Our host organization REC did an incredible job at making sure we made it to all of the destinations except one. They decided to skip one visit which was working (cooking) with youth. We interacted with the people of Ghana and felt welcomed by all. Our host team made a pivot when flooding in and around Accra shut the city down. We were to to use that day as a “free day”. This move skipped one event - the Welcome Dinner. The vision for the trip had us interacting with many Ghanaians and getting to know the culture of our ancestors in Ghana. The drivers were very experienced as they navigated the poor quality of the roads. The restaurants chosen were outstanding and what made it special was that we had plenty of time. We Never felt rushed. Our group leader Kimberlee, (REC Advisory Group) made sure that everyone was okay. There were lots of places to go and get hands-on experiences such as dancing and drumming, making batik designs on material we decided to use. We had a second free day to do what we wanted with no time constraints. Our host Kimberlee knew exactly how much time we needed at every stop. Coordinating all of it takes a well organized person to make it work. It became obvious that Kimberlee knew her way around Ghana. Knew the people. The folks at the various attractions gave her much respect which transferred down to us. She is a people person for certain. And that can make all the difference in the vibe of the trip. One thing consistent with what I experienced during my 1987 visit and this visit was the warm, kind, and welcoming spirit of the people. It takes a lot of skills to coordinate such a comprehensive tour and have it very interesting and informative. Me and Sandy were never bored or anxious about any part of the trip.

My overall impression of my trip to Ghana with REC is overwhelmingly positive. Ghana is an extraordinary country—beautiful, welcoming, historically significant, and endlessly fascinating. I came home with unforgettable memories and a much deeper understanding of its history, culture, and people. The itinerary included wonderful cultural experiences, from enjoying authentic Ghanaian cuisine and learning to play the African drum to shopping in lively markets and having custom clothing made by local artisans. I especially appreciated traveling with a small group, which allowed us to move at a comfortable pace and created opportunities for meaningful conversations with our guides. The most powerful moments were our visits to Cape Coast Castle, Osu Castle, and the River of the Last Bath. These are deeply emotional places, and our guides handled these visits with sensitivity, giving us the time and space we needed to reflect. I also found the visits to the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park both educational and inspiring. Like any international trip—especially one in a developing country—there were a few bumps along the way. Communication before departure could have been better, and a few activities originally advertised were ultimately removed from the itinerary because our group was smaller than anticipated. I was disappointed to miss those experiences, but I also recognize that small-group travel sometimes requires adjustments to remain financially viable. Looking back, what stays with me is not the inevitable travel glitches but how hard the REC team worked to address them. Their genuine commitment to ensuring we had a meaningful, memorable experience was evident throughout the trip, and that effort is every bit as memorable as Ghana's extraordinary history, culture, and people. Would I recommend visiting Ghana? Without hesitation. REC provided a thoughtful introduction to an unforgettable country, and I would gladly travel with them again.

My family had an amazing cultural immersion experience to Ghana this summer, thanks to REC Advisory and Under the Baobab! The tour sponsors were thoughtful and knowledgeable, and curated deeply meaningful experiences across, Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi and Tamale, that were designed to foster a deep connection with the rich history, culture and people of Ghana. I’ve been enriched by the overall experience and highly recommend REC Advisory for your travel needs to and across Ghana.

My recent adventure through Ghana, curated by Recadvisorygroup, was an unforgettable experience that exceeded all my expectations! This transformative journey took me on and off the beaten path, unveiling a vibrant rainbow of sights, sounds, and scents. Each moment felt like discovering something new while also feeling a deep sense of familiarity and comfort. It was truly a remarkable exploration that left an indelible mark on my heart, inspiring me to embrace the beauty of a country and its people with open arms.

I joined the Ghana trip with high expectations because Busboys and Poets has built a reputation around community, social justice, education, and meaningful cultural engagement. I traveled from Seattle, while my travel partner, Dana Hallman, traveled from Washington, D.C. Dana highly recommended this experience. Unfortunately, the trip did not meet my expectations of what a true community travel program should be. What surprised me the most was that no representative from Busboys and Poets accompanied the group. For a program centered on community travel, this was a significant missed opportunity. There was no one from B&P to facilitate meaningful connections, provide historical context, build relationships with local communities, encourage citizen-to-citizen exchanges, share stories, or support travelers through the emotional aspects of the journey. The experience relied almost entirely on local guides, while the organization itself remained absent. The lack of preparation before departure was equally disappointing. We never received a group Zoom meeting or orientation to familiarize travelers with one another, review the itinerary, discuss expectations, explain visa requirements, answer questions, or prepare us for the emotional significance of visiting Ghana. This basic level of preparation is essential for any international group experience, especially one focused on history, identity, and cultural understanding. The logistical planning also reflected a lack of attention to travelers' needs. During the extension to Mole National Park in Tamale, our hotel room was assigned with only one bed for two adults. It should never be assumed that two adult travelers—whether friends or not—are comfortable sharing a bed. This should have been identified and communicated before booking, allowing travelers to make informed decisions or request alternative accommodations. Instead, the issue became the responsibility of the travelers to resolve. Adding to this concern, upon returning from the three-day Tamale extension, we were informed that our hotel room in Accra would only be available "if there was availability." After traveling for days, participants should never have to worry about whether they will have a confirmed room waiting for them. This created unnecessary stress that could have been completely avoided with proper planning. Beyond logistics, I believe Busboys and Poets missed an opportunity to provide the emotional leadership that this journey deserved. Ghana's history, particularly the history of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, is profoundly moving and often overwhelming. There were no facilitated reflection sessions, processing circles, or opportunities for travelers to collectively unpack the emotions that naturally arise from visiting these historical sites. Community travel should create intentional spaces for reflection, dialogue, and healing, not simply transportation from one destination to another. I also hoped the program would place greater emphasis on protecting Story Sovereignty—ensuring that local narratives, Indigenous traditions, and historical trauma are shared entirely on the community's own terms and with informed consent. Respectful cultural exchange requires careful stewardship, and I believe Busboys and Poets could play a much stronger role in modeling this principle. Despite my disappointment with the organization, Ghana itself was extraordinary. The local guides, historians, artists, performers, and community members shared their knowledge generously and made the experience meaningful. I made a conscious effort to travel responsibly by fairly compensating local guides, historians, performers, and artisans through purchases and tips that recognized their expertise. I sought to minimize my environmental footprint, approached every interaction with humility, listened more than I spoke, and embraced the unpredictability that naturally comes with community-based travel. Before arriving, I invested time in learning about Ghana's history and the painful legacy of slavery because I believe respectful travel begins long before boarding the plane. My criticism is not directed toward Ghana or its people. Rather, it is directed toward Busboys and Poets' execution of what was presented as a community travel experience. Community travel requires more than booking hotels and transportation. It requires preparation, thoughtful leadership, cultural facilitation, emotional support, and attention to the needs of every traveler. Based on this experience, I would not choose to travel with Busboys and Poets again. I sincerely hope the organization reflects on this feedback and strengthens its approach so future travelers receive the meaningful, well-supported community experience that its mission promises.