With opportunities for engagement that include ‘Chefugee’ cooking classes and yoga sessions led by a certified teacher, our partnership with Madrid for Refugees has us excited in more ways than one! Of course, offering unique opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers in Madrid to share their skills, culture and local cuisine with guests is just one of the many incredible programs that MFR spearheads. We spoke with Madrid for Refugees founder Christina Samson about the integral work they do.
Reflections on the Inca Trail
Blogger and world traveler Jennifer Fitzpatrick joins us to reflect on her experience hiking the Inca Trail. For every challenge, she finds, there was an even greater reward!
Meet Our Partner: Kuska School, Peru
How to Travel Responsibly
Being a socially responsible traveler used to be difficult. When I changed the way I traveled about five years ago, I felt like a fish swimming upstream. I’m thankful that every year it gets easier to be a responsible traveler as more destinations support this type of travel and ethical tour operators realize the benefit in preserving their environment.
Meet Our Partner: Yes You Can Spray
Upon a first visit to Lisbon – a city of castles, fado, and seaport vistas - you might be met by an unexpected surprise: The prevalence of graffiti. Rather than writing this off as an act of novice, we looked to embrace this art form and recognize its historic role as a political voice and its current impact for social inclusion.
6 Tips for Solo Female Travel
As a travel company, we often observe the inner though process of guests who consider traveling with us. In particular, we get a lot of questions from women. “Is it safe for a female to travel alone?” “Will there be other solo travelers?” “Can I travel alone?” And our answer is - of course! We invited guest blogger Jennifer Prince to give her reasons why.
Books for the Road: Croatia
With its exponential growth in tourism over the past few years, Croatia is a destination that travelers flock to for its white sand beaches, stunning national parks, and relative affordability. However, what many visitors don’t realize is that it is steeped in ancient history, from its early kingdom status, to rule by the Venetians, Ottomans and Hapsburgs, to its recent transition from Yugoslavia to the independent republic that it is today. Before you go, check out these 5 books on Croatia and be sure to save a couple for the road!
10 Travel Tips for Ireland
To make the absolute most out of your time exploring the Emerald Isle, read on for our very best tips which we’ve gathered from years of experience exploring Ireland! Don’t find yourself caught without essential items, surprised by car rental details, waiting in lines or bus stops for hours, expecting bland meals, exploring areas at the wrong time of year, or hopelessly lost without any juice in your phone or offline GPS. We’ve got all your burning questions answered, with plenty of helpful information to avoid all those issues and more.
5 Reasons to Visit Morocco
We absolutely love Morocco, from its stunning landscapes, to its fresh, seasonal foods and its incredible artisan crafts. We chatted with our local guide Adil to see what he loves most about his country, and why he wants to share it with the world. Here’s what he had to say, from the eyes of a local.
Small Group Travel: A Q&A
4 Resolutions for Travelers
With the New Year comes a fresh season to see travel with new eyes. The holiday season of 2020 is no exception as it’s been the year that has kept us grounded and given us time to reflect on what travel really mans for you. While we’re all hoping for a brighter 2021, now is a great time to keep that spirit alive with a renewed perspective whether your ventures take you near or far.
Meet Our Partner: The Iklan Berber Women’s Rug Co-op
On our Yoga & Art Morocco itinerary, we visit a rural Berber women’s textile co-op to see exactly how it’s done and how rug-making in Morocco is integral to sustainable development, women’s empowerment and cultural preservation.
Christmas Traditions Around the World
12 Gifts for Travelers
With Christmas right around the corner, it’s time to think gifts for those people special to us in life. Many of the traveler us world, however, are less keen on expensive “things” and would rather receive functional items, or better yet the gift of an experience! Here are 12 of the best gifts for travelers to consider this season:
Books for the Road: Peru
Whether you’re traveling to Peru in the near future or just dreaming of a some-day visit, reading up on this location is a must before travel. Home to the ancient empire of the Incas, Peru also boasts swaths of Amazon rainforest, the highest sand dune in the world, and nearly 100 microclimates. The intertwining history of the Old World and the New over the past 500 years have shaped both cultures into what they are today, and these books give a glimpse into both the past and present of the epicenter of South America.
Meet Our Partner: Irish Seed Savers
The visit with Irish Seed Savers on our Ireland trip is a highlight along the journey, listed among our clients' favorite experiences. In a picturesque setting in rural County Clare, their 20 acres of land are put to great use as they lead the charge in Ireland for seed saving as well as further sustainable, eco-friendly, and educational goals.
5 Ways to Practice Gratitude Through Travel
It’s the time of year where the weather shifts, the days shorten, and there’s a natural inclination to turn inward toward friends & family and life comforts. Whether you’re on the road this season or taking a break before next year’s travels, now is the perfect time to practice the gratitude the travel teaches us.
Cinque Terre in 10 Photos
Known for its breathtaking vistas, rugged coastal terrain, and charming buildings overlooking the sea, the picturesque villages that make up Cinque Terre are a destination worth traveling to. Italian travel photographer Andrea Flisi takes us on a photo journey of this UNESCO World Heritage site along the Italian Riviera.
Meet our Partner: Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation
Meet Our Partner: Friends International Cambodia
We absolutely loved spending time with our community partner Friends International in Cambodia. From creative cuisine at their social enterprise restaurants to hand-crafted goods at their Phnom Penh shop, Friends showcases a sustainable model for social change in Cambodia. We talked to Friends a bit more about their history and vision, and here’s what they had to say.