Sustainability the New Trendsetter When Traveling to Africa

By Chelsea Todaro, Public Relations Specialist with The Travel Corporation

Safaris, sight-seeing and authentic food are all the rage when travelers think about vacationing to Africa, but what about leaving a positive impact that lasts a lifetime?

Many people may wonder what sustainability travel is, but African Travel, Inc. defines it well with trips offered alongside ME to WE and The TreadRight Foundation.

Sustainability travel simply means ensuring your vacation to make travel matter. In partnership with The TreadRight Foundation, African Travel’s mission is to have a positive impact on people, wildlife, and the planet for generations to come.

How could you pass up an opportunity to vacation and make your travel matter?

African Travel, Inc. has a variety of safari vacations that include sustainable travel such as a four-day trip to Kenya, a one-day trip to Tanzania and a 10-day trip across South Africa.

Help Future Generations in Kenya on a ME to WE Trip

African Travel Safari Specialist, Marsha Carroll helping build a library at WE College in Kenya

(Photo Courtesy of African Travel, Inc.)

While vacationing in Kenya, you will have an unforgettable community experience in the northern Maasai Mara. You get to dive deeper into Kenya’s vibrant culture and landscape, rather than just taking exotic photographs of the elephants, lions and rhinos (which you can still do!).

While in the Maasai Mara, you help rural communities to break the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term community development by investing in primary education, clean drinking water and sanitation, health care services, agriculture and alternative income projects.

What makes this unique from other experiences?

You CAN WITNESS IN PERSON the positive impact you will bring to these villages. While on a guided walking tour of a local primary school, you get to see the difference between an old school structure and a new working school built by WE Villages.

Other culturally immersive experiences of the trip include learning about daily life in a rural Kenyan village, learning the art of traditional Maasai beading from local women and visiting a local market and health center. You can then roll up your sleeves and work with Maasai and Kipsigi community members to build a new school.

But it’s not all work and no play. Of course, you can still enjoy the majestic scenery around you with exquisite lunches and dinners with a view of the sunsets and mountains.

Volunteer in Tanzania for a Day

Students with desks made by African Travel, Inc.

(Photo Courtesy of African Travel, Inc.)

Guests who are staying at Gibb’s Farm in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Highlands area have an opportunity to devote a morning to sawing, hammering and sanding with skilled carpenters to create school desks and other needed furniture. At schools in this area three to four children typically share ONE desk, so creating new furniture will change their daily lives at school. This is a very rewarding way to participate in village life and support children’s education.

Help Save Rhinos in South Africa

Rhinos at Shamwari Game Reserve

(Photo Courtesy of African Travel, Inc.)

On African Travel’s Majestic South Africa safari vacation, you will stay at Shamwari Game Reserve and learn about the important conservation work done by people like Dr. Johan Joubert, the reserve’s director of wildlife.

Just visiting Shamwari will directly help the rhino conservation efforts. When travelers book this 10-day journey, African Travel will make a donation in the couple’s name, contributing to continued rhino conservation efforts and the building of a new rhino boma at the reserve, which opened in April 2019. The rhino boma is a safe haven to rehabilitate injured or orphaned rhinos until they are strong enough to be reintroduced to the wild. You’ll also learn about Shamwari’s innovative anti-poaching program, which includes micro-chipping rhinos and using a micro-light “Bat Hawk” aircraft for aerial surveillance

These are only a few options to help the communities in Africa but knowing you can have an enjoyable vacation while also having a positive impact can be invigorating and life-changing. So, come to Africa to relax, sight-see and #MakeTravelMatter.

Interested in learning more about African Travel, Inc.? Visit www.africantravelinc.com.

For more than 40 years, African Travel, Inc. has helped travelers discover the magic of the wild. “We Know Africa” because we create extraordinary and unforgettable five-star experiences for each guest’s individual needs. From relaxing in spectacular luxury to touching an ancient culture, your African dream awaits you. Our knowledgeable and dedicated experts, who have lived and traveled extensively throughout the continent, will open your eyes to a new and exciting world. Placing local offices in Africa and our headquarters in the U.S. has earned us an enviable position of influence that will leave you knowing Africa like we do. We’re committed to making travel matter by supporting the environment and the local communities we visit through our partnership with The TreadRight Foundation. As a proud member of The Travel Corporation (TTC), a family-owned company with more than 100 years of expertise in luxury travel, we ensure exceptional service every step of the journey. For more information and inspiration, visit www.africantravelInc.com.

