One
of the most common conundrums when it comes to travel is how to make
your funds match up with your expectations. You may feel like you
deserve the five-star treatment but when your budget is, well, budget,
sacrifices have to be made.
Sure, you could survive three weeks on
a hand-luggage allowance or sleep on the beach, but what if you could
stay somewhere amazing for an absolute steal?
We’ve found four either entirely or almost free ways of making your destination-based dreams a reality.
A picturesque Parisian bookshop
If
you haven’t heard of Shakespeare and Company, chances are you’ve seen
it - it must be one of the most Instagrammed places in Paris. Its
higgledy-piggledy interiors, literary heritage and photogenic shop front
make it something of a blogger's mecca. But less-well known is the fact
that you can stay in this little shop in the Latin Quarter for free.
There is a catch though; you have to have a way with words. Shakespeare
and Company welcomes authors, playwrights and poets, called Tumbleweeds,
to rest their heads in its cosy corners. In exchange guests must read a
book a day (so you may have to brush up on your speed reading), spend a
few hours working in the shop and complete a one-page autobiography for
its archives.
You’ll either stay in the flat above or in a bed
nestled among the books, so if you don’t love the smell of a dusty tome,
this might not be for you. If you do decide to stay, you’ll be in good
company, the shop has hosted 30,000 Tumbleweeds in its time and the
likes of Allen Ginsberg, Anaïs Nin and Dave Eggers have either
frequented or lodged at the shop. Just imagine the TripAdvisor reviews
they’d have left…
A monastery in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley
Ever sat at your desk
wondering if you should give up your hectic stress-filled life, donate
all your possessions to charity and move halfway around the world to
become a monk? While that might be a bit extreme, a monastery stay could
be the ideal opportunity to get in touch with your spiritual side.
There are monasteries around the world that offer basic accommodation
for travellers in exchange for a small donation. These trips shouldn’t
be taken lightly, however, as it goes without saying that monasteries
are deeply sacred spaces and all guests will be required to respect the
rules of the religion while there. This may mean not consuming alcohol,
sticking to separate sleeping areas for men and women, and covering up.
However, good behaviour will be rewarded with an incredibly rich
cultural experience and (almost) free accommodation. Well worth it we
say.
Try Kopan Monastery, located in the ancient Buddhist town of
Boudhanath in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, the San Giorgio Monastery on the
waterside in Venice (the monastery has neither website nor email so
call +39 041 241 4717 for availability) or check out monasterystays.com.
An eco-village of tree-houses in the Dominican Republic
If
you’re willing to exchange your skills for a stay then Worldpackers
could be the scheme for you. While many of the locations require manual
labour like farm work or cleaning, there are some locations that are
looking for social media skills, teaching help or musical talent. So not
only is it a great way to cut your travelling costs, it could boost
your CV at the same time.
Some of the most popular locations
include an eco-village of tree houses in the Domincan Republic which
offers free meals, laundry, and bikes in exchange for providing a few
hour’s music each night, or a horse therapy institute in Brazil where
guests can enjoy holistic therapies, hiking tours and free food in
exchange for digital and social media savvy. All those who travel with
Worldpackers will also benefit from their travel insurance, so you can
enjoy your time away with real peace of mind.
A luxury beach villa in Ko Samui, Thailand
Most
people’s perception of home exchanges probably comes from The Holiday.
But far from just a rom-com plot, a home swap is a practical way to
minimise accommodation costs. Plus it’s ideal for Londoners as you might
be surprised by how many people are looking for a bolthole in the
capital.
Home swap sites are bit like Airbnb without the fees, but
remember with most schemes your home will need to roughly match up in
size, location and cost with that of the person you’ll be swapping with.
Something to bear in mind before you request a stay in a sprawling LA
mansion if you live in a 1-bed in Leytonstone. However, there is some
hope - home exchange website Love Home Swap allows you to build up
points by letting others stay in your home without swapping, which you
can then put towards somewhere amazing. It’s particularly handy if you
already have a holiday planned, divide your time between homes or are
blessed with especially understanding family and friends. Some of Love
Home Swap’s best properties include a luxury beach villa in Thailand’s
Ko Samui with on-site chef and infinity pool, a waterfront penthouse in
New York’s West Village with views of the Hudson river, and a home on a
seaside golf estate in Cape Town.
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