Empowering Communities Through Travel: How Planeterra Is Changing Tourism for Good

Get ready to toss some biodegradable confetti — it’s our 50th episode! Join host and chief veggie pusher Rebecca Gade Sawicki and her partner-in-travel Matt as they celebrate this milestone and explore the surprisingly vegan-friendly side of Greece.Forget what you’ve heard about feta and seafood — Greece’s mainland is filled with compassionate adventures, mountain villages, ancient history, and plant-based eats. Rebecca shares insider tips from her travels through Athens, Dimitsana, Nafplio, and Crete, including must-try vegan restaurants, scenic road trip routes, local wineries, and responsible tourism experiences that support family-run businesses.Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic seaside town, a hike through quiet mountain trails, or a taste of authentic Greek olive oil, this episode is packed with ideas to help you plan an ethical, veggie-powered trip to Greece. Listen now and start planning your next plant-powered adventure.Learn more and book your own vegan adventure: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don’t forget to check Instagram for photos from the trip!Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

What if your next trip could transform lives? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Richard Bazán, Regional Director for Planeterra, the nonprofit using tourism to create lasting social and environmental impact around the world.Richard shares how Planeterra partners with more than 500 communities in 80 countries to build sustainable tourism enterprises that put people—not profits—at the center. From women-led cooperatives in Peru to cultural and nature-based experiences in Mexico and Brazil, these projects are redefining what responsible travel really means.Together, they explore:The difference between community tourism and traditional tourismHow locally led initiatives empower women and youthThe ripple effect tourism can have on education, conservation, and cultural preservationHow travelers can make sure their tourism dollars directly benefit local communitiesIf you’ve ever wondered how to make your adventures more ethical, authentic, and impactful—this conversation will change how you see travel.You can find out more about Planeterra at https://planeterra.orgLearn more and book your own vegan adventure: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don’t forget to check Instagram for photos from the trip!Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

Did you know that not all wine is vegan? From egg whites to fish bladders (yes, really), many wines use animal products during the refining process - but not in Sonoma with La Belle Vie Tours. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Michelle Rulmont, founder of La Belle Vie, to explore how she created a vegan-friendly wine tour through California’s iconic Sonoma Valley.Michelle shares the surprising truth behind why some wines aren’t vegan, how boutique wineries are embracing minimalist winemaking practices, and what makes Sonoma a laid-back alternative to Napa. You’ll also hear about farm sanctuary visits, vegan cheese pairings, and tips for planning your perfect wine getaway.If you’ve ever wondered what’s in your glass - and where to sip responsibly and deliciously - this conversation will inspire your next trip to wine country. Learn more about Michelle’s tours: La Belle Vie Vegan Wine ToursLearn more and book your own vegan adventure: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don’t forget to check Instagram for photos from the trip!Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

Have you ever thought about combining travel with volunteering abroad? From building schools to working in orphanages, voluntourism has become a $3 billion industry attracting millions each year. But are these short-term projects really helping—or are they causing unintended harm?In this eye-opening episode of the Veggies Abroad Vegan Travel Podcast, Rebecca speaks with Claire Bennett, co-author of Learning Service: The Essential Guide to Volunteering Abroad. With over 15 years of experience in international development, responsible tourism, and experiential education, Claire shares why good intentions aren’t always enough, the dangers of orphanage volunteering, how voluntourism can reinforce inequality, and what ethical alternatives exist for travelers who want to give back.If you’ve ever considered volunteering abroad—or simply want to understand the hidden impacts of this booming industry—this conversation will challenge what you think you know about “doing good” overseas.Find out more about Claire's work at https://learningservice.info/book/Learn more and book your own vegan adventure: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don’t forget to check Instagram for photos from the trip!Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

Traveling with food allergies can feel overwhelming—even impossible at times. In this episode of the Veggies Abroad Vegan Travel Podcast, Rebecca sits down with Karine, a travel advisor and lifelong adventurer who has lived with a severe sunflower allergy since childhood. Karine shares her journey of learning how to travel safely, from creating allergy cards in multiple languages to hiring chefs abroad and carefully packing her own meals.She also introduces us to her four-legged travel companion, Elton, a specially trained service dog who can detect even trace amounts of sunflower in food. Together, they’ve tackled everything from Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy to remote beachside eateries in Costa Rica.Karine offers practical advice for travellers with allergies—research, communication, and preparation are everything—while also shining a light on how the travel industry is (and isn’t) improving in allergy awareness.Whether you have allergies yourself or want to better understand the realities of travelling with them, this conversation is full of insight, personal stories, and encouragement.Learn more about Karine and her services: https://www.langsignaturetravel.com/Learn more and book your own vegan adventure: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠ Don’t forget to check Instagram for photos from the trip!Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

