Get your ticket to free travel, from couch surfing to house swapping, teaching English and WOOFing it up.

Couch surf

Would you sleep in a strangers’ house? For many budget-conscious travellers, a free night’s kip is not as dirty as it sounds. Nolan, 29 from San Francisco joined a 10 million strong community of couch surfers for a free place to stay. “I’ve hosted a few times over the past few years and used this site to have great experiences in Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East,” he says.

Couchsurfing’s website “connects travellers with a global network of people willing to share in profound and meaningful ways, making travel a truly social experience.” Strangers all around the world are offering their couches for free, with no strings attached.

Challen, 26 from New Zealand, has been a member of couchsurfing since 2007 and she enjoys being a host. “Let’s face it. The prices for hotel rooms have got out of hand so I am happy to offer my couch,” she says.

Get paid to travel

“I believe travel should be absolutely accessible for everybody,” says Katie Rooke, who funds some of her travels through teaching English. “I taught in Spain, Italy and the Philippines and I got paid in all schools and this turned out to be great fun,” she explains. All you need is the ability to speak English fluently. It is also good to have teaching qualifications such as TESOL and TEFL depending on the country you work in. Katie has experienced a lot in the long run and was able to travel around the countries she visited. “The positive bit is that I learned so much about who I am and want to be as a teacher and was also inspired,” says Katie.

The world is yearning for teachers but remember that this is a job and you will often be  expected to work the equivalent of a full-time job.

Swap your house

Anyone who has seen the movie The Holiday, which sees Iris (played by Kate Winless) swapping her cozy English cottage for Amanda’s (played by Cameron Diaz) L.A. mansion, has probably had this idea on the brain ever since. Thanks to the websites like HouseCarters, HomeLink and LovehomeSwap a home exchange is becoming real.

Caroline Connolly, co-ordinator for HomeLink has been helping like-minded families exchange homes all around the world. “Sharing your home with another family and staying in their home gives a real insight into how that family lives. Many members remain life-long friends with their exchangers,” says Caroline.

House swapping means more than saving more, it adds an extra dimension when you exchange your house.

WWOOF it up

In return for your voluntary help, WWOOF hosts offer room and board and a priceless experience. This worldwide community spreads awareness of organic farms and give people an opportunity to become friends with individuals all over the globe. You don’t need to have any experience with farming as WWOOF is as much sustaining travel and learning as it is about farm work.

Victoria Duggan, who call herself an adventure seeker and a rich non-gmo foods freak, started her WWOOFing experience last June, travelling to Italy and Turkey. “WWOOFing is so much more than just free accommodation, it is a complete cultural exchange. You become part of a family from a foreign country with different habits, traditions, and often language than your own,” reveals Victoria. “The best part is you are not in touristic areas of these countries, it is the real deal”.

Win it!

We all know the old adage that the best things in life are always free. This may sound like a long shot, but to get yourself on a road you need to be willing to take a risk. You will be amazed at how many opportunities there are to travel on an empty wallet. Just google “travel competitions” and there are plenty of options to choose from.

Wojtek, 15, from Poland entered the promotional competition of a popular soft drink and won a holiday to Disneyland for his family. “We had an amazing time, probably one of the best vacations ever,” says Wojtek.  So a little time and energy invested might get you out of here sooner than you think.

So if you have been making excuses that you want to travel but can’t because of $$$, then you don’t need to any more. Travelling for free is now a reality.

 ‘Sin City’

Have you ever watched the movie Sin City? That dark, hopeless city, full of evil doers sends out the breath of despair all the time. On the night we arrived in Athens, Sin city was my first impression of the city.

Narrow and interlaced streets sit closely side by side. The buildings are not as high and delicate as we imagined. In Chinese architect, Jiyuan Tang’s words, “the economic downturn makes the whole city seem pretty bleak.”

