Most people, given the choice, would love the chance to visit the four corners of the globe – but a little thing called money (or lack thereof) tends to get in the way. But some clever types have thought of ways that ordinary people can visit extraordinary places on very unextroadinary budgets. Here are just some of the ways that people are ticking off their list of must-visit destinations without breaking the bank.
CouchSurfing
Yes, its a potential goldmine for weirdos and murderers, but somehow CouchSurfing has managed to establish itself as a globally recognised, universally used system by which people from different corners of the globe connect, interact and most importantly…get a place to stay for free! It can be used in over 230 countries; members create a profile and others basically go and stay with them in a spare room – or indeed a couch! Testimonials on the website attest to the lifelong international friendships made through the scheme.
Source: rudolfcity.com
airbnb
This scheme differs from CouchSurfing in that it isn’t free – however it works on the same principle of staying with strangers in a way that allows you to avoid the extortion of expensive hotels and hostels. Some of the homes advertised on airbnb are the stuff of dreams – from gorgeous open plan penthouses on the Champs Elees, to New York loft spaces – and amazingly, most are priced very reasonably by the night. Over 9071 cities are advertised in over 17o countries – prices range from £30 a night to £400 – some are a room sharing living space with the owner, some are whole aparments. Check it out! Similar sites to check out are www.crashpadder.co.uk and www.istopover.com, both of which work on a similar principle to airbnb. You can grab rooms on these sites for £12 a night!
Anyone with spare space in their home can let it out to guests on a short-term basis. According to Airbnb, you can find everything from a castle for a night, a sailboat, or an apartment for a week.
Homefood
For a culinary experience with a real authentic twist, don’t waste your money on expensive restaurants that the locals have never even been inside – instead try this amazing scheme which is based on locals preparing meals for you in their own homes. Homefood.it has located talented Italian cooks who are willing to offer visitors a traditional meal for a contribution of around £30. A delicious meal cooked by a real ‘Cesarine’ (Empress of the Kitchen)? Homesickness for mummy is a thing of the past!
Source: Guardian.co.uk
Housesitting
Housesitting can be a great way to see the world without paying a penny – housesitworld.com is a fantastic system whereby you can offer to look after someones house while they are away. The scheme operates in a variety of different countries; from the UK to Italy, New Zealand to the Caribbean; wherever you’re visiting there’s an opportunity to stay somewhere for free.
Helpx.net
Singing for your supper becomes halfway literal with this scheme! Guests work for their bed – much of the accommodation on offer are places like organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats. Volunteer helpers work for about four hours in exchange for meals and accommodation. If you don’t mind a bit of elbow grease, this might just be the one for you!