5 Local Immersion Activities That Will Give You a Sense of Community Abroad

By Sarah Bichsel, Social Media Manager at ACIS Educational Tours

When traveling to a new country, you of course want to make the famous highlights a part of your visit – What would a first trip to Paris be without gazing upward at the Eiffel tower after all? – but there is also a wonderful feeling in connecting with culture at the local level. Here are 5 activities to try that will bring you a richer experience and a feeling of community in your travels.

Photo Courtesy of ACIS

1. Take a Cooking Class

Yes, travel is supposed to be an excuse to get away from your kitchen at home, but taking a cooking class abroad is a worthwhile exception! You will have the opportunity to learn what goes into regional specialties, from Parisian profiteroles to Genovese pesto. Participating in the traditions (often centuries old) that make up your meal will provide you with an in-depth appreciation that you won’t find by simply ordering off a menu. And what can beat a meal from scratch?

Photo Courtesy of ACIS

2. Play Ball!

If you’re a sports fan more than a foodie, you can still connect with local culture by playing the games enjoyed by native residents. Walk along the beaches of Nice, France, for example, and you just might stumble upon Pétanque, a Provençal game akin to bocce. The city has several clubs that offer lessons for beginners, so before you know it, you could be by the Mediterranean throwing boules with seasoned players. And Nice is far from the exception: There are lessons for curling in Quebec, cricket in London, and in Mexico, you can even learn Pok-ta-tok, the ancient Mayan ball game.

3. Join a Neighborhood Walking Tour

As we said, a city is so much more than its most famous monuments. Narrow your scope and broaden your horizons all at once by participating in a neighborhood walking tour. You can find tours organized by subject such as food specialties, architecture or famous residents. There are even options that combine historical information with artistic endeavors, like sketching or painting. No matter which you choose, you’ll go beyond the tourist-populated areas into residential districts and get a sense of what everyday life is like.

Photo Courtesy of ACIS

4. Follow the Music

Whether it be Flamenco in Spain or Gaelic rock in Ireland, music brings cultural history to life. Before you travel, take some time to research the musical traditions of your destination and look up any smaller music venues showcasing talent from the nearby area. Who knows? You may even see a band before they’ve made it big.

Bonus tip: As you sit down at a coffee shop to rest between sightseeing adventures, take notice of the community boards. You’ll find music and art events tailored to residents rather than tourists!

Photo Courtesy of ACIS

5. Shop at a Market

You may not need groceries on your travels, but don’t let that stop you from visiting a food or craft market. From the delightful Viktualienmarkt of Munich the artfully enclosed Mercado Central in Santiago, a market is the perfect place to get to know a community. Stroll amongst the stalls and booths flowing with artisan products, and you’ll be immersed in the daily rhythms of life abroad, the language and the produce, the bargaining customs and the neighborhood relations.

Interested in learning more about ACIS Tours? Visit www.acis.com

Founded in 1978, ACIS Educational Tours provides exceptional educational travel experiences for middle and high school students and their teachers. At ACIS, our mission is to empower educators to introduce their students to the world beyond the classroom and inspire the next generation of global citizens.

6 Reasons Jordan is Winning at Tourism in the Middle East

By Chelsea Marie Alcock

Chelsea is an adventurous globetrotter who works in marketing for the travel tour company, smarTours. She’s been to 10 different countries and explored most of the U.S. Her passion is writing about the unique places she discovers and distinctive experiences she has around the world. Follow along Chelsea’s adventures on Instagram, thetravelingfemale.

Photo Courtesy of smarTours

It’s no secret that Jordan was a top travel destination in 2018 and remains a desirable trip for travelers in 2019. Social media has exploded with stunning images, captivating videos, and incredible stories from those who have visited. With historical wonders, camel rides, desert aesthetics, and one-of-a-kind culture, it’s easy to see why Jordan is such a special place to visit.

