It said, “To celebrate the rarity of this calendar date we’re putting our group tours on sale this weekend only! Hooray for the 10th day of the 10th month of the 10 year….errr, 2010th year.

Plus, you can share your savings by helping others obtain 20-20 vision! Through our Planeterra Foundation, we’re raising funds for building a permanent eye camp in Cambodia to treat simple eye conditions and increase prevention and detection of cataracts and other eye diseases. We’ve supported temporary eyesight camps in Tibet for years and value any support you can add to the cause as we help change people’s lives!

To grab your savings and book a trip, head to:  www.gapadventures.com/trips/promotions/10-10-10-sale/

What is on sale this weekend and when does it end?
Virtually all of our group tours are on sale for 10% off. This includes departures from now until December 31, 2010! But you have to act fast as this sale ends on October 11, 2010.

Why support 20-20 Vision?
It always feels good to give back, doesn’t it? Head over to our Planeterra website to see how you can donate your trip savings and support our eye sight restoration camp project: http://www.planeterra.org/pages/projects/2.php.”

According to their website, “In order to minimize its impact on local cultures, Gap Adventures has also endeavoured to become one of the most sustainable tour operators in the world. To achieve that goal, Gap founder, Bruce Poon Tip founded the companion non-profit Planeterra Foundation in 2003 to aid global community development. To date, Planeterra’s innovative focus on voluntourism and fundraising has funded roughly 30 development projects, delivering everything from health programs to infrastructure improvements.”

When I was in Peru, I got to visit the women’s weaving co-op in the Sacred Valley. I learned that since 2005, Gap has been working with the Ccaccaccollo community to develop a women’s weaving cooperative. Most Gap Adventures groups like mine visit this community as part of their tour to meet the women and learn about all the stages of the weaving process; from hand-spinning the wool, dying the wool using natural dyes, and participating in a weaving demonstration.  It was fascinating to see it all live!  We also were given the opportunity to purchase high quality textiles directly from the women who made them.  One of the pieces I bought now sites in my living room where I see it everyday and I remember my conversations with the woman who wove it.  You can see her holding it in this photo I took.

By working with the women of this community, Planeterra and Gap are encouraging them to be proud of their cultural heritage by showcasing their intricate weaving skills. This also enables the women to help provide for their families and benefit from tourism in a way that avoids negative social and cultural impacts.

Gap Adventures pays the salary of all Planeterra employees and all administration costs so that 100% of each donation goes directly to our projects. 

There are 5 main ways that their projects are funded:
Individual Donations – are made online by donors and are matched dollar-for-dollar by Gap Adventures (up to $10,000 USD per project)

Dollar-A-Day Program – provides travellers with the opportunity to donate one dollar per day for the duration of their Gap Adventures tour to Planeterra before travelling either by clicking the check box online, or by advising their travel agent at the time of booking a trip

Volunteer Tours – include a donation amount that goes directly to our projects

Fundraising Events – are organized around the world by us and third party event organizers

Corporate Partnerships – is an avenue that we are just beginning to explore by developing partnerships with like-minded companies that are committed to social corporate responsibility.

For more information on Planeterra, click here.

I feel my insatiable travel itch surfacing again…hmmm…where will I go next with Gap?

On July 22, 2008, G.A.P Adventures held its 5th annual Skydive for Charity event in Toronto and Calgary, raising a whopping $18,545.  Their website says, “What better way to raise money for a great cause than by jumping out of a perfectly good airplane?”  “More than 30 skydivers participated and selected either an Instructor Assisted Deployment skydive, jumping solo from 3500 feet, or a Tandem skydive, where the skydiver and Jumpmaster freefall together for 35 seconds from 10,500 feet at over 120mph!

G.A.P Adventures covered 50% of the jump fees for all participants and in return, skydivers raised funds for Planeterra – G.A.P Adventures’ non-profit foundation which is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world.”  So if the adrenaline rush is what you are seeking, get this on your calendar for next year!

G.A.P Adventures was launched in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip with the belief that other travellers would share his desire to experience authentic adventures in a responsible and sustainable manner. They’ve grown from a one-man show to a company of over 500, and from a handful of trips in Latin America to hundreds of adventures spanning the globe… and beyond! Over 70,000 travellers experience the real world with them every year. Their passion is ”making sure you get behind the scenes to experience the real world in an authentic and sustainable manner.”

I have travelled with G.A.P. twice – once to Southern Spain and last year to Northern India.  Both trips were great and G.A.P. did an excellent job balancing group activities and free time to do as we like.  So I like the company because I have good experiences with them.  I know they do service projects in some of the countries where they take trips through their Planterra Foundation, which is great.