people & places

Info:  Is about responsible volunteering. Volunteering responsibly cannot and should not replace the traditional holiday. It will be emotionally exhausting and mentally challenging -- but it can also be a profound and life-enhancing experience if you are well-prepared, well-matched with your host community and well-supported in your endeavours.

Our aim is to achieve positive and long-term change, through developing a unique model of ethical volunteering, whereby all parties would be best-served and which would be totally open and honest in all its activities, including financial matters. Our role is to enable both volunteers and local communities to gain mutual benefits. Crucial to this role are our relationships with local partners.

Saddle Skedaddle

Info:  The number one cycling holiday specialist, we're passionate about pedallin’ and there is no better way to soak up a country, its culture, see its wildlife and its people, than by bike! Whether you’re travelling in our small guided parties of around 6-15 people or riding self-guided with friends, our hand picked destinations and a flexible approach ensure you’ll have a wonderful holiday!

Travels on Horseback

Info:  Is the brainchild of Kathryn Davies. She has lived and travelled all over, but is Somerset born and bred. She decided she wanted to return to the West Country to show visitors the wonder of its countryside, its people and the riding. Her mission is that all guests have the best holiday they’ve ever had.

We want to show people how to escape into a different pace of life. A world where there is only you, your horse and the countryside, and your days are counted not in hours worked, but in miles, the stride of your horse, and the promise of feeling happily tired at the end of the day.

Environment: • Our holidays are independent, eco-friendly journeys on horseback, our guests have one of the lowest carbon-footprint holidays around. • No vehicles travel behind our guests delivering luggage – everything is carried in saddlebags. • Historic trails vividly show guests about the environment and heritage of the South West. • Expeditions immerse guests in responsible living and encourage long-term respect and protection of our countryside. • We use recycled paper for stable bedding. • We assess our business partners’ environmental action plans and ensure that they fit within the principles of Travels on Horseback. • We continuously assess and reduce the environmental impact of running our business.

Tribes Travel

Info:  Is an independent specialist travel company. It is owned and run by Amanda and Guy Marks, who founded the company in January 1998. We are backed by a small, committed team of travel professionals who really do have a passion for what they are doing. From the very beginning, the company’s central tenet was to offer holidays which were inspiring to travellers, but also brought benefits to the local people, wildlife and environment of the destination.

As the company name suggests, there was a focus on the local people, who, at the time the company began, tended not be getting a fair deal in the world of tourism. We wanted to change this, as we believe that local people should benefit from tourism and from their own natural resources. Without involving local people, good quality tourism is not sustainable. If local people cannot benefit from their own natural resources, such as national parks, why should they protect them?

TYF

Info:  For twenty years we've taken thousands of people like you to play, work and stay with us on the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline in Wales, and at other fantastic locations worldwide. Making customers happy, creating a sense of adventure, wonder and a balance for mind, body and spirit is at the heart of everything we do. We invite you to spice up your life, have more fun or just chill out with us.

VegiVentures

Info:  18 years ago VegiVentures began with a dream. Nigel Walker simply loves to travel and also to eat well. He dreamt of sharing this vision by providing holidays with creative, healthy food. In 1989, as a trained chef, yoga teacher and travel rep, he combined his skills and since then has organised holidays in 15 countries.

Destinations now range from the relaxing (Turkey) to the challenging (Peru). We focus on great vegetarian / vegan food and a friendly group atmosphere. On some holidays such as the English Lake District, he takes charge of the cooking personally, on others such as Peru we organise vegetarian / vegan meals cooked specially for the group by local chefs. Menus reflect the local environment and where possible the food is organic. His main wish is that you should return from holiday feeling fit and well and having had a great time.

We choose the healthiest and most beautiful locations. Accommodation is generally simple. We use small guest houses, hostels, retreat centres and on some holidays camping is an option.

Walk & Forks

Info:  Offer relaxed long week-end breaks and tailor made holidays for small groups of walkers on the Quantock Hills in Somerset. You will enjoy wonderful Somerset seasonal organic food at the B&Bs, and luscious picnic lunches will be prepared especially for you.