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Enriched Souls, Kinder Hearts, Open Minds, Meaningful Travel, Giving Back, Service Projects, Voluntourism

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Happiness and Meaningful Travel

by Nina Patel Leave a Comment

Yesterday, one of my favorite bloggers, Eric Barker wrote about, “How to be Happy: 5 Secrets Backed by Research”.  He shares science-based insight on life and I look forward to my Sunday morning reading, so I was inspired to share his tips as I thoroughly enjoyed thinking about how these happiness tips relate to “Meaningful Travel.”

According to Eric’s research,

In the United States, rates of depression are ten times higher today than they were in the 1960s, and the average age for the onset of depression is fourteen and a half compared to twenty-nine and a half in 1960.

Since none of us want to be part of this trend, Eric shared these 5 tips on How to be Happy from Tal Ben-Shahar, who taught the most popular class at Harvard University about happiness. Tal is also the bestselling author of a number of books including Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment.

1.      You need pleasure and meaning. Feeling good is important but we also need a purpose.

To experience a sense of purpose, the goals we set for ourselves need to be intrinsically meaningful. We could set ourselves the goal of scoring top grades in college or owning a large house, yet still feel empty. To live a meaningful life, we must have a self-generated purpose that possesses personal significance rather than one that is dictated by society’s standards and expectations.

So rather than taking a typical family vacation, take one that can be really meaningful by incorporating ways to give back to local communities and creating that sense of purpose!

2.     Map your life. Note where your time goes and ask if it’s making you happy. Then do more of the good stuff.

Looking at how you really spend your time and maximizing the good moments sounds simple, but we usually trust our very fallible memories and don’t proactively try to increase the good on our calendars.

Vacations are generally high on the list of activities that make people happy, and if you should be doing more of the good stuff, then consider taking a vacation as often as possible! Put it on your calendar, even if it’s just a short weekend getaway.

3.     “No pain, no gain” is a myth. We’re happiest doing things where we enjoy the process, not just the results.

Spend as much time as possible on your “want-to” list, and try to spend less time doing those awful “have-to” activities.

Putting this advice into the context of a vacation…you should take the time to enjoy the research, planning, and anticipation of the trip, and not just the trip itself. Enjoy the entire process and journey! And most importantly, create that “bucket list” of places you dream about visiting.

4.    What would you do if no one would judge you? This question can point you in the right direction.

We spend so much time worried about what other people think and trying to impress them that we end up doing a lot of stuff that doesn’t really make us happy.

Travel often helps people be more carefree and not worry so much about being judged or pleasing others. A personal getaway can be a great exercise in stepping back and evaluating how you spend your time and what truly matters to you.

5.    Doing beats knowing. Use rituals. Don’t just read these ideas. Make them into habits.

Knowing is nice, but it’s doing that really matters…Anything we want to do to improve our life needs to be a ritual — a habit —  if it’s really going to create change.

Here are the rituals that Tal recommends for happiness:

Exercise

It doesn’t just keep you healthy and attractive. Studies show it’s as effective as antidepressants in keeping you smiling. 

Spend time with friends

The number one predictor of happiness is quality time we spend with people we care about and who care about us.

Express Gratitude

Expressing gratitude to others with a gratitude letter, but also just expressing gratitude to ourselves, being grateful for what we have, is vital.

Meditate

No, you don’t have to sit on a mountaintop and say a mantra. Meditation and mindfulness are simple things we can do every day. 

Five minutes a day of just closing your eyes and breathing deeply or listening to your favorite music with your eyes closed, that can go a long way toward making you happier.

And If I may add, a VACATION THAT MATTERS can incorporate all of the above habits, rituals, and fulfillment that will bring you much happiness!

 

 

Filed Under: Meaningful Travel

Back from Canyon Ranch

by Nina Patel Leave a Comment

When considering a Spa getaway, you may expect some fitness offerings, relaxing massages, and healthy food options; however, the depth of services from Medical to Spiritual at Canyon Ranch far surpasses the offerings of typical Spa resorts.

You can fulfill your continuing education credit (CME & CNE for physicians and nurses) with all their seminars, workshops, and guest speakers.

 

You can reflect, set intentions, start a new physical practice, change eating habits, enjoy artistic hobbies, or simply rejuvenate in their spa with their unique therapies and treatments.

You can improve your golf game, tennis game, challenge yourself on the ropes course or try indoor surfing, drumming, or dance classes.

You may need some time to de-stress, work on a relationship, recover from a medical circumstance or rehab.