Along the streets from Monastiraki to our hostel, trees are bare and seem almost dead while there are many cruel-eyed cats strolling around those old and shabby houses. There is a surprisingly amount of graffiti in different colors and styles. Although some of this graffiti is cute and interesting, the majority of it is really scary. It really is like a scene in Sin City.

We met a friend of those graffiti artists, John Lewis Buchan, who told us that some of the artists did the graffiti to express their discontent about the politics and economics of Athens, although the majority of those artists just want their colourful graffiti to add more energy to this holy city.

 ‘Holy City’

However, as we stayed in Athens longer, we found out that it is not a ‘sin city’: the holy city is still holy.

 Ancient architecture stands erect among those modern-day buildings. You cannot only see some of them at a distance but also encounter some of them on a casual corner. It is really an amazing experience to think how ancient people built them and to feel the thousand years’ history of those buildings.

The most famous of ancient architecture, the Acropolis, was built on the mountains thousands of years ago which is now in the centre of Athens. It was the origins of Greece culture. If you stand on the top of the mountain, you can see the whole of southern Athens. It is really gorgeous because all those white and yellow buildings compose a spectacular scene in front of you.

Nowadays, it has been a little bit ramshackle and is being repaired, but it is still standing there telling everybody that Athens has its character and a rich history which should be respected.

Maybe different people will get different impressions of this city, Athens. But no matter what they think, I really love it here.

1. Icehotel: The First Icehotel in the World

The Icehotel in Swedish Lapland remains famous across the world over as the original and simply the best. The hotel is made purely from ice and snow. Experience sleeping on ice at one of the most special hotels in the world, it will be definitely feel unforgettable!

 2. Katikies Hotels: Luxury Boutique Hotels in Santorini, Greece

These hotels are located in the unique locations of Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani in Santorini. Combining breathtaking Caldera views with luxury retreats that express the ultimate in exclusivity and privacy.

3. The Manta Resort Hotel: Sea World Resort

It is the one and only Sea World resort in the world. A private floating island with your bedroom four meters below the surface. It is incredible to enjoy while sunbathing and stargazing on the top deck. Lounging and dining on the water deck and sleeping surrounded by a tropical marine environment must be the best experiences.

4. Ladera: A Hotel Located on the Soufriere Volcano

Each room offers fine linen, luxurious amenities and four-poster beds made of polished tropical hardwood. And each room is without a fourth wall, which invites the spectacular sunsets and astonishing views right inside. It is unbelievable to be a part of your very private, very special retreat.

5. Attrap’Reves: Bubble Hotel in France

One cannot plan to become a professional of the outdoor hotel industry overnight! With the Bubble Tree, you are guaranteed a bubble tent which meets the French safety standards, as well as a dynamic team at your service to make your stay unforgettable!

6. Elikep Evi Cave Hotel: Original Boutique Cave Rooms and Suites Hotel with Unique Cappadocia View.

An excellent cave hotel, which is located in the caves of the Ürgüp hills. It offers a fabulous atmosphere and a perfectly exotic setting in Cappadocia. Each of the airier cave rooms includes a private cave terrace carved into the nook of the cliff, and gorgeous views over the Cappadocian dreamscape.

Some make exploring and travelling a major part of their life. Explorers were, since the 15th century and the discovery of America, the main source for mapping the still largely unknown world. They were the people who risked their lives to discover virgin territories and inform the rest of the population. Today, although the majority of the world is now traced and mapped, the thrill of exploring has not died down.

Many still want to see with their own eyes the wonders that our Earth has to offer. When a good pair of walking boots and a knife was probably the basic kit for an explorer, today, modern equipment, techie gear and communication technologies enable travelers to live the adventure fully.

Chris Patient, 54, British mountaineer

Chris has done rock climbing, mountain treks, abseiling, extreme skiing photography…and in many mountain chains of the world. He now and lives a quieter life in Switzerland with his wife, Anna, although that has not stopped him from hiking and skiing regularly. “I have never grown tired of exploring but I am now quite satisfied with simple and easy and closer adventures,” he tells Life360, “I no longer need to go to Tibet in search of adventure but I am quite happy finding new single trails on my mountain bike in a nearby forest.”

