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Life is full of surprises, and with spring break closing in there will be plenty to look forward to. COVID restrictions are slowly starting to relax so everyone is looking forward to getting away.
Not only do we need a break from the cold, but a break from being trapped at home too.
Traveling is something that a lot of us love to do when we can.
Being on the road with your kids strengthens family bonds but it also provides an opportunity for education and gives them exposure to new experiences.
They can gain a better understanding of the world while enjoying what it has to offer.
Now, for busy families on the go, building mindful travel itineraries doesn’t have to be a complicated process. You could plan the perfect getaway while giving back to the world along the way.
Kind Traveler, the first give + get booking platform that empowers travelers to positively impact the communities they visit, is a booking engine that makes it easier to do just that.
Through hotel and charity partnerships, they offer travelers an opportunity to donate to a local charity and in turn receive exclusive perks and opportunities.
They have partnered with over 100 charities focused on wildlife conservation efforts, healthy communities, and the environment.
Below are a few family-friendly hotel destinations on the Kind Traveler platform that provide an opportunity for the whole family to get together while giving back:
Hotel SLO, San Luis Obispo, CA
Located a block away from Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Hotel San Luis Obispo is steps from historic downtown. This hotel offers eco-friendly rooms in the perfect location for central coast outdoor activities. They offer complimentary bikes to explore town and are also pet-friendly so you can bring the whole family. When booking on Kind Traveler, your donation benefits the SLO Surfrider Foundation. While you’re there you can join a local beach clean-up with the Surfrider foundation or pick up an Avila Beach Stewardship Cleanup Kit to do it on your time.
Flamingo Resort, Santa Rosa CA
The Flamingo resort is a mid-century darling nestled in the foothills of Santa Rosa and is very kid-friendly. They have a big pool, bunk beds in some of the rooms for those with larger families, and tons of activities in the surrounding area like the Charles M. Schulz Museum. They also offer a babysitting service. A member of the California Green Lodging Program, the Flamingo has embraced ecologically sound practices like becoming less dependent on non-renewable resources, buying local, and a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. Through Kind Traveler, your stay benefits The Sonoma Land Trust and you can bring the whole family on one of their myriad of outings from mountain treks to botany crawls to bird watching and kayaking. Another KindTraveler charity in the area is the Russian Riverkeeper volunteers, which you can also join to help clean up the Russian River.
Plumpjack Inn, North Lake Tahoe, NV
This family-friendly cozy lodge offers visitors an immersive experience with nature — ski in and out, raft down the Truckee River, hike, and bike acres of nearby trails, all while being steps from The village at Palisades Tahoe’s shopping and dining. This Tripadvisor Greenleader, is affiliated with the PlumpJack Foundation, which fosters hope and enacts positive change in their community while striving to answer “what can I do that will make your life better, today, right now?” They are currently raising funds to help families affected by COVID through their “meet the moment” initiative. During your stay, visit the Tahoe Science Center and explore the interactive exhibits, learn about the lake ecosystem, why it’s changing, and how you can keep Tahoe blue.
Chablé Resort & Spa, Yucatán, Mexico
This elegant resort features wide-open spaces in a pet and family-friendly restored 19th-century hacienda near the colonial city of Merida. They have an on-property garden program and many of the ingredients in the resort’s three restaurants are sourced from their gardens. Your donation benefits the Na’atik Language & Culture Institute, which offers educational programs for local Maya students. During your stay, wander through Merida city center and soak in the architecture, take a dip in the local cenote, and donate or volunteer a day to help the AFAD find homes for neglected animals.
Ka’ana Luxury Resort, Belize
Belize is a special location for Kind Traveler, as our co-founder Jessica Blotter, dreamed up the platform while on vacation there. Ka’ana is the ultimate nature lover’s retreat in Central America, nestled on the edge of an ancient Maya city and with easy access to Maya archeological sites and national parks. The resort features a 2-acre organic garden and offers Chocolate making and Maya cooking classes on-site. The whole family can learn about ancient cooking techniques and natural flavor profiles used in authentic Maya dishes to appreciate the country’s deep cultural heritage and natural environment. Your donation benefits the Cayo Animal Welfare Society, which you can also volunteer with to help improve the lives of dogs and cats locally and educate your kids about animal kindness.