Photo Credits: Worldpackers

 

Have you ever heard about Worldpackers?

 According to Wordlpackers website, we can definite it as:

a community based on collaboration and honest relationships that make travel more accessible to those seeking a profound cultural experience. Through an online platform, we connect travelers - looking to exchange their skills for accommodation - with incredible hosts from all around the world.

So, in other words, we can say that Worldpackers allows you to travel for free in exchange of your skills.

With Worldpackers it is easy to pack your things, book your flight and go anywhere that you want. You don't have to spend money on your accommodation. 

You can either start a short adventure (a few days or a week) or go for a bigger journey and stay a few months on the same place. Also, you have the possibility of combining different locations and do a worldwide trip. 

Video Credits: Youtube

 

Thousands of hostels from all around the world have already joined Worldpackers and are willing to offer a room to anyone if that person helps with any skill they have. You just need to choose the country you want to travel to and the hostel that fits best in which skills you have to offer. All that you have to do then is to have fun and enjoy the experience.

Can you imagine travelling and not paying for your accommodation? Yes, you would be saving a lot of money while visiting the world. So now it is time for you to get to know a bit better what Worldpackers stands for and to hear some testimonies. And one of them is really special. You can see my personal experience with Worldpacker, back in May, 2016.

 

Worldpackers Values

• Share and Collaborate

Worldpackers considers that we are all interdependent people. So we are all responsible for the world's development and that we need to share with other people our skills. 

• Value Experiences

One of Worldpackers goal is for us to live meaningful experiences. All around the world, we have people that can offer us something special.

• Keep Learning

It's not new that we are always learning, since the day we are born, till the day we die. So why not starting a journey where we can carry, offer and acquire more knowledge. 

• Be an earth local

It is important for Worldpackers that we respect our world and that we treat everyone with equality. 

 

Photo Credits: Worldpackers

 

So what skills can I trade for accomodation?

There are many different ways that you can help someone and at worldpackers, any help is good. You don't have to be an expert at anything to be able to offer your knowledge and experience. Here you can see a list of what kind of skills are accepted by hosters. 

Have you ever served at a cafe or a bar? Are you good at photography or arts? Are you a handy person? Or are you a party and social person, will to the spread the hostel worldwide?

Photo Credits: Worldpackers

 

So do you fit in any of the above skills? Do you think that you can give an extra help in a hostel?

The duties that you will be performing are really easy. It can be helping at the kitchen, cleaning the hostel, taking care of social networks, doing some videos of the hostel or the surround area. Sometimes all that you have to do is to sit behind a desk and taking care of the reception of new guests.

You can see how easy it was on my testimony that you can read now.

 

My Own Experience at Worldpackers

On the beginning of 2016 I was thinking that I had to do something different with my life. I was on the first of my Master degree in Engineering and I knew that I had to start distinguish myself for other students because soon I will be trying to find a job. 

I started searching on the internet about different things that I could do and that could make be a better person, acquire more knowledge and more experience and that would be good for my CV. It didn't took me long to realize that I should do something abroad since travelling is one of the things I love to do. 

And that was when I came across Worldpackers website. I had never heard about such website in my life and I didn't know anyone that as done such experience. But something inside me was trying to tell me that it was the right thing to do.

So I started getting recommendations from my friends (in order to get a free booking). And I started searching for the perfect place. I had only a free week and I was limited to Europe because I didn't want to spend a lot of money on the flight. 

My destination didn't took long to become clear - Italy. And I was heading myself to Palermo, Sicily. I've always love the Italian language, culture and food, so I had no doubt that that was the only place that I should go to in my first adventure. Yes, I went there alone - just me, myself and I. And I recommend everyone to do at least one trip alone, it is awesome!

I stayed one week in May on Residence Hotel Gloria***. It was located near the central station of Palermo and the host was kind enough to grab me at the airport when I arrived. Well, I must confess that I was scared and anxious, but I was also really excited about what was going to happen on the next days. 

Photo Credits: Booking

 

The hotel was small, it only had 12 rooms and I had a room with a private bathroom for myself. I stayed there exactly one week (7 days and 6 nights) and I had to work 5 days. My duties were to help with cleaning the rooms, serving breakfasts and welcoming some guests. I only worked 4 to 5 hours, during the mornings, and then I had all free afternoon and night to visit the island of Sicily. 

I was able to visit a lot of beautiful places. I visited the whole city of Palermo, I went to some beaches nearby (Mondello and Cefalu) and I even travelled along the island to visit Taormina.

You can check some photos of Palermo on this gallery.

It was by far one of the best experiences that I have ever had in my whole life and I wouldn't think twice about going again to another place. Of course that I recommend this to anyone that likes to travel and wants to live new adventures. I am free to answer to any questions you might have and to help you with anything you need.

 

Cefalu Beach is located near Palermo (less than 1 hour by train). It is a small fishing village with lots of traditional houses. I recommend you to take a walk throughout the streets and to see Cefalu Church.

Photo Credits: Cefalu

 

This is the perfect view from the top of the Ancient Taormina Theater. You can see at your right side the Etna Vulcano and at your left the mediterrean sea. I recommend you to visit the Isola Bella, on the shore next to Taormina.

Photo Credits: Taormina

 

Testimonies from Worldpackers Travelers and Hosts

• Travelers

Being at the Felicidade Hostel has definitely helped me explore France and allowed me to be immersed in the French culture. I've already learned so much in the short time that I've been here.

Austin Taylor
From the USA to Felicidade Hostel in Paris, France

 

My volunteer experience at Telstar Hostel was spectacular! I am grateful that I was surrounded by very supportive, caring crew here at the hostel. When I arrived in Brazil, all I knew in Portuguese was "obrigado". After two months, my Portuguese improved immensely with the help of people I met at the hostel.

Miwa Kimura
From Japan to Telstar Hostel in São Paulo, Brazil

• Hosts

Worldpackers introduced us to a new world and helped us connect with volunteers from around the world. It’s really easy to use and allows us to manage all of our volunteer needs throughout the year, which is very important in our sector.

Maximo Moring
Kokua Hostel, Costa Rica

 

Volunteers are an invaluable part of our hostel. They come up with new ideas, different perspectives and freshen up our routines. We teach each other and learn together, so at the end of the day, we improve and are able to provide a better service for our guests.

Sara Alho
Destinations Hostel, Portugal

 

 So what are you still waiting for to book your first adventure? Sign up at Worldpackers today and start searching for the experience of your life!

 

 

Video Credits: Youtube 

 

 

WORLDPACKERS FOR HOSTS

 

Worldpackers is a complete website that serves both travelers and hosts. So, if you have a hostel or guest house, and you want to receive travelers willing to exchange skills for accommodation, then this is also the right website for you. 

You just have to sign up at Worldpackes for Hosts and start filling the questionnaire. Set the minimum time for the travelers to stay (few days, 1 month, more than 3 months) and the availability that you have. Also you'll have to share how will the accommodation be. If it is a dorm, a private room, what you offer (breakfast, dinner, free laundry).

 

Photo Credits: Worldpackers

 

It is as simples as that and, before you notice, you will be receiving applications from travelers. You can check their profile and endorsements, and accept the application or decline it. Also, it is possible for you to ask for more information and to ask for a CV or video presentation if you have doubts about choosing or not that person. 

Photo Credits: Worldpackers