FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Voluntourism on Kaua’i

by Patricia Vanikiotis

Apr 13, 2019

Hopefully by now you’ve had the chance to thoroughly dive into our Green Issue, the April edition of Global Traveler, where we explore Earth-friendly destinations, hotels, airlines and initiatives in the world of travel. Coinciding with the issue and with Earth Day just a week away, I thought I’d share with you a suggestion for one eco-friendly tour and volunteer opportunity I first learned about during our trip to Kaua’i last November.

treeLate last year I shared some of the details of the three-hour tasting tour we enjoyed at Lydgate Farms in Wailua, Kaua’i in one of my blogs. Owned by a fifth-generation Hawai’i family dedicated to practicing sustainable agriculture, the farm grows a variety of tropical plants and trees yielding an amazing assortment of fruits and other edibles. One of their principle crops is cacao beans, which they process on site and from which they produce premium chocolates. They also grow and process vanilla beans and harvest honey their bees make from foxtail palms on the property.

The mission of Will Lydgate is to nurture the land using sustainable and natural practices and organic fertilizers to grow crops which enhance soil health and improve the land. (Traditional big-money crops like pineapple and sugarcane, whose production ended there in 2017, leached the soil of nutrients.) The farm continues to grow, and production has increased as word has spread of the wonderful chocolate, honey and vanilla they make here. (In 2017, Lydgate’s cacao beans were ranked among the best in the world at the Cacao of Excellence awards in Paris.) It is still a fairly small-scale operation, with a small staff covering all aspects of production, from hand-pollinating vanilla orchids to operating the tours and cracking and scooping the cacao pods by hand.

cacao bean TreeRecently the farm has started welcoming volunteers to help with the harvest, inviting them to come scoop the smooth, pale cacao beans from the pulp within the pods. Lydgate notes that in Hawai’i, where much agriculture has disappeared due to high labor costs, the “free” help has lifted some of the labor burden from his team . . . and the volunteers enjoy a convivial time of conversation with some chocolate and cacao sorbet as added attractions.

So should you find yourself in Kaua’i, look into a Lydgate Farms tour and consider doing a little eco-friendly voluntourism as well!

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Nov 21, 2024

Hotel Saint Augustine to Open in Houston’s Museum District Neighborhood

Hotel Saint Augustine, expected to open in Houston this December, is a design-savvy boutique hotel from Austin-based hospitality group Bunkhouse.

Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever

Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.

November 2024
Nov 21, 2024

Immerse in an Invigorating Thermal Journey at Scandinave Spa Whistler

The glittering green pines and burst of jasmine lake beyond almost made me forget about the aches in my legs that slowly developed after the promised hour-long hike ran into the third hour. And, oh, there were my hips, showing up to remind me I was no longer in my 20s. I didn’t mind, though, because the vision that surrounded me during our guided walk through Garibaldi Park to Cheakamus Lake in Whistler, British Columbia, with Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures proved worthy of a thousand postcards.

Daily
Nov 21, 2024

5 Can’t-Miss Black Friday, Cyber Monday Hotel Deals

Plan to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Add these deals from hotels around the country to your shopping list.

Sailing the Ionian Sea: Explore Greece’s Nautical Gems

Sailing the Ionian Sea is an enchanting way to experience Greece's breathtaking islands and pristine waters. Known for its favorable winds, calm seas and stunning landscapes, the Ionian Sea offers a paradise for both experienced sailors and those looking to explore for the first time. From lively beaches to secluded bays, these waters have something for every traveler seeking adventure and relaxation.

Daily
Nov 21, 2024

Belmond Unveils First Luxury Sleeper Train in England and Wales

The first luxury sleeper train officially debuts in England and Wales next July thanks to the new Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train. This pioneering train seamlessly blends timeless rail heritage with contemporary British cuisine, culture and style. Guests will enjoy fine-dining experiences designed by Chef Simon Rogan and an on-board wellness suite offering therapies to relax and revive.

eFlyer Deals
Nov 20, 2024

Xanterra Launches Thankful for Travel Sale

Xanterra Travel Collection’s Thankful for Travel Sale is finally here! This travel company’s sale, through Dec. 2, offers the biggest savings on national park stays, yacht-style cruises, historic train rides, legendary resorts, and walking and biking tours.

Extraordinary Egypt

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS

eFlyer News
Nov 20, 2024

Orient Express Reveals World’s Largest Sailing Yacht

Orient Express just unveiled the design of its first yacht and the world’s largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian. Set to hit the waves in summer 2026, this yacht will sail across the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Caribbean.