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Travel For Good

Our founder and CEO, Melissa Tilling has been selected by TTG and its six Sustainable Travel Heroes – Avis, G Touring, Greek National Tourism Organisation, Hurtigruten, Iberostar and Intrepid – as one of their brand-new trainee Sustainable Travel Ambassadors! She was selected by TTG and the Heroes due to her and Charitable Travel’s demonstrable commitment to and passion for sustainable travel.

As a Sustainable Travel Ambassador in training, Melissa will have to complete a six-part course of educational workshops covering new sustainable trends within the travel industry, tips and tricks on measuring carbon emissions, how to pick the best sustainable holiday suppliers, and so much more!

She will be using this new information to further her understanding of the best new sustainable practices to use and to help even more people #TravelForGood with Charitable Travel!

As we enter a month of short weeks and bank holidays it’s natural to wonder about your travel plans for the rest of the year. In this new edition of the Charitable Traveller Report, you’ll find plenty to sate your curiosity, including a batch of fantastic new travel deals, a guide to travelling throughout your golden years from our luxury travel expert Lizzi, great articles from Charitable Traveller Magazine, and a one-of-a-kind feature from Virgin Atlantic.

The Coronation of King Charles III is sure to be a weekend to remember. Communities up and down the country will come together to celebrate history in the making and relish the extra bank holiday.

King Charles has done a fair bit of globetrotting in his time so we would like to take this opportunity to mark the occasion with travel suggestions inspired by some of King Charles’ favourite destinations.

Here are our top ten holiday hotspots for anyone seeking to follow in the footsteps of royalty…

London, England, UK

1. London

This is where it all began. King Charles III was born at Buckingham Palace at 9.14pm on 14 November 1948.  

As the writer Samual Johnson once observed, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” A city break in our capital is a great tonic and provides the opportunity to explore Buckingham Palace for yourself.

Combine a visit to the State Rooms with a guided walking tour of the most remarkable features of the beautiful garden. Described as ‘a walled oasis in the middle of London’, it boasts more than 350 types of wildflowers, over 200 trees and a three-acre lake.

2 nights B&B in a 4* London Hotel from £309pp! 

Pedn Vounder Beach, Cornwwall, UK

2. Cornwall

Charles became the Duke of Cornwall from his mother’s accession as Queen Elizabeth II in 1952 until his accession as King Charles III in 2022. He was the longest-serving Duke of Cornwall, having held the title for 70 years.

Cornwall provides the perfect escape at any time of year. With its spectacular coastline for walks, quaint fishing villages, sandy beaches and surf, sensational seafood and cream teas (jam first!) and plenty of art, culture and history,  you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do.

2 nights B&B in a 5* Hotel in Cornwall from £239pp! 

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland, UK

3. Scotland

With the late Queen’s ascension to the throne in 1952, Charles also automatically became the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, along with Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.

At the end of every summer, Queen Elizabeth II made her annual pilgrimage north to Scotland for a long family holiday at Balmoral Castle and it is a place King Charles has equal affection for. From pristine beaches to crumbling castles, soaring mountains to wild isles rich with wildlife, exciting cultural attractions and ancient heritage, Scotland has it all.

6 nights rail break in Scotland including rail fare on the Caledonian Sleeper from £885pp!

Valetta, Malta

4. Malta

King Charles and Princess Anne spent some of their earliest years living in Malta while their father was stationed there as a naval officer.

These years away from the UK were full of happy memories for the young family as they spent time as a normal family living at Villa Guardamangia, owned by Philip’s uncle Lord Mountbatten and located just outside the capital Valetta.

Whether you’re a history buff, a night owl, an adrenaline junkie, or simply a rambler wishing to be bowled over by natural splendour, the list of things to do in Malta is endless.

4 night tour of Malta and Gozo with B&B, accommodation, flights and more from £1,045pp! 

