Transforming Communities Through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel
Stories & field notes
Meet the people, places, questions, and ideas behind AltruVistas journeys—from community-led learning to culture, art, and responsible travel in practice.
Latest dispatches
164 stories
< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Uruguay | Culture, Candombe, and Carnival with Edgardo Cambon Journey Dates:February 5-14, 2027 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Edgardo Cambon Join us in Uruguay for Carnival! This journey is hosted by…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Mexico | Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Journey Dates: September 18-21, 2026 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Ignatian Spiritual Life Center The pilgrimage is an immersive experience in Mexico…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Mexico | Oaxaca Immersion Journey Dates: January 2-9, 2027 Trip Availability: OPEN to Loyola Marymount students Tour Sponsor: Loyola Marymount University This immersion experience focuses on indigenous rights and…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Mexico | Steller Secondary's December Travel Intensive: Culture and History of the Mayan Riviera Journey Dates: December 5-16, 2026 Trip Availability: OPEN to Steller Secondary students Tour Sponsor: Steller Secondary…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Carlota's Warriors for Cuba: Cuban Afrofeminist Colloquium Journey Dates: July 22-29, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Rosemari Mealy This solidarity Support for the Cuban People delegation is being…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Mexico | El Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico Journey Dates: October 26 - November 3, 2026 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Ethical Traveler We’re going to the culinary and cultural capital of Mexico during one of…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Turks and Caicos | Beautiful By Nature in Turks and Caicos Journey Dates: July 25- August 1, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Flo’s Body Shop Join Fleuretta Waltrous of Flo’s Body Shop and experience the…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Italy | Assisi Leadership Exercises in the Footsteps of Saint Francis: A Silent & Joyful Pilgrimage-Retreat (LCF) Journey Dates: August 2-8, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Latino Community Foundation…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Italy | Assisi Leadership Exercises in the Footsteps of Saint Francis: A Silent & Joyful Pilgrimage-Retreat (USF) Journey Dates: June 25 - July 1, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: University of San Francisco…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Bhutan | Bhutan 2026 Pilgrimage with Michelle & Joel Levey Journey Dates: September 22 - October 4, 2026 Trip Availability: WAITLIST Tour Sponsor: Michelle and Joel Levey | Bodhi Tree EcoDharma Sanctuary Pilgrimage to…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Puerto Rico | People, Food, & Sovereignty in Puerto Rico Journey Dates: May 21–29, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Pace University For 532 years, the residents of Puerto Rico have been under colonial control.…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Jazz and Culture in Havana: A People-to-People Journey with Dr. Segun Shabaka Journey Dates: January 24 - February 1, 2027 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Pyramid NYC Join Dr. Segun Shabaka in Havana for the…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Egypt | A Women's TravelCircle to Egypt: A Journey Across River, Desert, and Sky Journey Dates: January 24 - February 5, 2027 Trip Availability: WAITLIST Tour Sponsor: Shasta Nelson’s TravelCircles We spend four nights…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Iceland | Waterfalls, Sagas & Soaking: A Women’s Road Trip Through Iceland’s North and West Journey Dates: July 18 - July 28, 2027 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Shasta Nelson’s TravelCircles Join us for this…
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January 10. 2026 Good day/Buenos Dias! In light of recent international media coverage regarding developments in Venezuela, we would like to share a brief and factual update on the current situation in Cuba as it relates to travel. At this time, the…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | MisterLatinJazz Goes to Havana Jazz Festival: An Exploration of Afro-Cuban Percussion Journey Dates: January 24-February 1, 2027 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: MisterLatinJazz Join Arturo Riera,…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Brigada del Amor: Celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Cuba Journey Dates: May 12-20, 2027 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Jesus Puerto Join Jesus Puerto in Cuba for the…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Exploring LGBTQ Voices in Cuba: A Support for the Cuban People Delegation with Scott Nicholas Siegel Journey Dates: March 23-29, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Scott Siegel This March, join Professor…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Greece | Greece: The Labyrinth & The Light Journey Dates: July 11-24, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: LHT (Live Heal Travel) Journey through ancient myths and modern wellness on a family retreat in Greece…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Hawai'i |The Heart of Hawaii: Family Retreat for Mind, Body & ʻĀina Journey Dates: April 12-19, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: LHT (Live Heal Travel) Immerse yourself in an unforgettable family eco-wellness…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico: The Hidden Colony Journey Dates: January 10-17, 2027 Trip Availability: OPEN to former USF students