I am all for the stereotypical beach-lounging holidays when I travel. There is a time and a place for this sort of tune-out and disconnect vacation, but this is not the only way to spend your time away from work.
Whether you're going away for a week or looking to incorporate new experiences into your extended travel plans, here are some alternative travel ideas to the traditional getaway.
Table of Contents
1. Language Learning
Language learning would have to be my favorite method of alternative travel.
I learn (or brush up on) language skills and enjoy the direct contact and access to locals living there for authentic cultural immersion.
Traveling to learn a language also can be done at budget prices in certain parts of the world.
I have partaken in Spanish lessons in Guatemala and Russian lessons in Kyrgyzstan at the low rate of around $4 per hour of one-on-one instruction.
2. Yoga Retreats
Yoga retreats are becoming popular with people of all genders as they provide a getaway from everyday life in a relaxing and healthy manner.
Imagine a week or a month spent fine-tuning your mind and body in an ashram in India. The cost of healing yoga holidays will vary based on the duration and location of your preferred retreat.
I'll cover this topic in further articles, including the best locations around the world for yoga retreats, so stay tuned.
3. Teaching English
Teaching English abroad would be considered an activity fit for extended travelers.
However, there are shorter-term volunteer teaching positions, like with Projects Abroad, that might put you in front of a class for a minimum of a month at a time.
Just like language learning, teaching English provides an entire culture to you every day in the classroom.
While teaching and language learning might not be a long-term solution or activity for everyone, one cannot argue with the cultural insights gained
4. Archaeological Digs
History buffs and museum lovers might fancy a chance to get where the real action happens: archaeological digs.
You might be surprised that you don't necessarily need to be in university or be an expert in the field to participate in fieldwork worldwide.
In this case, you will be considered a volunteer. As such, you might have to pay a fee to dig, but your funding will often help the camp to continue the excavation.
I spent a month in late 2007 uncovering a Roman fort on the Spanish island of Menorca and loved every minute of it.
You can search for volunteer excavations on the Archaeological Institute of America's site.
5. Wwoofing
WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and this method of travel is becoming a tried and tested method of budget travel for vagabonds and nomads.
Through Wwoofing, the farm owners do not have to pay volunteers, but they provide accommodation and food.
Volunteers are not paid, but they get a unique cultural experience abroad with free food and accommodation.
Wwoofers can pick grapes in a vineyard in France or sheer sheep in the New Zealand countryside, to name a few possibilities.
A minimum stay is two nights, but this can vary by farm.
6. Volunteer
For those looking to give back to the less fortunate or tragedy-stricken, volunteer opportunities are endless in about every country of the world, even your own.
A popular short-term volunteer program called Habitat for Humanity brings individuals together from around the world to construct houses where needed most.
All Hands Volunteers puts individuals on projects in places recently struck by natural disasters, such as Haiti and the Philippines.
7. Cooking Courses
If you love a country's food and cooking, a cooking course abroad may be your mode of alternative travel.
As an example, who better to teach the art of cooking Thai food that Thai people themselves?
Combine that with the possibility of market visits in Thailand, meeting famous chefs, and diving into countless local restaurants, and you have a getaway fit for a king.
Plus, you'll come back with the best kind of souvenir: cooking skills. You don't even have to worry about suitcase space for that one!
Bula @ The Irreverent Traveller says
I took a wonderful cooking course in Chiang Mai where you cooked on a farm. It was just the four students and a really personal experience.
And I've heard some interesting stories about archaeological digs. It's pretty much an Indian Jones-esque spring break party, as many people told me. Which I guess can be fun if you want to vomit on the artifacts you're digging up after a night of alcohol-infused fun. Adds a level of excitement to the dig.
Brooke Schoenman says
Hmm, yes it is very Indiana Jones-esque, but I didn't experience any vomiting on artifacts on mine ;) However, they do say archaeologists know how to party !
Julia says
I can't wait to hear more about yoga retreats -- it's something I've been seriously considering, but I don't know much about them to begin with! Also, if you want to know more about volunteering, I'm currently part of a book project where a bunch of travel writers are writing essays on their voluntourism experience -- happy to share more info if you're interested!
Dave says
Yoga retreats in ashrams were really popular amongst the backpackers I met in India. I didn't make time for it, but would like to try it for a week or two if I ever get back.
Matthew Karsten says
Cool, I never thought of joining an archaeological dig before. Adding to my list. :)
Kevin Post says
I couldn't agree more with the cooking skills. I'm still waiting for Dave to take a cooking class in Lima one of these days and show us how to prepare an incredible Peruvian dish ;)
Brooke Schoenman says
I think cooking classes could provide the best souvenir you don't have to pack :)
Anita MacKinnon says
Have done the language lessons in Bolivia and cooking classes in a few places. Would love to improve my french and cooking in France - that would be amazing! I have done many kinds of travel - would love to spend some time working on a ranch - have heard many good things about working on farming stations in Australia. Wwoofing sounds cool, as does the dig. I still feel that a period of time volunteering in another country would something I would want to do - I have read so many accounts from others of their experience, and I would love to give back. I know how lucky I am here in Canada - would be great to give back somewhere else.
Brooke Schoenman says
Same - I've been dying to hop into volunteering - it's next on my list :)
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures says
I want to do a surfing retreat!
Brooke Schoenman says
There are plenty of those in Australia :) Surfaris - multiple days surf tours that drop you at some of the best surf beaches.
Shay says
OMG a yoga retreat sounds like something I would really enjoy. I'm sure I could meet some like-minded people there. I have really closed-minded friends and I think this would be great! And as far as volunteering, I wouldn't mind that either, I have a helping, giving spirir. I have my TEFL certificate so during my travels I could possibly land a teach job :-)
Stephen Knight says
For people seeking free volunteer work a useful addition o this article would be Volunteer Latin America (http://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/).