Snowdonia, Wales, UK

5. Wales

The King was invested as Prince of Wales by The Late Queen on 1 July 1969 in a colourful ceremony at Caernarfon Castle in North Wales. Before the investiture The Prince had spent a term at the University College of Wales at Aberystwyth, learning to speak Welsh. As the longest-ever serving Prince of Wales and with a home in Carmarthenshire, King Charles has strong roots in Wales.

Wales is your perfect holiday destination. There is so much to do and see with lots of easily accessible indoor and outdoor activities surrounded by breathtaking scenery. From adrenaline-fuelled family adventures (Wales is home to the world’s fastest zip line!) to relaxing and romantic beach breaks, Wales has got it covered.

2 nights half board stay in Chateau Rhianfa, from £310pp!

Uluru, Australia

5. Australia

The Prince of Wales spent two terms in 1966 as an exchange student at Timbertop, a remote outpost of the Geelong Church of England Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia.

Are you ready for endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, dramatic deserts and ancient cultures? Start planning your trip to Australia! Australia is bursting with incredible destinations – the only question is, which ones to pick? 

That’s where we can help. Each Aussie spot offers a unique holiday, so whether you’re a foodie, beach lover or adventurer, there’s a place perfectly suited to you. It’s also worth considering the time of year you’re planning to visit – think school holidays and the weather – and how long you’ve got to explore. 

12 night Australian Icons Tour, incl. flights, incredible excursions, hotel stays throughout and more from £4,630pp!

Old Town, Corfu, Greece

6. Corfu, Greece

The rugged Greek island of Corfu is one of his majesty’s favourite holiday destinations and he once told an Athens newspaper: “Greece is in my blood and I have long had a fascination for her ancient culture and history”. Corfu holds a special significance for King Charles III as it’s the birthplace of his father Prince Philip.

Corfu has always been one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Europe. A place with wonderful contrasts, successive influences, a crossroad of cultures and colours. Chic and delicate by nature, Corfu has an unsurpassed natural beauty. The sea, the sun and the wind have carved an impressive shoreline on the island. Golden sandy and snow-white pebbled beaches, fine carved rocks resembling sculptures from a modern gallery, trees which stretch out their shadow up to the water. Go for a pleasant everyday life, full of plenty of light, sea breeze and warm smiles!

7 nights B&B in a beach-side resort in Corfu from £1,335pp!

Isle of Scilly, UK

7. Scilly Isles

One of King Charles’ favourite British holiday spots is the Isles of Scilly. A group of over 200 islands and rocks located 28 miles from Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly have been part of the Duchy of Cornwall since its beginning in the 14th century. 

There are few better places to escape than the gorgeous Isles of Scilly. This archipelago may be a hop, skip and a jump from the UK mainland, but it is a world apart. With only five inhabited islands, the remaining 140 or so more are home to wildlife and seabirds. Some are popular day tripper haunts, while others rarely see a human footprint.

7 nights Isles of Scilly Tour with B&B accommodation, ferry fare and more from £1,339pp!

Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania

8. Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania – a wild and vast historical region in Romania – is a favourite of King Charles III, who owns an estate in the region. Having first visited in the 1990s, King Charles has been a regular visitor ever since. 

The King has such a fondness for Transylvania that, in 2015, he founded the Prince of Wales Foundation Romania to assist the region’s heritage preservation, work with local communities, and engage with farmers and producers of artisan foods to grow their businesses.

Fine architecture, famous painted monasteries and an epic mountain range are just three, but very good, reasons to visit this country. Romania’s monuments, fairy-tale castles and even Dracula’s lair trace the centuries and make up the rich tapestry that is its unique story.

9 night Treasures of Transylvania Tour with flights, varied meals, excursions, hotel stays and more from £1,495pp!

Hohenzollern Bridge, Cologne, Germany

10. Germany

It seems fitting that Charles’s first state visit as King was to Germany, where he was greeted by cheering crowds. He not only has German ancestry, he speaks the language and reportedly has such a fondness for the country, he has visited more than 40 times.