Tour Sponsor: Lois Ann Lorentzen Lois writes: My thirty-four years at the University of San…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Turkey | Cultural Encounters and Sacred Sites: A Family Eco-Wellness Retreat Journey Dates: June 27 - July 9, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: LHT (Live Heal Travel) Immerse yourself in an unforgettable family…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Bhutan | Bhutan: The Kingdom of Happiness Journey Dates: April 8-18, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Nomad Life Nomad Life invites you to explore the beauty and harmony of Bhutan–home to some of the world’s…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cambodia & Laos | Cambodia & Laos: The Heart of Southeast Asia Journey Dates: February 16-27, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Nomad Life Nomad Life invites you on a transformative and enriching journey…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Guided by Tim: A Culture of Arts in Cuba Journey Dates: February 12-22, 2027 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Guided by Tim Join Guided by Tim’s Tim Tendick for an arts, architecture, and education-focused…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Guided by Tim: A Culture of Arts in Cuba Journey Dates: February 13-23, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Guided by Tim Join Guided by Tim’s Tim Tendick for an arts, architecture, and education-focused…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Sweden and Norway | Fjords, Fika, and Friendships: A Women's TravelCircle to Sweden and Norway Journey Dates: August 20 - September 1, 2026 |Optional add-on: The Soft Landing: Nourishment in Finland, September 1-5, 2026…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Women's Voices in Cuba Journey Dates: December 10-19, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Shasta Nelson’s TravelCircles | Hosted by J’Leen Saeger Join us for an unforgettable 10-night cultural immersion in…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | A Culture of Arts in Cuba Journey Dates: March 1- 8, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Temple University Temple University is offering a unique opportunity to study Cuban culture in 2026! Discover and…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | 34th Havana International Book Fair: A People-to-People Delegation with W. Paul Coates Journey Dates: February 13-20, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: W. Paul Coates and the Black Publishers and Writers…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | A People-to-People Delegation for the 34th Havana International Book Fair, with Dr. Richard D. Benson II, PhD Journey Dates: February 13-20, 2026 | Optional Viñales excursion February 20-23, 2026 Trip Availability:…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | 65 Years of Love for Cuba: A Support for the Cuban People Delegation Journey Dates: December 25, 2025 - January 1, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Rosemari Mealy and Sam Anderson We are so happy that…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Iceland | Iceland Retreat: Discover What's Next in the Land of Fire + Ice Journey Dates: November 15-20, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Jenny Fenig Hi, it’s Jenny Fenig, and I’m so excited you are…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Building Relations with Cuban Labor Journey Dates: April 25 – May 3, 2027 | Provincial Excursion May 3– 7, 2027 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Building Relations With Cuban Labor Join the march of 1,000,000…
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Luis Enrique BazánGlobal Immersion Programs & Strategic Partnerships With over 20 years of experience in social justice, education, and community empowerment, Luis Enrique is passionate about guiding people to make meaningful change while reflecting on…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Puerto Rico | Exploring Puerto Rico: Nature, Community and Science in Action Journey Dates: May 10-16, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Temple University’s Temple Ambler Field Station Explorations Embark on an…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Jazz and Culture in Havana: A People-to-People Journey with Dr. Segun Shabaka Journey Dates: January 24 - February 1, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Pyramid NYC Join Dr. Segun Shabaka in Havana for…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Costa Rica | Free in Nature: Women’s Adventure in Costa Rica Journey Dates: August 5-17, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Dr. Pavlina Latkova Embark on a transformative journey as we experience and exchange…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Ireland | Sacred Healers Tour to Ireland: A Journey of Connection and Renewal Journey Dates: September 18-30, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Healing Journeys LLC | Kathleen Scacciaferro Journey to Ireland –…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Peru | Sacred Healers Tour to Peru Journey Dates: April 8-19, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Healing Journeys, LLC | Kathleen Scacciaferro & Lucrezia Mangione A Transformational Experience Awaits You Are you…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | The Art and Soul of Cuba Journey Dates: December 4-12, 2025, plus optional 3-day extension to Trinidad December 12-15 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: David Julian Creative Workshops copyright David Julian…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Mexico | The Culture, Spirit, and Women Behind El Dia de Los Muertos: A Women’s TravelCircle to Oaxaca Journey Dates: October 26- November 3, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Shasta Nelson’s TravelCircles Our…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Hawai'i | Baddies: Big Island