Traveling with food allergies can feel overwhelming—even impossible at times. In this episode of the Veggies Abroad Vegan Travel Podcast, Rebecca sits down with Karine, a travel advisor and lifelong adventurer who has lived with a severe sunflower allergy since childhood. Karine shares her journey of learning how to travel safely, from creating allergy cards in multiple languages to hiring chefs abroad and carefully packing her own meals.She also introduces us to her four-legged travel companion, Elton, a specially trained service dog who can detect even trace amounts of sunflower in food. Together, they’ve tackled everything from Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy to remote beachside eateries in Costa Rica.Karine offers practical advice for travellers with allergies—research, communication, and preparation are everything—while also shining a light on how the travel industry is (and isn’t) improving in allergy awareness.Whether you have allergies yourself or want to better understand the realities of travelling with them, this conversation is full of insight, personal stories, and encouragement.Learn more about Karine and her services: https://www.langsignaturetravel.com/Learn more and book your own vegan adventure: ⁠⁠https://www.veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠ Don’t forget to check Instagram for photos from the trip!Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

Join Rebecca and Matt as they explore Turkey’s vibrant cities, ancient history, and evolving vegan food scene. From navigating Istanbul’s bustling streets, ferries, and feline residents to uncovering hidden vegan gems, Rebecca shares the highs and lows of eating plant-based in a country split between Europe and Asia. Discover the ancient ruins of Troy and Ephesus, the spiritual city of Konya, and the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. Along the way, they discuss cultural surprises, public transport adventures, and why local support can make or break a vegan trip. Perfect for travellers curious about Turkey’s beauty, history, and the reality of exploring it as a vegan.https://veggiesabroad.com/is-turkiye-vegan-friendly/https://veggiesabroad.com/surprising-things-about-turkiye/https://veggiesabroad.com/istanbul-vegan-restaurants/https://cityofistanbul.net/istanbul-cats-reality/Learn more and book your own vegan adventure: ⁠https://www.veggiesabroad.com⁠ Don’t forget to check Instagram for photos from the trip!Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

What if your dream vacation wasn’t just relaxing—but healing too? In this episode, host Rebecca Gade Sawicki is joined by her travel companion Matt for an inside look at their transformative stay at Palmaïa – The House of AïA in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. From plant-based dining that goes way beyond cauliflower steaks, to Mayan-inspired wellness rituals, kombucha-stocked minibars, and spiritual spa ceremonies, this is not your average resort experience.Find out more about Palmaïa – The House of AïA at https://thehouseofaia.com/If you're craving a truly nourishing escape—mind, body, and spirit—this episode will leave you daydreaming (and maybe trip-planning).Learn more and book your own vegan adventure: https://www.veggiesabroad.comDon’t forget to check Instagram for photos from the trip!Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

In this episode of the Veggies Abroad Vegan Travel Podcast, Rebecca Gade Sawicki chats with Tara McCallum from Intrepid Travel about something we don’t talk about enough in tourism — gender inequality. While women make up more than half the global travel workforce, they’re still underrepresented in leadership and often stuck in lower-paid, insecure roles. Tara shares how Intrepid is working to change that — from increasing the number of female tour leaders in places like Morocco and Nepal to designing women-only expeditions that open doors for connection, storytelling, and real community impact.The conversation also explores how travellers can support women on the ground, why representation matters, and how even small changes in who creates and leads travel experiences can have lasting effects. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your travel more meaningful and supportive of the people you meet along the way, this one’s for you.Learn more about Intrepid Travel: https://www.intrepidtravel.comWant to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

Is it time to ditch the plane ticket and embrace the journey? In this episode of the Veggies Abroad podcast, Rebecca sits down with Harriet Matthews from Byway, a UK-based B Corp redefining the way we travel—100% flight-free. From the bustling streets of London to the vibrant landscapes of Morocco, Harriet shares how Byway’s innovative overland itineraries are helping travelers explore Europe and beyond more consciously, comfortably, and sustainably.They dive into the environmental cost of flying, the perks of train travel (hello, no airport stress!), and how Byway makes slow, scenic adventures easy—even for first-timers. Whether you're curious about overnight trains, looking for lesser-known European gems, or dreaming of crossing continents by rail and sea, this conversation will inspire you to rethink the way you roam.Topics covered:- How Byway designs custom flight-free trips- The environmental impact of air vs. train travel- Travel perks you didn’t know you were missing- Why slow travel is having a moment- Tips for US/Canadian listeners curious about rail adventuresLearn more and book a trip: https://www.byway.travelWant to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on ⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠ for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.