Germany is a great nation with a rich history and distinctive culture. Take a journey down one of its wonderful waterways, the Rhine, where you can sample some of this country’s exceedingly varied and beautiful landscape.

6 nights exploring art and architecture in Munich and Bavaria with selected meals, 4-star hotels and flights from £2,699pp!

Book your royalty-inspired holiday with Charitable Travel and donate 5% of the price to the charity of your choice for free! None of these offers living up to your imagination? Get in touch with our expert travel agents to plan your perfect escape! 

Charitable Traveller talks to Claudia Rodriguez, area commercial director, about Dreams Tulum Resort, and its relationship with the Tulum Foundation.

What is the Tulum Foundation?

The Tulum Foundation was launched by the owners of Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa in 2006 with the goal of supporting local children and protecting the Mayan culture throughout the local community. The Tulum Foundation provides a well-rounded array of services including scholarships for students to attend collegiate-level courses and helps support the preservation of Tulum’s surrounding ecosystem. Evolving over time, the Foundation also provides health assistance, such as basic medical and dental care, and also created a mobile library to promote literary arts throughout the community.

Who created the Tulum Foundation

Seeing a need to support the culture of the Mayan people throughout Tulum during the spike in tourism, the owner of Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, Maria Rosa Sandretto, established the Foundation in 2006. The non-profit was developed to not only preserve the culture of the Mayan people but also promote and cultivate the skillset of colleagues and local members of the community while promoting art and culture throughout the destination. The work that the Foundation has done under Maria’s guidance has positively impacted all facets of the community. The resort is based on the edge of Tulum National Park, so the social and environmental responsibility is something the resort and the Foundation take seriously.

Alongside the good work of the Tulum Foundation, what other sustainable measures does Dreams Tulum have in place?

Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, is only one of two resorts in Quintana Roo to be recognised as a green hotel. The resort takes this responsibility seriously, and this prestigious recognition is a direct reflection of the efforts this resort has made to prioritise the community and the environment within its operating model.

What does this mean for guests staying at the Dreams Tulum Resort?

Reflective of Hyatt’s World of Care philosophy, guests of Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa can book with confidence knowing that every aspect of their stay has been well thought out. From the front desk to housekeeping to the food & beverage department, everyone is doing all they can to not only make sure that the guest experience is a memorable one but minimise the environmental impact as well. In addition to the efforts of Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa colleagues, guests can also take part in Foundation efforts. For example, guests have an opportunity to visit Foundation-supported schools, which provides an opportunity for guests to give back to the local community and has become increasingly popular in recent years.

How is the Tulum Foundation funded?

There are several ways colleagues, guests and members of the community can get involved. Guests can donate to the Foundation by visiting select areas throughout the resort or through the Foundation’s website, fundaciontulum.org. For those looking to bring supplies during an upcoming stay, guests can reach out to the resort directly and obtain a list of current needs, in advance of travel.
Book your stay at Dream Tulum Resort & Spa with Charitable Travel and donate 5% of the price to the charity of your choice for free!

The magic of travel is in exploring new destinations, learning about new cultures, and making memories with your loved ones. With our unique range of trips, tours, and itineraries you can do just that – all while making a difference with your free 5% donation!

In this issue of the Charitable Traveller Report, you’ll find unbeatable travel deals, the latest news from our charity partners and the world of travel, your guide to fantastic sustainable hotels and resorts in South Africa, and a voluntourism opportunity in Portugal you won’t want to miss!

Longer days are here and the summer vibes are intensifying, but your dose of sunshine needn’t be limited to the British summer months… we’re here to help you plan and book great getaways all year round.

In this edition of the Charitable Traveller Report, you’ll find the very hottest travel offers, fascinating articles from Charitable Traveller Magazine, another look at sustainable South Africa, and a fantastic year-round schedule of sights and attractions in Jersey.

