Jennifer Spatz, Global Family Travels
- Oct 25, 2021
- 5 min
Transformational Travel in Iceland: A Powerful Story to Inspire Climate Action
An immersive and transformative adventure to Iceland that will inspire you to spread the word about the critical need for climate action.
Jennifer Spatz
- Feb 13, 2021
- 4 min
Transformational Trips to Support the Global Goals
While the world of travel has been on pause for over a year now, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel as multiple Covid-19 vaccines are being slowly distributed in the months ahead. Our post-pandemic economic recovery of many destinations and communities will depend on people traveling again. Travel is a powerful tool, and if done sustainably and ethically, it is a way to support local communities while broadening our horizons. We at Global Family Travels are
Jennifer Spatz
- Mar 22, 2019
- 2 min
Learn, Serve & Immerse to Discover Why Alaska is Called the Last Frontier
Ready for a great, big family adventure in the Land of the Midnight Sun? Alaska is 663,000 square miles of scenic landscape ranging from rugged coastlines to towering mountain ranges. But less than three in 10 of Alaska’s two million annual visitors venture into the state’s Interior region, where history is so rich that it's impossible to really understand the diverse culture until you're there. The 49th state is a vast, wild place where children thrive among the flora and fa
Kelly McCoy
- Mar 14, 2019
- 3 min
4 Tips for Planning a Meaningful Family Adventure to View the Glorious African Wildlife
Tips to help find the perfect safari for your family in Africa, the world’s second largest continent, which is incredibly diverse!
Jennifer Spatz
- Oct 17, 2018
- 2 min
The Best Family Adventures Discover a Destination’s Soul
At Global Family Travels, we know that the most rewarding and transformational travel experiences are really all about discovering the soul of a destination. Our mission is helping families make life-changing connections with different cultures through immersive travel. That’s why we are thrilled to sponsor the Family Adventure Summit in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, later this month. This year the summit will welcome over 400 inspiring people celebrating family connection,
Jennifer Spatz
- May 8, 2018
- 3 min
Ecuador with Kids: Top 5 Insights from A Global Family Travel Adventure
I started to have second thoughts about traveling to Ecuador with our kids, ages 5 and 8, when it was time for the kids to get their travel vaccinations. It was with the first painful scream that I then wondered what on earth are we doing!? We were leaving the country in a month, flying on an airplane for over 15 hours, and bringing our kids to a country where they had to rely on their mother’s college Spanish to get them through and their father’s crazy, offensively defensi
Jennifer Spatz
- Feb 27, 2018
- 4 min
A Trip to Cuba Under the New "Support the Cuban People" License Itinerary!
It was our second visit to Cuba, and this time we traveled under the new “Support the Cuban people license,” one of the 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba for Americans. It was a breeze getting there, and who can beat the low-fare of $99 one-way on Southwest Air’s 1-hour flight out of Tampa to Havana!? As we shared in our recent blog, Cuba: How to Travel There Today with Recent Changes in U.S. Travel Policy, the newly revised regulations at the end of 2017 eliminated
Jennifer Spatz
- Jan 22, 2018
- 2 min
Peru: Learn, Serve & Immerse in the Sacred Valley
Learn, Serve and Immerse in Peru with Global Family Travels in support of female artisans in a rural Andean community, and learn firsthand about Peruvian life by participating in a homestay with a local family! Learn During this 10-day trip to Peru, you will learn about the ancient history and cultures of the Sacred Valley and be welcomed by Peruvian people who take pride in offering incredible services and experiences to visitors that include traditional foods, celebrations
Jennifer Spatz
- Nov 14, 2017
- 3 min
Nicaragua – a family-friendly vacation destination
Known as the "Land of Lakes and Volcanoes," Nicaragua is a perfect family-friendly vacation destination! Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches and waters, a lovely tropical climate, kid-friendly surf lessons, cultural activities, or amazing rain-forests and jungles, this one-of-a-kind destination really has it all. And, it is considered among the safest countries in Central America. We are excited to share some of our favorite family-friendly activities you can enjoy while
Jennifer Spatz
- Sep 12, 2017
- 3 min
Sustainable Tourism: Becoming an Agent of Positive Change
2017 is the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, and Global Family Travels is excited to share the news that the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is launching a consumer-oriented campaign aimed at raising awareness of the value and contribution that sustainable tourism can make towards development. The ‘Travel.Enjoy.Respect’ campaign (see video) encourages us to be agents of positive change. The campaign reminds tourists “Whenever you travel, wherever
Jennifer Spatz
- May 9, 2017
- 3 min
Global Partnerships and Sustainable Tourism in Support of Economic Growth
