Stops around the world where you can stay overnight for free. Barter or artist and writer program housing
Free accommodation all over the world is not a fake or fiction. You can travel by crossing off your spending list the amount of money for an overnight stay. These aren't homeless shelters, but spaces where you can be hosted by barter, a program, or out of love for humanity. If you're an artist, you're doubly lucky, as the trend of opening free stops around the world has gone in the direction of art people and you'll find plenty of opportunities to visit a particular country without paying for an overnight stay.
Take a look at our 10 picks for places around the world where you can stay for free to have such an arsenal in your traveler's suitcase.
1. UXUA Casa Spa Hotel
Location: Trancoso, Brazil.
Many of the structures and buildings in the hotel complex date back to the 16th century. This by no means means means that you are offered an old barn. The hotel with its modern interiors and room designs is quite popular and well-known in Trancoso. One of the recognizable features and became the works of many artists, which the hotel accepts with gratitude providing in return the masters with exquisite accommodation.
You can stay at the hotel for free for a period from two weeks to a month under the "Artist in the House" program.
In exchange, the hotel asks you to create a work of art from the materials provided, which will serve as your payment for comfortable accommodation on the shores of Brazilian Basia.
The UXUA Casa Spa Hotel has a stunning location, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Brazil's beaches and greenery.
2. Vagabond Club
Location: Singapore.
Also a pretty tempting offer for people in the arts. Vagabond Club favors creative people. It welcomes not only artists, but also musicians, writers, poets, magicians and so on.
You can become a guest of the hotel from a weekend to two weeks, if you interest the hotel with your creativity. The room accommodation is quite comfortable and cozy. The hotel is one of the best boutique hotels in Singapore, so the exchange will be equal. You can offer the hotel any creative collaboration from a painting to a concert.
The program is currently on hold, but you can always get up-to-date information on the website.
3. Les Refuges Periurbains
Location: Bordeaux, France.
The owl-shaped wooden shelters are located on the outskirts of the region and operate under the Les Refuges Périurbains program for just one night. But that may be enough if you want to see Bordeaux's scenic natural treasures without spending money on lodging.
Since the rooms are not equipped with water and electricity and heating, they are suitable for very authentic travelers from March to October. Apply a month in advance and wait for a reply to book your travel date.
Household facilities are close to the lodging, you can also find stores and transportation nearby, which will become convenient for getting around.
Although the accommodation is free you will have to secure a credit card when booking, but do not worry, the day will be charged only in case of damage.
Les Refuges Periurbains also have shelters that can accommodate up to 8 people, such as the Lac de la Blanche in Ambarez-et-Lagrave.
4. Shakespeare and Company
Location: Paris, France.
If you're a writer, you're in luck. Visiting Paris with free lodging is a great opportunity provided by a historic bookstore.
The shelters are located right among the bookshelves and epitomize a certain romance of writing. There's also the option of being located in the upper book room, where it seems and books instead of shelves. Several people can be accommodated here at once.
In return, the store only asks for your autobiography written on one sheet.
The program where you could make a stop for free is called "Tumbleweed" and it already has more than 30,000 autobiographies in its archive, so this free place to stop in Paris is popular.
Learn more about the program on the historic bookstore's website to plan your trip to the romantic city without paying for lodging.
5. Swatch Art Peace Hotel
Location: Shanghai, China.
Becoming a resident of this hotel in China for free is only possible by being an artist or creator and applying on the website.
The residency period can range from three to six months, tempting isn't it? For such a long period of time, you can explore Shanghai in peace, gather with artists on the program like you, building collaborations and friendships.
You'll be housed in an apartment for free and include breakfast in your stay.
Get the opportunity to create in peace without worrying about the studio and travel without worrying about lodging.
You can apply if you are a dancer, writer, filmmaker, photographer, musician or a person who wants to present his creation to the hotel.
6. Barter Week in Italy
Location: Italy.
A unique opportunity to visit Italy arises in mid-November when Barter Week is announced.