His most memorable experience was climbing to the summit of Cho Oyu (the 6th highest summit in the world) in the Himalayas. At the time, he was 40 and although the technology was advanced, it was not quite as high tech as it is now. He told Life360 how he feels about the technological progress regarding equipment:

“Equipment has improved making exploring easier and more comfortable. The biggest advantage now is communications with the internet and GPS technology. I think actually this has given  modern young explorers more confidence to push boundaries even further and take even more risks to achieve much more.

However, somehow the feeling of always being watched and always having to record and report on modern media has taken away the real spirit and feeling of adventure out of today’s adventure athletes.”

Julien Duval, 31, French travel photographer

Julien has lived in Zagreb in Croatia for five years and his photography is largely inspired by the surrounding landscapes. He graduated in Geography so he has a serious background and knowledge of map reading. However he has nothing against modern technology where travel is concerned:

“As a geographer, I have nothing against GPS but most of the time I use maps,” he explains to Life360, “GPS is good because it’s much easier to find remote places and the Earth has less secrets. You can explore everything.”

He is more concerned that people with techie equipment put on a show rather than actually travel. “Some people never travel,” he says,” they can have all the equipment and everything but maybe they are afraid to cross the psychological fence. Once you cross this fence, you’re done, you can go wherever you want.”

Mikael Strandberg, 53,  Swedish explorer

Mikael Strandberg has 28 years of exploring experience behind him. He produces documentaries about his expeditions which he has toured around the world. On his blog, he gives a list of “25 essential items for the beginner adventurer” and surprises us by clearly saying “don’t bring a GPS”.

“Obviously all the new gadgets have ruined proper exploration where you use all your senses,” he says, “and if you make a mistake with the GPS, running out of batteries for example, now that is when it is a problem. Manually those things never happen.”

However, in the expedition reports that he posts on his blog, he admits that sometimes a GPS is indeed necessary when, for instance today’s maps are not accurate due to mobile populations. In his report on an expedition conducted in Yemen in 2012, he writes:

“We realized that there´s no modern maps marking all the new settlements along the route we choose. So, with the help of the GPS we have marked every permanent settlement in these areas and valleys which are much more populated than any map makes you believe.”

   “It doesn’t matter what equipment you have, all you need is the will to go out there.” Julien Duval

I’m going nowhere. I’m just wandering.

So how I can I get lost?

Over the weekend, I had a conversation with a hardcore adventurer-slash-nomad on Skype for a feature article I’m working on. With a cup of joe in hand, I daydreamed of someday having the courage to do as he did.

So here’s my Adventure Time playlist to spark and spread the traveler’s itch!

]]> https://jomec.co.uk/life360/2015/?feed=rss2&p=457 0 https://jomec.co.uk/life360/2015/?p=330 https://jomec.co.uk/life360/2015/?p=330#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2015 14:25:04 +0000 http://jomec.co.uk/life360/2015/?p=330 Seeking an active holiday? Jump off a mountain in these breathtaking paragliding destinations

Paragliding is possible almost anywhere in the world. If you live near a steep cliff, you’ll have seen these brightly coloured parachutes soaring and swooping. Even if you live in a flat area, you could still see the giant coloured canopies travel across the sky.

But where are the top places in the world to go paragliding? Here’s a run-down of the most well known sites in the world.

10. Olu Deniz in Turkey

Olu Deniz remains one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean. It has a secluded sandy bay at the mouth of Olu Deniz, on a blue lagoon. The beach itself is a pebble beach. This beautiful holiday destination in Southern Turkey provides with an unforgettable flight.

9. Miraflores, Peru

Known for its gardens, flower-filled parks and beaches, it is one of the upmarket districts that make up the city of Lima. There are several tour companies operating from the area that can assist with paragliding lessons, while many people come from the city and enjoy their time flying by themselves.