Here are six reasons for Jordan’s major travel industry success—and why you should make the trip there yourself.

Culture & Society

The culture, people, and heritage of Jordan are a huge draw to the country. Although there’s western influence, the people blend together the old and new.

On Rainbow Street in the capital of Amman, there lives a modern hub of trendy restaurants, boutique shops, and vibrant nightlife. But, throughout the city you’ll still see many people wearing traditional clothes, restaurants serving classic Jordanian cuisine, and historical sights standing proud.

Handicrafts and mosaics are also a distinctive part of their society. In Wadi Seer, the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative trains women to make traditional handicrafts and products like soap, pottery, clothing, and more. This provides job opportunities and keeps their heritage alive. In Madaba, “The City of Mosaics”, the Madaba Arts & Handicraft Center employs handicapped Jordanians and trains them on the art of mosaics. This was established by Queen Noor, the American and fourth queen of Jordan.

Photo Courtesy of smarTours

History

The country has a rich history intertwined with various dynasties and ancient empires—no matter what city you travel through, there are stories and history to be told.

In the city of Petra, a new Seven Wonders of the World, you’ll walk amongst land that Arab empires and Western and Eastern dynasties all once ruled. At the Al-Khazneh temple nearby, travelers admire the elaborate temple steeped in Bedouin history, as camels pose in front of it for a perfect photo op.

Visitors to Jerash will discover some of the most well-preserved ruins from the Greco-Roman empires during the 1st to mid-8th century before an earthquake destroyed most of it. It’s said that these ruins rival the ones in Rome.

Photo Courtesy of smarTours

Religion

Religion is a quintessential part of the country’s DNA. People of Muslim and Christianity faith co-exist peacefully, which makes Jordan a welcoming and safe place to visit.

Throughout the country you’ll find a plethora of Holy sites, churches, mosques, and temples. In Madaba, a city of Christainity, there’s a well-preserved 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. And at Mount Nebo, the presumed site of Moses’ death, there’s beautiful views overlooking the Holy Land and Dead Sea.

Traveling from Petra to the Dead Sea, you can see where Jesus was baptized at John the Baptist’s settlement at Bethany Beyond the Jordan.

Photo Courtesy of smarTours

Hospitality

There are inevitably misconceptions about Middle Eastern countries, but Jordan’s a great testament to how wonderful it is to explore this area of the world. A lot of that has to do with its hospitable people. They continually invite and encourage people to visit their home because they are proud of their heritage and want others to learn more about it. Their economy also thrives on tourism, so they ensure you have a unique and memorable trip.

Photo Courtesy of smarTours

Easy Exploration & Diverse Landscapes

Jordan has range of landscapes that are not only breathtaking, but are also easy to reach. You’ll be able to wander through the mesmerizing sandstone terrain of Petra, and then with a short drive, be at Wadi Rum having a Jeep adventure over the golden desert dunes while rugged mountains surround you. Jordan’s also famous for the Dead Sea, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. Wherever you stay, you won’t be far from an afternoon of floating in the lake’s clear blue water.

Photo(s) Courtesy of smarTours

Jordanian Food

Jordan’s Mediterranean-based food is a delicious experience. Mansaf, a lamb dish, and Maqluba, a meat, rice, and vegetable dish are very popular, as is Turkish coffee, lime and mint juice, and Barazek cookies. Bedouin people commonly cook Zaarb, a dish of marinated meat mixed with vegetables, slowly baked in a pit of hot coals covered by sand.

Photo Courtesy of smarTours

Interested in learning more about Jordan? Check out the new Journey Through Jordan tour by smarTours, a brilliantly curated trip for an affordable price that includes airfare and taxes!

smarTours offers 50+ one-of-a-kind tours across all seven continents. Every one of their tours include expertly curated itineraries, airfare and taxes, passionate guides, 4-star+ accommodations, and smart-sized groups averaging 23 travelers. Some of their most popular tours include Egypt, South Africa, China, Greece, and Peru.

5 Reasons to go Adventure Traveling with a Tour Operator

By: Fionna Wright, Marketing Specialist, Affordable World