Elevate Destinations: Saving the World One Trip at a Time
Whether you’re lounging around poolside or barbequing up a hot dog frenzy, nothing screams summer more than a holiday to an unknown destination. With traveling costs so high and natural disasters becoming a part of our daily lives, it’s a nice alternative to splurge your next paycheck on a trip for a cause.
Cue Elevate Destinations, a “boutique travel designer” founded in 2005 by Dominique Callimanopulos that specializes in luxury travel and philanthropy. With its services, travelers of all types—individuals, couples, families and groups—can meaningfully contribute to the countries they visit, whether it be working with species conservation, helping at an orphanage, or even teaching English at a foreign-based school. The best part? It can all be done during an exotic 10+ day vacation! It’s multitasking at its finest.
Branded as “travel that matters,” the Massachusetts based organization invites its travelers to take an active role in assisting with community projects, hoping to improve upon conditions for local inhabitants. In addition, they maintain a partnership with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and community groups to, not only better the community, but to also promote youth education, health care, poverty, marine conversation and women’s rights.
Serving to influence a change in the countries they visit, Elevate Destinations makes sure to incorporate local needs and issues into their traveling agendas. This is done through the organization of donor travel for A-list international organizations, such as EcoLogic, KickStart, The Global Fund for Children, WaterPartners International, and Direct Relief International. Through the organization of service trips for US based non-profits with overseas projects in countries (e.g. Haiti, India and Kenya). And through enabling travelers (who don’t travel with their organization) to donate directly to NGOs in the countries they visit, using their Travel Matters Giving Program, where five percent of net costs go to corresponding beneficiaries.
Aside from their philanthropic endeavors, their attempts at being green are also honorable. Elevate Destinations provides their travelers with eco-luxury accommodations, where they say they choose green options that stray away from compromising the trip’s aesthetics, amenities, service, or security. “Wherever possible, we select eco-hotels and sustainable lodges that also give back to community,” Callimanopulos told National Geographic. Talk about saving the world one trip at a time!
With personable guides selected for their specialized knowledge and training, and new destinations added every year (expect World Cup host, South Africa to be added to the list!), Elevated Destinations is the way to go. Not only because of its involvement in multiple causes, but because of the range of destinations they provide travelers. Whether it be Africa, the Americas, Asia, or the Pacific, the choice is up to you.
After perusing their destinations, here are a couple of our favorites:
Kenya
The possibilities are endless with an 11-day trip to Kenya. Whether it is an outing with family, or a safari honeymoon with your sweetheart, you’ll have the best seats in the house when viewing the country’s rich wildlife. Swimming pools are present at three of the four destinations, which are perfect for the kiddies, while helicopter rides to Mount Kenya and hot air balloon rides across the Masai Mara will surely be the pinch of romance needed on the agenda. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit animal orphanages, local schools and conservation projects in addition to the fun!
Argentina
Make a stop at one of the most romantic countries in the world. With tango lessons in Buenos Aires, and a tour through Argentina’s rich countryside, you’ll have the ability to partake in a multitude of things, from horseback riding, to nature walks, to canoeing.
Thailand
Known for its exotic excursions and lush vegetation, Thailand is definitely a sight for sore eyes. With temple visits, numerous markets and snorkeling, an adventure through Thailand will surely be one to remember, especially with the colorful aesthetics that surround the country. The best part? Five percent of your net trip costs will be donated to help women’s and children’s programs!
For a complete list of beneficiaries, service partners, and destinations, visit their website, Elevate Destinations. Or for more information on their projects, visit their blog, Responsive Travel.
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