If you’ve searched for volunteer abroad opportunities, you’ve undoubtedly learned that volunteering doesn’t often come free. You’ve likely come across many, many organizations that charge fees, often upward of $1,500 per week, to cover accommodation, food and support of a coordinator for the volunteer experience. Sections like, “Why should I pay to volunteer?,” are featured...

There has been a lot of talk on Vagablogging lately about the merits of slow travel and taking time to understand local culture when traveling. This was my goal when I came to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, to volunteer at an after-school program for a month, and I quickly discovered an even better, unexpected outlet for cultural...

Australia's gigantic festival season is coming up, with Big Day Out preparing to suck in thousands of youngsters willing to pay $165 for a ticket and stand pressed elbow-to-sternum in 45 degree (Celsius) heat, while paying $8 for a bottle of water. Sounds like fun, right? If you still think so, and you don't want...

"You'll be entitled to take a sabbatical abroad at company expense." That would be music to the ears of any vagabonder looking for work. One of the big factors holding people back from travel is the worry about finding employment upon their return. However, it would be nice to have the security of returning to...

You might have heard that 2010 is a Jubilee Year on the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage route that filters into Spain from all over Europe . The number of walking pilgrims is expected to double to 200,000, all because St. James ' Day falls on a Sunday. Demand won't only be running high for...

Us vagabonders are quite privileged to know our way around different lands. Have you ever "donated" your travel expertise to newbies? Matt Gross, writer of the New York Times Frugal Traveler blog , did just that. He started doing time at JFK airport at a help desk staffed by volunteers. Here is his article: Frugal,...

In the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, one thing is certain: Help is always needed. For vagabonders who are drawn to giving back to the global community, especially when times are tough, this offers a wide variety of ways to get closer to a culture. But what happens when the media coverage dies down and...

I found out about this cool service from the Journeywoman newsletter, which is also worth subscribing to for their cool tips and occasional nuggets of usefulness for the permanent traveler (although it's geared more towards vacation travelers). HelpX describes themselves as "an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs,...

As people interested in travel, we are obviously interested in the world around us, and I'm sure that all of us have thought about how we can make a difference. Any teeny weeny difference. There are many initiatives you can take part in, but if you want something effortless to kick-start your "making a difference"...