Archives for July 2023

July 24, 2023

How would you like to save big, explore the world, and make memories to last a lifetime – all while helping to support incredible charities? In this issue of the Charitable Traveller Report you’ll find incredible deals you can’t afford to miss; from a week-long family escape this October from £359, incredible upgrades and complimentary credit on your next Silversea cruise, or 7 night nature-focused escapes in beautiful Daytona Beach and Borneo.

You’ll also find plenty of inspiration from lesser-known locales including Anna Maria Island and South Lake Tahoe, along with European gems including Krakow, San Sebastien, Basel, and Oporto recommended by our luxury travel expert Lizzi.

P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for your daily dose of travel inspiration!

July 20, 2023

Many people I know decided to spend their early summer holidays in Greece, Spain, and Italy. Sounds like they all had a lovely time. The weather was great and those who had booked early enough might have avoided the extortionate holiday prices I am seeing for Europe as the summer goes on. This was due, in part, to the high demand from clients who had opted for a short-haul holiday, thinking it would be way cheaper than going further afield. They might have got a better deal going long haul, as it turns out. Availability was a huge problem, and this was exacerbated by the high number of Americans travelling to Europe, with the exchange rate very much in their favour. As I write, the school holidays are almost upon us and the temperatures in Europe are exceptionally high. You’ll need plenty of sunscreen and access to water, where possible! If this trend continues, you might want to consider places like the Caribbean and Mauritius next summer, where temperatures stay around 30 degrees.

For those of us who chose to enjoy the British summer, it has been glorious. Endless summer days (except for the first week of Wimbledon, naturally!) and plenty going on everywhere, from outdoor theatre and concerts to summer fetes.

Thoughts now turn to Autumn travels, and I thought I’d offer a word of warning. It used to be that the prices fell dramatically from mid-September, but I fear this will not necessarily be the case this year. Those who did not travel over the summer period will have booked in advance to travel to Europe and I know that hotels are reporting high occupancy levels right until the latter part of the year. I have the solution: instead of opting for the most popular places, such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, try one of the lesser visited cities, all of which have so much to offer.

For example, Krakow in Poland is a medieval city with a magnificent town square, art galleries and museums and a wonderful jazz scene. Maybe San Sebastian in Spain, which has more Michelin-star restaurants than any other city in the world and a very fine beach, too. Basel in Switzerland has picture box houses and is famous for its art galleries. Tallinn in Estonia is a wonderful medieval city with great restaurants and cafes. I keep hearing people raving about Oporto in Portugal, famous for its port wine, yes, but also for its cobbled streets, baroque churches, and hand-painted tiles. In France, let us not forget that there are so many beautiful cities, such as Strasburg, with its canals and timber-framed houses, Aix en Provence, which has all the chic of Paris, wide open boulevards, and a chance to see Paul Cezanne’s art studio. Both these French cities are reachable by Eurostar.

Have I got your attention? I could go on for hours and am sorry I cannot write about more of the fabulous places there are to visit in Europe alone! So many deserve a mention, and I can offer splendid, luxury accommodation in all these locations. So, if you fancy a change from your usual city break to Paris (sorry, Paris, I do love you!!), then please get in touch and I will find you your perfect luxury Autumn break.

I have a lovely special offer at the wonderful Meneghetti Wine Hotel in Croatia, which I featured in an earlier blog:
Valid for September and October, book a minimum of 4 nights and get one free, ie. Stay 4, pay 3. Includes breakfast!

Feeling inspired? Book your next escape now. Get in touch with Lizzi by emailing [email protected] to book your dream trip!

July 19, 2023

If you are visiting the wonderful, amazingly white and extremely friendly beaches of Diani Kenya, why not bring much-needed childhood experiences to Kenyan children via Just be a Child’s Libraries and Learning Centres.

You can spend a day or a few hours organising football matches, fun/sports days, and competitions or you can read and craft with children who will love spending time with you.

Your presence will bring knowledge and support to Just be a Child’s volunteers in Kenya and they will cherish the experience. You don’t need any special experience or expertise, but you must be kind, patient and up for having some fun.

You can come as often as you like, but the minimum is 3 hours in one day. They are happy to advise you on the best way to travel. You can stay in any of the 50 hotels available and they will be happy to help you select or indeed recommend one for you. They can help organise trips to local sites or the wonderful and plentiful safari parks via their local partners.

Just be a Child will organise the transport from your hotel to their sites. They have six very active libraries and you could choose any or all of them.

They would appreciate a financial donation of £100 to help them organise the event, which you would lead.

July 18, 2023

Cyclades Green Volunteers is a programme led by the Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF) enabling interested active citizens and visitors to engage with local environmental protection efforts in the amazing Cyclades islands in Greece.

The programme provides basic online trainings in English about ecological issues in the Cyclades, giving practical action suggestions for anyone visiting or living in the Cyclades to serve the preservation of Cycladic nature and proposed local initiatives for visitors to engage with and offer help.