Whoever you are you can find a need for your services in return for free accommodation. You can exchange not only your profession, but also food, toys, furniture, anything you find listed on the website.
This is a wonderful opportunity for travel bloggers to get free accommodation in Italy in return for advertising. Everyone from laborers to handymakers can try their luck and negotiate free accommodation in Italy for a short period of time.
Don't miss this year's barter week in Italy, last year's fell on November 13-19. By the way, Italy is not the only country that has a barter period.
7. Klondike National Historical Park
Location: Alaska.
Alaska can be a revelation for an active and landscape vacation. The Alaska Parks and Preserves Visitor Program allows for incredible travel without spending money on lodging and overnight stays. To date, the NPS has opened more than 50 lodging programs across the country and they are available to people from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines.
Using the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park as an example, we can look at one of the programs aimed at artists. You get the opportunity to go on a two-week hike on the Chilkoot Trail, spending two to three days each sleeping at campgrounds. Your responsibilities will include presenting at campgrounds where you will share your impressions and experiences. Create your masterpieces right as you hike, there will be tons of inspiring locations along the way.
You can apply on the Yukon Arts Center website. Remember, only two international participants can get a spot in the program, so the earlier you submit everything you need, the better your chances of success.
8. Carlton Arms Hotel
Location: New York, USA.
Oh yes, the dream city has developed a free housing option for creatives. More precisely, the art residency has been in the works since the late 80's, but today has taken on a vibrant palette of colors and possibilities.
The corridors of Carlton Arms are furnished with paintings and art objects, thanks to talented creators who got the opportunity of free housing in New York.
When you get a room you will also get all the materials you need to create. Free time can be spent both on exploring the city and on creative meetings in the hotel, where joint projects and ingenious ideas for realization are born. Don't miss your chance to place your painting next to the many famous names in the corridors of the hotel, and barter accommodation in New York.
9. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Location: Michigan.
Want a location for creative inspiration and a stunning lakeside vacation in Michigan? Artists, photographers, and writers alike can take this chance. Your creative vacation can last as long as three weeks surrounded by an idealistic natural picture.
Your vacation will be filled with creative hangouts, inspired work and a series of workshops that you will be asked to lead during the last week of your stay.
Accommodation is in lodges and tented camps, the facilities are fairly basic but comfortable.
Find out if Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 's artist-in-residence program is active this year and hurry to apply.
10. Eckville Shelter
Location: Appalachian Trail, Pennsylvania, USA.
The Appalachian Trail is 2,190 miles long. Be the lucky one to spend your vacation among the 250 options for free or nearly free stops on this scenic panoramic road.
You'll want to plot your route and arrange your stops in advance, as most reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.And while many of the free stop locations are within 8 miles of each other, others can be as far away as 30 miles. You may need to register or pay a toll at some locations. You can always find help online and consult with professional travelers or campground caretakers. Your free stopover can be either a wooden house or a single tent.
11. 25 Horses Hotel
Location: Zurich, Switzerland.
A new form of barter for a free stay can be antiques. There is a pawn shop on the grounds of the 25 Horses Hotel in Zurich, where you can offer any antique item from jewelry to furniture in exchange for a comfortable stay at the hotel. The hotel itself is filled with lots of quirky items and things to look at more closely.
You can fill out an online application to describe your proposal and get a response.
12. Alpine Club of Alaska
Location: Alaska.
Wherever avid travelers go to see the world and Alaska is on the wish list of many.
The Commonwealth of Alaska Mountaineering Club offers 7 completely free huts for you and your group to stop for a rest and recuperate.
The shelters, located on the Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains, measure different heights so that you have the opportunity to rest at each stage of the climb.
One of the notable huts is the Mint Hut. It can accommodate up to 8 people, and the panoramic view of the Little Susitna River adds to the exclusivity of your free stop.
Ask about membership terms and conditions to take advantage of free Alaska lodging offers.