Cultural Immersion Journey Dates: April 26-May 5, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Dr. Pavlina Latkova Join Dr. Pavlina Latkova for this eco-cultural immersion tour of Hawai’i’s…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | The 6th International Conference for World Balance Journey Dates: January 28-31, 2025 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: The José Martí International Solidarity Project The 6th International Conference FOR WORLD…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Ecuador | Ancient Culture and Galapagos Adventure: A Women's TravelCircle to Ecuador Journey Dates: January 5-15, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Shasta Nelson’s GirlFriendCircles Ecuador is an adventurer’s…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Building Relations with Cuban Labor Journey Dates: April 27 – May 3, 2025 | Provincial Excursion May 3– 8th, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Building Relations With Cuban Labor Join the march of…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Tanzania and Rwanda | Education and Excellence in the African Diaspora Journey Dates: Tanzania: July 7-19, 2025 | Rwanda: July 19-25, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: African American Regional Educational…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Ethical Traveler Presents: A Culture of Jazz, Arts, and Dance in Cuba Journey Dates: January 24 - February 4, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Ethical Traveler Our journey will focus on Cuba’s…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Spain | MisterLatinJazz Goes to… Jazzaldia! The San Sebastian Jazz Festival Journey Dates: July 20-27, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: MisterLatinJazz Join Arturo Riera, MisterLatinJazz, as we voyage to the…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Hawai'i | Women’s Hawaii Snorkeling, Hiking, & Kayaking Eco Tour Journey Dates: February 21 - March 3, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Green EdVentures This tour is crafted for women travelers like you, who…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Kosovo and North Macedonia | Nationalism and New States in the Balkans Journey Dates: March 15-23, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Middlebury Institute of International Studies Full details and the…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Jazz and Culture from Santiago to Havana: A People-to People Journey with Dr. Segun Shabaka Journey Dates: January 25 - February 2, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Pyramid NYC Cuba is one of the most…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Conference for the International Decade for People of African Descent Journey Dates: December 8-16, 2024 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Sam Anderson The Ministry of Culture and the National Program against…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Cuban Architecture, Urbana Planning and Historic Preservation Journey Dates: February 8-18 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Temple University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | Tyler School of Art and…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Puerto Rico | Mister Latin Jazz Goes to Puerto Rico: Musica y Cultura Journey Dates: May 17-24, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Mister Latin Jazz Journey leader Arturo Riera says, “They say that Cuba and…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Japan | A Couples' Travel Circle to Japan: Celebrating Love and Culture in the Land of the Rising Sun Journey Dates: August 28-September 9, 2025 Trip Availability:CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Shasta and Greg Nelson This is a very…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Thailand | Be More You: Women's Thailand Business Empowerment Retreat Journey Dates: TBA Winter 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Quinna Water We are going to Thailand, baby! Step into the truest version of…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | A Culture of Arts and Jazz in Cuba Journey Dates: January 24-February 2, 2026 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Cubanakoa Foundation Join Cubanakoa Foundation for the Jazz Festival! In addition to timing our…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Turkey | Cultural Encounters and Sacred Sites: A Family Eco-Wellness Retreat Journey Dates: July 27-August 8, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: LHT (Live Heal Travel) Immerse yourself in an unforgettable family…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Vietnam | Nubian Sadhana 2025 Yoga Retreat Journey Dates: July 8-21, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Flo’s Body Shop Join Flo’s Body Shop for an incredible yoga retreat in Vietnam! We’ll visit Hanoi, Hue, Da…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Peru | Sacred Sites and Shamanic Blessings Journey Dates: June 28 - July 7, 2025 Optional Amazon excursion July 7-10, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: LHT (Live Heal Travel) Immerse yourself in an…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Celebrating 60 Years of Jazz in Havana! Journey Dates: April 27-May 5, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: KCSM Join us to celebrate KCSM’s 60 years promoting 24-hour jazz in the Bay Area. This…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | A Culture of Arts & Photography in Cuba Journey Dates: October 14-21, 2024 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Joe Guerriero Photo/Road Warrior Productions This legal Humanitarian Delegation journey offers a…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Richmond Regla Sister City Delegation to Cuba: Celebrating 25 years of Friendship Journey Dates: December 5-15, 2024 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: City of Richmond, CA photo by