MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

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Benefits of Travel & Tourism, Conservation, Importance of Tourism, international travel, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel

Country Walkers Offers Responsible Travel Itineraries That Support Conservation, Charitable Projects

February 16, 2020 MoralCompass

*Porto, a delightfully walkable city in northern Portugal, is featured on Country Walkers’ Porto-Lisbon tour which also supports “Farming for the Future” initiative* © *Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Williston, VT –By 2030, 1.8 billion people – about 20 percent of the global population – are predicted to be tourists traveling the world. As the demand for global travel increases, consumers are faced with numerous decisions on how to make their trips more sustainable, including where to go, what to pack and how to get there. Country Walkers, a leading provider of walking adventures and a leader in responsible tourism for decades, offers travelers the opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable world through preserving indigenous cultures, supporting local economies, conserving wildlife and protecting the environment.

“At Country Walkers, we are committed to a healthier planet and to giving back to the destinations we explore,” said Timo Shaw, President of Country Walkers. “Sustainability is one of our core values, from staying in locally owned and operated hotels whenever possible and seeking out environmentally and socially responsible accommodations, to our ardent support of the Slow Food movement in order to preserve culinary traditions and support biodiversity. As a result, those who travel with us contribute to a more sustainable world as well.”

To further support special conservation and charitable projects in communities and habitats worldwide, Country Walkers created The Travelers Fund, which makes a donation on behalf of every traveler who books a specific tour. More than half of Country Walkers’ tours are associated with an initiative, including:

Mountain Rescue at Club Alpino Italiano (Country Walkers tour: Italy: The Amalfi Coast & Capri). Safety comes first on the Amalfi Coast with a donation to the local mountain rescue team, which primarily relies on volunteers and donations to obtain and maintain equipment for rapid emergency response for visitors and locals.

Wildlife Conservation in the Rocky Mountains (Country Walkers tours: Montana: Glacier National Park and Wyoming: Grand Teton & Yellowstone [KG1] ). The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative seeks to re-connect segments of land that have been separated by development, allowing animals to safely move from region to region on wildlife-friendly highway overpasses. Contributions are used towards constructing one of these wildlife structures.

Therapeutic Travel for Cancer Survivors in Quebec (Country Walkers tour: Quebec: Quebec City & the Saguenay Fjord). Country Walkers supports the Fondation Sur La Pointe des Pieds (“On the Tip of the Toes”), which provides young people ages 14 to 29 living with cancer with an opportunity to regain their sense of well-being through therapeutic adventure expeditions.

Assisting Pilgrims on Camino de Santiago (Country Walkers tour: Spain: Classic Camino de Santiago). The Federación Española de Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino de Santiago coordinates a vast national network of hostels, volunteers, parishes, churches and shelters in an effort to keep more than 200,000 pilgrims safe, healthy and informed as they walk the Camino de Santiago.

Clean Water in Zambia (Country Walkers tour: Zambia Safari: Exclusive Camps & Bush Walks). In Africa, currently 345 million people live without access to clean drinking water. Together with local partners in Zambia at Charity Begins Home, Country Walkers supports the “Commit to Clean Water” Fund, an initiative that seeks to transform rural communities by drilling wells into deep aquifers and pumping potable water to the surface.

Maintaining the Long Trail in Vermont (Country Walkers tour: Vermont: Fall Foliage). A highlight of the tour is walking along one of the most spectacular portions of the legendary 270-mile Long Trail, the nation’s first long-distance hiking trail. Country Walkers supports the Green Mountain Club, the stewards of this “footpath through the wilderness,” who also promote conservation of and education about Vermont’s mountains and rural land.

Advocacy for Small Businesses in Palermo (Country Walkers tour: Italy: Sicily). Country Walkers supports the nonprofit Addiopizzo movement, a grassroots coalition of over 850 shopkeepers aimed at squashing corruption in Sicily and educating locals about ethical business practices.

Conserving a Historic Chapel in Monterosso (Country Walkers tour: Italy: Portofino & Cinque Terre [KG2] ). In 2013, severe landslides destroyed the grounds of the historic Convento dei Cappuccini chapel and monastery. “Let’s Rebuild Monterosso’s Paradise” raises funds for the restoration, a cost far beyond the modest means of the town or diocese.