Visitors and residents are invited to become volunteers through small or big actions that support local champions and organisations who in turn share their experience and wisdom through the series of 4 webinars:
1. In the Sea: Lessons and actions for the Aegean
2. On the Land: For love of Cycladic nature
3. Local Participation: Respecting the place you live
4. Be an eco-visitor: Giving back to the islands that you love

Any Cycladic island you are visiting can benefit from some of the basic concepts the Cyclades Preservation Fund offer for positive travelling. Take the time to choose more local, seasonal, and low-impact options when it comes to produce, businesses, and leisure, to contribute to strengthening those aspects of the local economy, which have wide-ranging impacts on the agroecological footprint of islands.

Explore the Cyclades Green Volunteers map of local initiatives and read more about any initiative you would like to reach out to or support.

Wildlife sightings can likewise happen on any island. Knowing that you can either report sightings of certain species, or what to do if you find an injured animal can help organisations operate more effectively for wildlife preservation. And remember, whatever the wildlife, give it space and respect, this is their home, and human activity can disturb non-human kin, from seabirds to insects.

The duration of the proposed activities may vary from 5 minutes (fill in the right form to report observations of wildlife), to some hours (collect any plastic you may find on an old walking route or place a fallen stone), some days/a week (help to feed stray dogs and cats in an animal welfare shelter) or even 2/3 weeks (join as a volunteer in the Aegean wildlife hospital)!

July 13, 2023

If you’re looking for fantastic new deals, thrilling travel inspiration for your next holiday escape, and informative news from the worlds of charity and travel, then you’ve come to the right place. This issue we’ve got fantastic travel offers including a 7 night sustainable escape in Orlando, Florida, a 7 night autumn hiking adventure in Lake Tahoe, and a 3 night city break in Madrid next year during Taylor Swift’s new tour!

We’ve also got some great additional goodies including two inspiring episodes of the Travel Insider Podcast series focusing on Jersey and Orlando, the latest from our luxury travel expert Lizzi, and a fantastic trip to Ethiopia helping to support one of our charity partners.

P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for your daily dose of travel inspiration!

July 10, 2023

Hi Barbie! The sure-to-be iconic Barbie movie premiers this month and it’s got us here at Charitable Travel searching for Barbie-core holidays to keep the vibes going when we’re out of office. So escape the real world with us and check out these alternatives to Barbie Land!

1. Paradiso Ibiza Art Hotel, Ibiza

The 4-Star Paradiso Art Hotel in Ibiza offers an adults-only playground with perfectly instagrammable decor. It’s giving Miami vibes in half the flight time. The Paradiso is packed to the brim with art – galleries, a tattoo studio, and Art Deco throughout. The brightly coloured and comfortable guest rooms blend perfectly with the pinky hues of the pool and cabanas. This hotel definitely deserves a spot or two on the grid.

2. Malibu Beach Paradise Apartments, Malibu, California

The only accommodation on this list that isn’t visually bringing the pink vibes. Rent a beach house or apartment on Malibu beach with a Jeep and live like Barbie for a week, hitting the beach, and hiking in the local wildlife, or driving the half an hour it takes to spend a day shopping on Rodeo Drive or celeb spotting in the glittering city of LA! Or for even more Barbie vibes – head to the World Of Barbie exhibition in Santa Monica!

3. The Don CeSar, St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida

Reigning over St. Pete Beach since 1928, the Don CeSar is a landmark pink palace that has hosted celebrities including F. Scott Fitzgerald and enjoyed cameos in several movies and television shows over the years. Dramatically perched atop wind-swept dunes with expansive water views in every direction, the fully renovated Don CeSar is the crown jewel of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The Pink Palace®’s sustainability efforts include a sensor that turns off lights, the exterior lighting of the building is designed to protect sea turtle hatchlings, electric car charging stations, and a system that cleans and reuses water from laundry machines. But the jewel in their sustainability crown is Winnow kitchen food-waste technology, which uses artificial intelligence, a scale and cameras to identify which items in the kitchen are being discarded. Based on this information, it determines menu items that don’t sell and also recommends changes in portion sizes, limiting overproduction and reducing waste.

4. PinkCoco Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Located in Uluwatu, Bali, a stone’s throw away from the famous Padang-Padang surf breaks, the 4-star PinkCoco Uluwatu hotel has 28 rooms and is just a 5-minute walk from the beach. Wake up to the sound of the ocean in contemporary-chic lodgings, and hit the waves or explore what Bali has to offer.

Experience sunset along one of the most beautiful beachfront in Bali. Lounge under the stars by the pool and dine at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant Tapas del Mar.

5. Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife, Spain

For a more elevated, understated pink, the 5-Star Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama is the ‘grown-up’ Barbie destination.

