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Visit Bonnie Scotland is another superb post from: Europe & Beyond a holiday travel blog

Scotland

Scotland is located in the north of Great Britain and it is an area of stunning natural beauty. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Scotland? The Loch Ness Monster, the Highlands, Scotch whisky, kilts or bagpipes…. You can see all this and more in Bonnie Scotland.

The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh and this is the main gateway to the country. Book cheap flights to Edinburgh with low cost airlines such as easyJet and you can begin your tour of Scotland.

Start by visiting Edinburgh and its most popular tourist attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat and the Royal Mile.

Just one hour from Edinburgh is Glasgow, Scotland’s second most important city which is great for shopping and nightlife.

Having visited these cities travel north to the Highlands and find out if the Loch Ness Monster really does exist. Enjoy hill walking, camping and visit quaint Scottish villages where you can meet people and find out more about the culture. If you aren’t afraid of getting in touch with nature, and love an adventure, the Scottish Highlands are for you. Whether it is relaxing, adventure, culture or history you are after, the Highlands are bursting with places to entertain you.

France is surrounded by dozens of small islands where life has remained simple. From the aptly named Belle-Ile-en-Mer to the barefoot chic of Poquerolles, we invite you to discover two of France’s sweetest destinations.

Now that France has become my second home, I can finally afford to take vacations. Before, when I was merely a visitor in France, my list of things to do and see was so packed that I did not have the luxury to enjoy a moment of tranquility. Today, when I need time off from my French routine, I do what many French natives do. I hop on a train or drive to a ferry that serves one of the small islands just off the hexagon’s Mediterranean or Atlantic coasts.

Belle-Ile-en-Mer, Brittany

It is said that all of Britanny’s landscapes are represented on this island: fabulous beaches, quaint seaside hamlets, charming harbors, wild countryside and rocky coastlines.  Acknowledged to be one of France’s most beautiful islands, Belle-Ile is also one of the largest islands in Brittany (20km long and 9km large).  At Le Palais, the main town, ferries come and go under the shadow of the enormous citadel designed by Louis XIV’s military architect, le Maréchal de Vauban.

Most explorations of the island start off from the city. You can rent a bike and ride to the beaches or change into hiking gear and venture along one of the dozens of trails that bisect the island’s coastline. Everywhere, between harbors and beaches, you will come across  inviting havens:  Sauzon, a harbor with colorful houses; Pointe des Poulains, where Sarah Bernhardt owned a summer residence; Locmaria, a small maritime village, home to le Jardin de la Boulaye, an exquisite private garden; and the Plage de Donnant, where the waves roar before breaking on the golden sand. Art connoisseurs may want to visit the site on the Wild Coast that has inspired famous artists including Claude Monet who painted  “The Pyramids, Port-Coton.” Indeed, a superb show awaits you at this spot: rocky needles, sea caves and rough waters.  It is definitely one of the most dramatic sights on the entire coastline.

Where to eat on Belle-Ile-en-Mer

Chez Renée
The best crêperie. You’ll love the outdoor terrace.   
Rue Sarah-Bernhard
Bangor

Café de la Cale
The fish soup is a must.
Sauzon

L’Annexe
Grilled meat and fish.
Le Palais

Where to drop your luggage:

La Désirade ***
Hôtel de charme, quiet and warm atmosphere
Le Petit Cosquet

Le Clos Fleuri ***
An oasis of peace, a few minutes away from the port.
Route de Sauzon, Le Palais
e-mail : contact@hotel-leclosfleuri.com

Hôtel du Phare, (no star).
Very convivial, with view of the port. 
Sauzon
Telephone: 02 97 31 60 36

How to get to Belle-Ile-en-Mer: 
By boat or ferry from Quiberon to Le Palais or Sauzon with Companies Océane.

Porquerolles, Cote d’Azur

With its forest of parasol pines and wild herbs, Porquerolles remains the queen of the Mediterranean islands. It is also the largest of the group of islands known as the Iles d’Hyères, or, as they are often referred to in France, Les Iles d’Or — the Golden Isles. A favorite destination of politicians, movie stars and other celebrities, this tiny island has managed to maintain its authenticity. Strict environmental regulations protect it. Cars are prohibited in the village, making your stroll among the palm-lined Place d’Armes and window-shopping experience a pure delight. To discover the rest of the island, you may choose between several enchanting routes. You can walk toward the lighthouse, where the view will take your breath away — vertical cliffs rising out of the sea, calanques, rocky points, gorges, headlands and hills. Next, hop on your bike in the direction of the beaches located on the north shore. You will ride through a typical Mediterranean countryside under clear-blue skies, pushed by a breeze filled with the scents of the garrigue. In summer, the cicadas sing to their hearts content… reminding you that you are indeed in Provence.