You can do as much or as little as you like, but Canyon Ranch definitely provides plenty of opportunity to be inspired within a comfortable, friendly, and naturally beautiful environment. 

It is a complete mind, body, spirit transformational experience that is difficult to convey in words. You have to experience it for yourself in order to realize how meaningful it can be, not just for yourself, but also for those around you whose lives you touch daily.

And, last but not least there is always a way to make a difference. Please visit www.canyonranchinstitute.org to learn about how Canyon Ranch Institue promotes individual and community well-being through collaborating with partners who share their vision of a healthy world.

Filed Under: Meaningful Travel, North America, Wellness

Lending a Hand: The Ability Bhutan Society

by Nina Patel Leave a Comment

 

ABS supports special-needs children and their families. It provides early and direct intervention and assistance to children with various needs, to help them live independently in Bhutanese society. To learn more, visit http://www.absbhutan.org.

The message on the wall when we entered ABS read, ” If people with disabilities can’t believe in themselves, or if others don’t belive in them, WE will believe in them and hopefully our positivity will spread and encourage more Positivity!

How We Helped

We reached out to ABS in advance of our visit to ask about their needs. They provided a list of items that would be useful but they are unable to source in Bhutan. In partnership with Tarsadia Foundation, Vacations That Matter donated Occupational Therapy kits, several other items and some cash to the organization in person during our visit to Bhutan.

ABS shared a wonderful presentation with us about everything they do, how donor funds are utilized and the lives they have changed.  

Each kit had portable equipment and skill-building toys designed for children with special needs, so that the therapists can help children who are housebound, and unable to visit the ABS facility.

We only brought items that would fit in our luggage and could not be sourced locally. The cash donations were used to purchase chairs, tables, and other items that could be purchased locally, in order to support local businesses as well. 

It is so nice to see pictures of how ABS is using the items we donated. Seeing the direct impact inspires us to want to do more, so we will continue to support ABS through various travel partners who bring tourism to Bhutan!

 

 

Filed Under: Asia, Bhutan, Destinations, Meaningful Travel

Back from Bali

by Nina Patel Leave a Comment

 

Bali is the “island of the gods.” The Balinese practice of Hinduism is quite different than that of India. They do believe in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and you will see Ganesha and Shiva everywhere; however, the Balinese do not worship any deities. Their temples are simple structures with no idols. Life for the Balinese revolves around rituals, ceremonies, and daily offerings of flowers and rice. Homes and businesses, cars and cows…everywhere you go, these offerings decorate the land.

Bali’s views are spectacular: sunrise on the east coast, sunset on the west coast, and jungles, rice fields and volcanic mountains throughout the island.

 

Don’t forget the food! Bali’s culinary options are impressive, ranging from the traditional Balinese cuisine served in banana leaves to the finest French cuisine prepared by renowned chefs.

 

Adventure or relaxation: how about both? Every desire can be fulfilled in Bali, from hiking, biking, and whitewater rafting to yoga, spa treatments and complete relaxation. You can even experience what it’s like to plough a rice field!

So, whether you prefer simplicity or indulgence, Bali is an inviting and remarkable destination for everyone.

To see the entire Album click here!

 

Filed Under: Asia, Bali, Destinations

Back from Bhutan

by Nina Patel Leave a Comment

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Ever told yourself you just “want to escape?” To be surrounded by nature’s beauty, unblemished by our modern world? Such heavenly escape can only be found in Bhutan, the Dragon Kingdom in the valleys of the Himalayas.

Isolated from our fast-paced world, Bhutan is where tradition and culture are immaculately preserved.

 

Nature and society are one.

 

Spiritual awareness and practice permeates the land.

 

It is community that makes the Bhutanese some of the happiest people on earth. Where else can you measure GNP “Gross National Happiness“!

 

The Bhutanese believe in hospitality; they invite strangers into their humble homes, cook up a storm from the freshest organic produce grown on their farms, and engage in conversation like we are all family and old friends.

 

Their dedication to humanity is unwavering.

If you’re adventurous and wish to experience spirituality, community, and the ancient culture of the Dragon Kingdom, you will love Exploring Bhutan. 

CLICK HERE to see more pictures

Filed Under: Asia, Bhutan, Meaningful Travel

Back from Costa Rica

by Nina Patel Leave a Comment

I hope you’ve had a fabulous summer. While I took a break from sending you my newsletter this summer, I certainly didn’t take a break from exploring new opportunities to enjoy a Vacation That Matters.

