Footloose Tours

Culturally diverse and boasting amazing landscapes, Africa is also a continent home to plenty of people – and animals – in need. This makes it the perfect choice if you’re looking for volunteer work abroad, but it can be a bit tricky choosing where to go. To get a little inspiration, check out our top picks below.

Swaziland

When planning a volunteer trip, there are loads of factors that’ll influence your decision, including the kind of work you’d like to do and any particular destinations you’re keen to see. I think another thing that should be high up on your list of things to consider is which places are most in need and, when you do, you’re likely to come up with Swaziland.

This is Africa’s smallest country – and one of its most beautiful – but it’s also one with more than its fair share of problems. The average life expectancy here is the world’s lowest (just 31.3 years) and HIV/AIDS has had a devastating effect on families. So, there’s a lot of ways you can help.

A lot of projects here focus on helping children in need – since they’re often the ones who are hardest hit and need the most protection. Among the ways you can contribute are by building new homes for youngsters, teaching and taking care of orphans. In your spare time, you’ll be able to explore the amazing landscape.

South Africa

South Africa also has to be one of the continent’s top places to volunteer – mainly because of the massive variety of projects you can get involved in. Here, you can take your pick from all kinds of activities, from helping children near Cape Town to read, to getting involved in wildlife conservation.

If the latter sparks your interest, head to the Vervet Monkey Foundation (which is close to Kruger National Park – good news if you’re keen to visit!), where you can help with the day-to-day care of injured or orphaned monkeys. Plus, you can assist with all kinds of other things while you’re there, like making the enclosures more exciting for the animals and helping with general maintenance and building work.

Zanzibar

Located off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is our final top destination to volunteer in Africa. Why? Because it gives you the chance to combine seeing some amazing island scenery (the beaches here are mindblowing) and doing some good at the same time. You can teach local children at a school in Stone Town, which, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in itself well worth exploring.

Spend your weekdays assisting local teachers, or support disadvantaged children by helping them learn English and playing games with them. Whichever you choose, it’s really rewarding work. And, when the day’s over or the weekend rolls around, you’ll have ample time to explore this incredible island. What’s really great about it is that it combines unbelievable scenery and with lots of rich heritage, so there’s plenty to discover while you’re here.

There are lots of other African destinations to volunteer in, like Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana, so it’s well worth giving some thought to what you’d really like to do and see before making your final decision. Among the things to think about that might help you decide are considering what kind of work you would most like to get involved in and whether there are any projects close to a place you already plan to travel to.

Without a doubt, Nice is one of the most glamorous destinations in the Mediterranean and although it has all the trappings of a modern city, it has a long, rich history you certainly ought to make the effort to see. Head to the old town district and you can explore the ancient settlement of Cemenelum.

Although it is now fully incorporated into Nice – forming part of the Cimiez neighbourhood – Cemenelum was once a great rival to the city. It was an important stronghold during Roman times, serving as the capital of the Alpes Maritimae province, and even after the empire fell it was not until the Lombard invasions that the two were united as one.

Developing a rich infrastructure over time, Cemenelum now has protected status and by exploring the region today, you’ll gain an insight into what life in the area was like many centuries ago. Of course, large parts of it are now in ruin but there is still lots to see and I’m sure you will have plenty of fun imagining what the numerous buildings looked like when in their prime.

In fact, you may not want to wait any longer than is necessary before you start exploring the site and by booking car hire at Nice Airport you can head straight to Cemenelum as soon as you pick up the keys to your vehicle. Of course, there are plenty of other attractions to see but, while the freedom that comes with hiring a car means you can travel around as you please, I’m sure you’ll agree this is a must-visit attraction.

So, what exactly does it have to offer? One thing you certainly can’t miss is the giant amphitheatre, which was used by the Romans for public events such as gladiator combat. It’s still used today, although you’re more likely to now see concerts rather than fights to the death, and exploring the arena hand-in-hand with your partner will certainly be a highlight of your trip.

The Romans were famous for many things and a well-known part of their cultural legacy is public baths and you can certainly see these in Cemenelum. Built between the 4th and 5th centuries, you’ll get the chance to look at the actual areas the Romans used to wash themselves in, as well as the remnants of the heating system utilised to keep the water at a certain temperature. Other landmarks you should keep an eye out for are the remains of a Christian baptistery, church and sewer system.

If wandering around this complex has made you keen to uncover even more of the region’s history, you’ll be sure to want to check out the local Musee Archeologiques – that’s the Archaeological Museum to me and you – where a selection of ancient artefacts can be found. The items on show range from coins and pottery to jewellery and bronze homewares, covering every era from the Bronze Age right through to the Middle Ages. The institution also hosts a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, so there’ll always be something new on show, while guided tours are held every Saturday afternoon.

Of course, there are many other romantic things you can do in Nice, from visiting the vibrant Cours Saleya Flower Market to enjoying a meal in the Michelin-starred Le Chantecler restaurant, but there is perhaps nothing as stunning as exploring Cemenelum.

Have you been to this bit of the old town before? If so, leave a comment and let us know what parts of the complex you enjoyed the most!

If you’re planning a trip to Goa in India, chances are spending a few days lounging on one of its beautiful beaches will be high on your list of things to do – but with so many stretches of sand to choose from, where do you begin?

Base yourself in the state capital of Panaji and you’ll not only be able to explore this vibrant and historic city, but also some of the top beaches that line Goa’s coast. Here are just a few of the best spots for spending lazy days in the sunshine:

Miramar Beach

Located just to the south of the city, Miramar is a great place to begin your exploration of Goa’s stunning seaside. As with many of the region’s beaches, it’s fringed by palm trees and lapped by the clear waters of the Arabian Sea.

