Voluntourism Exposed: Why “Doing Good” Abroad Can Do More Harm Than Good with Claire Bennett

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.

What happens when two self-proclaimed homebodies—one of whom isn’t even vegan—decide to take a leap of faith on a fully plant-based group tour around Iceland? In this episode of the Veggies Abroad Vegan Travel Podcast, host Rebecca Gade Sawicki reconnects with Nathan and Ashley, two travelers who joined her recent Iceland adventure, to unpack what made the trip unforgettable—from surprise puffin sightings and foot-soaking waterfalls to some seriously unexpected vegan food highlights (yes, even at gas stations!).Nathan shares his initial hesitation about joining a vegan group tour as an omnivore and picky eater (spoiler alert: he’s now a fan of chickpea soup and Icelandic vegan cheese), while Ashley confesses her pre-trip tattoo research and the real reason they chose Iceland in the first place. The pair dish on the joys of group travel, wild karaoke sessions in the van, and why Reykjavík gave off big city vibes in the best way possible.Expect honest reflections, hilarious moments (hello, seaweed snacks from hell), and a peek at what it’s really like to travel through a country with little vegetation and still find incredible plant-based meals.Want to join a future adventure? Keep an eye on veggiesabroad.com for upcoming vegan group tours and travel resources.

Portugal Vegan Tour: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://veggiesabroad.com/portugal-vegan-tour-2025/⁠⁠⁠In this episode of the Veggies Abroad Vegan Travel Podcast, Rebecca sits down with the founders of Casa Mauna, a stunning vegan boutique hotel tucked away on Mexico’s remote and peaceful Oaxaca coast.We dive into how this dreamy, oceanfront escape weathered the challenges of the pandemic, became a haven for travelers (vegan and non-vegan alike), and built a reputation for incredible plant-based cuisine inspired by traditional Oaxacan flavors.The owners share the magic behind their romantic beachfront dinners, sustainability efforts, yoga and wellness offerings, and why their guests leave raving about not just the location—but the warmth of the people. Whether you’re planning your next vegan-friendly getaway or just need some armchair travel inspiration, this episode will transport you straight to the sun-drenched shores of Alchie Beach.👉 Learn more at casamauna.com.✈️ Join a Veggies Abroad Tour: ⁠⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bloody Vegans Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ family

Portugal Vegan Tour: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://veggiesabroad.com/portugal-vegan-tour-2025/⁠⁠Ever wondered what it’s like to trade hotels for homes and wake up to purring cats or playful pups while exploring the world? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with her part-time travel buddy, Matt, to chat all things house sitting. From awkward feline encounters to free accommodation around the globe, they break down how house sitting became a game-changer for Rebecca’s early travel days—and why it might be perfect for budget-conscious, pet-loving, and vegan travellers alike.They also dig into the pros, cons, and unexpected perks of using platforms like TrustedHousesitters, including how to get started, what to expect, and why a good welcome guide is your best friend. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned sitter, there’s plenty of insight (and laughs) in this honest, practical episode about seeing the world one furry companion at a time.Review: https://veggiesabroad.com/trustedhousesitters-review-pros-cons-from-a-pet-sitter/Code for 25% off a membership: VEGGIESABROADLink to memberships: https://trustedhousesitters.pxf.io/9geMAjVeggies Abroad | Vegan Travel & ToursTrustedHousesitters Review 2025: Pros & Cons from a Pet Sitter - Veggies AbroadWant an honest review of TrustedHousesitters? This article covers the pros & cons of using this popular pet-sitting platform for travel.✈️ Join a Veggies Abroad Tour: ⁠⁠⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠⁠⁠Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bloody Vegans Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Content Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠ family