The golden age of voluntourism

In the post-corona era it will be time to give (and get) back to destinations across the globe. Here’s a round-up of bite-size charity breaks that tie in plenty of holiday perks too

- Helen Warwick

CULTURE AND CONSERVATION

MYANMAR

Philanthropy is taken seriously by boutique travel company Elevate Destinations, with a firm eye on high-end, responsible travel. The team scouts out eco-conscious hotels for guests and works with local community partners to curate trips that leave a positive social and environmental impact. And its ‘buy-a-trip-give-a-trip’ ethos has garnered international acclaim, giving groups of local children the chance to visit tourist sites in their own country for every trip sold, be it Machu Picchu in Peru or Robben Island in South Africa. Its collection of programmes darts around the globe, but for a destination that still feels largely off the tourist trail, Myanmar is the stuff of travel legend. There are never-knew-existed islands scattered like seeds across the Andaman Sea, the heady hub of Yangon, with temples stalked by orange-robed monks, and the pagoda-filled landscapes of Bagan where hot air balloons soar at sunrise. Head there with Elevate Destinations and you’ll help out grassroots projects focusing on improving rural infrastructure, reforestation efforts in the Kalaw region, and bathing retired forest elephants.

Book it: Elevate Destinations’ 14-day Myanmar Culture and Conservation Journey from £4,040 per person. elevatedestinations.com

HELPING THE HOMELESS

ITALY