Travel Beyond Sight: How Sensory Tourism is Transforming Ecuador

In this special solo episode, Rebecca shares some exciting updates from behind the scenes at Veggies Abroad, including new trips, growing demand for custom travel planning, and what's on the horizon for the business.From upcoming adventures in Greece, Peru, India, and Thailand to the challenges of balancing travel, entrepreneurship, and a rapidly growing company, Rebecca offers an honest look at what life currently looks like as a small business owner in the sustainable travel space.She also shares an important update about the future of the podcast. After 65 episodes, it's time for a short summer break while she reassesses how to continue creating meaningful conversations without sacrificing quality or authenticity.Whether you've travelled with Veggies Abroad, are dreaming about a future adventure, or simply enjoy following the journey, this episode is a chance to catch up on everything happening behind the scenes.Website: veggiesabroad.comInstagram: @veggiesabroadFacebook: Veggies Abroad CommunityThank you for being part of this incredible community. We'll be back soon with more stories, conversations, and travel inspiration.

Is Mexico City the new vegan capital of the world? In this episode of the Veggies Abroad podcast, host Rebecca Gade Sawicki is joined by her "part-time travel partner" Matt to recap their recent adventure through the vibrant, high-altitude streets of CDMX.While cities like London and Berlin often steal the plant-based spotlight, Mexico City is a heavyweight contender with over 100 fully vegan restaurants and a deep-rooted connection between veganism and social activism. Rebecca and Matt dive into why this city should be at the absolute top of your travel list—from the "European vibe" of the architecture to the mind-blowing culinary creativity that left them (literally) full to bursting.Whether you're a seasoned vegan traveler or just looking for the best tacos on the planet, this episode is your roadmap to navigating one of the world's most expansive and delicious cities.Check out more vegan travel guides and planning resources at: VeggiesAbroad.com

What does vegan-friendly travel actually mean and is it even possible to travel in a way that’s 100% aligned with your values?In this episode, Rebecca is joined by her part-time travel partner and full-time realist, Matt, to unpack the nuance behind vegan travel. From hotel stays and food choices to carbon footprints and community impact, they explore the messy, complex reality of trying to reduce harm while navigating a very non-vegan world.This conversation was sparked by real experiences on tour, including a stay at a sustainability-focused hotel in Costa Rica that still had cows on the property. For some travellers, that was a dealbreaker. For others, it raised bigger questions about what we prioritise and why.This episode isn’t about telling you what’s right or wrong. It’s about giving you something to think about the next time you book a trip because maybe it’s not about being perfect. Maybe it’s about being better.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 you experienced a destination without relying on your eyes?In this inspiring episode of the Veggies Abroad Podcast, Rebecca sits down with Lis Ramirez, from Quinti, a regenerative travel company in Ecuador creating immersive sensory experiences that go far beyond traditional tourism.Quinti designs experiences that invite travellers to slow down and connect through all of their senses, not just sight. By working with blind sensory guides and local communities, their tours encourage deeper cultural understanding, meaningful human connection, and a more inclusive way to explore the world.Lis shares the personal story behind Quinti, including how her grandfather inspired her passion for travel, empathy, and inclusion. What began as an idea rooted in connection has grown into a powerful movement that blends accessibility, community collaboration, and regenerative tourism.From farm to table experiences in the mountains to sensory dining, local markets, and artisan workshops, these journeys are designed to help travellers feel a place, not just see it.Find out more about Quinti at https://www.quintiec.comLearn 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 the biggest barrier to travel isn’t money, but fear?In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Calen, founder of Unruly Travel, to explore how they went from never leaving the US to living in Chile alone and later crossing the country with just $300.Calen shares how moments of courage, not constant confidence, have shaped their travels. From language barriers and culture shock to sleeping in churches and meeting strangers who became lifelong connections, their story challenges what we think travel is supposed to look like.Calen shares the reality of budget travel and why it’s far more accessible than most people believe. Calen breaks down practical ways to save on flights, accommodation, and food without sacrificing meaningful experiences, including using credit card points, finding home stays, and balancing comfort with cost.If you’ve ever thought travel was too expensive, too overwhelming, or just not for you, this conversation offers a different perspective.Find out more about Calen’s work at the below links:https://wanderwoman.online/how-to-get-free-flights-with-credit-cards/https://wanderwoman.online/unrulystore/The-Art-of-Unruly-Travel-on-a-Budget-Paperback-p390907964  Free Flights with Credit Cards: Budget Travel Hackshttps://wanderwoman.online/how-to-get-free-flights-with-credit-cards/The Art of Unruly Travel on a Budget - PaperbackLearn 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.

