Veggies Abroad, Detroit, MI (2025)

04/13/2025

There's a lot of talk about who not to support but what about all the businesses doing awesome work!? 🤔 Let's flip the conversation and focus on them! 🥳

When I started this I thought, oh I'll be done in an hour! Wrong! 😱 Two hours later I was still finding places! 🥳 But I really needed to wrap things up, so that means if you know of other hotels doing awesome things in Mexico, tag them in the comments. 🥰

Here are a few others doing some fabulous things in Mexico that you might want to check out too:

🌿 - commitment to biodiversity with its partnership with Parley for the Oceans, an NGO that works to protect the ocean from plastic pollution

🌿 - fully plant-based

🌿Hotels Bf - certified B Corp. with locations throughout Mexico

🌿 - using Door hangers made of sargassum and recycled cardboard (they took a problem and found a use for it)

🌿 - stay includes a donation to Amigos para la Conservación de Cabo Pulmo

🌍Where in the world should I focus on next? Or specific type of tourism (group trips, guides, etc)?✈️🚅

03/27/2025

Our first tour for 2026 is confirmed and it's a big one — join us on a one-of-a-kind adventure through Ecuador and The Galapagos!

🥳Dates: August 15 - 24, 2026
💰Price: $4,434 pp (based on double occupancy)
🐠Included Meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, & 8 dinners
🦭Where we go: Quito, Yunguilla Village, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Loberia, & Lobos islands (plus, one additional Galapagos day trip).
⚡Important note: the trip is almost halfway full 🎉

This trip is designed to immerse you in breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and incredible plant-based cuisine—all while experiencing some of the most unique wildlife on the planet.✨

🌇Discover Quito – Wander the historic streets of Ecuador’s capital on a guided city tour.
🥑Vegan Cooking Class – Learn to make traditional Ecuadorian dishes with a plant-based twist.
💚Live Like a Local – Stay in the vibrant village of Yunguilla, where you’ll engage in organic farming, reforestation, and traditional handicrafts.
🦀Explore the Galápagos Islands – Visit Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Lobos Island, and more, where you’ll witness incredible wildlife, including giant tortoises, sea lions, and blue-footed bo***es.

and so much more…! 🔥

View the full itinerary via the link in bio or ask ❓❓ below!

The next 2026 announcement is coming soon! To be the first to know, join the newsletter!🎊🎉

03/26/2025

💰 Vote with your dollars! 💰

Putting this together wasn’t easy — I almost didn't. Many companies aren’t exactly transparent about their alliances, and donation dollars don’t always tell the full story (see the screenshot on political donations from cruise companies). So I only focused on ones that were very clear with their priorities (meaning there are plenty of others that are sketch).🤦🏼

When it comes to political giving, some companies donate across the board, while others lean heavily one way or the other. Does an extra $7,000 to Republicans mean they’re fully aligned with the DEI-dismantling, MAGA agenda? Hard to say. But if you want to dig deeper, Open Secrets is a great resource for tracking political donations. If you’ve already booked with a company or are considering it, reach out and ask questions.❓

The next two slides highlight wildlife and animal welfare concerns, thanks to the incredible advocacy work of and . Both organizations provide more details on their websites, including ethical alternatives to book instead. 🦍🦈🦒

⚡ Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone.

With so much focus on where not to spend our money, it’s easy to feel exhausted. But if you’ve already booked something non-refundable, don’t stress—there are still ways to make a positive impact elsewhere. The goal isn’t perfection (is that even possible?); it’s about making better choices, trip by trip.

Coming soon: the good news! 🌍✨ There are companies doing the right thing, and they deserve your support. Stay tuned!

