Intro
Intro
Vacation with a Purpose
Some of the most rewarding and fulfilling vacations are those in which you truly are able to engage with everything around you. We all enjoy an escape from our day-to-day reality and being completely worry-free while away from home, but at the same time we still want to know and be known. We want to have an experience with the people and the culture who are so graciously welcoming us as their guests. Travel can impact our lives in ways that will last much longer than the week we are on vacation. We believe that it can have an even greater purpose. It can change the way we approach our world, our cities, and our neighbors for the better. Vacation with a Purpose is designed to provide a relaxing and rejuvenating week of vacation, while at the same time connecting you to a snapshot of culture and humanity that will challenge and inspire as you return home.
This particular idea for Vacation with a Purpose originated out of a desire to introduce others to an underrated and beautiful corner of the world--Honduras. For most of the last decade, the country of Honduras has been caught in a paradox of two conflicting realities. On the one hand, some of us are familiar with the Honduras we hear about in the news--violence perpetuated by drug trafficking and gangs that has resulted in a mass exodus of refugees seeking asylum and safety outside of the country. On the other hand, while that is a daily reality for many, it is not true for everyone. There is a flip side to the violence that dominates the media--a sense of welcome, peace and love for life that is embedded deep into the Honduran culture. These trips to Honduras attempt to hold both realities in tension, not glossing over the harshness of life that effects so many, but using this as an opportunity to educate ourselves and be a positive presence of hope.
Trips are never short on incredible memories, and they often happen at the most unexpected times. We try to balance a planned agenda while also leaving room for spontaneity. Check our TRIPS page for more details on each individual trip, but in general you can expect a variety of unique cultural experiences, sharing meals with locals, opportunities to serve, plenty of laughs, and often feeling like the trip was one big family reunion (despite having not actually known anyone before coming!).
This is not a mission trip. It is not a service trip. But as you can tell, our vision is intricately connected to providing opportunities for you to experience the culture and engage with locals. We will spend time with established non-profits in the area--visiting summer camps, after-school programs, and maybe even teaching an art class or playing a pick-up game of soccer. UrbanPromise Honduras is an non-profit organization located in western Honduras that serves as our primary partner. Their staff provided the initial vision for Vacation with a Purpose and now help coordinate all trips.
“Every day felt like I was on another episode of the travel channel.”
FAQ
Testimonies and FAQ's
FAQ
Testimonies and FAQ's
What makes an adventure with Discovering Honduras different from any other kind of trip?
Connection-- with yourself by letting the beauty and slower life bring you back to center, with others who may walk a different road than you, and with an amazing ministry that is doing life-transforming work that is best seen firsthand.
Kourtney de la Cruz, teacher
It was such a community feel. My husband and I do a lot of international travel but this was certainly unique and one of my favorites. It is the best 2-for-1 ever! You get to experience a new country AND participate in a meaningful organization that's making a huge impact.
Jordan Murphy, occupational therapist
What should I expect on an average day?
The specifics of trip itineraries and daily activities are best understood by reviewing the specific Trip Pages. Generally speaking, there are still some key pieces that are common to all of our trips.
- Vacation with a Purpose is like family. Sharing meals, sharing new experiences and sharing great conversation as we reflect on the trip together.
- This is first and foremost a vacation. Not a mission or service trip.
- While it is not a mission or service trip, we are intentional about engaging with people doing great work for the community. UrbanPromise Honduras is our primary partner.
- We operate trips in communities and neighborhoods where we have established relationships. Locals often join us for meals, providing opportunity for storytelling and learning about life from new perspectives.
- You will be doing some things that never appear on a tourist website and eating at some places that will never appear on TripAdvisor or Yelp.
How has your life changed after visiting honduras?
I appreciate and delight in the simplicity and beauty of the everyday. I understand more deeply that life really is all about relationships and that is what needs to determine our priorities.
Rachel Ramos, UrbanPromise Honduras co-founder
I saw a group of people at UPH that are making a difference in the lives of children and adults alike. I want to be a part of that! I took away an appreciation for family and realizing how much of my time is focused on me. I brought home a purpose to take a step away from being “plugged in” and focus more on what truly matters.
