Responsible Travel and Responsible Tourism in Europe

Aliore Authentic French Experiences in France Aliore offers low budget immersion programs in order to experience the French lifestyle and culture in depth: Homestay English teaching programs: Share your language with a French family in exchange for free room and board; Family and individual voluntourism in the South of France: share meaningful holidays participating in a green tourism project; Cooking, art & crafts workshops in the South of France for creative holidays with local teachers or welcome a French tutor into your home in order to practice your French on a daily basis!

ARCHELON
The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece
Enthusiastic and committed volunteers are required for demanding sea turtle conservation projects run by ARCHELON in Greece. Zakynthos, Peloponnesus and Crete are major nesting areas for the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtle in the Mediterranean and have been monitored by ARCHELON, a non-profit making organisation, for 20 years. In Athens, ARCHELON also runs the only Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Greece. Volunteers are invited to work on the island of Zakynthos where the first National Marine Park for sea turtles in the Mediterranean was established in 1999 and assist the Management Body of the Park in its task to protect the nesting beaches. In Peloponnesus, volunteers will protect nests from foxes and other mammals, experience the pilot project of sand dune restoration, help maintain nature trails and the running of the newly established Nature Information Centres. On the island of Crete, participants will work for the implementation of a Management Plan for the nesting areas. At the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, volunteers will have the opportunity to assist our staff in daily treatment of sea turtles that suffer from accidental and deliberate injuries.

Intrepid Travel
Enjoyable and Responsible Travel in Europe
For travelers with a yearning to get off the beaten track, Intrepid opens up a whole new world. With an average group size of just 10 people, Intrepid gives travelers the freedom and flexibility to get off the tourist trails and really experience local cultures at an affordable price. Intrepid prides itself on its ethical approach to travel, and escorts small groups to countries across Europe, with an emphasis on sustainable, community-based and experience-rich travel.

National Trust
Conservation Work Holidays in Britain
Britain’s National Trust cares for more wildlife, including 1,250 vulnerable species, than any other European charity. It owns more than 240,000 hectares of land and 575 miles of coastline, making it the largest private landowner in Britain. A virtual army of staff and volunteers assist in managing these habitats with 450 well-organized holidays a year in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The catalog is online. Bookings from overseas volunteers between 18 and 70 are welcome and very inexpensive, including food and hostel accommodations. Most older adults choose projects classified as Oak, Oak Plus, and Archaeological Holidays because they are less physically rigorous. (review by Alison Gardner).

Sunseed Desert Technology
Education project for the social ecological transition in Andalucía, southern Spain
Program aims to develop, demonstrate and communicate accessible, low-tech methods of living sustainably in a semi-arid environment. They are based in the province of Almeria in the eastern part of Andalucia, Southern Spain.
Every year up to three hundred international volunteers come to work at Sunseed Desert Technology staying for between a week and several months. Volunteers can work in all of our departments which include: Appropriate Technology, Organic Gardening, Dryland Management and Construction and Maintenance. All volunteers and staff also share the communal cooking and cleaning duties. Volunteers pay a weekly donation towards food and accommodation, this money almost entirely funds the work of the project.

WWOOF International (Willing Workers on Organic Farms)
Many countries in Europe participate in this unique worldwide exchange organization. In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. WWOOF organizations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms with people who are seeking volunteer help. Each country works slightly differently, but generally a very small membership fee is charged in exchange for a listing of available opportunities.