“I wish I could travel, but this is sooooo expensive”.
How many times have you heard this one... Just this week... Seriously?
I know this is a time of crisis and unemployment, but I’m sick and tired of the old can’t travel tune. Fact is the latter has the advantage of giving you a lot of spare time, while the former should make you creative on how to spend your money and gain meaningful experiences. In other words, they’re just excuses. So let’s be done with it once and for all. I’ve created this list of 10 crazily cool places that are waiting for you to knock at the door to give you love, a shelter, food, unique social experiences and a lifetime opportunity you will not forget anytime soon. All of this for FREE. You don’t believe me? Then check it out by yourself, my friend.
#1 - Fire up the bar at the Bed and Be Hostel in Cordoba, Spain
Remember that last time you dreamed of sunny holidays with your best friends, eating tapas, partying like there’s no tomorrow… You made plans to go to Spain, almost bought the tickets, but then the so-called friends started to make up excuses and it never happened. Well, good news! Your (new) best friends already left and this time, you’re the one late to the party and making excuses. In Cordoba, there’s a huge house full of fun people, the Bed and Be Hostel, waiting for you to take over the bar and welcome them to earn your free accommodation. But it won’t last forever, sister, so book your ticket for yesterday, already ;)
www.worldpackers.com/locations/bed-and-be-hostel
#2 - Live like a Bedouin at the Galilee Camplodge in Israel
Ideally located between the Alonei Aba Natural Reserve and the Zippori National Park in a little village North of Israel, at equal distance from the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea is the Galilee Bedouin Camplodge. There, you can live pleasant days in a magical place far from the fuss of this crazy world, sleeping in a tipi tent in the middle of the nature, helping Izhar & Irit to take care of the camp, socializing with guests from the entire world, and use your spare time hiking and biking a beautiful region rich in history, once part of the Romans and Byzantine empires, yet little known from the modern world.
#3 - Turn a Pirate at Piratas da Praia in Recife, Brazil
Moving your office to a Brazilian beach called “Boa Viagem”, how does that sound? From an admin freak to a handy superman, an artsy hipster or an internet nerd, no matter what your best skill is, there is a use for it in exchange of a fluffy bed at the Piratas da Praia Hostel CoWorking. On top of that, you’ll get to be vested with the powers of a pirate from the modern world, sworn to defend the values of sustainability and friendliness by Paulo, the crazy captain of this unique retreat. Unique downside, you’ll have to deal with way too much fun and love, provided that you share your meals, if not cook them once in a while, with your crew. What a nightmare… but who said the life as a pirate was easy?
#4 - Teach English & Soccer at the Thong Tos Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand
There is a place on Earth full of life and children crazy about soccer, whose dream beyond becoming the next Ronaldo is to be able to understand and grow in this complicated world. It’s called the Thong Tos Foundation, and this one is actually a bit of a challenge: ever tried teaching English to a bunch of brats? Now think about it while playing football ;) But I dare you to imagine the size of the personal reward that comes with it. Feel you heart pounding already? It’s only a preview. In fact, It’s Bangkok calling you for a mad mad cheap cheap trip. And now is the right time, buddy!
#5 - Be a Tour Guide in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (yep!)
So you’re really into something different, huh? Or you just wish to improve your leadership skills? Easy, either way, go be a tour guide in Greenland at the Kangerlussuaq Vandrehjem. That is… if you’re not scared of musk-ox or reindeers and won’t faint at the first aurora borealis. So get your jacket on (Seriously, do! And a scarf, too) and train hard. When you’re able to pronounce Kangerlussuaq without sluttering, you are ready to fly out and own this little piece of white paradise at the edge of the world.
#6 - Shoot like a Paparazzi at the Balmers Hostel in Switzerland
If you’re one of a kind photograph, or an inspired video producer, there’s a bunch of places where you could get yourself a free pass, but very few as cool as the Balmers Hostel, a family business gone mad for 3 generations. Host of 200 adrenaline addicts in summertime, the Balmers make it look like the tower of Babel moved its HQ to the mountains and decided to host an international party. Get your paparazzi costume on, capture all the fun they’re having and no one will ever present you a bill for your stay. Sounds incredible, I know, and yet...
#7 - Heal the Soil of the Sapney Farms in Auroville, India
Namaste! You could be the very next citizen of the international experimental township of Auroville (ndlr: Google it if you haven’t heard of it, this will blow your mind. You’re back? Cool, cause this, too, will blow your brains out.) For hundreds of years this entire land was nothing but dry and lifeless but the Heal The Soil project from the Sapney Adventure Farms grew way more than life itself. This very small non-profit organization has done an amazing work with local communities, schools, permaculture workshops, eco-consultancy and sustainable design implementations and you’re invited to take part of it. Oh, and they have bikes and 99 lakes, too. What?!
#8 - Own a riad at the Equity-Point in Marrakech, Morocco
What if you could walk in the shoes of Aladdin and own one of those old mystical Arab palaces from the 1001 nights tales, with plenty of graceful details and a unique architecture, but with a gorgeous swimming pool in the middle, a bar on fire at night, a kitchen a sultan couldn’t dream of and gardens hiding the most exotic flowers. Sounds like a dream? Inch’Allah? Well, not really. The riad of the Equity-Point Marrakech all yours, if you want it. Help yourself!
#9 - Save the Rainforest in an Indigenous Center, in the heart of the Amazon
You’ve probably read the jungle book when you were young, or watched the movie more recently, and got both fascinated by the beauty nature has to offer and revolted by the efforts men put into work to destroy it all. Well, wake up Mowgli, cause there is your chance to save the planet. Located in the heart of the Amazon, the Kaninde Indigenous Training Center provides a unique opportunity to support indigenous communities and local activists working to save the rainforest.
#10 - Cook your way to the Cosy Garden of Guilin in China
This last one is for adventurous gourmets and wanna-be world chefs. Located in the beautiful Guangxi province bordering Vietnam, is this cosy mansion with a cosy garden and a unique view on the breathe-taking Nanling Mountains. There is a Chinese chef, frustrated with his limited knowledge of the western cuisine, craving for a kitchen companion to exchange tips and tricks. I personally can’t think of a better place to learn the secrets of the Chinese gastronomy, so sharpen your knife, pack the recipes from old’ grandma and get going. The bed is on them, and you’re already in the kitchen, so you won’t be starving either. To The Cosy Garden of Guilin, driver!
#Bonus Track - Join the Membus Road Trip through Europe
You couldn’t make up your mind about one place, could you? You’d love to jump from a cool spot to another like a flea on steroid in a dog kennel and meet zillions of people in a very short time? How much I get you, my friend, you have no idea! Now what if I told you that the iconic 70’s double decker Membus is currently travelling through 9 European countries to record 10,000 micro-videos of local people, throwing parties here and there, and that if you can give them a hand with your interpersonal skills, you’ll get a seat (and a bed, and food) on-board! But run, Forest, cause it’s already on the road and won’t be driving forever.
So here we go my poor “got-no-money-to-travel” buddy, that’s not 10 but 11 ways to prove you wrong that - cherry on the flying cake - come along with extraordinary experiences you probably never ever dared of dreaming. Now whatever makes you thrill, start packing cause life is happening out there while you’re moping pitifully.
Disclaimer: I’m a storyteller at Worldpackers.com, a platform providing you with meaningful travel experiences in more than 100 countries, where you can use your skills in exchange for an accommodation. That also means I see people from all over the world travel every day to these destinations and many more, having the time of their lives while hardly spending anything on food and accommodation. What are you waiting for?