Check out the Veggies Abroad 2025 Impact Report at https://veggiesabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Impact-Report-2025-Veggies-Abroad.pdfIn this episode, we’re flipping the script. Instead of spotlighting other businesses, Rebecca pulls back the curtain on Veggies Abroad’s very first impact report. Joined by Matt (aka the “king of pizza”), this conversation dives into how the company is turning values into action and where there’s still work to do.From supporting local communities and prioritising ethical wildlife experiences to navigating the complexities of carbon offsets and tourism leakage, this episode offers an honest look at what goes into building a more responsible travel business.This isn’t about being perfect it’s about being transparent, intentional, and always improving.If you’ve ever wondered how your travel choices impact the world, this episode is for you.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.

Is trophy hunting really helping conservation or is that just a convenient myth?In this episode of the Veggies Abroad Podcast, Rebecca sits down with Downton Abbey actor and wildlife advocate Peter Egan to unpack the global trophy hunting industry. From the shocking killing of Cecil the Lion to the economics behind hunting safaris, Peter explains why trophy hunting is far from the conservation solution many claim it to be.They explore where the money from trophy hunts actually goes, how wildlife populations have been impacted, and why photographic safaris and responsible tourism can generate far greater benefits for both animals and local communities.You’ll also learn how travelers can avoid unknowingly supporting exploitative wildlife experiences - from cub petting to canned hunting—and what actions individuals can take to help protect animals around the world.If you care about ethical travel, wildlife conservation, and using tourism as a force for good, this conversation is a must-listen.To find out more about the campaign head to https://bantrophyhunting.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.

Vietnam is a country of contrasts buzzing scooter-filled streets, peaceful limestone bays, lantern-lit ancient towns, and a café culture that never sleeps. But what is it really like to travel there, especially as a vegan?In this destination deep dive, Rebecca is joined by her part-time travel partner Matt to unpack her recent trip through Vietnam, including time in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bai Tu Long Bay (part of Ha Long Bay), and Hoi An.From coconut coffee confusion to cultural nuance, this episode explores how Vietnam’s layered history (Chinese influence, French colonialism, the Vietnam War, and modern socialism) shapes daily life today and what respectful travelers should keep in mind.If you’ve been curious about Vietnam, are considering joining a future Veggies Abroad tour, or want to better understand how to travel thoughtfully in Southeast Asia, this one’s for you.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.

In this episode, Rebecca and her Matt recap Rebecca’s recent trip to Cambodia through a Veggies Abroad lens, from the energy and intensity of Phnom Penh to the calmer, tourism-driven streets of Siem Reap. They talk candidly about the country’s recent history under the Khmer Rouge and why visiting memorial sites requires care, respect, and a willingness to listen.You’ll also hear about one of the most hopeful stops of the trip: APOPO’s work training ‘hero’ rats to detect landmines, helping communities reclaim land for homes, farming, and safe movement. Plus, Rebecca shares the reality of vegan travel in Cambodia, including the spots that surprised her most for plant-based food and coffee.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.

In this interview, Susanna “Sooz” Shanker, founder of Curiosity Saves Travel, shares disturbing findings about exotic animal cafés in Japan and their wider impact on wildlife.Recent studies show that around 60% of the animals found in Japanese animal cafés belong to species listed on conservation concern registers, with 50% classified as threatened with extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.While many of these animals are bred in captivity through wildlife breeding schemes, 14% were found to be wild-caught, meaning they were taken directly from their natural habitats and placed into café environments. Even more concerning, these cafés have been linked to an increase in wildlife trafficking and a growing demand for exotic pets, both in Japan and internationally.Sooz explains how seemingly harmless animal attractions can fuel a much larger system of exploitation and why travellers need to look beyond the surface when choosing ethical wildlife experiences.Petition people can sign: https://www.change.org/p/end-the-support-for-wildlife-cafes-in-japan-that-cause-animal-harmVideo of the animal market - warning it is upsetting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDrrINjN3YEthical cat cafés in Tokyo: https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/ethical-cat-cafes-tokyo/Curated and vetted animal cafe experiences: https://giveback.guide/search/?q=animal+sanctuariesAnimal Cafe Guide: https://curiositysavestravel.com/are-animal-cafes-in-japan-and-asia-ethicalLearn more about Sooz: ⁠Curiosity Saves Travel⁠Join a Veggies Abroad Tour: ⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bloody Vegans Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ part of the ⁠⁠Creative Content Studio⁠⁠ family