Is it really Spring already? There’s no better time to get your 2023 travel plans underway! Read the latest edition of the Charitable Traveller Report for fantastic offers, insight into the blockbuster filming locations of the Oscar nominees, and a luxury look at the Castilla and Leon region of Spain. Plus, spend #OneAmazingMinute in Wild Wyoming and explore a world of sustainable luxury in South Africa.

Remember, when you book with us you can choose to donate 5% of your total holiday cost to the charity of your choice – so you can enjoy a lovely break while making a difference!

We are pleased to announce that Charitable Traveller Magazine is a finalist at this year’s TravMedia Awards in the Travel Magazine of the Year category! To view the other categories at this year’s awards please click here.

The award recognises outstanding media publications within the travel industry. We are delighted to be nominated and wish our fellow nominees JRNY Travel Magazine, National Geographic Traveller (UK), Rough Guides, and SUITCASE Magazine the best of luck!

As responsible travel becomes increasingly important to travellers, we have conducted exciting new research revealing which elements of a holiday travellers most frequently choose to make their trip more sustainable and what other options could be considered to help you plan the perfect responsible escape.

Whilst sustainability is considered as important to 66% of those we surveyed, 17% of those do not make more sustainable purchases as they are unsure how to do so.  For those who do invest in more sustainable options, selecting a hotel with an eco-certification is the most popular and easiest option, with 20% of respondents stating this is often a deciding factor in choosing where to stay.

17% try to shop locally to support the local economy when travelling and 16% avoid over touristed destinations for a more relaxed experience, as well as to ensure their tourist money has more of a positive impact. Whilst 14% seek out the greenest form of transport, including considering no-fly options and 13% will purchase an eco-tourism package holiday from a specialist operator.

To help you embrace more sustainable approaches on your next holiday, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide which you can refer to when booking your next trip:

1. Consider each step of your journey – for each purchase ask the question is this the most responsible option, is there a better way?

2. Consider travelling in low season to minimise possible over tourism and support local communities when income is least

3. Speak to and book through an expert – our travel experts have a wealth of knowledge and fresh ideas for making the most of your experience and to ensure a positive impact

4. Getting there and around – consider all the transport options not just the easiest and if you must fly, seek out the flight with the lowest carbon emissions (eg by using Skyscanner which tracks emissions) or if you need to hire a car, go electric

5. Where to stay – look not only at eco-certifications, but also at what the accommodation is doing to support the local community

6. Support local – get off-the-beaten track and spend your tourist money with local independent businesses

7. Use less resources in your destination – take reusable tools such a straws, shopping bags and refillable bottles, ask for less bedding and towel changes, say no to bathroom minis or choose ice cream cones over cups

8. Educate along the way – asking restaurants and local businesses to refill your water bottle and saying no to plastic straws will help them understand what consumers really need and encourage them to change what they offer

Our founder and CEO, Melissa Tilling had this to say about the research and the exciting new trends in travel:

“It’s encouraging to see so much good intention from travellers to be more sustainable and have a more positive impact, the next step is to take action and find ways to incorporate being more responsible into every element of the journey. Actions which are practical to each individuals’ needs will also enhance the holiday experience.”

Feeling inspired? Get in touch with our travel experts today to book an incredible sustainable trip for 2023 and donate 5% of your holiday price to the charity of your choice at no extra cost!

New Year, new travel habits? Make a change to how you travel in 2023 and leave a positive impact with these top tips...

1. Buy responsible luggage

Madlug bags are sleek, durable, and made in Belfast, and for every bag sold, this certified B Corp donates a bag to a child or young person in care. There are over 90,000 ‘looked after’ children and young people in the UK, many of whom are moved from placement to placement frequently without luggage to carry their possessions in. Madlug founder, Dave Linton, spoke of one looked-after person telling him that they had to carry all their belongings in a bin bag. Find out more, and buy a bag with a heart at madlug.com. 

