Jaunted

Volunteer Travel / Vegan Travel / Vegcations / New York City / New York Travel / Green Travel / Animals / Farm Travel / Voluntourism / → All Tags

Take a 'Vegcation' at the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary This Spring

We've all heard of staycationers or voluntourists, but "vegcationers?" Compassion Over Killing and Green Earth Travel are hoping vegcations become the next hot trend in travel thanks to the vegan-friendly "vegcation" destination weekend they have planned this spring.

The two groups have organized a weekend getaway on May 19-23, 2011 which will begin at the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in upstate New York, where volunteers will spend two days helping to groom, feed, and socialize with the farm's rescued cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, goats & sheep. They will also be served homemade vegan meals throughout their stay.

more ›

Souvenirs / Vermont Travel / Farm Travel / Fall Foliage Travel / Fall Travel / Fall in Vermont Field Trip / → All Tags

Would You Buy a Travel Notebook Made of Cow Poo?

You know you're in Vermont when...souvenir shops include journals made of cow poo on shelves next to bottles of pure maple syrup and fridges full of Cabot cheese. We happened upon this crazy stuff yesterday at Morse Farm while taking a road trip through Montpelier, VT to observe some fall foliage at its peak.

Although seriously tempted to buy the $6 scratchpad made of cow poo, we wouldn't have wanted it for ourselves, but to use as a gift for a friend. Then remembering that none of our friends would want cow poo when they could have maple candies, we slowly backed away from the display. But that doesn't mean that it won't appeal to those travelers who revel in farm tourism, or even green travel. It totally belongs on our next list of Top 5 Travel Notebooks.

more ›

Voluntourism / Volunteer Travel / Green Travel / Farm Travel / → All Tags

Sleep and Eat for Free on an American Farm if You 'WWOOF'

Looking for something to do on your summer vacation? Why not try WWOOF-ing it across America. The Organization, World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) offers volunteers food and accommodations in exchange for one half-day of volunteer work on a registered host farm.

WWOOF's website lists host farm profiles from around the world, not just in the U.S., which contain information about the farm's location, general responsibilities, and lifestyle of the host. If you are interested in volunteering at a particular farm, WWOOF helps you contact the host and make arrangements for spending time with them, not only helping out but learning about organic farming and gardening.

more ›

What Recession / Luxury Travel / Agritourism / Farm Travel / → All Tags

These Rocking Chairs Now Worth $250 More

"Easy to get to, hard to leave," boasts the website for Blackberry Farm, a picturesque retreat in the Great Smoky Mountains.

According to MSNBC, "agritourism" is on the rise this year as travelers sweetly yearn to get back to the land. Not many farmers' kids we know grew up tooling around on the backroads in a Lexus GX SUV (available for rental on-property!) or getting four-handed massages inspired by the Cherokee, but at least Blackberry is a working farm producing artisan cheeses, fruit, cured meats and preserves.

And then we noticed something funny: Back in 2007 our sister site HotelChatter noticed how heavily acclaimed Blackberry Farm was, noting the tasteful decor and delicious dishes.

The farm has since added 12 guest rooms -- and most shockingly, over $200 to its daily rates for the most modest accommodations. No time like the present to urge people to get back to nature at a ridiculously inflated price!

Want to get back to nature on a budget? You may have to forgo award-winning fly-fishing and the spa, but volunteer vacations like those offered by organic farms through WWOOF offer the chance to get your hands dirty and a little relaxation time, too.

Related Stories:
· Living The Luxe Life Down On The Farm [MSNBC]
· 2007: Luxury in the Middle of Nowhere: Blackberry Farm [HC]
· Volunteer Travel: It's A WWOOFer's World [Jaunted]

[Photo: markalbert]