Where to eat on Porquerolles:

La Calanque
Traditional cuisine with fish specialties
Place d’Armes, 5mn from the harbor
Tél /Fax 00 33 4 94 58 31 73

Le Mas du Langoustier
An oasis of pines facing the ocean.  One Michelin star.
83400 Ile de Poquerolles

L’Arche de Noé
Known for its bouillabaisse and assortment of grilled fish.

Where to drop your suitcase:

L’Auberge des Glycines, recommended by the Guide Michelin
By the village’s square.

Le Mas du Langoustier****
83400 Ile de Poquerolles

Hôtel  Residence les Mèdes ***
On the seaside.

How to get to Porquerolles:
From the port of Hyeres, ferries will take you to the island.  You can access Hyeres by train (regional or high-speed), airplane and boat.

Wriitten by Brigitte Aflalo-Calderon for EuropeUpClose.com

Introduction to Scotland

Scotland is the one of the nations comprising the United Kingdom and it is home to some of the country’s best nature preserves and scenic views.    With a few major cities, much of the country has a rustic, rural feel.  The largest city is Glasgow, home to a thriving music scene, whereas its neighbor Edinburgh is the capital and site for the world famous Edinburgh Fringe.  Tourists flock to Scotland to enjoy hillwalking, traditional hearty food, and a distinct atmosphere reflective of the Scottish culture which locals have defended over the centuries.

Passports & Visas

Citizens of EU and EEA countries, most of North and South America, Japan, Israel, Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa to visit Scotland.

Obtaining a US passport
The US Government Website is where to start.
Visa information
For more information on UK Visas, visit the UK Border Agency website

American Offices
Provides consular assistance to U.S. citizens
United States Embassy
3 Regent Terrace
Edinburgh EH7 5BW
Phone         [44] (0)131 556 8315
Fax         [44] (0)131 557 6023

Scotland Tourist Information

Culture and History
For an extensive history on Scotland, recounting the many country’s battles and hardships, visit this Scotland History website .

Currency and Money
Scotland uses their variation of the British Pound. Cash machines (ATMs) are available throughout the country and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. While British banks do not charge fees for foreign credit cards, be aware that your bank might. There is often confusion about the legal tender status of Scottish notes; while it is possible to use English-printed notes in Scotland, it sometimes can be troublesome to use Scottish-printed notes in England. 

Driving in Scotland
Scotland drives on the left side of the road and drivers should make themselves comfortable with this layout as quickly as possible.  Drivers in Scotland are typically well-mannered and it is courteous to wave where a thank you to another driver is expected.  There is little congestion in the nation outside the areas around Glasgow and Edinburgh.   Check out our tips for driving in Britain before you leave.

Electricity in Scotland
Electricity is 220volt and takes “British standard” three-pronged plugs. Make sure your appliances can accept the higher voltage of power (American outlets provide 120 volts) or you’ll need a converter and an adapter. Some appliances and computers can accommodate either 120 or 220 volts either automatically or with just the flip of a switch on the appliance. (Check it out before you buy.)

Emergency Numbers
Call 999 if you are in an emergency and an operator will connect you with the police, ambulance, or fire department.

Etiquette in Scotland
Almost all Scots are very polite and well-mannered, with a balanced blend of seriousness and humor.  Queuing is a British tradition and ‘cutting’ in line is not welcome. Avoid mistakes by referring to Scotland as ‘England’, or the Scots as ‘English’, as this may be cause for a grievous offense.  The country is relatively relaxed and Scots are considered the friendliest of the four nations in the UK.

Public Hours in Scotland
Most shops are open Mondays – Saturdays 9am to 5:30pm, although supermarkets stay open until 10; some larger supermarkets stay open 24×7.    Sunday shopping is typically 10-11am to 4-5pm.

Safety
Rough drunkedness is a common complaint in cities large and small; it is wise to avoid large groups if at all possible.  Overall, crime in Scotland is relatively low; however, most towns have rough areas so it is important to always remain alert.

Time Zone
Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT)

Tipping in Scotland
Tipping is expected in restaurants, although in some establishments a service charge is already included.  A typical tip would be 10% for good service. It is not necessary to tip in a bar or pub.

Weather in Scotland
The weather can be different from one side of Scotland to the other. The west coast tends to be more rainy due to the incoming weather from the Atlantic. Summer temperatures can reach over 60F, and winter temperatures  can (but infrequently do) drop below freezing.  Snowfall in winter is standard in high elevations but less common towards the English border. Weather is a topic of daily conversation; be prepared for a mix of all seasons in a single day.

Getting Around Scotland

Air Transportation
The UK has extremely good air transportation coverage, both domestic and international. Glasgow and Edinburgh both have direct service to London and continental Europe; there are a few select flights to the USA or further afield destinations.

Bus
Bus service is inexpensive and required for many destinations where the railways do not reach.  The two primary carriers are Megabus and Citylink.

Boats and Ferries
Stenaline and P&O Irish Sea offer ferry service from the west coast of Scotland to Northern Ireland.

Rail
Scotland’s rail network is limited only to service in the larger cities.  The west coast is poorly represented on the rail map.  All Scottish rail service is run by First ScotRail .

Car Rental
Car Rental companies are the standard set of brands, and it is recommended to make your booking before leaving home.  American citizens are permitted to drive with a U.S. driver’s license for the duration of a visit to Scotland; i.e., as long as their status is that of tourist and not resident.

Taxis
In the cities, a taxi can be hired on the street but it typically is easier to either phone ahead or pick one up at a taxi stand, as there are not enough taxis to go around.  In rural locations, you must phone ahead for your taxi.

Health 

The National Health Service, commonly known as the NHS, provides free healthcare throughout the country. Should you require medical treatment, it is best to have your accommodation (hotel) contact a local physician’s office.  Emergency treatment can be had at any nearby emergency room, called A&E (Accident and Emergency). Be prepared for a wait as most A&Es are overcrowded.

Personal Medications
No permit is required to carry medication in your luggage. However, you should pack your medication in its original containers and/or have your doctor’s prescription with you. Customs officials will have to be satisfied that you are not importing more than would be necessary for your personal use, taking into account the drug type and length of stay (for no more than three months).

Lodging in Scotland

Check out our Glasgow Hotel Guide and Edinburgh Hotel Guide . Outside these cities, typical accommodation includes camping or locally-run bed and breakfasts.

Main Sights in Scotland

The main spectacle in Scotland is the beautiful landscape; rolling hills, dark lochs, endless forests. A few specific must-sees include:
•    Rosslyn Chapel, outside of Edinburgh
•    Loch Ness , which still hides the secrets of the monster Nessie
•    A number of regal Scottish castles
For more ideas, check out our Top Sights in Scotland guide.

Public Holidays in Scotland

New Year’s Day (January 1)
Second of January (January 2)
Good Friday
Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May)
Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May)
Summer Bank Holiday (first Monday in August)
Saint Andrew’s Day (November 30)
Christmas Day (December 25)
Boxing Day (December 26)

Telephones in Scotland

Dialing Procedures
UK phone numbers start with an area code of four digits followed by the six digit number.  The exception is London, where the area code is three digits and the number is eight digits.
When dialing to the UK from abroad, drop the leading zero in front of the number.  When calling within the UK, keep it.
Example (within UK):  07747 – 3334444
Example (outside the UK):  011 44 7747 3334444
Useful Country Codes:
USA and Canada 1
UK 44

Returning to the US

Customs,VAT & Duty Free
When you return to the U.S., you’ll need to declare everything you brought back that you did not take with you when you left. If you are traveling by air or sea, you may be asked to fill out a Customs Declaration Form provided by the airline or cruise ship. Keep your sales slips. Try to pack the things you’ll need to declare separately. Read the signs in the Customs area; they contain helpful information about how to clear Customs.

For complete information on Customs, look at the U.S. Government Customs Website
Value Added Tax (VAT) Refund Information
We have found it such a hassle to try to reclaim the VAT tax that we simply do not bother. If however, you will be spending a great deal of money, it might be worth the many steps you will need to go through.  Also, remember that a 7 percent V.A.T. (Value Added Tax) tax is added to rates for all restaurants and hotel rooms.  Service is included. This 7% V.A.T. tax on services is not refundable.

