Voluntourism 101

Came across a great read from Matador Change on "voluntourism," which, just as it sounds, combines volunteering with tourism. As we advance more into a single global society and the world continues to open up, some travelers appreciate the opportunity to give ones' time, energy, and skills to the communities which they travel to, rather than just take from them. Some call voluntourism a vacation with a purpose. Read the full article from Matador Change here.

"Will Work for Travel": How To Take Free (Or Nearly Free) Vacations

With the slowing economy and increased cost of goods and services, consumers are finding monthly disposable income a bit pinched these days. Taking that family vacation to Italy for example may have to wait in response to higher airfares, pricey hotel accommodations and the devaluation of the U.S Dollar.

But, don't despair, there are some great alternatives you and your family can consider, without the need to take out a second mortgage just for a vacation.

Check out this great article from IgoUgo, where users from have composed creative ways travelers can enjoy free or inexpensive travel. My favorite is the Timeshare tour, in which you visit a particular property, participate in a 90-minute presentation about a time-share, then enjoy a complimentary, or highly discounted 2 or 3 night stay. Locally, these deals have been found around the Lake Tahoe region and around the Monterey/Carmel vicinity.

Read here for other ideas on how to take a free (or nearly free) vacation from IgoUgo.