Who isn’t tired of hearing all the doom and gloom news about the economy? It’s time to start searching for the silver lining because believe me,it’s there, and this silver lining includes some amazing travel opportunities right now. On this Travel Tuesday, where we highlight the best travel specials of the week, we’re looking at Volunteer Vacations as a top TRAVEL THERAPY pick because on these trips you save money and give back at the same time and that’s priceless! Before my first Volunteer Vacation I always thought you had to be rich to do a volunteer trip, that it would cost thousands of dollars and you would need at least several weeks off work. Working as a television reporter for more than ten years I never had more than five days off at a time so I thought volunteer vacations were off limits and too expensive for my budget.
But thankfully times have changed and now you don’t have to sign up for a month long trip, if you don’t have the time or money, instead with the new trend in volunteer vacations you can take advantage of some great opportunities that last just a week or ten days and are affordable. What’s so great about these new Volunteer Vacations is that you not only volunteer your time and make a difference but you also get to experience some of the surrounding culture and environment with sightseeing trips.
Volunteer Vacations are a great choice if your time and budget are limited but you want to make sure to get the most from your experience. One of my favorite examples of an affordable Volunteer Vacation is highlighted in my new book TRAVEL THERAPY: Where Do You Need to Go? where you stay right in the U.S. and your trip will cost you less than $300 for the entire week! Or how about volunteering on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota? Many of the best volunteer vacations are right in your own backyard and you didn’t even know it!
If you’re itching to travel to a third world country you don’t have to travel all the way to Africa to find children in need. There are plenty of volunteer vacation programs in Mexico or Guatemala where you’ll find thousands of children who are desperate for a little attention, care and love. There’s a trip coming up to Guatemala, see more details below, a week will only cost you about $1100 and that includes lodging, food, volunteering and sightseeing trips.
Here’s a quick list of some top volunteer vacation choices, including trips in Africa, India and Vietnam. Right now you can find some great airfare deals to all of these destinations so there has never been a better time to follow your heart and “Pay it Forward”. You’ll change lives, including your own!
If you have any questions about volunteer vacations or have a story to share I’d love to hear it here. Just leave a comment and share your thoughts. This is one terrific TRAVEL THERAPY option you don’t want to miss!
Volunteering in the U.S.
Wilderness Volunteers is an amazing program offered in states like Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Utah where you spend your time volunteering outside, helping to protect and preserve the environment. This volunteer trip only runs $259 for the entire week and that includes your lodging and food!Most of these trips are offered in the spring, summer and fall and they fill up fast so you’ll want to check out Wilderness Volunteers website for the latest schedule and secure your spot as soon as possible. www.wildernessvolunteers.org
Volunteering in Third World Countries
One great resource for volunteering internationally is Ambassadors for Children, a not for profit organization dedicated to helping children around the world, children who need it most. By going to the AFC website at www.ambassadorsforchildren.org you’ll have all the resources you need to pick a trip that fits how you feel so you can make the most out of your experience. This is the group I traveled with for a TRAVEL THERAPY trip when I volunteered in Malawi, Africa, and it was an amazing life changing experience.
Prices include food, lodging and sightseeing excursions.
For more on Volunteer Vacations you can pick up a copy of TRAVEL THERAPY: Where Do You Need to Go? where Volunteer Vacations are featured in chapter four and you can also go to TRAVEL THERAPY’s Pay it Forward website at www.payitforwardtrips.com