8. Wengen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

The hiking and skiing village is a nice place to visit at any time of the year. Here tourists are provided with various activities, that enable to explore the Jungfrau-Aletsch site protected by UNESCO. Paragliding is one of the favorite ones.

7. Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand

A resort town in the South Island is perfect for paragliders around the world at any time Queenstown is surrounded by the Southern Alps, that make it an excellent platform to jump and fly.

6. Castelluccio, Umbria, Italy

Castelluccio is the highest village in the Apennines— 1452 m high. The little village is best known for the colorful valleys, with all kinds of flowers blooming in spring and summer. In the town there are also hang gliding and paragliding schools, that give an unforgettable flight.

5. Danyang, South Korea

Denying is two and a half hour driving away from Seoul. The popular tourist town is found in the beautiful surroundings. Mt. Yangbangsan and Mt. Dusan are two runway for paragliding, from where wonderful sites of the mountains and valleys can be seen.

4. Abergavenny, Wales, UK

Located between Brecon Beacon national park and Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, it offers a lesson for beginners and is also a perfect venue for professionals.

3. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique

Situated 750 km off the mainland, the remote place is breathtaking. The archipelago is barely touched by civilisation. Only white sandy beaches and crystal clear water.

2. Seiser Alm, Dolomites, Italy

The famous skiing site is incredibly suitable for paragliding. From the rocky cliffs paragliders fly over the largest Alpine meadow in Europe. The flight with the pilot takes about half an hour – enough to enjoy the flight and the views. 

1. Hautes Alpes, France

The paragliding school near the Alps is suitable for both beginners and professionals. During the winter this is a renowned skiing resort, but in summer it becomes a paragliders’ heaven. Flying in the Alps – the biggest mountain range in Europe – is indeed incredible.

As traveling has become an increasing fashionable trend around the world, a new type of travel has appeared. Travelers now have the chance to learn how to cook local food when traveling to one place, through this way they may get a deeper understanding of local food and culture.

1. Italy: Cooking Vacations

Cooking Vacations is one of the most professional cooking classes which teaches how to cook authentic Italian dishes and desserts. It has branches in 20 regions throughout Italy and provides different types of cooking tours such as seasonal cooking tours and women only cooking tours.

www.cooking-vacations.com
Tel: +18009161152
info@cookingvactions.com

2. France: L’Ateiler Guy Martin

The chef of two-star Michelin restaurant Grand Vefour will teach classes himself. In addition to basic dishes, people can also spend 4 hours to learn a specialty of Grand Vefour.

www.atelierguymartin.com
Tel: +33142663333
35 rue Miromesnil 8e, Paris
Price: €50/h; €200 for a 4 hours’ Grand Vefour class

3. Vietnam: Hoa Tuc

Hoa Tuc provides a special street food tour with the same aim as a cooking class: to give the keys and a better understanding of Vietnamese cuisine while having fun. People can learn to cook at least 5 different dishes. It includes a pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.

www.saigoncookingclass.com
Tel: +84838258485
Price: Half-day classes: $45.5 (adults); $28 (children under 12)

4. Thailand: A lot of Thai

When starting a course at A lot of Thai, you will be start at markets to learn about different fruit, vegetables and spices. People who sign in are picked up by local vehicles.

www.alotofthai.com
Price: One-day course: $45/per ;Half-day course: $36/per

5. The United States: Langlois Culinary Crossroads

Langlois is located in the historic Marigny neighborhood inside one of countless corner markets. Langlois delivers an authentic New Orleans dining experience

www.langloisnola.com
Tel: +15049341010
1710 Pauger St New Orleans, LA 70116

6. Australia: The Agrarian Kitchen

The Agrarian Kitchen is a sustainable farm-based cooking school offering paddock-to-plate experiences in a 19th century schoolhouse in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley. It grows and uses varieties of fruit and vegetables in its cooking classes.

www.theagrariankitchen.com
Tel: +61362611099
650 Lachlan Road, Lachlan Tasmania 7140
Price: $300 per day

7. China: 4F Cooking Home

4F Cooking Home not only delivers Chinese cuisine, but also international food such as Spanish, French, British and Japanese which gives people a variety of choices.

www.4fcookinghome.com
Tel: +886223216608
4fcookinghome@hojalife.com

8. Spain: Barcelona Cooking

Barcelona Cooking teaches how to cook traditional paella and different types of tapas. Cooking classes start from La Boqueria market to give an opportunity to know local life.

www.barcelonacooking.com
Tel: +34931191986
Price: €78 (3-4 hours)

As a 21 year-old student who is passionate about travelling, I am very often confronted with the same old problem of travelling on a budget: where to sleep cheaply and relatively comfortably?

I have stayed in a youth hostel in Madrid with three girlfriends and had a couple of memorable yet cringing experiences. I have gone camping in Burgundy in France with two other girlfriends where we suffered sun burn and what felt like a thousand mosquito bites.

When in June 2014, I was offered a three week internship in Montpellier, southern France, I almost rejected the idea because I had no idea where I was going to stay. A hotel was out of the question for three weeks, the friends my family knew in the region lived too far out from Montpellier and, as much as I love camping, three weeks on a blow-up mattress seemed unbearable.

Then I thought of Airbnb. The online hospitality website that enables ordinary people to rent out a room in their home or their entire property, was launched in 2008. Since then it has soared into a multi-million dollar company that claims around 25 million ‘travellers’ and over a million housing possibilities. Today it is as popular as ever but is also facing certain legal actions, mostly about taxes and safety issues.

I stumbled upon Alex and Alexis’s profile and instantly warmed to the young couple and their flat. It was ideally placed for me. I would have my own room but would share everything else with them. The only source of anxiety was that they were total strangers. And I had accepted to live with them for three weeks. After the first awkward days however, we all quickly relaxed and settled into our routines. They told me from the start “our home is yours.”

More than just sharing their flat, I got to know them more intimately and quickly than I had ever met anyone before. They were kind, fun, open and welcoming, always offering help. We didn’t only live as estranged ‘housemates’, we became friends and went to town for drinks or to the beach together. We never actually mentioned the money I had paid because it wasn’t an issue. My three weeks there went by in a flash and I have many happy memories.

As I was leaving Montpellier, standing on the quay in the train station, Alexis said to me: “Come and visit again. But this time, you’ll come as a friend. Our door is always open for you.” We met as strangers who were linked by a contract. We parted as friends that I shall surely see again.

Airbnb is all about connecting individuals around the world. It gets people out of their comfort zone and makes them live with strangers, or in their homes. But some are questioning the website’s honesty regarding tax-paying and requirements such as safety or hygiene. Time will tell how things evolve this year, after the various legal actions it is facing. Nevertheless, it remains an inspiring success story that started with a simple idea of two broke guys who couldn’t pay their rent.

Read, watch and listen to everything about Airbnb here.

Travelling to cities and reducing your environmental footprint at the same time is now possible. Masdar is the paradigm of modern eco-friendly architecture where nearly all the electricity consumed comes from a solar photovoltaic plant, reducing the use of fossil fuels.

1. Travel around with the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) service

The Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is a driverless personal electric vehicle that takes you wherever you want to go.

2. Enjoy the weather from the desert thanks to the efficiently built buildings

The buildings in Masdar are designed to throw shade to the streets, making the temperature 15 to 20 ºC cooler than in the desert.

3. Behold the wind tower

Masdar Wind Tower is a 45 metre high construction designed to capture the winds from the top and cool down the plaza where it is located.

4. Take a break in Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee is the first company in the world to use all natural chocolate for its mochas and other products.

The visit offers a glance of how cities might look like in not so many years. Are we all going to travel in electric driverless cars in the future? Only time will tell.