Grandma and Grandpa might not be the typical Florida retirees, so maybe you should suggest something a little more interesting for their golden years. Especially because that means you can visit somewhere a little more exotic when you mooch off their hospitality, instead of just swinging by the local restaurant for a blue plate special after an afternoon at the beach.

Ecuador is that exotic destination, and the country is actually giving away a free month of vacation. They want internet millionaires, AARP members, and others looking to retire to consider the warm weather, hospitality—and possibility—that’s available in the country. Lucky winners will be spending an entire month in Cuenca, Ecuador, and the contest organizers over at International Living will even throw in round-trip airfare, an apartment rental, and some cash for this and that. ]]> kjb 2012-02-07T11:28:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/19/12814/733

Interested in taking a volunteer vacation without making a long-term commitment? Well, Boston-based United Planet is now organizing short-term volunteer trips to Ecuador to work with wildlife, without using too much vacation time.

Included in the packages are opportunities to either work at an Animal Rescue Center in the Amazon or in environmental conservation in the Galapagos, where you can study marine life and then relax on white-sand beaches.

"Ecuador is a wonderful place for almost anyone seeking to volunteer: it’s easy to get to, the dollar is strong, and the people are famous for their warmth and hospitality," said Theresa Higgs, Vice President of Global Operations at United Planet.

Excursions have flexible start dates and lengths of stay (from 1 to 12 weeks) and include local home stays or on-site lodging options, as well as 3 meals a day.

For booking details and pricing information, visit UnitedPlanet.org.

[Photo: Wikipedia]]]> cmb 2011-10-19T12:32:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/11/18/111229/52

Dreading the doldrums of winter already? Instead of hibernating til spring, you could spend two weeks this January volunteering, surfing, and exploring private beaches, all while living in a beach side cottage just outside of Canoa, Ecuador. The Eco Surf Volunteer program matches volunteers with local elementary schools where they work hard teaching the kids English through games, activities and sports. But, they also find time to play hard. Each afternoon volunteers are taken to the area's best surf spots to catch some waves before going on a local excursion to meet indigenous tribes, visit re-forested mangrove islands or explore animal sanctuaries.

The daily schedule for the trip begins at 7:00 AM when breakfast is served before heading to a local school. There is a lunch break from Noon- 2:00 PM, which is when the afternoon surf lessons begin, followed by dinner at 7. Volunteers also have the option to take a free, private surf lesson from Ecuador's Junior Surf Champion and his team. Each night, Eco Surf also plans social activities like beach parties, bonfires or salsa dancing. ]]> cmb 2009-11-18T12:35:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/8/32439/5455

Ever since The New York Times named the Galapagos Islands No. 3 on its "44 Places to Go in 2009," we've bumped it up on our own travel checklist. The islands, west of mainland Ecuador, inspired Charles Darwin to write The Origins of Species, so maybe the gorgeous islands will do the same for us, too. We're especially inspired by a six-night package that includes tours and airfare to the remote locale for $1,399.

The Travelzoo deal includes round-trip airfare to Ecuador from Miami (other departure cities are available for more moolah); flights between Quito, Baltra and Guayaquil; and all airport/hotel and hotel/port transfers.]]> Jennifer Kester 2009-10-08T11:28:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/26/52947/4261

So you agree the gorgeous Galapagos Islands are in danger but you aren't lucky enough to win the Jeapordy! contest which would take you on a weeklong tour to the islands with host Alex Trebek. Then you're going to need to find some other eco-friendly way of getting close to the turtles and all the other Galapagos reasons-to-go, right?

We're considering the possibility that Natural Habitat Adventures might be an okay way to go, given that National Geographic Adventure rated them in the top ten tour operators in the world and they have a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, two organizations that we have a fair bit of trust in. ]]> amandak 2009-03-26T10:26:27-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/25/143542/383

Answer: What you could win starting March 30th.

Did you know that the long-running American game show, Jeopardy!, is turning 25 this year? Amazing. Which means we've been honing our Jepoardy! quiz skills since we were five.

To celebrate this birthday, the show is putting together a rather cool contest offering 25 viewers a weeklong trip with dreamy host Alex Trebek to the Galápagos Islands.

In the first-ever travel expedition with Alex Trebek, sweepstakes winners and their guests will travel aboard the National Geographic Endeavour for a 10 day/9 night voyage, touring one of the most scientifically important and biologically interesting areas on Earth.

To enter the sweepstakes, viewers should watch Jeopardy! weekdays from March 30th to May 1st and then visit www.jeopardy.com to submit the correct Final Jeopardy! category from that day’s episode. 25 chances to win in 25 days!

The trip is actually a partnership with partnership with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic. For more info and to enter, visit Jeopardy's website. One person who will probably not be entering this contest? Sean Connery.

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· Jeopardy! Galapagos Adventure[Jeopardy!]]]> juliana 2009-03-25T14:39:48-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/13/17649/4644

Walking through a splendid old-growth rainforest is an unforgettable trip experience. But where will you go when there are no more rainforests to walk through? Joining a United Planet trip to Ecuador for a volunteer vacation bumps up your karma and gets you access to one of the world's most pristine cloud forests.

A cloud forest is an evergreen tropical rainforest characterized by, well, a bunch of clouds. The super-moist environment encourages flowers and moss to grow, but any deforestation can kill those delicate plants as quickly as they spring up.

On United Planet's two-week trip, based two hours outside the capital of Quito at the Pahuma Ecological Reserve, volunteers will help spot flora and fauna in the protected forest, tidy trails and plant in local organic gardens. After all, it's not only the Galapagos that need help.

Related Stories:
· Travel Green Above Queensland's Rainforest [Jaunted]
· Volunteer Travel: One Week Wonders [Jaunted]
· Volunteer Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· It's Summer Somewhere coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: miguelo.perez]]]> egw 2009-01-14T11:30:48-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/