Join one of our Premier 2010 Travel and Service Group Trips!

Sign up to join our group of travelers, or bring friends and family along!

Choose from:

• The Costa Rica Eco-Volunteer Experience
  
• The Kenya Service Safari and Sun Adventure
  
• The Guatemala Service and Cultural Trip

 

Cultural Embrace offers unique educational and cultural packages that introduce you and your group to the wonders of international travel.  Our expert advice and knowledge of destinations goes beyond sight-seeing.  We specialize in integrating the traveler(s) with the local communities, for an authentic experience, through educational, humanitarian and cultural activities. 

While we pre-arrange all travel details so you can maximize your time abroad, we also recognize the importance of independent  time to explore and 'escape.'  We select the best local operators that provide quality bi-lingual service and information of the areas you are visiting.  Whether hiking to an active volcano by day and helping conservationists in Costa Rica preserve endangered sea turtles by night or traveling through China while learning how to cook traditional Chinese dishes, we hope you "Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences."  

We will customize a trip specifically for your group and organize every detail, including airport arrival and transfer, lodging, excursions, and a customized itinerary to meet the needs of you and your group. We have several established itineraries you may join, or we will be happy to customize a trip that meets your group’s schedule, budget, interests, and needs.  We are fully committed to working with you to develop the best possible international experience. Send us a completed Group Travel Request Form, and we will be happy to send you a bid, with no 'hidden fees.'

 

 

 

 

 

Apply now to join one of our March Trips to Guatemala. Cultural Embrace's President Emlyn Lee gives us the low down on the upcoming group trips. Read below to find out all the details and see why you should sign up for this "spring time sunshine and service trip"!

Q: Emlyn, are Group Service Trips something new from Cultural Embrace? 

A: Over the years, we've customized all sorts of trips for groups. We design trips and cultural-immersion experiences for any unique group traveling abroad, such as short-term faculty lead study abroad, private groups, alternative spring breaks, healthcare and service-learning trips, youth leadership programs, environmental-conservation projects, fun family vacations, corporate team-building retreats, mission trips, alumni and associate groups. We obviously design our trips so the travelers will see and learn more about the fascinating and historical sites, but the 'sight-seeing' is secondary, and we try to design itineraries that will offer the travelers to integrate with the local community. One of the best ways to interact and connect with the local community is through service projects. There is no better way to build a relationship than to roll up your sleeves, and lend a hand (and heart) to help others. It is such a rewarding experience to the community, as well as yourself, and lifetime friendships and memories are formed. 

Q: Do you offer trips for individuals who want to join a travel group? 

A: Actually yes! We have several trips in 2010 that anyone can join. For example, the upcoming Guatemala Service trips have pre-arranged dates that individuals, couples, or groups may join. This is a great option for those that want to volunteer and meet other foreigners, while they embrace the Guatemalan culture and people. They are quick, economical, one-week trips, that coincide with Spring Break dates:(March 6-13); (March 13-20); (March 20-7); (March 27-April 3). We hope this offers a more meaningful and alternative travel experience for anyone wishing to volunteer in an at-need community and mix springtime sunshine with service. 

Q: That sounds fun! What is the cost of the trip and what is included? 

A: The trip fee is only $695! We prepare every logistical detail to ensure top quality, safe, and healthy travels. Our expert and knowledgeable staff support all the needs of the group, before, during and after your journey. Services include: airport pick-up and transfer, international and ground transportation, lodging with host families (hotel or apartment stay available for additional fee), meals, a CE staff trip leader, the best local partners for bi-lingual service, travel insurance, excursions, service and cultural activities, service projects, and social activities in Antigua Guatemala. 

Q: What types of volunteer and service projects will take place during the Guatemala Service Trip? 

A: Volunteer projects include: Teach, tutor, and play with children in low-income daycare community centers. Work with street children, handicap & disabled children, and troubled teens. Work in hospice, local hospital/health centers,pharmacies and nursing homes. Help build and maintain gardens and yards in at-need community centers. Contribute to building, fixing, and painting for at-need construction projects in schools and community centers. Groups may work together on one project or be divided into teams to work on different service projects- based on group size, skills, and Spanish language knowledge. 

Q: What are the social and cultural activities you mentioned in Guatemala? 

A: Most afternoons we provide bi-lingual guided activities or excursions, such as: cooking classes, salsa dance lessons, bike tours to local banana plantations, local soccer (futbol) games with local children, hike and visit to Volcano Pacaya, visit and boat ride to Lake Atitlan with a stop at a local market, and much more. We definitely try to 'maximize' your time abroad, especially since there is so many fascinating things to see and do; however, we also want to give you the option to relax, reflect, and rest. We have contacts with yoga studios, spas, and understand the need for 'leisure' time for you to chill.