Cornwall Coastal Preservation (Country Walkers tour: England: The Cornwall Coast). The South West Coast Path Association advocates for improvements to more than 630 miles of this historic coastal trail system. As maintenance is costly, donations from Country Walkers on behalf of guests help maintain these paths that are heavily utilized on the tour.

Farming for the Future (Country Walkers tours: Portugal: Sintra, Óbidos & the Coast and Portugal: Porto to Lisbon). The Herdade do Freio do Meio farm applies principles of sustainability within the context of the Portuguese montado, a traditional pastoral agricultural system in which reducing reliance on fossil fuels and marketing regionally to provide fresh foods and minimize transport costs are key policies. The farm processes and sells many products on site, providing training and employment for locals.

Campobello Whale Rescue Team (Country Walkers tour: New Brunswick: Bay of Fundy & Campobello Island). Created by Mackie Green, the same captain who offers a whale watching excursion and boat transfers on the Country Walkers tour, the team is trained to dive and rescue whales trapped in fish netting. Donations support equipment and training.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Country Walkers tour: England: The Cotswolds). Stretching over 790 square miles, the Cotswolds is the largest recognized Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England due to its breathtaking scenery and rolling hills. Country Walkers supports efforts to keep the area well-preserved on behalf of every Cotswolds guest.

For more information on The Travelers Fund and Country Walkers’ sustainable travel initiatives, visit www.countrywalkers.com/sustainable-travel/ or call 800-234-6900.

For more than 40 years, Country Walkers has provided active, experiential, and stunning travel experiences on five continents. Based in Williston, Vt., the company’s specialized adventures and insider access bring the beating heart of a destination to life with well-crafted itineraries for Guided Walking and Self-Guided Walking. All walking trips highlight local cuisine, authentic accommodations, and immersive cultural experiences. Country Walkers is recognized as one of the leading providers of Walking Adventures worldwide, having garnered countless awards including National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” and Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards.

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Cultural Travel, heritage travel, walking tours

Context Travel Adds Jewish Vienna to catalog of 15 Jewish Heritage Walking Tours

October 5, 2016 MoralCompass

Judenplatz, the historic Jewish Quarter of Vienna, Austria, has a museum, an archeological excavation of a Medieval synagogue, and Holocaust memorial. © 2016 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Context Travel, which offers walking tours around the world, has added a new walking tour in Vienna to its list of 15 different Jewish history and culture tours in cities around the world, from a Jewish Buenos Aires tour to a knoshing tour of the Lower East Side

The Jewish Vienna Walking Tour is led by a small group of historians, visiting key sites in Vienna, including: the City Temple, Holocaust Memorial, and neighborhoods of notable Jewish residents like Theodor Hertzl.

Docents from the Context network around the world share their insight and views on some of the greatest Jewish Heritage sites in the world, including their favorite synagogues and critical Holocaust Memorials that you must visit if you consider yourself an informed world citizen. See:
Holocaust Memorials Around the World and Jewish Synagogues Across the World

Here are links to the 15 tours:

Jewish Berlin Tour
Jewish Buenos Aires Tour
Jewish Prague
Jewish Ghetto & Trastevere in Rome
Jewish Catacombs in Rome
Jewish Vienna Tour (new)
Jewish Culture and Food Tour of NYC
Jewish Quarter Paris Tour
Hungarian Jewish Food Tour in Budapest
Jewish Quarter Budapest Tour
Jewish Heritage Tour of London
Jewish Barcelona Tour
Jewish Amsterdam Tour
Shylock’s Venice
Sachsenhausen Camp Excursion from Berlin

Founded by National Geographic writer Paul Bennett and designer Lani Bevacqua, Context Travel is a network of English-speaking scholars and professionals, including art historians, writers, architects and gastronomes, who organize and lead walking seminars in thirty-seven (37) world cities, including: Florence, Rome, Venice, Naples, Milan, Paris, London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Istanbul, Athens, Beijing, Shanghai, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, Milan, Dublin, Tokyo, Kyoto, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Montreal, Melbourne, and Sydney. A certified B Corporation, Context Travel was named one of the fastest-growing American companies in 2011 by Inc Magazine. Travel + Leisure has called Context one of the top European tour companies for its innovative approach to travel and the depth of its programs. To learn more about Context, visit the website at: www.contexttravel.com.

