not take time away from your vacation, and it will probably be one of the more authentic and certainly most memorable parts of your journey.  It certainly leaves you feeling connected to the destination.

I hope this post has given you some perspective and has inspired you to not only be more conscientious about your travels, but also to incorporate some charitable component into your travels.  If your have any personal anecdotes or tips on how to be a more socially conscientious traveler, I would love to hear them. Leave me a comment or send me an email.