Jet to an exotic country. Get immersed in local customs. Help build a house or dig a well. Make buddies with fascinating people you’d never meet otherwise. A “voluntourism” trip seems like a great way to give back or improve the world in a small way. It can be, but you should ask a lot of questions before signing up and plunking down cash. Over the last several years, this well-meaning market has grown quickly, with studies estimating 1.6 million volunteer tourists per year and growing. About 33 percent of volunteer travelers are between the ages of 20 and 40. Another 34 percent are slightly older, between 41 and 60. Overall, the travelers are more likely to be female. However, the impact of these trips is hard to quantify. A large majority of the tourists take them because they want to help alleviate poverty and find joy in the camaraderie. Voluntourism: Helpful or Hurtful? In a piece for the Guardian called “Beware the ‘Voluntourists’ Doing Good,” Ossob Mohamud writes that there are more effective ways …

Root beer floats may seem like icons of the past, but this delicious flavor combination is making a comeback at quirky and fun establishments around the world. Where will you be sampling the famous ice cream and root beer combo? Ed’s Easy Diner: London, England If you find yourself booking London hotels to experience life across the pond, head over to Ed’s Easy Diner for a taste of home. Ed’s root beer float is served up in a nostalgic setting that will give you an idea of what Londoners think of traditional American cuisine. You might have access to American food at home, but when can you try American food done by Brits? Nantucket Pharmacy Lunch Counter: Nantucket, Massachusetts Relive the days when root beer floats were commonplace at pharmacy lunch counters across the U.S. by heading to the Nantucket Pharmacy Lunch Counter. Yankee Magazine compares the pharmacy to a Norman Rockwell painting, so grabbing a root beer float there this summer lets you immerse yourself in the culture of the past. While you’re enjoying …

Every year thousands of people from around the world converge on the Nevada desert to celebrate the Burning Man Festival. It’s a celebration of art, culture, self-expression and humanity. Tickets Tickets to Burning Man sell out fast because The Bureau of Land Management puts a cap on the number participants each year. Burning Man typically takes place in August and September, but pre-sale tickets go on sale in January and the official sale starts February. Hotels and Camping The Burning Man Festival takes place in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert and features thousands of campers who spend the night in a variety of tents and recreational vehicles. The nearest commercial airport is in Reno, which is located about 120 miles from the festival. If you want to spend the night before the start of the event, or after the event, at a hotel in Reno, book your room in advance. The small community of Winnemucca Nevada sits about 225 miles from the festival and is also a popular stopping point for burners before and after the …

If you’re going to try to see the countless amazing sites across America, you’ll need to get started now. And if you’re hoping to remain within a budget, you should definitely follow these tips. Invest in a Federal Recreation Pass Some cities are always going to be expensive, but if you think ahead and buy a Federal Recreation Pass, you can enter federally-funded recreation areas throughout the United States for free. This includes places like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Park. You can even have some friends tag along! Bring Your Own Groceries If you’re driving across the country, a cooler with lunch meats, soda and condiments can come in handy at rest stops. Even when you’re staying at a hotel, it’s best to have food stored in the refrigerator. Save eating out for those special restaurants that you just have to try. Check out Free Sites Even if you don’t pay for a pass to see national landmarks, there are countless sites you can visit for free. From the National History Museum in D.C. …