I had a wonderful opportunity to end the summer with a 10 day vacation to Costa Rica. It was a time to bond and re-connect with family, to explore, experience and be utterly excited about recommending trips to Costa Rica. It was relaxing, adventurous, educational, inspiring and certainly memorable. We also celebrated our daughter’s 13th birthday and my birthday during the trip which made it even more special.

However, our vacations are not complete unless we incorporate a way to give back. And we found so many ways to do just that in Costa Rica. From a volunteer visit to an animal shelter, to planting trees and exploring sustainable ranches, to visiting a school and donating school supplies, the possibilities were endless.  

So rather than write about all the details, I’ll just share the pictures we took. I hope that you can capture the essence of a Vacation That Matters through these images. Please share your thoughts, comments or inspirations via email, Facebook, or our website.

May the new school year, fall colors, cooler temperatures, rejuvenated spirits, and planning for the upcoming holiday season bring joy and a smile to all. 

Costa Rica

A Remarkable Destination

Imagine a rejuvanating massage in the middle of the rainforest with the sounds of nature.

Imagine all the exhileration and adrenaline of adventure activities.

Imagine the bio-diversity and natural beauty of flora, fauna, & wildlife.

Imagine the educational experience of watching a sea turtle nesting on the beach at night.

Imagine volunteering at an animal shelter.

Imagine a country with a culture of environmental respect.

Imagine the education in history, geography, ecology, anthropology and a culture of “PURA VIDA” (Pure life or Pure living). Now imagine sharing this experiential, recreational and truely sensational vacation with your family & friends!!

To see all of our Costa Rica albums please visit facebook.com/vacationsthatmatter

Vacations That Matter Recommends

 

 

 HAVE FUN, SHARE DREAMS, and GIVE HOPE!!! Try a Luxury Voluntourism trip in 2012/2013.

 

We have NEW itineraries for Costa Rica, Puerto Vallarta & Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Please give us a call for more details.

Filed Under: Central America, Wildlife

Housing From the Heart

by Nina Patel Leave a Comment

Do you remember your first home? No matter how big or small, old or new it was, the memories of your first home will likely be treasured forever.

So imagine if you had an opportunity to make the dream of a home a reality for someone and you were invited to the house warming party!

Today, I’d like to share an inspiring story of how Tyler Dillon from Butterfield & Robinson is making this possible.

     

 

Out of all the places I have worked and lived, Myanmar takes the cake.

For a number of years I have been travelling, living, and working abroad–in search of what, I couldn’t say. Possibly a further understanding of the world, new perspectives, a sense of adventure. Or maybe it’s just because I cannot sit still and life on the road is one of constant activity.

Inle Lake: A Magic Unlike Any Other

Through all of these travels there is one place in particular that has stood out, and I think always will stand out: Inle Lake and the mountains of the Shan State in Myanmar (Burma). After time spent in lands as diverse and majestic as New Zealand, Ireland, Peru, China, Patagonia and even my home in the American south, after all this, I found Inle Lake had a touch of magic unlike any other. Being there feels like being in a Roald Dahl story: a constant mixture of strangeness and wonder.

In the autumn of 2010, while researching biking and hiking routes in Inle, I discovered that to build a house for a Burmese family cost just US$800. Since it was November and the holiday season was approaching, I decided that, in lieu of Christmas gifts, I was going to build a house in the name of all the folks I would normally have bought presents for. Then I realized they might want to contribute as well, so I began emailing friends and family to explain the project and ask for donations. I quickly started adding more people to the email list, given the cost of the houses and the immediacy of the need, which I could see easily being there on the ground.

Starting to Grow

Emails were sent and things started to grow. In discussions with folks in Butterfield & Robinson’s main Toronto office, a fundraising challenge was made that stipulated that B&R would match the amount I raised. The pot grew (and grew and grew) and by the end of December we had raised upwards of $20,000.

“There is a kindness to the people that is rare in this day and age and it has stolen my heart,” I wrote to my friends and family.

I must admit, it was a surprise, and a bit overwhelming, so we called upon the help of some old friends we had worked with before in South East Asia doing NGO work, the Global Community Service Foundation. With their help, we quickly set up some criteria for selecting families in need, and we hired people on the ground who live in the area year-round to manage and continue to check up on the families we chose.

Today, every group of people that travels in Myanmar with B&R will meet a family and help them move in for their first day in a new home, and a new life. Neighbors come along with monks to bless the house, and of course, we come and hold a grand party, complete with dancing and music. I must admit, I cry every time. It is a beautiful thing that people have the ability to do for each other; it is us being human in the best possible way.