Global Partnerships are vital to successful economic development, and sustainable tourism plays an important role in improving the lives of people and protecting our planet. Global Family Travels is excited to play a part in fostering economic growth, by promoting sustainable trips that preserve cultures and build bridges! Last month, we introduced the topic of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), and how we support two of them: quality education (goa
Jennifer Spatz
- Nov 30, 2016
- 2 min
Transformative Travel Connections Nicaragua
Join us in 2017 for our Transformative Travel Connections Nicaragua program! TTC is a unique, year-long program for Seattle-area youth (age 12-18) who want to learn about international development challenges and expand their horizons through meaningful family travel, community service and sustained virtual connections with Nicaraguan youth. Applications due December 15, 2016- Apply here. Starting in January of 2017, TTC includes six monthly pre-travel workshops, a 10-day imm
Jennifer Spatz
- Nov 28, 2016
- 3 min
Top 5 Reasons for A Family Vacation to Cuba
Would you like to have a fun and meaningful family vacation, filled with experiences your family will never forget? Consider exploring Cuba as a family vacation destination and immerse yourselves in its vibrant culture, music-filled streets, and outdoor recreation opportunities for all ages! You may have heard about President Obama’s historical visit in March of 2015 to reestablish friendly relations with our closest Caribbean neighbor, just 90 miles from Miami. This is the y
Jennifer Spatz
- Nov 28, 2016
- 3 min
Support Global Family Travels Partners & Community Service on Giving Tuesday
Global Family Travels is grateful for the many partners we work with around the globe who work hand-in-hand with communities we visit and who help facilitate the service work during our travels – they are our expanded family. On the eve of Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back, we would particularly like to highlight the good work of three non-profit partners we volunteer with in India, Nicaragua and Peru. Learn more about these organizations and the opportu
Jennifer Spatz
- Nov 1, 2016
- 2 min
Volunteer on a Family Trip to Peru in Support of Female Artisans
Volunteer on a family trip to Peru in support of female artisans in a rural Andean community, and learn firsthand about Peruvian life by participating in a homestay with a Peruvian family! During this 10-day trip to Peru, you will learn about the ancient history and cultures of the Sacred Valley and be welcomed by Peruvian people who take pride in offering incredible services and experiences to visitors that include traditional foods, celebrations and festivals. Our tour has
Jennifer Spatz
- Oct 4, 2016
- 2 min
Tanzania Family Adventure
Learn, Serve, and be Immersed in the safe & peaceful country of the “endless plain” on our unique Tanzania family adventure. Join Global Family Travels as we go on a safari to discover the extraordinary wildlife and connect with the rich cultures of the people of Tanzania up close. This trip is a great way to be introduced to the to the amazing continent of Africa! Located inside the African Great Lakes region, Tanzania is home to the some of the best game reserves and natio
Jennifer Spatz
- Apr 16, 2016
- 1 min
Ecuador- Merrill Family Tribute
We arrived in Ecuador on April Fool’s night, our guide Juan met us after our flight. Colorful orchids, giant ferns and epiphytes were a few of our favorite cloud forest sights. Hummingbirds amazed us as they hovered and fed and butterflies kept landing on Bryce’s head. We zoomed on zip-lines high above the cloud forest floor And after each rope swing Bryce and Viv wanted more. Rafting through the rapids, we laughed in delight When Eduardo shouted “seguro” we held on tight. We
Jennifer Spatz
- Mar 17, 2016
- 2 min
Experience Ecuador with photographer, Lisa Merrill
Enjoy our blog post on Ecuador by photographer, Lisa Merrill, who is the trip leader of our Ecuador: Culture, Nature & Photography 2018 Summer trip: Just 10 steps from Sachatamia Lodge in Mindo, Ecuador, we began our hike through the glistening cloud forest, stopping to play, laugh, wonder and photograph. Returning to a delicious lunch and a flute-playing guitarist made the day that much more special. I smile as I remember these and other amazing experiences and adventures
Jennifer Spatz
- Mar 2, 2016
- 2 min
Peru Family Travel Exploration of the Sacred Valley
This summer, Global Family Travels invites you to join us on a family travel exploration of the culturally rich magic of the Sacred Valley of Peru, the oldest civilization in South America! If you’re anything like our Trip Leader Fernando, his bucket list always included Peru. Having traveled to six of the seven continents in the world, Fernando says Machu Picchu has been the highlight of all his travels. He describes it as “a testament of incredible courage and vision that l
Jennifer Spatz
- Oct 24, 2014
- 2 min
Volunteer Vacations: 10 Ways Your Family will Benefit
Does your family love to travel and want to make a difference together? Consider taking a volunteer vacation with your family! In this blog, Global Family Travels shares the top 10 reasons your family could benefit from volunteering together. If your family is interested in learning more about these opportunities, subscribe to our blog! 10 Ways Your Family will Benefit from a Volunteer Vacation: Volunteer vacations instill a sense of social responsibility and global citi