Travelers to Scotland from outside the EU are entitled to a reimbursement of the 16 % V.A.T. (Value Added Tax) they pay on all purchases as long as the purchases add up to no less than 90 Euros in the same store and on the same day. The vendor must provide the purchaser with a duly filled out invoice which includes the price of each good, the V.A.T. paid for each item, as well as the identification (name and address) for both vendor and purchaser. The goods must be brought out of the European Union within three months from the date of purchase.

At the time of departure from Scotland and final departure from the European Union territory, and before checking in your baggage, you must bring your invoice(s) and the merchandise purchased to the British Customs in order for them to process your V.A.T. refund claim (there is a specific booth for this purpose just prior to the entrance to the international area at the international port, gate or airport).

Duty Free
If you are a U.S. or Canadian resident, you may qualify for a personal exemption which allows you to bring goods of a certain value into the country without paying customs duties, excise taxes, or Value Added Tax.

This is the most precious experience that I had in South Korea.
Boryeong Mud Festival, is one of the best attraction in South Korea. Annually it attracts many international tourists.
The mud is dug up near Boryeong, trucked to the Daecheon beach area, and dumped at a ‘Mud Experience Land’.The mud is considered rich in minerals and used to manufacture cosmetics.
All guys and girls wear their swim suits but instead of swimming in the sea they swim in the mud. Everyone there put the mud all over their bodies.  Most interesting was the colouring of the mud! Beside providing the the mud all around, organisers also include concerts and mud related games and activities. It was so amazing!
If you got a chance visit South Korea in the summer, please do not miss this festival.

The ancient city of Jiaohe was built on high ground between two rivers such that the cliffs on either side formed a natural defence. This gave it a strategic value and it became the second largest city in the Gaochang Kingdom.
The ruins of this ancient city are still wonderfully atmospheric. It is easy to wander the various districts and imagine life here at the desert’s edge even though the city was abandoned long ago.
The graveyard offers a puzzle that has yet to be solved. Why are so many children buried here? Further research is required before archaeologists can establish a medical reason or, perhaps, something more sinister.

The Yulin Grottoes exist on both banks of the Yulin River. Due to flood damage only a few of the grottoes are open to the public. Some of these are only open on payment of an additional fee.
The Yulin Grottoes are very much worth the effort, especially as they can be enjoyed at leisure, without the great bustling crowds so often found at the nearby Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang.
The murals are of a similar age as those at Dunhuang but have a style of their own. Their quality is often much better, especially the flying apsaras which are believed to be the work of one of the Tang Dynasty masters.

The true face of Sicily can still be seen in the small villages although many locals would say their way of life has changed immensely from what it once was. The locals in the town of Sant’ Ambrogio are resolved to do something to preserve their way of life while offering an authentic experience to tourists looking for the real Sicily. Sicily’s first “eco-village” is being created by locals that immigrated to the area.

Sant ‘Ambrogio is located in a little nook behind the city of Cefalù on the north coast of Sicily. Cefalù is an ancient fishing port with a great Romanesque cathedral at its center. Cefalu has largely succumbed to tourism, with much of its Sicilian character hidden during the summer tourist months. In Sant ‘Ambrogio, however, life continues much as it has for the past 500 years. Old men still sit in rows on the benches in the little piazza, while their wives gossip on the whitewashed doorsteps.

Recently, some local owners of villa type properties in Sant ‘Ambrogio have been renting to tourists, offering what they call the “Sicilian experience”: a glimpse of a way of life that is fast disappearing. Many of these properties are rural houses set amid the pines, olives and fruit trees that cover the hillside above the bay. Others are townhouses or apartments in the town itself. Most are elegant buildings with delicately frescoed ceilings, but some are  more rustic places with heavy wood beams and whitewashed walls.

They are managed in the most environment-friendly way, with low-energy light bulbs and eco-cleaning products imported from the mainland. There are recycling containers available at each property. Many owners sell jars of jam and limoncello liqueur they made themselves. The charming town square holds discreetly placed recycle bins, and pots of colorful flowers are planted throughout the village. A museum of village life is now in place and it has organized communal clean-ups. All of this has been adopted by the locals in order to save their community and way of life for future generations.

Two great places to stay are Apartment Mare and Casa Santorum. From Casa Santorum one can see medieval hilltop towns such as Castelbuono and Pollina. You can rent these homes from a company called the Sicilian Experience . Our apartment at Casa Santorum had a private terrace where we could see across to the Aeolian Islands. There is a terraced garden below the house with cobbled streets leading  to the apartment where, in the evening, you can join the locals and sit out enjoying the sea breeze. The people of  Sant’ Ambrogio are warm and will invite you in for Ricotta, bread and homemade wine. They believe that hospitality should be freely given and they frequently can be heard to say, “Benvenuti nella mia home .”