03/18/2025

💔Yesterday, our veggie travel tribe lost a member of its pack. Although Calvin's work ethic was questionable — he had a habit of dozing off in meetings, barking at all the wrong times, and flat-out walking away when uninterested — he brought immeasurable joy to everyone he met (he was once an unofficial office therapy dog, until he got in trouble!).😂

Over the last 18 years, this fluffy guy gave us countless laughs — from his bizarre but hilarious obsession with licking strangers’ legs (yes, super weird) to Lake Michigan road trips where he transformed into a Swiffer, somehow bringing an entire sand dune into the car. 🤦🏼😱

We hope he’s now trotting through doggie paradise, making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, and indulging in an unlimited supply of treats. 🐕💕💜

03/12/2025

Believe it or not, this job comes with a heavy dose of arguing. Some days I think I would've done well on the debate team.

Not long ago, I asked a hotel about their vegan breakfast options. Their answer? Fruit and toast—for $30. I laughed and asked, Would you pay that? They said no. So why do you think it’s okay to serve that to my client just because they don’t eat animal products? Cue the awkward silence.

I get it—change is hard.

While, it would be easier to just work with vegan & vegetarian hotels, the real progress happens when I have these tough (and often frustrating) conversations with mainstream hotels, suppliers, and guides. And you know what gets their attention? $$$. It’s amazing how quickly people start listening when their bottom line is at stake.

That’s why I jumped at the chance to write this opinion piece for Travel Pulse: The Rise of Vegan Travel: What Suppliers & Advisors Must Know.

Will they keep ignoring me? Maybe. Will I keep pushing? Absolutely.

Link to the article in my stories!

03/09/2025

One more trip this year with space....

🌿🇵🇹 Vegan Adventure Awaits in Portugal! 🍷✨

Join us on an unforgettable journey through Portugal’s most enchanting cities—where history, culture, and delicious vegan cuisine come together for the ultimate travel experience! 🌍🍽️

🌟 Trip Highlights:
📍 Explore the vibrant streets of Lisbon & enjoy its buzzing vegan food scene
🏰 Wander through the fairytale palaces of Sintra
🎶 Experience the haunting beauty of Fado music
🥧 Indulge in vegan pastel de nata (yes, they exist!)
🎨 Try your hand at Portuguese tile-making
🍷 Sip wine by the river in Porto & soak up the stunning views

✨ What’s Included? ✨
✅ Private local guide throughout the trip
✅ Boutique hotel accommodations
✅ Transportation between cities (excluding international airfare)
✅ 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 6 dinners

📅 Portugal is calling—are you in? Don’t wait too long—spots are limited! Click the link in bio to view the full itinerary! Or DM with ❓❓

03/07/2025

Back by popular demand — Join us for an unforgettable vegan adventure in Thailand! ✨🌿

Our first Thailand tour sold out fast, so we added another departure in December 2025! Don’t miss this chance to experience the trip of a lifetime! From spending a day at an ethical elephant sanctuary to hiking waterfalls, exploring stunning temples, and mastering Thai cuisine in a private vegan cooking class, this tour is packed with epic experiences.

🏝️ Relax or explore on the tropical island of Koh Pha Ngan
🍽️ Stay at a gorgeous vegan hotel in Chiang Mai
🚶‍♀️ Perfect mix of adventure & relaxation—all with a private local guide!
🚆 Seamless travel across Thailand, including flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai & Chiang Mai to Koh Pha Ngan

🌏 All while prioritizing responsible tourism & animal welfare ❤️

✨ Spaces are limited! The first trip sold out quickly—don’t wait to grab your spot!

📍 Drop a 🌿 in the comments if you want more details!

The photos are from our last trip — doesn't look like they had any fun, right?!

03/02/2025

Another can't skip place to stay in San Juan...🇵🇷

This eclectic boutique hotel is filled with so much charm, from the colorful wallpaper to the vintage furniture and cozy hammocks; no two spots are the same. Honestly, you’ll probably find yourself trying to catch a glimpse of other people’s rooms because every area is so creative. Their creativity and design also caught the attention of the Michelin Guide who recently honored them with a prestigious One Key.👏🏼

On the food front, The Dreamcatcher .welcome was the first vegetarian hotel in San Juan and features a daily vegan and vegetarian menu (additional cost) that is playfully displayed in the communal kitchen on chalkboards. In your hotel guide, they also outline additional vegan/vegetarian spots that you might want to check out in the area. 🔥

Oh, and you’re only a six-minute walk to the lovely beach!