2. Choose green hotels

Many hotels have eco-friendly processes in place, such as refillable toiletries in the bathrooms, reduced linen services, and providing carafes or reusable water bottles instead of plastic ones. Eco Hotels has information on many hotels worldwide with their eco practises, and their green accreditations.

Other ways to know if you’re making the responsible choice include the menu options – is the produce advertised in season and locally sourced? Are the staff local and paid fairly? Does the hotel have any community outreach programmes that you can get involved with? Take a look at staybeyondgreem.com for more things to look out for when choosing your accommodation.

3. Support Local communities

Make sure you tip! Hotel staff, drivers, tour guides, restaurant staff etc., sometimes rely on tips from tourists. Another great way to support communities is by hiring local guides, these people will have a wealth of knowledge about the area that you’ll be hard-pressed to find yourself and can show you less visited spots to really make your friends back home jealous. 

Invisible Cities is a UK social enterprise that employs and trains people who have experienced homelessness to become tour guides for their cities. The high-quality training provided includes soft, transferrable skills to help the recipient with pursuing other roles in hospitality. The walking tours available with Invisible Cities often have a niche theme and are a fantastic way to support the in-destination community and explore a new area. Find out more about Invisible Cities, and book a tour of a UK city near you here.

4. Make the journey part of the trip

Consider jumping on a train to get to short-haul destinations. There are some incredible views to be witnessed along the railways of Europe that you’d miss out on by flying, and that’s without mentioning the dramatically decreased levels of CO2 emitted by train travel compared to air. For example, Travelling by Eurostar from London to Paris emits 93.2% less CO2 than travelling by plane per passenger. Find out more about your emissions at ecopassenger.org

5. Shop local/ responsible

Buying souvenirs is a key part of any holiday – but try to stay away from anything that looks mass-produced as sometimes the people making these items are not treated well. Look instead for handmade items using local techniques – these make for authentic, responsible purchases. 

If you can’t find anything suitable in destination – goodtrip, a UK social enterprise, produces responsible and sustainable souvenirs for worldwide destinations, and a percentage of every sale is donated to tourism charities that benefit people all around the world!  Find out more and shop the collection at goodtrip.org. (Ps, if you use this link, 5% of your purchase will be donated to the Charitable Travel Fund.)

6. Make green flight choices

Take time to compare airlines, know your flight’s climate impact and make a qualified choice. You can find flights which use less CO2 with search engines like Google Flights and SkyScanner. You can also use Atmsofair to offset your flight’s carbon footprint, but many airlines offer this on their flights already.

7. Pack with a conscience

Fill your responsibly purchased luggage from Madlug with school and medical supplies, clothes, toys, and period products to donate to communities in the destinations you visit. US-based 501(c)(3) organisation, Pack for a Purpose has a wealth of information available for travellers to find places to donate, and what sort of items are sought-after.

Once you’ve made your donations – you’ll have more room in your luggage to pack your handmade souvenirs. It’s a win-win-win!

8. Volunteer while away

Here at Charitable Travel, we’re passionate about helping our customers leave a positive impact on the world when they travel. So we built a hub full of incredible opportunities to get stuck in and Volunteer while you’re away. With projects all over the world, you can get involved in beach-clean ups, caring for animals in rescue centres, and supporting research in conservation centres! Find out more in our Big Holiday Help Hub!

9. Book with an agent

Make the most of your holiday by booking with an expert travel agent. Not only will you be supporting a small or local business after an extended period of uncertainty, but you’ll also have access to a huge amount of knowledge and advice, ATOL, ABTA and financial protection to protect your money and holiday plans, and help to plan your perfect break. 

10. Support charities with your holidays

Book your holiday with Charitable Travel! We’re a one-of-a-kind travel company that lets you donate a portion of your holiday price to the charity of your choice, completely free!

