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Travel Abroad

Since 1977, Transitions Abroad—first as a travel magazine, now as a travel webzine—has been the leader in providing practical information and inspiration for those who wish to travel abroad while seeking greater understanding of other cultures through direct participation in the daily life of the host community.

For those interested in a variety of travel abroad modes and destinations, we offer both practical and inspirational information with our selection of the best ArticlesPrograms, Resources and Websites.

 Featured Articles on Travel Abroad
Travel by Cargo Ship Around the World
Travel by Cargo Ship Around the World by Friedel Rother, Long-Term Traveler Columnist
Imagine for a moment that you are on the deck of a ship, sipping a glass of wine. You turn your head towards the water just in time to spot a pod of dolphins swimming by. After lingering in the sunshine for a while, it's time to head inside for a 3-course evening meal and a splash in the pool before retiring to bed.

Now, what kind of vessel are you on?

Russian Churches Independent Travel in Russia by Veronica Hackethal
In recent years, Russia has been hard at work shaking off the gray vestiges of communism. After a 6-year, multi-million dollar renovation, Moscow’s world renowned Bolshoi theatre reopened in October, 2011. St. Petersburg now sparkles as in the days of the czars, duly deserving its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Traveling independently offers the flexibility to experience these wonders far from the madding crowd. But Russian rules can become Kafkaesque nightmares for unwary travelers...
Rent an Apartment in Paris Affordable Paris: Rent an Apartment by Dr. Joanna Hubbs, Senior Editor of Transitions Abroad
Renting an apartment in Paris is not only a way to save money and extend one’s stay but also to get to know a neighborhood, pretend, at least, to be living like a Parisian by shopping where everyone shops for food and making a meal of all the wonderful things that area food stores and markets offer. At the same time you will be living in a comfortable, roomy place, equipped with all your daily needs...
Off the beaten path in Florence Off the Beaten Track in Florence by Dr. Joanna Hubbs, Senior Editor of Transitions Abroad
After centuries of tourists descending on the city, is it still possible for the traveler to find places free of crowds?
Though it's hard to believe, there are still many hidden treasures to be discovered.
Here are three among them...
Transitions Abroad has gathered a rich and varied selection of articles by experts on various modes of travel abroad to participant reports by travelers coming from all walks of life who share a desire for discovery of the fascinating world about them. Whether seeking the new abroad or wishing to slow down and appreciate the people, culture, and locations they have long wished to visit, the following sections are full of articles and resources which should provide you with ideas to make it happen.
 Budget Travel Abroad
 Culinary Travel Abroad
 Cultural Travel and Alternative Travel and Tours Abroad
 Europe with Rick Steves
 Family Travel Abroad
 Independent and Solo Travel Abroad
 Responsible Travel and Ecotourism Abroad
 Senior Travel Abroad
 Teen and Student Travel Abroad
 The Resourceful Traveler with Tim Leffel
 Travel Writing
 Women Travel Abroad
Narrative Travel Writing Contest
Annual Narrative Travel Writing Contest
2011 Travel Writing Winners Announced!
Transitions Abroad invites you to enter its 2012 Narrative Travel Writing Contest with a $500 first-place prize and no fee for entry.

Browse the many fine travel writing winners of past contests covering themes of all kinds.

 Featured Travel Abroad Programs
Women Volunteer Abroad

Cross-Cultural Solutions: Volunteer Abroad for the Experience of a Lifetime!  
Experience another culture like never before while making a real difference in people’s lives. You’ll gain perspectives and insights into the local culture and yourself while working side-by-side with local people on community-led initiatives. Placements are available in the areas of social services, education, and health. Choose from 12 countries—Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Thailand. 

Costa Rica Gap Year Experience
Costa Rica Experience
Explore Costa Rica’s most incredible sights and get first-hand experience of local life! Take in everything from the Arenal Volcano to the idyllic Bocas del Toro islands and get ready for a truly Costa Rican adventure. Volunteer to save the sea turtles on the Pacific Coast, take a kayak trip, explore life above the canopy line, get adrenaline pumping on a zip line, try surfing, and build homes for underprivileged families. A jam-packed adventure that leaves no stone unturned in this beautiful Central American country!

Find a variety of programs and tours—covering all budgets and ages—for small group travel which allows intimate contact with the land, peoples, and cultures being visited.

Cultural Travel and Special Interest Vacations
Unique programs and tours that combine the places you most want to go with the things you most like to do.
Educational Travel Programs
Learning programs designed for those with a variety of interests, from archeological tours of Greece to biking tours of Italy to safaris in the Amazon.
Responsible Travel Programs
Regional listing of programs and tours that respect local cultures and the environment while making a positive contribution to the host community.
Senior Travel Programs
Travel programs worldwide which take into account the interests and concerns of today's mature travelers, including tours and volunteer vacations.
Teen Study and Travel Programs
Student travel organizations that sponsor exchange programs and teen programs for high school age students.
Women Travel Tours and Clubs
Tours and clubs designed specifically for women who seek to travel together abroad.
 Best Resources and Web Sites for Travel Abroad

We have compiled extensive resources, articles, and participant reports for the following specialized forms of travel.

Disability Travel Resources
Organizations, publications, travel and tour agencies, and websites that provide travelers with disabilities opportunities to expand their options.
Family Travel Resources
Where to find everything you need to know about traveling with children, and the unique requirements when traveling as a family.
Home Rentals, Homestays, Hostels and other Accommodations Abroad
From Hostels to Vacation Home Rentals, there are a variety of exciting, relaxing, or adventurous ways to experience travel overseas.
Responsible Travel Resources
A directory of organizations, publications, and websites dedicated to responsible travel and ecotourism abroad.
Senior Travel Resources
Alison Gardner lists the organizations, meaningful tours, and publications with the most useful information for the mature traveler.
Women Travel Resources
An extensive list of articles, web sites, tours, and other resources which address the unique concerns of women when traveling — whether solo or in a group setting as part of a club.

As the scope of the Web grows by the day, there are more and more sources of information to help you plan your travels—both in the practical sense and in terms of inspiration.

While we provide plenty of information, the following are some of our favorite specialized sites:

 Accommodations Abroad
 Country Information for Travel
 Embassies, Visas, and Work Permits
 Festivals Abroad
 Health, Safety and Insurance Abroad
 Money Matters Abroad
 News and Radio from Abroad
 Staying Connected While Abroad
 Transportation Abroad
 Travel Blogs
 Travel Forums
 Travel Guidebook Series
 Travel Maps and Online Mapping
 Travel Planning and Informational Websites
 Travel Podcasts
 Travel Portals (Worldwide)

There are so many modes to travel around the world that one might conclude that the categories are almost endless, and often overlap.

Nonetheless, we have found that there are certain key ways to travel which are quite popular and descriptive of your interests and unique needs:

 Budget Travel Abroad
 Cultural Immersion Travel Abroad
 Disability Travel Abroad
 Family Travel Abroad
 Independent Travel Websites
 Responsible Travel Abroad
 Senior Travel Abroad
 Women Travel Abroad
Volunteer and Intern Abroad in Over 40 Countries Worldwide with Global Vision International (GVI) International Insurance Consultants Lead Adventures Ecuador JJM Tours Travel Together Tours