⭐Highlights⭐

🌱Located in Ocean Park, close to shops, veggie restaurants, and the beach.

🌱Beach chairs, coolers, and snacks are available for purchase.

🌱There’s a great communal area with a kitchen for everyone to use.

🌱There are only 19 rooms, each is different, some include outdoor showers, terraces, lounge areas, and more.

🌱They also have apartments throughout San Juan and two houses, one in Luquillo and one in Naguabo, in case the hotel is sold out.

02/27/2025

You must stay here when in San Juan….🇵🇷

It feels like every room and suite in La Botanica has a different story to tell, from the whimsical garden suite to the dramatic glasshouse — they’re all just waiting for you to come and explore (and I’ll bet you will want to come back, too)! I can safely say I haven’t been to many other hotels that have been so creatively designed; it almost feels like a mistake to call it a hotel. ⭐💕

After a restful night, you’ll wake up to a morning yoga session and a colorful vegan Ayurvedic breakfast that changes regularly to highlight unique dishes and seasonal flavors. Staying on the food theme, the hotel also regularly hosts themed vegan pop-up dinners with local chefs.🌱

If you love La Botanica and want to explore more of Puerto Rico, you’ll be happy to know that the owner took her creative genius and opened another hotel on the beautiful island of Vieques. You can get there by ferry or a short flight and will want to rent a car once you get there. ✈️🚙

One important note, there are only six rooms, book ahead!

🔥Highlights:

💚Located in Ocean Park, close to shops, veggie restaurants, and the beach.
💚Breakfast is included with your stay and so is yoga! Coffee and tea are available all day in the kitchen area.
💚In your mini bar you’ll find a selection of fine, organic, vegan wines carefully selected by the owner.
💚There is a small shop onsite that highlights jewelry, artwork, and more from local designers

02/23/2025

This post was going to be about vegan food in San Juan, but after taking an IG break the first post I saw yesterday was, "Boycott the US, similar destinations to visit."

Of course, I'm not surprised; we have a psychotic Cheeto at the helm that's causing unprecedented terror. But I'm also incredibly sad and uncertain what this could mean for the millions of small businesses out there, including mine.

Over 75 million people in this country didn't vote for this, and many of us continue to use our voices, dollars, and businesses to continue fighting. But if the world turns its back on us, it will be incredibly hard (just look at history) to continue. That's the thing about our world: we don't live in a vacuum; everything is connected.

That's where broad-stroke boycotts don't work. You'll end up hurting people who are fighting to make change and people you just might care about, regardless if you know them. Instead, don't support (or stop) companies that don't align with your views. Don’t give them power to keep going. Included in this post is a recent article about the Target boycott, and I've highlighted travel companies who are supportive of the current administration and its initiatives.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a Canadian who said that while they appreciate my biz, they won't go on any of my trips. They don’t want to support US businesses for the next four years.

Here's part of my response. I hope any of you considering cutting us all out will consider this.

“Completely isolating an entire country during a challenging time like this will accomplish nothing, especially not supporting businesses continuing to try to create positive change. Every dollar you spend has an impact on the future & means even more to companies supporting veganism, sustainability, etc.

This world can't function in a vacuum, and at a time like this, those who care need to be stronger to continue to fight for what matters. Don't you want to make sure that businesses like mine survive? With this same thinking, you'd have to remove more than the US from your list of places not to support and visit, and that would harm many good people in the process.

01/30/2025

🎉 Come explore the vibrant streets of Lisbon, uncover the fairy-tale beauty of Sintra's colorful Pena Palace, and wander through the historic charm of Coimbra and Porto on this vegan tour! 🌱

Essential details:
⭐Dates: October 6-14, 2025
⭐Price: $3,875 pp (based on double occupancy)

We've got a jam-packed itinerary filled with amazing experiences like:

🔥Exploring Lisbon's trendy and historical neighborhoods.
🔥Visiting Castelo de Sao Jorge.
🔥Checking out where royalty once slumbered in the colorful Pena Palace.
🔥Enjoying a classic Fado show.
🔥Taking a relaxing boat ride down the Douro River.
🔥Learning the art of traditional Portuguese tile making.
🔥And, more!