   

After the first year of houses, Butterfield & Robinson decided to fund a house for every group that goes through Myanmar with the company. Now we have built about 50 houses in various regions around the lake. What the future holds for the program is hard to say; when giving and help one needs to be flexible, and the needs of a community change, so we must be prepared to change with it. Perhaps our future efforts will focus on water treatment, or prenatal care, or any number of things in need of attention in the developing world.

From the Heart

But one thing we know for sure is this: now that we’ve gotten a taste of how we can help, we’re thirsty for more. In the next year we will be starting a similar program in Cambodia, in another wonderfully magical region in need, which is also a wonderful place to visit. We are looking at doing a project for folks who honeymoon there, as a way to offer young couples starting their lives together a chance to provide opportunity for a family in need.

On my last trip to Myanmar I mentioned to a fellow traveler as we finished up a house-building ceremony that I was very lucky to have set this project up. He replied, “It  wasn’t luck, it was something from the heart–and that makes all the difference.”

            

Filed Under: Asia

National Volunteer Week

by Nina Patel Leave a Comment

In honor of National Volunteer Week, I’d like to acknowledge the amazing ways in which people throughout our Nation give their time, money and expertise for the benefit of local and global communities and organizations.

As a Voluntourism specialist, I often work with people who share my passion for volunteering throughout the year and specifically during their vacations. Being able to inspire, recognize and encourage people to engage in their own communities and the global communities they visit is an honor and a real privilege.

I’m always humbled by the stories I share of people giving whole heartedly to make a difference.

Today, I’d like to share from JG Black Book’s Black Blog of Travel, the story of Andy Booth who started ABOUTAsia Travel and ABOUTAsia Schools.

  

     

ABOUTAsia Schools: How It All Began

 

At JG Black Book, we see travel as the ultimate means of discovering our individual roles as citizens of this beautiful world. From Europe to Asia and South America, our partners are the catalysts through which travelers connect with another culture, providing guests a heavenly home base from which to explore and absorb.

ABOUTAsia Travel, a South East Asian tour company and member of the JG Black Book Collection, is the epitome of that vision, encouraging travelers to leave their mark and give back to the locals they meet, photograph, laugh and eat with.

ABOUTAsia began when Andy Booth, a former investment banker from the UK, travelled to Angkor Wat 10 years ago, learning that the local community only benefited marginally from tourism and that most of the revenue remained within the hospitality industry.

Determined to make a difference, Booth moved to Siem Reap and dedicated himself to turning tourist dollars into funding for local education, resulting in the establishment of ABOUTAsia Travel. He then ensured that 100% of its profits would go towards ABOUTAsia Schools, a progressive non-profit organization that provides immediate targeted aid to Cambodian children and schools by acquiring school supplies, employing teachers, and recruiting volunteers.

The combined activities of ABOUTAsia Travel and ABOUTAsia Schools support the education of over 53,000 children in 108 schools in Siem Reap Province.

Today, Andy Booth shares a story to give us an up-close and personal sense of what ABOUTAsia is all ABOUT:

We got a call from a lady who runs a restaurant in Siem Reap. She said that there was something awry with the school in her village near Banteay Srei: It had been built under the Jolie-Pitt initiative but was looking a little ‘unloved’. A couple of days later we were standing in the school yard around 9am and the kids were playing all around us, happy as you like but clearly not in lessons. Eventually we got to meet the Principal of the school and we asked him if it was a special day of some sort as the children were not in lessons today. “No”, he told us, “We ran out of chalk ten days ago so there are no lessons”. Within 2 hours we had returned from town with a year’s supply of chalk and the school quickly got back to normal.

Our involvement can range from building the entire school right down to buying some boxes of chalk: The challenge is to use our limited resources and whatever it takes to make the schools work better. After we built Prey Chrouk secondary school, teachers were recruited and the school opened to initially around 540 children in grades 7, 8 and 9…For that first year we were assigned one English teacher by the department of education and he spoke almost no English. We supplemented the program with native English speaking volunteers and that is how we started running the free volunteering program which has been such a success.

Watch the video below to see how volunteers can make a difference:

VIDEO LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VW1wX-CnLs

 

 

            

 

Vacations That Matter Recommends

 

In honor of National Volunteer Week

VOLUNTEER Locally or Globally

Whether at Home or on Vacation

With the Intention to Make a Difference or Pay it Forward!!!

 

Filed Under: Asia, Meaningful Travel

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