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Eco travel ideas for summer
EasyExpat
15 July, 2009 12:08
Planning your summer holiday? From teaching orphans in Zambia to learning how to surf, here are some unique and memorable ways to enjoy your vacation responsibly.
Cultural holidays
These are opportunities that will make you go beyond the touristic taking pictures of natives. By embarking on a cultural holiday, you’ll have the chance to make real connections with people in local communities and learn about cultures and beliefs from around the world. Leave the hotels behind… try home stays or village stops. Not only will you have an experience that’s way off the beaten path, you’ll also have one that’s richer and more meaningful.
Volunteer holidays
Giving something back to the world can be a highly rewarding
experience. And you don’t need to take a whole year off or break a bank
to do it. Volunteer travel can be an ideal way to turn a volunteering
stint into a meaningful holiday. There are loads of ways in which you
can make a difference. From conservation projects in Galapagos Islands
to volunteering with orphans in Zambia, jungle conservation research in
Peru to marine conservation in Honduras, pick the one that’s closest to
your heart and make your holiday count.
Active nature holidays
For the sporty, there is a huge range of activities to choose from. Hiking, biking, sailing, kiting, kayaking, surfing, mountain climbing, cave exploring, diving, skydiving, white water rafting, horse riding, sand skiing… the list is endless. Pick or combine your favourite activities or use your holiday to learn a new sport. And keep nature loving companies in business.
Wildlife and conservation focused holidays
By picking a holiday which aims to protect the flora and fauna of the native country, you are automatically contributing to its betterment. Pick something close to your heart. Whether it’s the conservation of gorillas in Rwanda or orangutans in Borneo, whale watching in New Foundland or safaris in South Africa, the money you spend in a natural park or game reserve goes a long way to keeping its residents secure.
Learning holidays
Here’s a great way to enrich yourself while giving back to the local community. The coming holidays could be a fun way to learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby. Once again, go with your heart. Pick the one you think you’d enjoy the most or have always wanted to learn but never had the time for. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started… Yoga in India? Salsa in Spain? Kitesurfing in Morocco? Painting in Ireland? Polo in Argentina? Cooking in Thailand? Wine tasting in France?
Here are some interesting websites to check out before choosing your eco vacation. Happy holidays!
Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer based out of Munich
EasyExpat on 
You could also embark on a teaching holiday. If you are an expert in something you could offer a service teaching someone what you are good at in exchange for room and lodge and the occasional field trip.