From the haunting melodies of Fado to breathtaking coastal views, this journey promises to be a feast for the senses!

Want to learn more? 🤔 Click the link in bio or shoot me a DM!

01/12/2025

This will most likely be the death of me but I can't not say hi to the kitty! 🐈🐈‍⬛ I think I have as many kitty photos in my camera roll as scenic vistas or food 🤣

Case in point, meet Nina! 😺

She was our new kitty friend during our stay in Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica! 👋🏼 I'm sure she sensed a group of vegans would be her kind of people. She might have been as popular as the monkeys 🤣🐒

01/07/2025

What was your favorite thing you did or saw? 🤔

It’s a question I’m consistently asked after every trip. While the world is undoubtedly filled with breathtaking sights—I mean, who wouldn’t love to see a mom sloth with her baby during breakfast — the truth may come as a surprise.

My favorite part of every journey isn’t what I saw or did; it’s the people I had the chance to meet.

I’ve thought a lot about this recently, and over the past couple of years I’ve had some wild and uncomfortable experiences. No matter the challenges, it’s the connections I’ve made that have stayed with me. From sharing tea and learning about someone’s family in the heart of a medina to never-ending bus rides with strangers who quickly became friends, these encounters have been some of my favorites.

There’s a saying that if people saw the beauty of the world, they’d feel more compelled to protect it. I’d take that idea a step further: if people could see the beauty of the world and meet the people who call these places home, they’d feel an even stronger responsibility to safeguard it. Because suddenly, it’s no longer about a far-flung destination—it’s about someone you met, someone whose story touched you, someone you might even call a friend.

01/03/2025

⁉️Is Costa Rica vegan-friendly?🇨🇷

To be honest, I think it's far more vegetarian-friendly than vegan-friendly but not impossible! If you're visiting larger cities/towns, especially those frequented by travelers, you'll find vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly places.

📍Here are a few to pin on your Google Map:

💚San Jose

(vegan-friendly)
cr

💚Manuel Antonio/Quepos

(vg-friendly)

💚La Fortuna
(vg-friendly)

💚Monteverde
(vg-friendly, a mix of different places)

No matter where you're traveling in the country, it's important to understand a bit of the language, especially to differentiate between vegan and vegetarian. It's not uncommon for people to confuse the two.

✨Like this:

No como carne, pescado, leche, productos lácteos, huevos, queso, miel, o productos de origen animal.

You can easily practice the words/phrases with help from apps like YouTube or Duolingo!

ALSO! There are vegan & vegan friendly hotels & lodges ➡️ check out the full list on our website (link in bio). Just search for Costa Rica 😎😉

Questions/preguntas? ⏬

11/19/2024

It appears milk powder might be the winner! 🏆🤣🤦🏼 I really want to know who invented that nonsense!

What's the hardest or most annoying part about (food) travel for you? 🤔

Also, I'm on Threads! It's fun over there 🎉

10/24/2024

Nope, not gonna happen buddy 🤣😆 get an Uber!

09/24/2024

We kicked off the Veggies Abroad Vegan Tours & Travel (well, that's a mouthful, thanks fb 🤣)vegan tour to Bali yesterday! 🎉🥳💚 If you want to see the day by day highlights, follow our stories on Instagram! ☀️ (Veggiesabroad on IG)

02/21/2024

New podcast episode! 🎧🎊 I sat down with the head of HappyCow to chat about how it all got started and where those happy cows are headed!🐮💜

You can tune in on all podcast platforms! 🌱

https://open.spotify.com/episode/59TTrBk5JKdxGFcUDaXnO5?si=8dc3uI_EQf-L9PHK4j07-g

Veggies Abroad