15 Life-Changing Trips - Articles - Travel + Leisure

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15 Life-Changing Trips - Articles - Travel + Leisure

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15 Life-Changing Trips
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Courtesy of Hands Up Holidays

Our network of trusted tour operators created 15 custom itineraries that promise to transform travelers and destinations alike.
From November 2009 By

Volunteering: Rio De Janeiro

Why Go: Few travelers get to do more than scratch the surface of this city of disorienting contrasts, where a golden coastline and buzzing night-life districts abut gritty, overcrowded favelashome to about 20 percent of Rios 6 million residents. This 10-day trip from U.K.-based operator Hands Up Holidays gives volunteers a deeper look at the city and a chance to make a difference. The Trip: An experienced voluntourism outfitter, Hands Up Holidays excels at balancing unexpected sightseeing expeditions (sunset on Arpoador Beach; hiking in the wetlands of Marapend; Portuguesearchitecture walks) with four days of volunteering in the citys favelas. Tours of the popular nightlife district Lapa and the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood, where a boutique hotel of the same name is your base, add a level of luxury to days spent in the favelas of Vila Canoas, Pereiro, and Rocinha. There, youll help residents paint street murals, or spend your time teaching English, art, and soccer (depending on your skills). Hands Up also takes volunteers to visit Project Morrinho, an arts and culture nonprofit, to see a replica of the famous mini

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12/1/2009 11:33 AM

15 Life-Changing Trips - Articles - Travel + Leisure

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favela that was built from bricks and other recycled materials by local youth and displayed at the 2007 Venice Biennale as a way to raise awareness of the citys impoverished districts. The Details: T+L Transformation Vacation by Hands Up Holidays; 201/984-5372; handsupholidays.com; Dec. 918, 2009, March 312 and June 918, 2010; from $3,250, double, excluding airfare. Subscribe to Travel + Leisure Magazine Prev 1 of 16 Next

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