Marilyn Langlois In…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Black Social Justice Activists and Educators Delegation: III Jordana Cubana Por El Día Internacional De la Mujer Afrolatina, Afrocaribeña de la Diáspora Journey Dates: July 20-30, 2024 Trip Availability: CLOSED…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Hawai'i | Hawai'i Culture, Conservation, and Cuisine: A Family Eco-Wellness Retreat Journey Dates: April 12-19, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: LHT (Live Heal Travel) Immerse yourself in an unforgettable…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Costa Rica | Costa Rica 2025: Sustainable Tourism Abroad Experience Journey Dates: June 11-24, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: California State University Monterey Bay, Sustainable Hospitality Management…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Philippines | A Women’s TravelCircle to Manila, Palawan, & Bohol: Beaches, Culture, & Play in the Philippines Journey Dates: January 3-15, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Shasta Nelson’s TravelCircles In the…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Nepal | Women Adventuring in the Enlightened Land of Everest: A Women's TravelCircle to Nepal Journey Dates: November 1-10, 2025 Optional Post-Trip Trek in the Himalayas November 10-14, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Croatia| Women Traveling the Blue Waters and Old Cities of the Balkans: A Women's TravelCircle to Croatia Journey Dates: June 15-25, 2025 Optional Slovenia add-on excursion June 25-29, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Cuba Nature & Culture Expedition Journey Dates: August 3-10, 2024 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: SEE Turtles Cuba is an extraordinary island with its unique culture, gorgeous beaches, and clear waters. The…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Uruguay | Culture, Candombe, and Carnival with Edgardo Cambon Journey Dates:February 5-14, 2025 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Bay Area Cultural Roots Exchange and Edgardo Cambon Bay Area Cultural Roots Exchange…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Education and Excellence in the African Diaspora in Cuba Journey Dates: November 17-27, 2023 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: AAREA: African American Regional Educational Alliances Cuba is one of the most…
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“I really know that the best way to be a photographer visiting Cuba is to know that you are helping people feel seen—not just photographed.” Photographer and longtime AltruVistas collaborator David Julian leads a sold-out Cuba photography tour this week,…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Colombia | EcoXpedition Colombia Journey Dates: August 8-14, 2022 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Aquarium of the Bay Learn more about the ECOXPEDITIONS TRIPS FOR 2022 with our partner Aquarium of the Bay.…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Galapagos | EcoXpedition Galapagos Journey Dates: December 12-18, 2022 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Aquarium of the Bay Learn more about the ECOXPEDITIONS TRIPS FOR 2022 with our partner Aquarium of the Bay.…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | New Year’s In Cuba: Celebrating Culture and Community Journey Dates: December 27, 2022 - January 4, 2023 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: AltruVistas This AltruVistas Journey will focus on Cuba’s…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Romania | Tree Monkey Project Romania Tour Journey Dates: May 14-23, 2023 Trip Availability:CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Tree Monkey Project Transylvania is a historical region located in central Romania, bound on the east and…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Cuba's Organic Revolution Journey Dates: POSTPONED til Nov 21 - new dates coming soon! Trip Availability: Please contact us to inquire Tour Sponsor: Slow Food California Learn about Cuba from Cubans. This tour will…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Bali | Celebrating Love, Community and Nature in Bali Journey Dates: April 11-21, 2023 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Shasta and Greg Nelson This is a very special Travel Circle. In fact, it is our inaugural…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Colombia | Journey for the Greater Good: Colombia Expedition Journey Dates: November 15-23, 2020 Trip Availability: POSTPONED due to COVID-19 - new dates coming soon! Tour Sponsor: Greater Good Institute We are in the…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Romania | Tree Monkey Project Romania Tour Journey Dates: May 14-23, 2021 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Tree Monkey Project Most people think of Transylvania as the home of fictitious character Count Dracula.…
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Havana turned 500 on November 16th, 2019! Malia Everette, CEO and founder of AltruVistas, talks about what it was like to be there for the celebration. Plus, our journey leaders and travelers report back with pictures and quotes! Hi Malia! What was it like…
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Photographers Joe DiMaggio and JoAnne Kalish are facilitating two AltruVistas journeys to Cuba, one in November 2019 and one in January 2020. Joe spoke with us about how he approaches taking photographs in another culture, and about the power of the still…
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Bay Area Native David Quinby recently returned from a people-to-people journey in Iran, where he was taken under the wing of a highly experienced guide: AltruVistas friend and collaborator Bahman Zenhari. Quinby has traveled the world since age 16 and has…
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“Since my grad school days in International Relations, and my days heading up Global Exchange’s human rights delegations, ‘citizen diplomacy’ has provided the foundation to many journeys. Citizen diplomacy is based on the concept that individuals have the…
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View info about the 6.20 Oakland Fundraiser Event and about Sponsorship Packages Here OR Donate any dollar amount through GoFundMe OR Venmo to VerticalSkillz OR View mailing address Here International Youth Exchange in Cuba with Pro Boxer Dalia “La…
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Dalia “La Pantera” Gomez was the first to graduate college in her family of eight. She received a basketball scholarship to Evergreen State College and played semi-pro basketball in Mexico. She has worked as a middle-school teacher for the Oakland Unified…
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AltruVistas is a proud signer of CREST’s (the Center for Responsible Travel’s) petition letter. If you are a tour operator or travel professional who would also like to sign on to this petition, please email Rebekah Stewart with your name, title, and…
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AltruVistas is a member of RESPECT: Responsible & Ethical Cuba Travel. Here’s RESPECT’s statement on Trump’s new Cuba policy. RESPECT: Responsible & Ethical Cuba Travel: An Association of U.S. Travelers to Cuba April 19, 2019 RESPECT Statement on New Trump…
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In July, AltruVistas and College Track brought a group of students from New Orleans—all of whom have experienced the impact of Hurricane Katrina on their lives—to Puerto Rico in a post-Hurricane Maria solidarity delegation. Psychologist and University of…
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New York-based Fleuretta “Flo” Waltrous leads international yoga, Pilates and fitness retreats for a predominantly black community of students. We spoke with her about her trips, which often interface with the history of the African Diaspora, and about why…
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Ricardo Valverde Sanchez is a certified environmental consultant and biologist in Costa Rica. He has a Master’s degree in Geography, and a BA in Biology with a concentration in environmental interpretation from the University of Costa Rica. Ricardo has…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Nature & Culture Expedition Journey Dates: August 3-10, 2019 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: SEE Turtles Join us for an exploration of Cuba! Travel to Guanahacabibes National Park, the island’s westernmost…
Read the story< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cambodia and Laos | Culture and World Heritage in Cambodia and Laos Journey Dates: December 9-20, 2019 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Portland Community College PCC and AltruVistas present Culture and World…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | El Oriente: Cuba from the Other Side Journey Dates: December 1-17, 2019 Trip Availability: CLOSED Tour Sponsor: Herman Photo Tours Holguin • Gibara • Baracoa • Santiago de Cuba • Bayamo • Las Tunas • Havana Join…
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July 30 is the UN’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. We spoke with Carol Smolenski, the Executive Director of ECPAT-USA, a NYC-based branch of an international organization that works to end child sex trafficking. Below is Carol’s perspective…
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British Californian Yogi Mary Paffard has been traveling to Cuba since 1998, working to train teachers, grow the Cuban yoga movement, and develop a practice that’s rooted in cross-cultural exchange. From February 7-13, 2019, she’ll be supporting a Cuban…
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AltruVistas is proud to be offering the Aloha Aina Food Sovereignty Tour on Oahu, Hawaii, July 19-27, 2018. We spoke with Marilyn Borchardt, who has worked with our partner organization Food First for over 30 years! Marilyn went on the 2015 Aloha Aina Tour…
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Beb Reynol is a French photojournalist living in Seattle. He’s worked in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and is now leading documentary photography tours in partnership with AltruVistas, with upcoming 2018 journeys to Rwanda, Uganda, and Southern France. We sat…
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In early September 2017, the U.S. Department of State began a drawdown of staff in the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, which, after reports of Embassy employees being afflicted with health problems, resulted in a total 60 percent reduction in staff by…
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Hi Natalia! Tell us a bit about yourself and your life before AltruVistas. I was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, and as a child I studied at the French School in San Jose. When I was a teenager, my parents made the move to the US, and French was left behind…
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Hi everyone, Did not want to miss the opportunity to share this with you all, who are actually part of the chain of showing the beauty, the knowledge and the treasures of OUR Cuba. Just wanted to share the satisfaction that I felt representing AltruVistas…
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Entrepreneur Jesus Puerto is the owner of New Haven, CT’s Soul de Cuba Cafe and the director of the Cubanakoa Foundation. He’ll be leading May’s AltruVistas journey to the International Day Against Homophobia in Cuba, where participants will meet LGBTQ…
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The 17th annual Fiesta del Tambor takes place in March 2018! Professional percussionist Carol Steele is leading our AltruVistas tour to the festival. We sat down with Carol to get her rich, unique perspective on her life’s work and its deep intertwining…