Andrea Gardner, nurse
When I research Honduras in the news it sounds like a dangerous place. Will we be safe?
This is one of our most common questions. Obviously we cannot guarantee anything, but we do take extra precaution to make these trips as safe as possible. We take private transportation at all times, have trip coordinators present with the group at all times, and have established relationships with all guides, restaurants and activities that are incorporated into the trip. Honduras does have some dangerous areas, but they are most often limited to very specific cities, neighborhoods and networks of people. Our trips do not overlap with the areas known for lack of safety.
We felt very safe the entire time we were there. We walked most places we went (in Copán) and were never concerned for our safety. Even people who knew very little Spanish were able to walk about the town freely.
Geoffrey Ogden, marketing administrator
I never felt unsafe while in Honduras. Yes it is in the news and has some dangerous cities, but Copán and many of the places you will visit are small towns where everyone knows everyone and is very friendly and welcoming.
Meg Robinson, freelance designer and mom
I’m a little nervous because I have never traveled to Central America. What kind of people would you recommend joining a trip to Honduras?
Those looking for a great vacation, some adventure, some opportunities to serve, new friends, and engaging with a different culture in many unforgettable ways. We have a wide range of participate on our trips--from young to old, veteran travelers and even first-time travelers outside of their home country! You begin the week as strangers meeting for the first time, but you finish the week as a family of new friends.
I've seen such a variety of people come through that it's hard to say. Any person whose heart is still beating should consider it:)
Kourntey de la Cruz, teacher
What will we be eating?
We try and include just about anything that you might find in Honduran cuisine. There will be a variety of meals, from more upscale to hole-in-the-wall spots that only locals know about. Honduras has a lot to offer and you will have the opportunity to sample a little bit of everything. Feel free to check out restaurant reviews on TripAdvisor. We will visit a handful of well-known spots but will also have some surprises. We are confident that you will leave with a couple favorites!
How much does the trip cost?
Prices vary depending on the expedition. Review our Trips page and each specific trip for more detailed information.
What are the trip dates?
Dates also vary for each trip. Review our Trips page and each specific trip for more detailed information.
People
TRIP LEADERS
People
TRIP LEADERS
BLAIR QUINIUS,
URBANPROMISE HONDURAS FOUNDER
In 2007 Blair Quinius went to Honduras for the first time. He thought that it would be for only one year. God had different plans and Blair was eager to take him up on the adventure. Blair and a small team founded UrbanPromise Honduras (UPH) and in 2011 he managed to convince his soon-to-be wife, Lauren, to pack up and join him. UPH leadership had the initial goal of establishing the ministry, and then empowering local leaders to take ownership. The entire work of UPH is now supervised primarily by Honduran leaders! Blair and Lauren transitioned back to the United States at the end of 2014, and now live in Nashville. Blair now spends his time equipping Latin American leaders to establish similar models of youth ministry throughout the region. He wants others to experience the Honduras that he has come to love so much. A Honduras favorite for Blair would be a baleada with an ice cold Coca-cola.
LAUREN QUINIUS,
TRIP COORDINATOR
Lauren never dreamed of getting married and moving to Honduras, but looking back, she would have it no other way. After years of long distance dating, she married Blair, moved to Honduras and became an integral part of UPH during the founding years. Lauren is now a speech therapist in the Nashville public school system, working with a large population of immigrant families. She has discovered the joys of travel in Central America and hopes to point others in the same direction. She would love a piece of Cafe Welchez flan de queso right now!
DERRICK TENNANT,
TRIP COORDINATOR
Derrick’s first connected with the Urban Promise family in 1989 when he served as a college intern for their summer youth camps. Decades later, Derrick met Blair at an Urban Promise reunion and was excited to support him as he started UPH in 2008. Derrick took his first trip to Honduras in 2015 and fell completely in love. He is excited to share with others the beauty and culture he discovered. Derrick makes his living as a comedian and motivational speaker and keeps a home in Nashville, TN.