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family-friendly adventures, walking tours

New ‘Quills and Magic Wands’ Walking Tour for Families Brings Edinburgh’s Literary Legacy to Life

August 10, 2016 MoralCompass

Context Travel, organizer of critically acclaimed walking tours, unveils its new Quills and Magic Wands: Literary Edinburgh for Families tour.

The child-oriented introduction to the literary heritage of the city is led by historian and literary historians specially-trained in working with children. Following a thematic and chronological trail through the city, participants go through a journey that goes from Walter Scott to J.K. Rowling, using age-appropriate, interactive activities to encourage deep engagement with the literary works. Children on the walk are encouraged to read and compose literary works, explore language and delve into carefully selected poems and other texts.

“We are very excited to add this experience to our Edinburgh program,” says Petulia Melideo, Context’s UK and Ireland Program Manager. “Edinburgh is the first UNESCO city of Literature and a great city to visit with children. Our hope is that our young writers will come away with a new love for literature and poetry after having engaged with our experts and having had a go at writing in such an inspiring context.”

The Quills and Magic Wands: Literary Edinburgh for Families tour lasts two hours and is available Mondays through Saturdays. Private tours cost GBP 300 per party. Groups are limited to (6) six participants and are led by a credentialed expert.

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family-friendly adventures, walking tours

Context Travel Adds Prague to List of Family Walking Tours in Great Cities Around the World

May 11, 2016 MoralCompass

*Prague © 2016 David Leiberman/Travel Features Syndicate*

Prague – Context Travel, organizer of critically acclaimed walking tours, unveils a new addition to its family program: a child-focused tour of Prague’s castle complex and historical center.

The walk, entitled Prague Discovery for Families takes children and adults alike on a journey back in time, thanks to the astonishingly well-preserved architecture that makes up Prague’s ancient core. Led by an expert historian and guide, the walk introduces families to the city’s history and includes a series of activities designed to engage children under age 12, using contemporary principles of pedagogy and drawing inspiration from Prague’s complex and vivid cityscape.

The walk begins on the grounds of the world’s largest castle complex: Prague Castle. This sprawling medieval site is perched above Prague, overlooking the city and the river Moldau that runs through it. The route continues downhill through the Lesser Town, across the storied Charles Bridge, and winds in and out of the historical Old Town towards Wenceslas Square.

“The family program is really a touchstone for our goals of promoting lifelong learning,” says Stephanie Taralson, Context’s Associate Program Manager for Central Europe. “Prague’s compact size and beautiful architecture make it the perfect playground for families, and it’s exciting to offer such an interactive and fun opportunity for even the youngest of visitors to become ‘Deep Travelers.’”

Prague Discovery for Families lasts two and a half hours and is available Monday through Sunday. Private tours cost CZK 6300 per party. As with all Context walking seminars, private walks are limited to (6) six participants and are led by a credentialed expert.

Family Walks in Cities Around the Globe

Context offers family walks in cities across Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.

From mosaic workshops on the Amalfi Coast to spy adventures along the Berlin Wall, boredom will not be on anyone’s schedule this Summer. Fun, “totally cool” interactive experiences to engage kids are offered in the cultural capitals of the world:

Take the kids for a private tennis lesson on Henry VIII’s court in London
Turn the whole family into samurais for the day in Kyoto
Children will never want to leave Paris after this sweet immersion into French food
Go underground to the forgotten streets and houses buried under Rome
Capture all of these adventures with frame-worthy pictures care of Flytographer

Context’s family program has been designed by museum educators and always includes hands-on activities that inspire creative learning opportunities. Walks are led by passionate and knowledgeable docents who make our cities come to life for children of all ages.

Context can also create a custom family tour in one of our 37 cities across the globe.

Founded by National Geographic writer Paul Bennett and designer Lani Bevacqua, Context Travel is a network of English-speaking scholars and professionals, including art historians, writers, architects and gastronomes, who organize and lead walking seminars in thirty-seven (37) world cities, including: Florence, Rome, Venice, Naples, Milan, Paris, London, Edinburgh, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Istanbul, Athens, Beijing, Shanghai, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, Dublin, Tokyo, Kyoto, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Montreal, Melbourne, and Sydney. A certified B Corporation, Context Travel was named one of the fastest growing American companies in 2011 by Inc Magazine. Travel + Leisure has called Context one of the top European tour companies for its innovative approach to travel and the depth of its programs.

Contact Context at [email protected], call 800.691.6036.or visit www.contexttravel.com.

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