“Slow down.” This is the simple message of the Slow Movement. In today’s high-speed world of fast food, jet planes and instant communication, we are losing touch with ourselves, with each other, and with the earth, says the Slow Movement. Like ‘slow food’ and ‘slow media,’ ‘slow travel’ is a part of the movement. And here’s what the WHL Group staff thinks about it.
Read More >>Browsing personal experience Articles
Irresponsible Tourism and the Forest Fire in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Vast areas were destroyed by a fire that forced the closure of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park between December 29, 2011, and January 4, 2012, and caused permanent environmental damage in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Unfortunately, it was not the first time that a fire has started as a result of a tourist’s irresponsible conduct.
Read More >>Video Spotlight: Playing for Change – Stand by Me
This clip, produced by the Playing for Change movement, combines a number of delightful human characteristics in a way that just makes you feel downright happy. Musical talent, individual artistic interpretation and diverse locations all come together to produce one of the all-time great covers of Ben E. King’s classic ‘Stand by Me’.
Read More >>Three Captivating Stories About Ukraine
Situated in the east of Europe, Ukraine remains a mystical and misunderstood land. A simple west-to-east cross of this country and you are bound to get the most intriguing history lesson. Along the way, you will discover that there are plenty of cultural myths and stories, the kinds about unique local archetypal characters that will capture your imagination and keep you coming back for more local travel experiences in Ukraine.
Read More >>Photo of the Week: Little Churches Everywhere, Corfu, Greece
Religion is of very great importance for the residents of Corfu, as it is for most Greeks, and churches and small chapels can be found everywhere all over the island. Corfu has nearly 800 churches and monasteries altogether! Even the tiniest village in Corfu has a church in its centre and these churches can sometimes…
Read More >>The Inside Word… on Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh demands your attention from the moment you arrive. Vibrant, exciting and utterly unpredictable are just a few words to describe Cambodia’s capital. It’s a city of stark contrasts: slick SUVs share the road with old-world cyclos; visitors can relax in a posh cafe and think they are in Paris, or join the locals at a pop-up stall selling fried noodles.
Read More >>Orangutan Information Centre (OIC): Visiting Sumatra’s Orangutans Responsibly
If you want to see great apes in the wild, Sumatra’s rainforest is one of the most accessible places to do just that. Seeing orangutans in the wild, along with silver Thomas leaf monkeys, pig-tailed macaques, and a diverse range of birds like hornbills, will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and ingenuity of other species.
Read More >>Photo of the Week: Doors to the Past, Ouro Preto, Brazil
This shot captures two of the most distinguishing features of the former mining town of Ouro Preto, Brazil; specifically, its pronounced sense of heritage and its elements of outstanding baroque architecture. This doorway almost feels like a portal into the past, with its chipped facade, rusted lintel and worn steps all contributing to a feeling of tremendous age and quiet dignity.
Read More >>Voluntourism Innovation: The Mini Grant Program at Sustainable Bolivia
Volunteering abroad, also known as voluntourism, is on fire. More and more, all kinds of people are looking for travel experiences where they can serve the under-served, globally. Who can disagree with such noble intentions? In fact, voluntourism is often hailed as one of the most constructive forms of tourism out there.
Read More >>A Brief but Relaxing Break with Friends in Pirenopolis, Brazil
The Cerrado is a vast tropical savannah that is one of the biggest and most diverse of Brazil’s ecosystems. Not far from the big city of Goiania lies the special jewel of the Cerrado: the historic city of Pirenópolis. It’s the right place to go when you want to escape the hectic big city and it was the destination we had chosen for a brief holiday among friends.
