hollimcdoug

I'm hoping to schedule a month long for my family of three. It will be my husband and I plus our 4 year old daughter. I would like to have a home base in an international country (we live in the US) that would allow us to explore the country's natural sites, food and emerge ourselves as much as you can in a month with the local people. I would like to spend 5-7 days of the trip volunteering and the rest of the trip touring the foreign land. Of course I would like to find areas that introduce my family to new cultures, but also want to make sure that our family feels safe. I would hope to spend less than $10K for a month long trip including flights. Any ideas?

suze

Really your question and desires do not narrow things down much. You could do that in various countries in Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia, and so on.

Does you family have any special feeling towards certain cultures (drawn to French-language, interested in Latin cultures, etc.)? Anything to start narrowing it down??

NewbE

It's a great question, but I agree, pick at least a continent or two, or a climate, perhaps, just to get the ball rolling. Language could be a discriminator, maybe, too.

hollimcdoug

Thank you for the questions to help narrow down our options. We may be limited due to not speaking any other languages, however we have spent some time in Thailand and parts of the Mediterranean and really found the language barrier added to the adventure and doesn't necessarily concern us.
We would like to travel the month of February and would like to travel to a country that has mild to warm weather in February. I think my biggest concern is finding an area that we could volunteer helping the locals/orphanes etc. but also an area that would still be a nice vacation for our family. Peru, New Zealand, Ireland, the Caribbean are areas we have considered, but feel that there are other areas that we may be missing. We would like to find an area that will offer us plenty of options that will fill a 30 day trip, but not feeling like we are packing in too much.
Thanks again for your questions and suggestions.

Sassafrass

Google volunteer travel.
Ireland in Februrary is not nice weather.

NewbE

The locals in all the areas you mention don't really need your help--Ireland, for example, is not the sort of country that welcomes tourists wanting to help build orphanages. I agree, search Volunteer Travel, which is not a topic much covered here, choose an experience that sounds good, and then consider where it is located. Or contact organizations such as DWB, the Red Cross...

WoinParis

Good idea to volunteer.
But it will not be easy in some countries. I am a volunteer with a hospital for children and had to be interviewed, provide papers etc.
in Belgium. I expect the same in most of Europe.
Check this aspect.

janisj

>> I expect the same in most of Europe. <<

You are European - makes a big (humongous) difference.

They are Americans - and would need a visa to 'work' -- volunteering is considered work.

But the UK enacted a change last year that does allow things like wwoofing as long as the main trip is leisure/tourism and not volunteering. A few volunteer days w/i a longer leisure trip is now OK. (up until last year this sort of volunteer work was not allowed)

But that is just the UK.

In Schengen its still not allowed AFAIK.

marvelousmouse

Please report back on what you find out in terms of volunteering. I'm curious.

I do know a lady who volunteered in India through her church group. So possibly inquire through your local civic or religious organizations? There may be a school or church service trip you could "hook up" with although I don't know if that possible with a child as young as yours. Good luck!

suze

I regularly visit in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Lots of visitors (tourists, ex-pats, etc.) do some kind of volunteer work. There are several orphanages, SPCA, Purr Project cat sanctuary, library, schools, etc. all available and needing support. It has everything this poster requests available.

LuxuryTravelExpert

First choice New Zealand, 2nd choice is Peru..