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AltruVistas is beyond excited to be offering two tours to Bhutan in May/June 2018! Culture and World Heritage Through a Photographer’s Lens will be led by Joe Guerriero, who took the beautiful photos in this post. A separate tour, the AltruVistas Cultural…
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Estimados Amigos and AltruTravelers, The Trump administration announced new rules Wednesday, November 8th to make it tougher for U.S. businesses to work in Cuba and for Americans to travel to the island. These restrictions finally clarified what Trump in…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Sustainable Development Models: Urban and Rural Mutuality and Interconnectedness (Feat. the 13th Int'l CUBASOLAR workshop) Journey Dates: May 19-27, 2018 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Cuba-US Sustainability…
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As some of you might know, our founder, Malia Everette, just returned from Cuba. She was reassured by Cuba’s quick cleanup and rebuilding of impacted infrastructure after Hurricane Irma. She was elated to visit family and friends, hear about their…
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For Immediate Release Contact: Bob Guild, 1-201-755-0217 respect@respectassociation.org September 30, 2017, Havana, Cuba – Meeting here, RESPECT, the largest association of US organizers of travel to Cuba unanimously rejected the Trump Administration’s…
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“Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity.” – Jose Marti AltruVistas’ community, family and friends send its solidarity and concern to the…
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Calling all Altruvistas friends and alums! You’re cordially invited to join us in celebrating the music of Pablo Menéndez & Mezcla and the indestructible musical bridge of friendship between the San Francisco Bay Area and Cuba! Menéndez is an Oakland born…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cuba | Yoga of 12 Step Recovery Journey Dates: May 5-11, 2018 Trip Availability: OPEN Tour Sponsor: Satya Retreats Join us for 5 incredible Days in Cuba! Since our inaugural Y12SR Cuba Immersion to Havana this past May,…
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Photo by Janko Ferlič Global population sizes of vertebrate species have declined by 52 percent over the last 40 years. There’s no denying that man’s destructive impact on the natural world is truly immense. However, we are slowly repairing the damage…
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The Art & Soul of Cuba – A Unique Photo-Cultural Tour with David Julian December 13-22, 2017 BOOK THIS TRIP Altruvistas is honored to collaborate on a photography tour to Cuba with David Julian, a Seattle-based photographer, illustrator and educator! David…
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Join us in welcoming Lala Nuss to the Altruvistas family! Born and raised on the coastal plains of Ewa Beach on the island of Oahu and the slopes of Mauna Kea in Hilo on Hawai’i Island, Lala is our new Hawaii Program Director. Lala has over 15 years of…
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The Trump administration’s recent decision to disallow individual people-to-people travel to Cuba, will fundamentally impact budget or backpack travelers and negatively impact the economy of the private tourism sector in Cuba that has blossomed…
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Altruvistas recently collaborated with Sam Wold, a history teacher and advisor for the Amnesty International Club at Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois, on an educational tour to Ghana. Wold led a group of Lake Forest Academy students on a 2-week…
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In February 2017, Altruvistas collaborated with La Pena Community Chorus on the Choral Exchange to Cuba tour. In addition to visiting Cuba’s cultural sites and learning about contemporary Cuban society, the group met with local choirs and even performed…
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< Back To Browse Upcoming Journeys Cambodia & Laos | World Heritage and Culture in Cambodia and Laos Journey Dates: March 9 – 20, 2018 Trip Availability:CLOSED Tour Sponsor:Portland Community College Price includes : double room accommodations (3 and 4…
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Hola fellow travelers! If you’ve been keeping up with our work, you’ve probably heard about ECPAT-USA, the anti-trafficking policy organization. AltruVistas and ECPAT-USA have worked together for the past few years assembling trips with purpose. We’re a…
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We have some exciting news to share. When Altruvistas’ Malia Everette first founded the ethical travel business in 2013, her dream was to eventually incorporate a philanthropic component to the overall vision. Well, that day has come, and you’re among the…
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What a fun email to receive in your inbox: “Congratulations! You’re a finalist for “Best Employer: Startup” for the 2016 Work Local Awards, a celebration of the best local employers in the Bay Area.” Not a bad way to start the day. It turns out, although…
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Shasta Nelson is the CEO of longtime Altruvistas travel partner GirlFriendCircles.com, and she has a pretty neat theory: that friendship can save the world! Shasta has a new book out called, Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and…
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The Hokulea is visiting Cuba right now, and Altruvistas has arranged a special itinerary for its crew members. Have you heard of the Hokulea? The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) announced that legendary traditional sailing canoe Hokulea would be making…
