3 Hidden Benefits of Volunteering Abroad

Traveling can be one of the most enjoyable things in life. Making the decision to spend some of your time volunteering whilst traveling can make the experience even better. The most obvious positive of volunteering is that you have the chance to make a real and tangible contribution to the cause you choose. But there are so many other benefits that you might not have thought of.

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Brussels, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium

How to Enjoy a Solo Adventure in Brussels

Brussels, Belgium is truly a one-of-a-kind place with a flair of its own. Its architecture ranges from Gothic to modern, its citizens are from all over the world, and it’s jam-packed with everything from cafes to museums to pubs in every direction. A genuine melting pot in every sense of the word, the capital city of Brussels is a prime travel destination - even if you’re traveling alone!

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The view of the Columbia River Gorge from the Vista House in Corbett, Oregon
The view of the Columbia River Gorge from the Vista House in Corbett, Oregon

The Columbia River Gorge and Hood River, Oregon

Our next destination on our Summer Road Trip was the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. We decided that the town of Hood River would make a great base for our adventures in the area, and it turned out to be a much better destination than we had originally hoped for, as we found vineyards, orchards, waterfalls, and amazing viewpoints around every turn.

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Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park

Beyond Mount Rushmore: Southwestern South Dakota

The area west and south of Rapid City is home to several national and state parks as well as the famous and frequently photographed Mount Rushmore. While Mount Rushmore draws a huge number of visitors every year, visiting this area and skipping the rest of the region would be like swinging through Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and visiting nothing else. The park areas around Mount Rushmore include large tracts of land where Bison roam freely, one of the largest caves in the world, unique geological landscapes not found anywhere else in the world, and fun cultural and historical attractions.

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Chicago
Chicago as seen from the Sears Tower

Chicago For Kids

The first stop on our summer road trip was Chicago, and it didn't disappoint. Since we were traveling with our three year old daughter, we wanted to make sure that we provided plenty of entertainment for her instead of just dragging her around to the major sights that most grown-ups would want to visit.

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Our Summer Road Trip: 2017

This summer, we’re headed west on a road trip through the U.S. and Canada. As the founders of BudgetYourTrip.com, our true passion lies in travel, but it’s been awhile since we’ve been able to "get out there." Beginning in June, for three months we’ll hit the road on a family camping trip visiting the big cities, national parks, and everything in between. And yes, we’re taking our 3-year-old daughter with us.

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Ponte Vecchio, Florence
Ponte Vecchio, Florence

A Week in Italy

When imagining the perfect vacation in Europe, it's hard for your mind not to wander to Italy. It's no surprise though, as Italy offers countless cities to visit, each featuring their own unique history, culture, and sights to see. What follows is a 7-day itinerary of the "Big Three” Italian cities: Rome, Florence, and Venice.

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Mesa Arch
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park

Canyons and Cliff Dwellings: A Sampling of the Southwest

The Southwestern United States is a grand palette of history, culture, and natural wonders as brilliant as the reds, oranges, and golds of the dramatic landscape itself. Thisis a sampling, an itinerary from a trip of my own, of locations in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Integrated throughout are tips on cutting costs as well as lodging and dining recommendations along the way.

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Edinburgh
Edinburgh

A Weekend in Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the U.K. with their 12th century castle and medieval architecture found throughout Old Town. You can easily spend a weekend exploring the winding streets with their hidden alleyways and climbing up to mountain top viewpoints. Use this weekend tour as your guide to get the most out of everything Edinburgh has to offer.

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Kyoto, Japan
Ivy in Kyoto, Japan

An Interview with Ivy from Kollecting Koordinates

Maximizing one's time to travel while still working a full-time job is a reality for most people, as taking long periods of time off from working is not always practical. Not only is vacation time limited, but so are finances. But maximizing that time to travel is something that Ivy Ko has mastered. With her husband, she has traveled to a long list of dream destinations around the world while still maintaining her full time career at home. And her website is proof, as she is the mastermind behind Kollecting Koordinates, a travel blog full of inspiration, stories, and beautiful photography. We wanted to get to know Ivy a little more (and so should you), so we asked her for an interview. Here's what she had to say about travel, life, and the world. So, Ivy, tell us about yourself... Hello, I'm Ivy! I'm the content creator behind Kollecting Koordinates, a Canadian blog highlighting the beauty and ease of travel…

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