I can book online, why should I use a travel advisor?

Today you can book hotels, airline tickets, and a host of other things online. So why choose to book with a travel advisor?

• When you use a travel advisor, we become your concierge. This means, if anything goes sideways, you call us directly. We will be your advocate before, during and after your trip.

• We do the research and planning for you and create a trip that's tailored to your interests and budget, saving you the stress of doing it yourself, as well as time and money. This allows you to be an active participant, while getting to sit back and enjoy the process.

• We have access to rates, packages, and availability that the average traveler does not. We also have direct contacts in the locations, hotels, cruise lines, etc. that we are booking for you.

• Some commission fees are already built into the prices for hotels, cruises, etc. That means you are paying those fees whether you use a travel advisor or not. What you are not getting is the personal service and attention, the advocacy when needed, and the promotions and comps that are available only through a travel advisor.

• You are supporting small business.

Do you charge a fee for your services?

As travel advisors, we provide valuable services - saving you time, money, and a host of potential headaches. We are your advocates before, during, and even after your travel. Our planning fee allows us to provide you adequate research, expertise, and specialized knowledge and ensures that we can provide you with unbiased recommendations tailored to your individual needs and desires. It also allows us to include services for you that will further enhance your travel experience. We want you to have the easiest, least stressful experience and get the best value for your travel investment.

What exactly is a volunteer vacation?

Let's start at the beginning - the definition of a volunteer: a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service; one who renders a service or takes part in a transaction while having no legal concern or interest.

Okay, but why should I volunteer?
Research shows that volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. It reduces stress because when you focus on someone/something other than yourself, you interrupt usual tension-producing patterns. Volunteering makes you healthier. Moods and emotions, like optimism and joy strengthen the immune system. Volunteering provides valuable community services so more money can be spent on local improvements. Volunteers gain professional experience - you can test out a career! Volunteering can assist in uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal while building camaraderie and teamwork. It promotes personal growth and self-esteem. Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy. Volunteering strengthens the community. As a volunteer you help to support families (daycare and eldercare), improve schools (tutoring, literacy), support youth (mentoring and after-school programs), beautify the community (beach and park cleanups) You get a chance to give back. And the #1 reason to volunteer? You get to make a difference! Some of the areas where you could consider volunteering include: Youth work – if you love working with children, there are plenty of youth-oriented volunteer placements available. You can work as a mentor or tutor or even teach English as a foreign language. Animal welfare – from helping to care for animals in sanctuaries to working on research projects, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Conservation projects – if you’re interested in environmental work, there are numerous options available, including reforestation projects, beach cleanups, or even wildlife conservation efforts. Community development – get involved with local community projects such as building homes, painting schools, or working in soup kitchens. Medical volunteering – if you have a background in the medical field, there are many ways to put your skills to good use, whether it’s in a local clinic, hospital, or even helping with medical research projects. Humanitarian work – you can work with refugees, assist in disaster relief efforts, and help to promote human rights.

I get it, but how does it work?
There are as many ways to take a volunteer vacation as there are people on the planet! Here are a few of the ways that we can help you give back while on vacation:

• You want to take a vacation during the summer visiting one of our wonderful national parks - during your stay you participate in a trail-upkeep event one day.

• You spend four weeks in Alaska trip at a working, off-grid husky ranch and assist with care of the dogs.

• You go to Chicago to spend a week connecting with nature and learning how to create an urban nature space in your own community.

• Travel to South Africa and meet the inspiring leaders spearheading conservation work in their communities - visit wildlife rehabilitation centers and delve into elephant conservation at a local sanctuary; going beyond the normal safari experience by living in harmony with nature on an exclusive reserve and becoming part of the wildlife conservation movement to protect the animals at a national park.

  The possibilities are as unique as you are. Schedule a free consultation with us and we'll design your perfect volunteer vacation!

Frequently Asked Questions