Now would be the best time to visit the area because the world’s largest suspension bridge, that will link Sicily with the mainland, will be built (by 2012)  and many more tourists are expected to converge upon the area. Although it will cut travel time to Sicily, most of the locals are opposed to the bridge and fear that even more tourists will mean a further loss of the traditional way of life. The town of Sant ‘Ambrogio, however, continues to cling to that traditional way and won’t give it up without a fight.

Written by Carla Scott for EuropeUpClose.com

For over nine years, Neil and Joan have been spending their summers cruising the canals and rivers of Western Europe aboard their now thirty-one-year-old Dutch motor-cruiser, the “Estate.”  This year they are again sharing their experiences.

May,  2010
Train strikes and volcanoes started our 2010 boating season. Once we got through those challenges, we had a couple of weeks of very pleasant weather for getting our boat, the Estate, ready for cruising. The trees and flowers were blooming; the days were warm and sunny with temperatures up to the mid-seventies. Then the cold and rain descended on Burgundy. And that is all anyone talked about – and experienced – for over two weeks.

During our first year of owning the Estate, we cruised in Holland. Wisely we had bought a winter weight duvet. Rarely since that first year, however, have we used it more than three or four nights each year. This year, we snuggled under it for many nights. Temperatures went down to the 30’s F at night, and days sometimes didn’t hit 50° F.

We last cruised the Canal de Bourgogne (Burgundy Canal) in 2003. We call it “the year of the heat:” temperatures were in the 80’s, 90’s, and for ten straight days, over 100°, from May through August. We had been hoping for better, cooler weather this year, so we could enjoy the wonderful old towns, the biking and walking. Maybe one does have to be careful what one asks for!

We started up the Burgundy Canal at the end of April from our home port in St. Jean de Losne. The first couple of days en route to Dijon were uneventful, but we had a good chance to get some practice working through locks – 21 of them. The weather started turning while we were in Dijon. We would have been tempted to stay there, but we had friends from Portland meeting us for a trip through the 19 locks and the two-mile long tunnel at the summit of the canal. It was wonderful being back in Burgundy on the canal again, but wearing six layers of clothing including a ski sweater, 2 layers of fleece, and gortex did detract from some of our enjoyment!

We moored for two nights along the canal, tied to bollards or our own pounded-in stakes. After tying up at the end of the first day in Velars sur Ouche, we decided to hike to the chapel of Notre Dame d’Etang. It was an uphill climb, but the splendid array of wildflowers distracted us: bluebells, buttercups, and many more we couldn’t identify. We had seen a statue atop the highest point while cruising, and that, we realized while climbing, was the chapel. When the sun started to go down about 20 minutes from the summit, we decided that we had gone far enough, so headed back to the Estate.

At the end of the third day, Pont d’Ouche was a warm refuge as we were able to plug in our heater at Chez Bryony. Chez Bryony is the name of the port, run by Bryony, an Irish transplant. She runs the port, prepares her famous frites (chips, fries), manages a small grocery store, and is generally helpful to all. The town has the small port, one restaurant, and a post office. We stayed three nights, finally getting the cold out of our bones, at least temporarily. Then our brave friends, Heidi and Gerald, joined us, and we headed for the summit.

Heidi and Gerald’s enthusiasm helped us re-kindle ours too. It was interesting getting their perspectives and comments on the differences between canal boating in England and in France. In England, the locks are only 7 feet wide and the boats, of course, must be less than that width. In France, the standard width of locks is about 16 feet. In France, there is usually at least one lock-keeper to operate the gates; in England you do it yourself. For the first time ever for us, we sometimes had 2 or even 3 lock-keepers on this particular section of canal. (These days, because there is not a lot of traffic on the canal, instead of a lock-keeper at each lock, the lock-keepers are “itinerant.”  This means a lock-keeper travels along on a motor scooter, operating each lock in turn as the boat progresses. Each lock-keeper will normally do a section of 3 to 6 locks before the next keeper takes over.  If there is very little traffic, such as early in the season or when the weather is bad, the lock-keepers team up and help one another, which makes transiting the locks much quicker.)

We tied up in Vandenesse, a small town with 2 restaurants, a British tearoom, and a 12^th century church. If you need bread, you order it for the next day through the British tearoom, Charolly. Looming above Vandenesse is the castle and village of Chateauneuf en Auxois.