An oasis of tranquillity and seclusion, where sea, land and subtropical vegetation effortlessly collide with Moorish-inspired architecture. Enjoy magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean, Mount Teide or the hotel’s lush gardens. The resort offers a collection of restaurants ranging from light, simple cooking to world-class gourmet cuisine. At the top end of the scale, the Michelin-starred restaurants – M.B awarded with two stars and Kabuki with one. Providing a haven of escape, this timeless island retreat features 7 swimming pools, a 2500m2 Spa & Fitness Center and the largest Ritz Kids in Europe. Guests can enjoy an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ryder Cup player Dave Thomas, the Abama Tennis Academy, and an exclusive area on the Abama beach with complimentary use of sunbeds and umbrellas.

6. Rosas y Xocolate Boutique Hotel, Mérida, Mexico

Rosas y Xocolate Boutique Hotel and Spa: Two exquisite, restored, French-style mansions on Paseo Montejo, in the heart of Mérida, Mexico. Designed for memorable experiences and perfect Instagram posts.

Each of the seventeen spacious rooms at Rosas y Xocolate Boutique Hotel and Spa creates a unique experience. All accommodations include a private outdoor Jacuzzi, designer furniture and exquisite details, fused with cutting-edge technology.

7. The Trixie Motel, Palm Springs, California

The iconic Trixie Motel resides in Palm Springs, California in the equally iconic Old Las Palmas neighborhood, walking distance from all of the city’s main attractions.

This dreamy concept motel, owned by Trixie Mattel, the famous drag queen and her partner, David Silver is full of character, with 7 themed rooms, from the Malibu Barbara room (three guesses who inspired that one) to the Yeehaw Cowgirl western room, to the bee-themed Honeymoon suite. The vibes here are never-ending. Find out more at trixiemotel.com.

8. Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse Hosted By Ken, Malibu, California

This oceanfront mansion in Malibu, originally opened to celebrate 60 years of Barbie in 2019, has had a facelift in honour of the Barbie Movie, premiering 21st Jul, and this time, Ken’s hosting.

The pink palace has been redecorated with cowboy motifs throughout – like a cowskin bedspread, horse paintings on the walls and a feature wall of stetsons above the bed. Ken’s also added an outdoor disco on the first floor, and a gym on the second floor, so make sure to bring your ‘Kenergy’.

Book a stay at Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse with Airbnb from 17th July at 10 am PT here. In celebration of Barbie hitting cinemas on July 21, and to honour girls’ empowerment, Airbnb will make a one-time donation to Save the Children. Save the Children provides learning resources and support to children, families, and communities in 100+ countries to build girls’ confidence and help them excel in school – ensuring everyone has equal opportunity to achieve success.

Book your perfect Barbiecore break with Charitable Travel and donate 5% of the price to the charity of your choice at no extra cost to you!

July 6, 2023

I have just returned from a trip to St. Pete/ Clearwater, a beach playground on the west coast of Florida. The easiest way to reach it is with a direct British Airways flight to Tampa airport, which is, in itself, quite an amazing place! In the centre of the terminal is a giant pink flamingo and, on the day, we arrived, a black bear was wandering the perimeter, apparently. He didn’t enter the terminal for a Starbucks though but was safely coaxed back to where he came from. I was sorry not to see him.

This area of Florida is quite different from the razzmatazz of Disney, although it combines perfectly with the parks. This is all about beautiful white Sandy beaches, nature, and culture. From the Dali Museum to the James Museum which is full of Native American art, countless art galleries, and a sea life rescue centre, there is so much to do, and if you miss the entertainment parks, Busch Gardens is not far away.

Here there is water, water everywhere and life revolves around the sea, the estuaries, the lakes, and the swamps. Water sports are big here. A first for me, I saw motorised “cars” which you can hire to jet around on the water. A hilarious sight!

There are miles and miles of park trails to walk and cycle and the scenery is stunning. Watch out for alligators though! Seriously, if you keep to the paths, you’ll be fine. But don’t let your little doggie off the lead.

Shopping is great, with lots of small, quaint towns with boutique gift shops. There’s even a little Greece town, with authentic Greek food. This is a wonderful place to take kids for a family holiday as everything is geared up for this. Hotel rooms nearly all have kitchenette areas and some even have washers and dryers.

But what about luxury hotels? Most hotels are 4* and very good, but there are a few fabulous luxury properties, too. The one that stood out for me was the Vinoy Hotel, a refurbished period hotel. This is class. The lobby area and ballroom (currently being converted into a fine dining restaurant) have been lovingly restored to their former glory and are super elegant. The rooms in the old part of the hotel are a marvellous fusion of old and modern. The newer section has retained the old style and is spacious and very tastefully decorated. The pool area and casual dining restaurant are gorgeous.

Also, just newly opened is the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach, a very modern hotel with spacious apartment units, an incredible kids club, a great pool and gym and a superb restaurant with open sides allowing the sea breeze to flow through.

One last thing I should mention is that the cuisine in the US has been revolutionised! No longer just fast food and barbecued wings, Americans are now as passionate about food as we are and they have the natural raw ingredients, such as giant shrimp, crab, and other local fish to produce mouthwatering dishes to die for.

So, all in all, a great place to visit. If you’d like to know more, please contact me.

Feeling inspired? Book your next escape now. Get in touch with Lizzi by emailing [email protected] to book your dream trip!

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