Feeling free is one of the most sought after sensations on any journey. Carrying minimal luggage gives us better mobility and less worries.

 

 

Choose buses, trains and shuttle vans over expensive taxis to save money and engage with the locals in their everyday transport. Whenever you can: walk, ride a bike and go horseback riding.

 

 

Check if the owners are local or foreign, their environmental practices, and how they treat their workers, to be sure your money is really going to help the local community.

 

 

Take advantage of the opportunity to sample food and drink of the place you are visiting. Choose small restaurants, home cooking, organic and seasonal produce.

 

 

If you're looking for souvenirs then nothing better than handicrafts made by local craftsmen using native materials. Visit fairs and shops run by their owners. Remember to take your reusable bag. 

 

 

Enjoying responsibly the nature and tourist attractions offered by a destination is our duty as conscious travelers. Hiking, biking, kayaking, bird watching, horseback riding, sports activities and visits to national parks are some of the many options to choose from.

 

 

 

Traveling gives us many benefits and in many cases the opportunity to learn another language. Don't be shy and practice as much as you can. If you're traveling to destinations that share your same language, it's fun to learn new words and expressions.

 

 

Sharing our newfound knowledge with others contributes to personal growth. Show pictures. And the next time you travel: strive to keep a journal, write letters and send postcards. Your family and friends will thank you.

 

 

Traveling is always a positive and enriching experience. Treasure every moment in your memories, capture every landscape in your memory album. Give thanks, meditate and reflect. Make a difference, get involved and be more than just a witness...