Passports with Purpose 2012: Prizes We Love
As travelers who have also tried to make a difference in some of the communities we have visited, we love the idea behind Passports with Purpose (PwP) - travel bloggers coming together to raise money for a great cause. This year, that cause is working together with Water.org to build clean water wells in two communities in Haiti. PwP's lofty (but very reachable) goal is to raise $100,000.
We also love that, in raising money for a great cause, bloggers partner with travel companies around the world to offer amazing prizes to raffle off to people who donate at least $10. Prizes include travel clothing, electronics, tours, hotel stays, gift certificates and more!
Donate $10 to a great cause. Win an awesome, travel-related prize. What could be better?
We took a close look through the prize list and thought we'd highlight some of our favorites - prizes that could really help you jump start your career break travels!
Weekend Apartment Stay in Europe: Kick off your career break in Europe with a $500 voucher for an apartment stay in your choice of Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Florence, Vienna, London, Prague, Venice or Berlin.
Context Travel walking tours: With these tours for the "intellectually curious," you can get an in-depth look at cities like Barcelona, Istanbul, New York, Paris, Athens and more! This prize includes 2 spots on any 2 of Context's small group walking tours - a total value of $330!
European Travel Prize Pack: Europe may be a little pricier than, say, Southeast Asia, but this great prize pack will help! It includes a Eurail Global Pass 1st Class, $500 voucher with Only-apartments.com and a $200 gift card to Viator.com.
GoPro Camera: The perfect gadget to capture every moment of your career break! Take professional quality video and great photos with this waterproof camera that is also wi-fi enabled!
26-day Silk Road Tour: Get off the beaten path with this tour that follows the Silk Road through China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Kindle Keyboard 3G: Not only can you use this prize to store a plethora of reading material for those long flights, bus or train rides, but you can also use it to keep in touch while you're on the road with free 3G internet access around the world.
Women's Scotteevest: Trying to pack ultra-light on your travels? Try this women's travel vest with 17 pocket and electronics compartments.
$150 Chaco's Gift Certificate: Keep your feet comfy as you travel with a pair of Chaco's sneakers, sandals or hiking shoes/boots.
Visit Passportswithpurpose.org/donate before 11:59 p.m. ET on December 11, 2012 to see a complete list of prizes and enter to win!
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.