What does it mean to travel kindly?
It is not only about eating vegan food or choosing eco-friendly products. It is also about how we move through the world, how we treat local people, and how we care for the places we visit.
In this episode of The World Vegan Travel Podcast, Brighde chats with Bree and Ben from the vegan travel blog It’s Bree and Ben. Their work focuses on kind travel, vegan travel, ethical choices, and cultural literacy in travel.
Together, they explore how travelers can be more thoughtful in national parks, cities, accommodations, and everyday travel moments.
“Updated for 2026: Some original website link from this episode are no longer active, so this post has been refreshed with current information where available.”
Meet Bree and Ben
Bree and Ben are the creators of It’s Bree and Ben, an ethical travel platform focused on kind travel, kind eating, and kind shopping.
Originally from California, they packed up in 2017 and took a long road trip across Canada. Since then, they have explored many parts of North America and created vegan travel guides to help people make kinder choices.
Their message is simple: travel can be joyful, but it should not harm people, animals, or the planet.
What Is Cultural Literacy in Travel?
Cultural literacy travel means being aware of the people, history, customs, and daily life of the places we visit.
It asks us to slow down and think before we act.
This can include:
- Learning local customs before you arrive
- Being careful when taking photos of people
- Respecting sacred places and natural spaces
- Supporting local businesses
- Thinking about the impact of where you stay
- Reducing waste while traveling
It is about being a guest, not just a visitor.
Mass Tourism in National Parks
Bree and Ben talk about the impact of mass tourism in national parks.
Places like Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon are beautiful, but they can also become overwhelmed by visitors.
When too many people visit without care, it can damage trails, disturb wildlife, and create waste problems.
Simple choices can help.
Stay on marked paths. Pack out your trash. Keep a safe distance from animals. Follow park rules. Visit at quieter times if you can.
These small actions help protect the places we love.
Mass Tourism in Cities
The episode also looks at mass tourism in cities.
Popular destinations can become difficult for local people when too many homes are turned into short-term rentals or when visitor numbers grow too quickly.
This does not mean we should stop traveling. It means we should make better choices.
For example, we can:
- Stay in locally owned accommodation
- Avoid illegal or harmful short-term rentals
- Eat at local restaurants
- Shop from small businesses
- Respect quiet residential areas
Kind travel means remembering that people live in the places we visit.
Reducing Waste While Traveling
Bree and Ben also share ideas for reducing waste on the road.
This connects beautifully with vegan travel, because many vegan travelers already care deeply about reducing harm.
Useful items to bring include:
- A reusable water bottle
- A reusable shopping bag
- Reusable cutlery
- A food container
- Cloth napkins
- Low-waste toiletries
You do not need to travel perfectly. Even a few small swaps can make a difference.
Taking Photos Respectfully
One of the most important parts of cultural literacy travel is thinking carefully before taking photos.
Not every moment needs to become content.
Before photographing people, ask permission. Be especially careful around children, religious places, private homes, and communities where you are a guest.
A beautiful photo is never worth making someone feel uncomfortable.
Final Thoughts
This episode is a reminder that vegan travel is part of a bigger conversation.
Yes, it matters what we eat. But it also matters how we show up in the world.
Cultural literacy travel helps us move with more care, more humility, and more awareness.
When we travel kindly, we create better experiences for ourselves and for the people and places we visit.
Learn More About What We Discuss
- Skunk Cabbage
- Buffleduck
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Crisis in our national parks: how tourists are loving nature to death
- Airbnb Situation in Greek Islands
- Airbnb situation in NYC
- Dos and Don’t at National Parks
- The waste problem at America’s National Parks
- How to be a good Airbnb guest
- How to get the perfect photo
- How over-tourism is affecting our national parks
Other World Vegan Travel content connected with this episode
- # 7 | Traveling as a Vegan in Greece | Nina from Lemons and Luggage
- # 14 | Sustainable Travel | Brighde Reed
- Zero Waste Travel Tips – The Nomadic Vegan
- Ultimate Vegan Carry on Packing List with Free Printable PDF Checklist
