An American company offering a variety of oj_)portun:ties across the globe. such as conservation. health projects. working in orphanages and also givrng information for hurricane Katrina volunteers. The minimum length is two weeks. but the week long mini ventures combine placement work wrth travelling.

Responsible Travel

08 70 00:32 830.

www. res; )or tsrb/etravel. con i

Helping travellers ‘who want more authentic holidays'. this website gives information on ethical and volunteer trips. covering everything from charity treks. community projects and footpath repair to teaching.

i-to-i

080001 I I 1:36. WWW/to rcom Offering 'meaningful travel' trips. this websrte gives details of both volunteer opportunities and internshiplike 'expenences'. The possibilities include sports coaching. community development and teaching placements from two-to— 12 weeks in length.

SOCIAL

Oryarisations

Example trip: Working with elderly people in Yaroslavl, north-east of Moscow. Volunteers organise fun activities such as singing or arts and crafts, but may also help with meal preparation and feeding.

Fee Approxrmately S‘, l 5544 for three weeks (excluding flights) with Cross Cultural Solutions.

Cross-Cultural Solutions

0845 458 278 l.

www. crossct ritura/so/t rt/or is. org

This organisation focuses on social projects, such as looking after children and working in health clinics. The main

1 14 THE LIST ff) [)ec 200.8 b .Jan 2006

volunteer programmes; can run for between two and 12 weeks. but the company also offers one week "insight opportunities.

International Voluntary Service 0/37 226 (5/22. i/vwwrvs-gborguk

A peace focused organisation that pools trips from across the world that explore spirituality. gender and racism. from Albania to Zimbabwe and everywhere in between, volunteers can get involved in placements that last from one week upwards.

Global Volunteer Network Ltd 0800 032 5303:"). www. VO/l rr rteer. org. 1 r/ Although this company is based Ill New Xealand. its projects are open to people across the world. offering opportunities in most continents but wrth a strong focus on Africa. Trips can he arranged for short periods. although many are geared towards spending a month with a community. Raleigh International

020 73/] 8585. wwwra/erghorg.uk A well established charity that runs integrated personal development trips. including the chance to get involved in community. envrronment and adventure projects. The core programme is aimed at ages 1/ to~2f'>. but anyone over 26 can take part as a staff volunteer, Find out more at Raleigh's open day at Napier University. Edinburgh on Saturday 25 February. from t lam 8pm.

ENVIRONMENTAL & HERITAGE

Organisations

Example trip: Restoring the secret garden of Villa Pianciani Delizia in the Italian region of Umbria.

Fee $760 for two weeks (excluding travel) with BTCV.

Working holidays (anticlockwise from top left): Clearing beaches in Sri Lanka; in a hard hat zone with Raleigh International; Guatemala

UNA Exchange

0209 2022 3088.

www. ur iaexc/ tar ige. org

A true believer in the idea that volunteering shouldn't be expensive. UNA is a no-frills organisation that arranges places on partner organisation projects overseas. As you might expect. the accommodation can be fairly basic. but the variety of social. conservation and arts-based projects is impressive.

BTCV

0 1302 572 244. www.bfcv org

A charity that organises environmentally-based volunteering holidays in the UK and abroad. Domestic trips generally last for just a weekend but longer trips are available overseas and the fees are generally quite reasonable.

The National Trust

()8 70 (509 5383.

www. / rationa/trust. org. uk

Offers working holidays with a conservation and heritage bent across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Volunteers stay in simple. dorm-type accommodation and food IS provided. Eco Volunteer

01 I7 965 8333,

www. ecovo/ur iteer. org

One for the true nature enthusiast. this company offers the opportunity to work on a huge range of ecological projects across the globe. each one categorised by species as well as location. Often the living conditions can be incredibly rudimentary and volunteers may even have to forage for their own food.

How much to detox? f

If festive oven’ndu/gence has taken its toll, check out these health spas, all guaranteed to cleanse the system.

I Spa and Golf Experience, St Andrews A bracing 18 holes followed by a hot stone massage. an indulgent way to work off those toxins as part of a two-day break at the Old Course Hotel (www.0ldcoursehotel.co.uk). Total: £120

I Temazcal Sweat Lodge, Mexico It may not look glamorous. but this indigenous sweat lodge promises to purge the body through intense perspiring in the total darkness of the clay Ternazcal. One session (www.maya—spacom): {It 7 + flight from Glasgow to Cancun with www.cheapflights.co.uk: 52349.

Total: £366

I Geothermal Spa, Iceland If you've ever fancied being encased in algae or soaked in silica. here‘s your chance. Treatments at the Blue Lagoon Spa. including a sea salt scrub. algae wrap and a swim in the geothermal pool, through www.bluelagoon.com: £1 13 + flight from Glasgow to Reykjavik with wwwbacom: $212.

Total: £325

I Aqua Detox, London This treatment resembles a footbath, but claims to draw out impurities ' through the feet. rebalancing the body's bio-energetic field'. which certainly sounds impressive.

Forty-five minute session at wwwtirmdalehotelscom: E45 +

train from Edinburgh with www.gner.co.uk: 228.

Total: 273

I Therapeutic Fasting in Thailand For those determined to detox. this is a seven day fast. accompanied by daily bouts of colonic irrigation. Accommodation in the lush resort of Phu Chaisai: £85 per night + rejuvenation course at wwwjuliajuscom: £870 + flight Glasgow to Bangkok with www.airline—network.co.uk: $513. Total: £1468

(Harriet Shawcross)

All prices and availability are subject to change.