By Melissa Williams

I once told a friend that my goal in life was to never work a “nine to five.” I live that quote everyday, working till midnight at times and taking weeks away from my office in tropical settings to work remotely across multiple time zones. I look at my laptop clock and it’s 6:30 pm in my home city of Houston, Texas. But in my present moment of reality, it’s 8:30 am the next day as I sit at a little coffee shop staring across the street at the Whitsunday Islands of New South Whales, Australia.

The incredible biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands is a draw for nature enthusiasts of all ages. If you are looking for a family-friendly vacation to the Galapagos that adheres to your green ideals, check out Ecoventura, a cruise company that operates out of Ecuador and who offers itineraries, in a child-friendly environment, that will appeal to the child in all of us. Throughout the year Ecoventura sprinkles departures exclusively for families into its schedule.

By Peter Davis, IES Global

It can be a big step for a young person to come to a very alien place like China, language, customs, etiquette, food and people are aspects of life that can be a great challenge to those wanting to make the big step into Asia from the western world. However, things have become much easier for people to take the plunge with several organizations offering their support to those who wish to enter places like China at a young age.

By Angie Aspinall

Coppice Retreat is a chic eco-studio adjoining the fabulous home of Gabriela Lerner and Neil Baird, in the quiet hamlet of Higher Coombe, near Shaftesbury, with country walks right from the door and close to many of the top visitor attractions in Dorset and Wiltshire (South West England). With River Cottage HQ an hour and a half away and free-range eggs available down any country lane, this is a great place for a foodie getaway.

By Michael Soncina

Unlike neighboring Uzbekistan which is famous for its Silk Road structures, Kyrgyzstan is a country of mountains. Because of this, the Red Horde – descendents of the Mongols – settled and created the very distinct culture that is Kyrgyz. Sprawling mountains with flocks of sheep, sheppards, smoke-stacked yurts and wool tents, are common scenes for a country-side adventure.

By Angie Aspinall

Our main reason for visiting Mauritius was to learn about the nature conservation being carried out on the island. It was, therefore, with a great deal of excitement that we learned we had been granted special permission to visit the conservation areas of the Frederica Nature Reserve in Bel Ombre: areas which are not open to tourists, but are the preserve of conservationists – and rare bird species.

By Neil Lyon

The Eastern Cape province of South Africa is a diverse and sunny region where travellers can sink their hands into the earth of farm life in our beautiful country, South Africa. Whilst travelling through South Africa and the Eastern Cape, travellers are certain to notice the farm stalls – small roadside shops that sell homemade produce like jellies, jams and local arts and crafts.

By Polona Vida Čeligoj

Kafuli – which in the local Dioula language means ‘a gathering of different people’ – is a local grassroots organisation running a variety of projects, from foster parenting to programs in education, fair-trade agriculture and responsible tourism. Yes, you heard right – it’s small but it actually runs all of these projects.

By Michael Soncina

While in Korea I met up with some of TIES’ organizations members to learn more about how ecotourism was developing in Korea. After contacting a couple professors and industry professionals, I was referred to “Victor” – a Russian expat running group tours on Jeju Island. Victor actually does not claim to be doing eco-tourism, but you’ll come to see that he is, when you see the way he runs his trips.

By Laurel Angrist

Well-planned ecotourism is one key to rainforests’ continued survival. It places value on preservation of nature as a commercial resource. Reputable tour outfits offer employment opportunities for locals as leaders and wildlife guides, enabling them to earn their money through sustainable and environmentally responsible forms of income. Travellers’ passion for traditional culture encourages locals to continue ancient forest-friendly practices.