As a not-for-private-profit social enterprise, we sacrifice part of our commission to allow you to support the causes you care about while you book the holidays of your dreams at prices you’ll love. We’re an independent travel agent with the ability to sell holidays from almost 200 suppliers, so we have the perfect trip to suit everyone’s needs.

Find out more about our social purpose here.

 

We are pleased to announce that Charitable Travel has been shortlisted for the Extraordinary Award at the 2022 Travel Marketing Awards! 

The award recognises any organisation, brand, team or individual that has navigated the pandemic in an extraordinary way. We are delighted to be nominated and wish all of our fellow nominees the best of luck. 

To view the full shortlist please click here. 

 

Like many people worldwide, we at Charitable Travel are deeply saddened by the invasion in Ukraine, and have been searching for things that we can do as individuals to support Ukrainian citizens during this period of unrest.

1. Donate to charities benefitting Ukrainian people.

One of the best ways to directly support people in Ukraine is to donate to any of the many humanitarian aid charities around the world. We’ve collated a list of a few charities with specific Ukrainian appeals.

2. Purchase downloads from Ukrainian Etsy Sellers.

A quicker way to get funds into the pockets of Ukrainian’s is to set your Etsy search to show shops in Ukraine. Make sure to purchase downloadable files and PDFs so the seller doesn’t have to post anything to you. There’s loads of products that you can purchase, from sewing and embroidery patterns, to digital art, to children’s drawings. Take a look here.

3. Subscribe to Ukrainian creators on Patreon.

Patreon is an online platform for people to support creators and artists by subscribing and receiving exclusive content. Patreon has also recently announced that it won’t be charging usage fees for Ukrainian creators until the end of May this year – every penny of your subscription will go to the creator. Sign up to Patreon here.

4. Rent an Airbnb.

Many individuals in the travel industry have been renting an Airbnb in Ukraine, and informing the host that they won’t be staying. This is another way of insuring that your donation goes straight to a Ukrainian citizen and could also mean that the host can use your booking to house refugees. Take a look at some of the properties here. 

5. Sign up to host a refugee with Airbnb.

Airbnb is funding short term housing for up to 100,000 people fleeing Ukraine, and you can help by offering temporary stays for free (or at a discount) through Airbnb.org.

You can also donate to the fundraiser to help fund stays. 100% of your donation goes toward connecting people with short term housing.

6. Go shopping with Charitable Shopping.

Charitable Shopping is an affiliate shopping site, like Top Cashback, but instead of you recieving the affiliate commission – it’s donated to the charity of your choice at no extra cost to you. 

All you need to do is register for free at charitable.shopping, and shop online with your favouite retailers, from Currys, to Whittards, to Missguided. More retailers are added every week.  Find out more at charitable.shopping.

7. Make your travel plans count.

Every time you make a booking with us at Charitable Travel you can donate 5% of your holiday price to the charity of your choice at no extra cost to you. We sacrifice a portion of the travel agency commission to allow you to make a completely free (to you and the charity) donation to a great cause. 

Let’s say you wanted to book a holiday that comes to £1,000, and you decided to donate to UNICEF. 

With us your holiday booking will generate a donation of £50 – and when donated to UNICEF, this donation could help provide a family with an emergency water and hygiene kit. 

8. Sign petitions to put pressure on the UK Government.

There are currently an abundance of petitions on change.org aimed at requesting the UK Government to provide more assistance to citizen affected by the conflict, such as this one, which calls for more support to refugees, and this one, calling for safe passage out of Ukraine for Africans and other people of colour.

9. Email Your MP.

There are currently an abundance of petitions on change.org aimed at requesting the UK Government to provide more assistance to citizen affected by the conflict, such as this one, which calls for more support to refugees, and this one, calling for safe passage out of Ukraine for Africans and other people of colour.

10. Support Ukrainian Media.

Donate to this GoFundMe to keep Ukraine’s media and journalists operating under these incredibly challenging circumstances.