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Imagine a world in which no child is bought, sold, or used for sex. Altruvistas travel partner ECPAT-USA belongs to an international network of organizations in 77 countries, all working to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children. It seems like…
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High school sweethearts Monique and Rick of Altruvistas travel partner Knowing the Way Travel have been traveling together for the past 42 years and leading groups around the world for over 25 years. One of their most popular trips was inspired by the…
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As we shared recently, Ethical Traveler’s 2016 World’s Ten Best Ethical Destinations List is out. Each year Ethical Traveler reviews the policies and practices of hundreds of nations in the developing world to determine the ten countries that are doing the…
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Forget the Oscars, the world’s ten best ethical destinations have been announced! By visiting the countries on Ethical Traveler’s 2016 Best Ethical Destinations List, travelers can use their economic leverage to reward good work and support best practices…
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By now most of you have probably heard the news. President Barack Obama is planning to travel to Cuba in March. That will make him the first (sitting) American President since Calvin Coolidge to visit Cuba. For you history buffs, Coolidge’s trip took place…
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For their birthday, some choose to indulge in a multi-course dinner, then a movie. But for his 70th birthday, Henry (a.k.a. Hank) Cole, Ph.D. treated himself to a different kind of course– at the New York Film Academy– which he hopes will also lead to a…
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Hey friends, this just in! For those of you in the California Bay Area…You’re invited to a film screening and discussion on the intersection of socialism, art and change in contemporary Cuba. This program is in support of (R)EVOLUTION CUBA, the new film…
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Our friends at Patchworks Films–Marcia Jarmel & Ken Schneider– are working on something really special: A new documentary short series called (R)EVOLUTION CUBA: Stories of Art & Change, which will be six short films tracking the experience of Cuban artists…
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Earlier this month, the United Nations made quite an exciting declaration for the world of tourism, and here at Altruvistas, we couldn’t be more pleased about it. The United Nations declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for…
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If your New Year’s resolution involves a trip to Cuba, then you’ll want to read this. Altruvistas and ArtCorps have teamed up to create Culture and Arts for Social Change in Cuba – a journey that will take participants on an art-themed journey through the…
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Every year on December 10, Human Rights Day is observed around the world. It commemorates the day (December 10, 1948) the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights– the most translated document in the world, in which…
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The following post was written by Tex Dworkin, Altruvista’s Community Manager. Lead Photo Credit: David Pablo Cohn In my mind, Cuba is one of those places where lots of people feel a connection to, but each has their own reasons. I’m no exception, and…
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For the past 81 years on the second Monday of October, Americans have celebrated Columbus Day, so…Happy Columbus Day everyone! Who are we kidding? Sure, in the U.S. we’ve been celebrating Columbus Day on this day, but why? Lots of people seem to be asking…
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This type of story is why we love what we do here at Altruvistas. It’s not just about travel or philanthropy, relationship building or giving back. It’s about all of that and more. Traveler Kathleen Conklin attempted to capture the unique images and…
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With World Tourism Day (Sept. 27th) around the corner, below are a couple of events happening in the Bay Area for those interested in responsible tourism, summed up nicely by our friends at ECPAT-USA, plus a bit about an upcoming advocacy journey to…
Read the storyHave you heard? World Tourism Day is on Friday September 25th, and to celebrate the occasion, Altruvistas has teamed up with a few likeminded groups to organize an event in San Francisco that you won’t want to miss if you’re in the bay area. For those…
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Have you ever had an experience so fulfilling, it left you longing for more? Of course you have! So has Aryeh Shell, a popular educator, artist and cultural activist who has been leading trainings and supporting social movements in the US and Latin…
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Myanmar holds a special place in our hearts. It is a place we’ve brought travelers to, where we’ve connected with others and expanded our awareness of other cultures and ways of life. But right now, though you may not find it in top news headlines in the…
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Last fall Altruvistas founder Malia Everette joined Travel Massive in San Francisco to celebrate World Tourism Day with a special meet-up and discussion on sustainable tourism. For this event Altruvistas was proud to partner with ATTA (Adventure Travel…
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Did you know that Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world and has been deemed “One of the World’s Most Literary Countries”? It’s true that Cuban culture and literature go hand in hand. While there have been many tours and delegations to…
