Recently in Educational Travel Category

I'm a stickler for manners. Maybe it was the 24-hour thank you note "rule" my mother imposed on me as a young child (which I still strictly abide by). Or maybe it was my years in the service industry where I saw the good, bad and the ugly of human behavior on a daily basis. The bottom line is that I try to practice kindness, tolerance and patience every day, and especially when I'm traveling.

Over the past few years, I've encountered very diverse populations during my volunteer travels. I've crossed paths with people of different races, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, levels of intelligence, and those faced with unimaginable hardships. Despite our differences, I feel a responsibility as a global ambassador of the United States to put my best face - and manners - forward.

As a travel writer, I've run into difficulty reconciling luxury experiences in impoverished destinations.  As much as I adore sunken Jacuzzi tubs, chef's tasting menus and spacious floor plans, it's hard to walk out of an $800 a night hotel room and see local communities, literally on your doorstep, in so much need. 

Sure, luxury tourism brings much needed dollars to underserved areas of the world, and in many cases, provides employment opportunities.  But, how often do luxury travel providers do well by doing good?  Aqua Expeditions, a Peruvian luxury company that provides expedition cruises on the Amazon does just that.

"Why on earth would you ever pay to volunteer?" is a question frequently asked in the do good-o-sphere.  It's a perfectly valid query considering some voluntourism opportunities cost upward of $1000 (and more) per week.