Tired of conjugating verbs in the classroom? Now there’s a new way for adventurous travelers to improve their language skills. Llama Expeditions, a company dedicated to adventure/philanthropic/educational tours of Peru, has teamed up with Enjoy Spanish, the 5-star-rated Spanish school in San Francisco, to offer an exciting Spanish immersion adventure tour in Peru on August 28, 2011.
Enjoy Spanish founder Carlos Bazan, a Peruvian native, along with bilingual professional guides, will lead adventurer-learners on a cultural and linguistic experience. “Carlos is amazing at facilitating conversations. Speaking is often the most intimidating part of learning a second language. But, Carlos creates a safe environment that gets people talking,” says Diane Valenti, founder of Llama Expeditions.
The tour varies from many other trips in that participants not only learn about the local culture, but will also be providing assistance to local communities with the donation of food and support to remote businesses.
“Bringing food and supporting these underdeveloped communities helps to support and grow businesses in Peru,” says Valenti. “Besides education and the adventure to visit these remote locales, the local business people are extremely grateful for what our groups bring and do for these struggling economies.”
The 9-day, $3500 tour is limited to 10 participants to ensure adequate speaking opportunities for everyone and will include stops at popular destinations such as Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
To learn more, visit:
http://www.llamaexpeditions.com/exploration/enjoy-spanish/overview.
If you have decided to make philanthropy a part of your holiday traditions, Planeterra, a global nonprofit dedicated to sustainable community development projects worldwide, provides the opportunity to give back around the globe.
Through local organizations, international charities and travel industry partners, Planeterra has developed a network of over 50 community projects around the world that focus on education and employment skills training, micro-enterprise and community tourism development, environmental conservation, and healthcare initiatives, with new projects and partnerships coming online each year.
Planeterra (http://www.planeterra.org/) provides the opportunity to make donations on behalf of friends and family. After making an online donation there is an option to download a card for the recipient.
Here is a sampling of four Planeterra projects ready for your support:
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE NEW YEAR WITH PROJECTS ABROAD
Projects Abroad makes it easy for a new year’s resolution to become a reality. With volunteer projects in 25 destinations, including new programs launching in 2011, Projects Abroad offers many ways to enrich the lives of others around the world, while providing a sense of personal fulfillment.
“The new year is a time when many pledge to better themselves or the lives of others, and Projects Abroad offers opportunities to achieve both,” said Thomas Pastorius, vice president of Projects Abroad. “Whether making it possible for villages to have clean drinking water, caring for children in orphanages or making strides in environmental conservation, volunteers will find a project that suits their interests.”
‘Walking Wild’ in Laikipia Masaai-land is a walking safari experience through some of Kenya’s best wildlife-viewing habitats, and some of the most stunning landscapes in Africa.
A wide variety of game including the “Big Five”, over 420 species of birds, Reticulated Giraffe, Cheetah, numerous different antelopes, and endangered species such as the Grevy’s Zebra and Sitatunga, may be seen.
Professional guides lead the 3 to 6-day Walking Wild safaris starting on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, recognized as one of Africa’s top safari destinations.Walking Wild treks across Lewa to Il Ngwesi and Lekurruki depending on the number of days, with all nights spent camping out under the stars.
The focus of the safari is learning about the ecosystems as well as the local Masaai culture. Guests will be shown tracking techniques and other vital bush skills, as well as how to identify and understand the behavior of the insects, plants, and animals they come across. Laikipiak Masai will join the guests to give insight into Masaai customs.
Learn more at www.bush-and-beyond.com
Source: Adventure Media, LLC
photo courtesy of Bush and Beyond.
a guest blog by Sandy Salle of Hills Africa Travel
One of the greatest concerns travelers have when it comes to international family travel is safety. We often hear from families who would love to travel to Africa but who also have some safety concerns: “Is a safari safe for our family?” “Are health conditions in Africa safe for my family?” “Is traveling to and through Africa safe for my family?”
The answer to all of those questions is yes, Africa is a safe and wonderful place to bring your family. But, as with all destinations outside of your own country, there are obvious safety precautions that should be addressed and looked into prior to departure.
Some of these universal travel concerns include health precautions, language barriers, differing cultures, and unfamiliar governments. With these concerns lingering, it’s important to be educated, and have the right tools to prevent any unexpected emergencies when traveling outside your native country. The enriching and rewarding family experiences far outweigh any of these concerning factors, as all safety precautions are addressed prior to departure.
But two of the most popular safety concerns we receive from clients are in regards to family safari tours and children on safari.