\
from Gary’s Surf School by InterNATZionale

Volunteering one’s time to help the local community is a rewarding way to travel. Realtraveler InterNATZionale found this out in the midst of her trip around the world this year. She worked as a volunteer with the i-to-i Volunteer Program while staying in Muizenberg, South Africa, a beautiful town in the Western Cape area of the country known for its marvelous ocean waves. Muizenberg is in fact considered to be the birthplace of South African surfing!

InterNATZionale explains in her blog:

“My whole experience in South Africa was based around my opportunity to volunteer at Gary’s Surf School in Muizenberg. Gary is a boisterous surfer who has been in the surf scene for many years…My job entailed working with tourists and local kids on their surfing skills in the water.”

Not only did InterNATZionale get to surf daily, but she thoroughly enjoyed working with the local children. She writes:

“While being in the water every day was great, and it gave me an opportunity to surf all the time, my favorite time was on Thursday and Friday afternoons when the kids would come from the local orphanages. They were so excited to learn and participate it was amazing to work with them all. They listened intently and followed all the directions they could, and I could not get over how generally excited they were just to be there and having help to do an activity!” (more…)

Other Realtravelers have had the rewarding experience of volunteering during their travels as well, including ISingInTheRain, who participated in a beach clean up in Hilo, Hawaii; MamberPamber, who helped out in Mexico City; and Adrian B who worked at an organic farm in India.

To learn more about volunteering abroad, check out these useful links:

i-to-i Volunteers
Volunteer Abroad
Transitions Abroad Portal
Gary’s Surf School

To plan your own trip to this stunning South African destination, visit:

Muizenberg Travel Guide
Western Cape Travel Guide
South Africa Travel Guide

Bookmark to:

From Another Castle!! by Tony and Louise

Nestled along the beautiful Neckar River, the German city of Heidelberg is a charming destination worth paying a visit. History abounds with such sites as the University of Heidelberg, one of Europe’s oldest educational institutes, and the well-preserved medieval architecture of the city’s Old Town. Realtravelers Tony and Louise espied several of Heidelberg’s historic wonders during their recent two month trip to Europe.

They describe their impressions of the city in their blog:

“Left on the train to Heidelberg - one of the loveliest places in Germany. The train ride up the Neckar Valley is so picturesque even in Winter. First stop was the funicula to get up to the schlöss. Heidelberg Castle is an amazing castle - unfotunately half of it in ruins but it still has some incredible features.”

After the famous castle, they visited some local churches:

“Back down to the old city to wander around the shops and do a little bit of shopping (along with the usual cafe stops to keep us warm). First church was the Heilig Geist Kirche (Gothic Protestant) and then the Jesuit (Baroque) which has to be the most beautiful church/cathedral that I’ve seen over here yet - so light, airy and open with the most amazing chandeliers. It is one church that’s well worth seeing next time you’re in Heidelberg!” (more…)

To find out more about their interesting vacation across Europe, read their blog, Lou and Tony’s UK/Europe trip.

Check out these useful links to plan your own trip or just learn more about Heidelberg, Germany:

Heidelberg Travel Guide
Heidelberg Travel Blogs
Germany Travel Guide

Bookmark to: