O.K, so there's no such thing as a free dinner and no one gives you something for nothing, but with a little input, it is infact possible to take a free holiday.

For the real deserving people within the community there are church groups, charity organisations and private organisations that arrange holidays for the poor, the elderly and the disabled.

Information for any of the above options can be found by Googling a search option, looking in your local press or found in church and community newsletters or their notice boards.

Social services and welfare organisations can also arrange respite care for fulltime carers of the permanently ill or disabled.

GROUP LEADERS. 

Do you belong to a certain group or social club?

Have you ever thought about organising a holiday or day trip for that group or club?

This has got to be the easiest way of getting a free holiday or outing, with minimal input from yourself. All it takes is honesty and organisational skills, and you could be booking yourself a free trip away of your choice.

Most group travel of over a certain number of people will almost certainly warrant a discount from the travel company, airline and hotel, that could enable you, as the organiser, to travel with your group for free.

This is a great consideration particularly if you belong to a special interest or hobbyist group such as a church group, archaeological / historical club, sports, gardening or arts group.

Most of the options below are classed as working holidays, but if you are in a position of not being able to afford a holiday and you really feel like a break, look into these types of holidays. It certainly beats sitting at home on your lonesome, and even though you may be doing a job of work, you will be meeting people, making new friends and still getting way from it all .

Nurses, teachers and group leaders have been taking these type of holidays for years, so if you have a certain skill, qualification or specialist interest, read on to find out if you too could be eligible for or be interested in, what is in all intent and purpose, a free holiday.

NURSE / CARER.

Are you a qualified nurse or carer?

There are many nurse agencies that organise carers for the sick and handicapped that you could enroll with, and become a carer / companion for someone wishing to go on holiday.

Ok , so you are going to be working everyday and probably not free to come and go as you please, but it will be free, and you never know, you may even develope a strong friendship with your ward, that turns into a longstanding carer / companion relationship, that could see you having free holidays for years to come. It's certainly worth a try.

There are also group holidays for certain special needs groups that cater for children, the elderly or the disabled, that will pay for the services of an inhouse nurse to be on call should any eventualities arise during their holiday.

SPECIALIST GUIDE. 

Do you have a specialist skill or knowledge?

Have you ever thought about becoming a guide and offering you expert service to a holiday company or special interest group?

O.K, so you will infact be working, but hey, not exactly hard work is it, sitting in front of a coach with a microphone in your hand, talking about something you have studied all your life ?

There are now thousands of companies arranging group travel and special interest holidays, and they are always looking for good guides.

Your pay will be poor or even non existant, but you will have all expenses paid and be travelling with a group of like minded people.

This is of particular interest for those of you with really unusual skills such as sign language for the deaf, expert knowledge about a little known historical / religious / archaeological site that has a small tourist catchment. or someone with sports or arts qualifactions.

There are a myriad of specialist or hobbyist groups that you could work for in the capacity as guide or host to certain interested parties.

Give it a go, what have you got to lose?

SEASONAL HOLIDAY CAMP WORK. 

Do you enjoy working with children,do you play a musical instrument, are you a qualified life guard?

Have you thought about offering your services to a holiday park or campsite for a few weeks during the holiday season?

These sort of jobs are notorious for being low paid, so these places have a high turnover of disgruntled staff coming and going ( mainly going ! ).

If you have childcare, lifesaving or entertainment qualifications, you could offer your services on an ad hoc basis, or for a certain length of time during their busiest periods.

You will be fed, watered and put up, earn a small amount, meet people and make friends, and be paid all travelling expenses.

Certainly something to think about.

DRIVERS.

Do you own or could you attain a PSV ( public service vehicle ) driving licence?

Do you love driving?

If you are unemployed or retired this could be just what you are looking for.

You could sign up as a driver for a local coach company and take groups of people on whole holidays at home or abroad, or just do daily excursions.

As the driver you are required to do nothing but drive the bus, which could be anything from a nine seater mini - bus to a 53 seater luxury coach.

You get to travel, you get paid ( not much admittedly) you will be fed, watered and put up.

Nice one.

HOUSE / PET SITTING.

House and / or pet sitting for the rich and priveledged is big business these days.

With the increase in crime, people do not like leaving their homes unattended, preferring to enroll with an agency that will organise a house sitter in their absence.

The same goes for that pampered pooch or moggy, that rich folk don't want to leave with the local kennels, and will therefore pay someone to take care and look after their darlings.

Of course you will have to have an impeccable record and be signed up with a bona fide ' sitting ' agency, but you get to ' live ' in the posh part of town, stay in a beautiful home and have the chance to choose an area of your choice in a place you would most like to visit.

Of course if you have to travel a long distance to get to the house that you are sitting, you may well have to pay your own travel expenses, but your board and lodgings will most definately be for free.

VOLUNTEER GROUPS.

There are all manner of volunteer groups that you can join that will give you a break away.

You may well find yourself having to pay travel expenses to your preferred location, but lodgings will most definately be for free and in some of the more remote locations, so too will be your board.

Remember also that your lodgings can be quite primitive, so if you are one for travelling complete with laptop, mobile phone and hairdryer, I would give this type of holiday a wide berth.

For those of you that can stand a little basic, down to earth accommodation, complete with outside privy and cold water showers, there are hundreds of different types of things you could find yourself doing on a volunteer holiday, from picking up litter at a national tourist hotspot, helping underpriveledged kids on a farming holiday or activity camp, beach cleaning, helping out on a building project in a deprived area,clearing overgrown hedgerows in the countryside or acting as a steward at a music festival or other large, organised, outside gathering.

There are also overseas volunteer holidays, organised by animal welfare groups, environmental agencies, teaching organisations and eco - friendly charities, that you could consider.

Some worthy causes that are most definately worthy of your consideration.

SOME REPUTABLE VOLUNTEERING WEBSITES YOU MAY WISH TO VISIT;

www.responsibletravel.com/TripSearch/Volunteer 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-volunteering 

OTHER TRAVEL ADVICE ARTICLES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN;

knoji.com/what-happens-if-your-travel-airline-company-goes-bust/ 

knoji.com/what-consular-services-you-are-entitled-to-when-abroad/ 

knoji.com/flight-delays-coping-with-the-ordeal-of-travel-delays/

                                                                                                  © D.B.Bellamy. June 2010.