VolunTourism
VolunTourism is a fairly new and growing style of adventure travel. It has been defined as “integrating the best of travel and tourism - arts, culture, geography, heritage sites, the natural environment, and recreation - with the opportunity to serve and enhance the destination - its people, places, and things.”
Connecting with local people and learning about unique cultures is really at the hart of any international travel experience that has ‘blown me away’ and left a lasting memory. Don’t get me wrong, I love the mountains, oceans, and animals but it’s connecting with the people that has really struck a nerve in me.
Experiences such as staying in the home of a Nepali Sherpa after a successful climb or having afternoon tea in the home of a Kenyan farmer after she proudly showed me her tea and coffee plantation or being the only foreigner in a group of East Indian friends trekking through the Himalayas of India.
VolunTourism adventures give participants the opportunity to give back and connect with locals on a level many international travelers on a regular ‘guided tour’ would never get.
Over the next few months, I will be working on developing new and exciting itineraries that have an extensive VolunTourism component.
Keep building the adventure in your life!