Situated at the end of the estuary for the River Mandovi, Miramar is a lively place to visit, and it is favoured by travellers and locals alike. While you lie back on the warm sand, you’ll have an excellent view of the famous Fort Aguada, which can clearly be seen on the other side of the waterway. As a result, if you want to combine your day at the beach with a bit of sightseeing, this is an excellent place to come.

Bogmalo Beach

If you want your cheap holidays in Goa to be about more than just lying in the sun, spend a day sampling the delights of Bogmalo Beach. Running for just 4 km, it is one of the smaller stretches of sand Goa has to offer, but there are excellent water sports facilities here.

You can try your hand at windsurfing or water skiing if you fancy being active, while the small village behind the beach is delightful to explore. You won’t be able to escape the large five-star resort at one end of the bay, which gives the area a somewhat exclusive atmosphere.

Majorda Beach

Heading further south again, you will come to Majorda Beach, which is just as famous for its food as it is for its stretch of sand. The coastal village here is where the local Goans were first trained in the art of making European bread and, to this day, Majorda is the best place in the state to buy baked goods.

Wander into the village to pick up a tasty lunch and return for a picnic by the sea – what better way is there to spend a day than by enjoying delicious food in beautiful surroundings?

Candolim Beach

If you would rather explore the northern areas of central Goa, make Candolim Beach your first stop. It is one of the most easily accessible seaside locations from Panaji, making it popular with travellers staying in the city.

There are a few hotel and resort complexes along this stretch of sand, some of which are home to restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat during the day. You’ll also discover water sports facilities here, perfect if you’re feeling adventurous.

For a bird’s eye view of the beach and the coastline, try parasailing, which will see you attached to a parachute and towed behind a speedboat – an exhilarating and fun experience. Alternatively, you can have a go at water skiing, which is no less thrilling once you’ve mastered the art of balancing on your skis!

Travelling is an amazing experience and sometimes a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It can be difficult to save all the money you need for an extended getaway, which is why working abroad is the ideal solution.

Take your current dull and dreary office job with the rain pouring down outside and turn it into an Australian adventure where you can nip to the beach at weekends, sail around islands and get up close and personal with amazing wildlife.

Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? You won’t be the only person to want to escape to sunny down under, though, so make sure your CV stands out from the crowd to secure the best paid work possible.

Below are some top tips to help you pay your way around Australia.

Keep an open mind

If you’ve always worked in a clothes shop, or only ever earned a wage in a restaurant or bar, don’t be afraid of trying something new.

You’ll get trained up, learn new skills – which will be valuable wherever you go – and it’ll show you’re willing to get stuck in. This means you need to regularly keep in touch with the recruitment agency and be as enthusiastic about two-day jobs as you would two-month ones.

After all, every Ozzie dollar you earn will be put towards amazing excursions like sailing around the Whitsunday Islands, visiting Uluru and simply experiencing the nightlife with your new friends and colleagues.

Get your CV sorted

Just as potential employers back home get put off by a poor CV, the same goes for companies in Australia.

Try and keep your CV to one page, check and double-check spelling and promote your strengths as much as possible. While your education will be of interest, recruiters want to know your experience in the workplace, so focus on this more to keep them reading your resume to the very last word.

Save some cash for uniforms

Some places will provide a uniform for you, but others will expect you to have the right gear. Leave some cash to one side for items such as steel-capped boots – if you plan to do construction work – while a smart black skirt and white shirt goes a long way in the hospitality industry.

It goes without saying that your chances of bagging a job will increase if you make sure you look smart and tidy. Just because you’re travelling around chilled-out Australia doesn’t mean you can let standards slip!

Go in with the right attitude

Manners and enthusiasm go a long way, so even if you weren’t too keen on one of your placements, stay professional until your contract ends.

Always thank the recruitment agency and employer for giving you the opportunity to enhance your CV and skills. Networking is one of the best ways to get work, whether trying to work in Australia or being a volunteer in Rio, so make sure you chat to as many people as possible and always speak positively about previous placements.

Have fun!

Remember the reason why you’re working in Australia to begin with – you want to earn enough money to explore the country.

Recruiters understand this, so don’t be afraid of turning down a position if it clashes with your travelling plans. It works to their advantage if you have time away, as you’ll come back refreshed and raring to start a new job in order to save cash for your next adventure!

The medieval city of Prague is a beautiful thing. The almost fantastical buildings in its old center, and the eeriness of pointy Charles Bridge statues illuminated in dusk’s orange light, seem to give credence to its uber-popular Witches Night. Held on April 30th every year, Witches Night describes the festivities that stem from a long tradition of welcoming summer and banishing witches.

They’re not sure if the tradition comes from the Celts’ Beltane festival, which dates all the way back to the Iron Age, or if it comes from the Scandanavian and German Walpurgis Night, a celebration of Saint Walpurgis. In either case, the modern celebration is a remainder of ancient witchcraft banishing rituals that involved burning brooms and “witches” themselves.

Public celebration normally finds its way to Pet?ín Hill, where residents light one large fire. Of course, throughout the city private residents are celebrating in their way as well. It’s as much an excuse to drink and make merry as it is to dance around a fire in witches costumes. Traditionally, they throw an effigy of a witch onto the fire, simulating the real-life burning of suspected witches back in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Traditionally, men leave fresh branches in front of the doors of the women they’re courting. Today, the younger revelers jump over the fire in a veritable rite of passage, and everyone uses the time as an excuse to party. Tourists are welcome, as the expat community is especially well represented at the Pet?ín Hill festivities and everyone gets along wonderfully.

Booking a cheap hotel early is recommended since this event is one of the most popular on the tourist’s European circuit and for Prague. However, Witches Night is not exclusive to Prague, and in many of the surrounding communities visitors can find similar celebrations, which might make for a more memorable experience that crowded Prague. In either case, the night is one to remember.