Guilt-free pleasures

With one-in-three Brits admitting to feeling guilty at least once a day, and worries about not being eco-friendly enough topping the list, a tour operator has launched a range of breaks which aim to offset personal guilt.

While of little interest to a worry-free 15 per cent who claim to have never felt guilty in their life, the new online tool launched today by meaningful travel company i-to-i allows holidaymakers to match a ‘guilt trip’ to meet their individual sins.

After answering a range of questions at i-to-i.com/guilt-trips, the free online calculator works out personal guilt levels and then recommends meaningful overseas trips designed to specifically offset that guilt.

The research showed that, after eco-friendliness (31%), ‘not being involved in the community’ (29%) was the second most popular response – a quarter (25%) of Brits claim that not giving enough to charity caused them the most guilt. Meanwhile, ‘Food & drink’ (49%) and ‘Clothes’ (16%) were top of a poll of our guiltiest pleasures.

Mat Lewis at i-to-i said: “We are constantly made to feel guilty, so we felt it was about time people were given a chance to redeem themselves. The calculator will assess your guiltiness and find the perfect trip for you, based on your confessions.

“The i-to-i portfolio of volunteering holidays offers unique experiences that provide an exciting overseas adventure whilst giving something back to a local community abroad – perfect for that feel-good glow inside and out. The range of trips available spans the globe and includes conservation, community development and teaching projects, which can last from one-week to a whole year, depending on how guilty you are.”

To test your individual levels of guilt and find a personal ‘Guilt Trip’ to match, visit i-to-i.com/guilt-trips, the breaks include:

Community Work in Coastal Sri Lanka

Volunteer in this beautiful region and you can play your part in helping a local community to get back on its feet after the damage of the tsunami. You will take part in a variety of activities and help with children of the local community centre helping both the local environment and local people. Activities include general care and assistance in the local community including teaching English and basic life skills to all ages, you will also have the chance to see the island’s stunning natural diversity helping out the turtle project in the area.

Prices from £795 for two weeks including: accommodation in shared rooms in a volunteer house, breakfast and dinner, airport pickup, in-country orientation, pre-departure helpdesk, local in-country team and 24 hours emergency support.

Community Work with Children in Buenos Aires, Argentina

i-to-i offers a rewarding opportunity to travel and make a real difference to young children's lives. As a volunteer at one of the care homes, which aim to provide support and care for orphaned and disadvantaged children, you will get involved in a variety of activities including teaching basic English, accompanying the children to medical appointments, organising sports and other recreational activities as well assisting with maintaining and running the home.

Prices from £695 per person, including: accommodation in shared homestay, breakfast, online TEFL course, airport pick-up, 24/7 in country support, arrival orientation and pre-departure support. Volunteers can travel from two to 12 weeks.

Ecuador Team Challenges

This is a two week start-to-finish project that is ideal for anyone wanting to work hard at the same time as having fun. You will get to see the results of all of your hard work by the end of this project where you could be building trails or an orchid garden. It’s not all hard work and no play, along with 15 days of volunteering this project allows time for a weekend white-water rafting excursion.

Prices from £995 for two weeks including: varied shared accommodation in cabin, volunteer house and hostels, three meals a day, airport pickup, in-country orientation, pre-departure helpdesk, local in-country team and 24hr emergency support.

South India Team Challenges

This Meaningful Challenge allows participants to work in a group of up to 30 like-minded people to make a positive impact as well as getting to experience the amazing and life changing destination of India. There are two different challenges on offer in India, one is the regeneration of buildings in poor schools to provide places for children to study and develop their reading skills and another playing a part in a rural re-forestation scheme aiming to help restore the local environment and play a part in the prevention of local climate change.

Prices from £895 for two weeks, including: shared accommodation in a dorm or shared room, three meals a day, airport pick-up, in-country orientation, pre-departure helpdesk, local in-country team and 24 hour emergency support.

Lion conservation in South Africa

A unique opportunity to help out at one of South Africa’s premier conservation projects. You’ll help care for lions, cheetahs and leopards as well as feeding the parks most precious inhabitants… young lion cubs.

Prices from £995 for two weeks, including: accommodation in shared luxury tents at project and shared hostel, airport pickup and in-country orientation, pre-departure helpdesk, local in-country team and 24hr emergency support.

Costa Rica Beach and Forest Conservation

This project offers the exceptional opportunity to work on two unique ecology conservation projects in Costa Rica’s national parks. You will work side by side with Costa Ricans as you help to construct trails, develop education programmes. You will also work helping to maintain the overall beauty of the sandy coasts and luscious mountainous regions of Costa Rica through eco-tourism development and reforestation in Costa Rica’s national parks.

Prices from £895 for four weeks including: shared accommodation in hostels, homestays and hostels (dependent on location), all meals, airport pickup, in-country orientation, pre-departure help desk, local in-country team and 24hour emergency support.

* Flights must be arranged separately for all projects

For further details, visit i-to-i.com/guilt-trips