Articles
People come to the desert for many reasons. Some believe the never-ending sun and the warm, dry air are therapeutic. An hour north of Palm Springs, California, nestled in the lunar landscape of Joshua trees, amid the low desert scrub, lies a place some believe is magical, possibly even supernatural in its healing ability.
Like so many people across the globe, Anthony Bourdain’s death has left me numb. Anthony was a true global citizen who touched many people across countless cultures. He showed his viewers how humanity is connected through the love and necessity of food. The flavors of the world made Anthony feel most alive, and he inspired me when I traveled vicariously through his palate. I idolized and tried to emulate him at World Footprints because of our shared view of the world.
Tonya Fitzpatrick, an award-winning travel journalist and 3-time TEDx speaker, brings a fresh perspective on the power of travel in her TEDx talk, "Travel as an Antidote to Divisiveness." As co-founder of the social impact travel platform World Footprints, Tonya has spent years exploring how travel can be used as a force for good, challenging stereotypes, bridging cultural divides, and fostering mutual understanding. Her TEDx presentation shines a spotlight on the ways travel can heal divisions, whether they stem from race, religion, politics, or geography. In this inspiring talk, Tonya takes the audience on a journey that goes beyond the typical vacation experience. She explains how purposeful travel, with an openness to learning from others, has the power to transform individuals and communities alike. For Tonya, travel is more than just seeing new places—it's a way to engage with different cultures, challenge assumptions, and grow in empathy. This intentional approach [...]
In a world often portrayed as dangerous and uncertain, award-winning travel journalist Tonya Fitzpatrick, host of World Footprints, sheds light on the reality that sensationalized news headlines don’t always tell. Through her method of "ground-truthing," Tonya’s experiences have shown that many of the frightening news stories don’t reflect the true nature of the places and cultures they depict.
One way that residents of Vancouver Island really connect with the outdoors and wildlife is through the Marmot Refuge located close to Nanaimo.
Aside from Auschwitz in Poland and the incredibly morbid S-21 Prison in Cambodia, I have never felt so absorbed and captivated on my travels. Located to the north of Kiev, this infamous power plant in Ukraine set the scene for one of the most shocking incidents in the history of man – the Chernobyl Disaster.
While jumping in with both feet might be too much of a stretch when it comes to a country where you don’t know the language, visiting Seoul is one of the best things you can do to broaden your horizons.
The Caribbean was recently hit hard by hurricanes Irma, Jose, and Maria. Organizations and individuals from the around the world have been pouring resources into rescue and rebuilding efforts. But it’s going to take more than disaster relief to get Caribbean communities back on their feet. It’s going to take travelers like you.
After a long and exhausting work week, months filled with stressful schoolwork, or many hours spent with your children and family, many of us need a break from reality. A retreat can be the perfect way to do this, whether alone, or with close friends.
When I told my Dad I had plans to cycle across Iran, he freaked out. Sadly, western media depicts Iran as a dangerous place. Even the government travel advice is to avoid all travel to the country. In reality, Iran is home to some of the friendliest people I have ever met. I was welcomed into the country, and felt completely safe travelling around. In fact, I felt safer there than walking around the streets of my hometown.
