The GST WAY: Many dream of sleeping in an Anatolian Cave hotel in Goreme, Turkey. The caves come with a rich, complex history and are a once in a lifetime experience to visit. Because the landscape is so unique, hot air ballooning is a popular activity, and tourism has exploded in the past decade. This has helped the economy and also created problems for the locals. Many generational Cappadocians are struggling to keep up with foreign investors. Out of the hundreds or more hotels in the region, only a handful are locally owned and operated. We have the scoop on which ones to visit and what to look for when visiting.

The GST WAY: Who isn’t thrilled by the idea of being up close and personal with exotic wildlife? Riding elephants and visiting the “Tiger Temple” are a top draw in Thailand and South East Asia. What some people don’t realize is that these animals are bred in captivity, which means the young are taken away from their mothers, are often underfed, and get little exercise. Many places advertise donating their profits to conservation, but don’t. Animal tourism, in general, can be problematic. So how do you know who you can trust? At GST we LOVE animals and want to interact with them in a respectful way. We’ll help you vet options that are genuinely working with the wildlife in their natural habitat, and who celebrate that this is their territory, not ours.

The GST WAY: Taking the subway in NYC is an efficient and great way to minimize your environmental impact, as is taking a ferry in Greece. Sometimes, however, you can’t avoid air travel. For example, you have to take a small air carrier to get you from Oslo to Tromso, Norway. Once you are there, though, is where the fun begins. You can take the bus or trolley to all major spots and even remote settings. We also offer carbon offsetting as an option if your trip requires heavy air travel.

The GST WAY: Nearly a quarter of all diamonds sold worldwide are considered “conflict” or “blood” diamonds. There has a been a long history in the diamond industry of violence, smuggling, worker exploitation and environmental degradation. Most consumers don’t realize that the rings they purchase are still tangled up in this dilemma. Places like Zimbabwe and Angola have suffered the most from the industry and 85% of diamonds come from those regions. Looking for an engagement ring with ethically sourced diamonds? We’ve got you covered.

The GST WAY: Baja, Mexico has recently been dubbed the “Napa Valley” of Mexico. After the real estate crash in 2008, the economy really struggled to get back on their feet and many were left scrambling to find work. In 2012 the Valle de Guadalupe started to gain notoriety for their wines. The climate and rich soil gave way to a diversity of grapes to be harvested. The locals rose to the challenge and started to craft wines that are winning awards around the world. GST will help you find organic and biodynamic vintners in the area that you can sample and tour.

The GST WAY: There is difference between voluntouring and responsible “giving back.” For instance, there are many fake orphanages that are a ploy to take money from tourists. At GST we take a deeper look at local organizations and their history in order to examine the pros and cons of interacting with them. Like to get your hands dirty? We have a list of places that work with gardening projects, animal rehabilitation, and community building projects. For example, you can spend the day with baby sea turtles in Bali Indonesia with a rescue and release program.