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Altruvistas travel partner ECPAT-USA, the leading anti-trafficking policy organization in the United States, is hard at work trying to encourage hotel personnel and travelers alike to educate themselves about the signs of sex trafficking of children. Their…
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Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stay in a stranger’s home while you’re traveling the world? Meet Altruvistas collaborator and ethical traveler Sam Chen, who shares what it’s like to globe trot from ‘casa particulares’ in Cuba to a neighborhood…
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Happy Mother’s Day! To honor the occasion, we’ve gathered together some quotes from famous and not-so-famous folks about moms. Here they are — some funny, some just keeping it real and telling it like it is. Hope you enjoy! Keeping it real A mother is not…
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With World Fair Trade Day upon us, we thought today was the perfect time to highlight a few of our upcoming journeys that incorporate fair trade into the itinerary. World Fair Trade Day, celebrated each year on the second Saturday of May, was started in…
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Earlier this year, Dining for Women (DFW) and Altruvistas teamed up to create a trip of a lifetime. Destination; Myanmar — formerly known as Burma. The result: an enlightening, inspiring two-week adventure. For those of us who were not on the trip, it’s…
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Are you a fan of all things Cuba? Do you have an interest in photography? Then you’ll want to know about one upcoming adventure in particular. There’s a time and a place for everything, and in this case, the time is next month to explore your budding…
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The following is a guest post written by Tim Tendick, a traveling writer and photographer, who also teaches. Because he’s well-rounded like that. Most of his adventures can be found on vagabondurges.com. He gratefully traveled with Altruvistas to Cuba and…
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The following is a guest post written by Tim Tendick about his visit to a Peru-based organization called Casa Generacion, which works to defend and protect the human rights of children, youth, and teenagers at risk who live in the streets of Lima, Peru.…
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March 8th has been International Women’s Day every year since 1911. It’s a day for people around the world to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. The theme this year is Make It Happen. Like many of you, we love making…
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The following is a guest post by Tori Hogan–an author, filmmaker, and educator with an endless curiosity about the world and a heart for exploration. Rebuilding Old Havana: The Role of Tourism in the City’s Renewal Colorful colonial buildings, sun-drenched…
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There’s a dance school in Cuba called ProDanza, but its specialty isn’t Rumba or Salsa –it teaches ballet, and it’s revered by many. There’s just one problem; ballet shoes aren’t sold in Cuba. The following guest post written by Tori Hogan explains. Tori…
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Here at Altruvistas, we’re all for joining together with like-minded groups to tackle tough issues of our time. That’s why this month, we’re partnering with ECPAT-USA to support the END IT Movement, an international coalition of freedom fighters who are…
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The following is a guest post written by Tori Hogan–an author, filmmaker, and educator with an endless curiosity about the world and a heart for exploration. The Transformational Power of Travel: Local Insights in Cuba Travel transforms us. I’ve known this…
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We’ve got a new trip to announce, one that fits right in with our plans to positively transform the travel industry, together with like-minded organizations, and we’d love for you to come along! For those in search of a deeper purpose in their travel…
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The first time Marcy Mendelson saw a cheetah was on television during a National Geographic nature special. She was four years old. Now she’s a conservation photographer who snaps for National Geographic, preparing to lead an epic Altruvistas journey to…
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Update 12/11/2014: The 2015 The World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations list is out now. You can read which nations made the list, and more about this years’ list here. — One of the best things mindful travelers can do is spend their tourist dollars in…
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Nancy L. Cohen is a professor and head of the Department of Nutrition at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where she teaches (and researches) topics ranging from community nutrition and food safety education to nutrition of older adults. Last…
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The following post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated since to reflect new travel dates: This November, ECPAT-USA (Ending Child Slavery at the Source) will be leading a groundbreaking journey to Thailand, called Behind the CODE: An ECPAT…
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Welcome and Nice to Meet You! Some of you have asked, others have encouraged, and finally we’ve arrived. Introducing the brand new Altruvistas Blog! For those just meeting us, Altruvistas is a socially responsible travel company that launched in December…
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