A hotel boat was tied up just in front of us, and while we were getting settled in, I happened to say hello to one of the boat’s crew. He was the best person possible to connect with — he was the chef. A few minutes later he came over with a container of homemade melon sorbet and one of a fruit filled frozen nougat. They were excess from their last group of guests and he wondered if we might enjoy them. We surely did!

Once we were securely tied up, we decided we needed some exercise, so we walked the  3 km up the hill. The construction of the chateau in Chateauneuf was begun in the 12th century. We were able to walk through several buildings that comprise the chateau, some of which have been re-furnished: a guest pavilion, a grand logis, a chapel, and guard room. The village itself is classic Burgundian: 14^th – 17^th century gray stone houses, occasional splashes of color from small flower boxes, narrow winding streets, and an ancient church. You have your choice of several tearooms for lunch or beverages.

That evening we discovered Restaurant de l’Auxois near our moorage. We had heard about it from other boaters over the years, but had never stopped for a meal. Luckily we made reservations because it was a very crowded Saturday night. The golfers from a nearby resort chateau were in town!

The restaurant serves typical Burgundian fare. We sampled jambon persille (ham with parsley), escargots (snails), charolais beef, lapin (rabbit), and, of course, Burgundy (pinot noir) wine. Three of the four of us chose a winning dessert: scoops of cassis (black current sorbet) and two other unidentified flavors of smooth, rich ice cream.

The next day we conquered the last 8 locks and traversed the summit tunnel. Two years ago, electric lighting was installed in the tunnel making it a lot less spooky. When you use your own light in a tunnel, it bounces around and off the various surfaces. The tunnel is long and narrow with occasional strange currents and small stalactites. At the other end, we popped out at Pouilly en Auxois. Pouilly is not as charming as some of the towns we had recently visited, but has several shops, a large grocery store, restaurants, and bakeries – and a port with electricity, showers, laundry, and tourist office!!  What luxury. We decided to stay until the cold, rainy weather changes.

Charolly
English tea salon and boutique.
Vandenesse, France
Tel: 03 80 49 22 71.

Restaurant de l’Auxois
Vandenesse, France
Tel:03 80 49 22 36

“Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen, salty old queen of the sea….”  This colorful city offers lots to see and do.  Read more about Copenhagen

Do you enjoy communing with nature? Does the organic food movement interest you? Are you looking for a way to learn new skills, meet people from all over the world and receive free room and board during your stay in Europe? Then WWOOFing may be a perfect fit.

What is WWOOFing?
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)  was started in 1971 in the UK as a way to provide opportunities for individuals to work for short periods of time (a few days to a few months) on organic farms. The organization quickly spread to other European countries and now there are over 6,000 host farms in 88 countries worldwide.  
In exchange for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts (farm owners) offer food, accommodations and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles and farming processes. Opportunities vary from working on an organic vineyard to learning how to make artisanal breads and cheeses to raising sheep (and many other types of farm-related activities). Volunteers work for a certain number of hours per day, as agreed upon by the farm owner and the WWOOFer in advance.

Why WWOOF?
In addition to offering free room and board and the opportunity to learn myriad new skills, WWOOFing is also a great way to meet people from all over the world (which could lead to more travel opportunities). Given the international nature of the organization, WWOOFers on a single farm can welcome individuals from many different countries. Most WWOOFers remember their experiences fondly and often keep in touch with farm owners or fellow WWOOFers. Many WWOOFers work for a few weeks on one farm, travel for a while, go to another farm, etc. It is a fantastic way to organize a trip and make it more affordable.

How do I get started?
Visit the WWOOF site of the country or countries you’re interested in visiting. You will find information on how to become a WWOOF member for that country (membership dues are small, typically between 15-30 Euros). Then you will be able to access that country’s WWOOF database or the organization will send you a directory of participating farms. You can then read the descriptions of the farms and get in touch with the ones that sound most interesting to you. After communicating with the farm owners about the specifics (dates, hours, etc.), be sure to check out the passport and visa requirements for the country/countries in which you’ll be working. These rules have gotten quite confusing due to recent changes in immigration laws throughout the European Union. However, most countries’ WWOOF sites have information on required visas or links to helpful government pages.

After you’ve secured your WWOOF assignments and squared away your visa and passport, book your ticket and start packing your bags!

Written by Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com