5 of the most fantastical Workaway destinations

Whatever “rocks your boat” there is something fascinating out there for each and every one of us. It has been a tough selection process, especially as there are so many weird and wonderful locations on offer: a horse-drawn gipsy caravan, a cave dwelling in Petra, a tree house, a barge, a shepherd’s yurt, a chateau, a private yacht… the stuff that dreams are made of to be sure!

Here are five inspirational destinations which speak to our “ inner child” and beckon us with a story-tale appeal that’s impossible to resist!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland: A log cabin in Lapland

For all of those who as a child yearned to step into the landscape of a Christmas card and live just down the lane from Santa’s workshop, this is as close as anyone could wish for.

Situated in the Swedish Lapland, this cabin next to a dog kennel and beautiful boreal forest was set up by a Scotts-man whose life revolves around his dogs and relocated to the arctic for nearly a decade now! 

Forget the fun of riding in a “ one-horse open sleigh”, here there are over 60 huskies ready to sweep and swish you off into the wilderness. They need help with maintenance tasks around the kennel, welcoming guests, help with dog sled tours, driving snowmobiles, etc.

While there, you can visit the world-famous ice-hotel, learn about the indigenous Sami culture, see the aurora and meet a lot of interesting people resulting in friendships! After bracing the ice and snow you can get cosy by the fireplace in your lumberjack’s cabin or let the day melt away in the sauna.

Just to add to the magic, on a clear night you can see the Northern lights!

Live like Crusoe: Stay on a desert island in Cambodia for

Stories from our childhood of treasure islands, pirates and castaways used to fill us with awe and left us wondering how it would feel to be so far away from home and paradoxically living like a king, yet with only “ the bare necessities of life” (thanks Baloo!).

Part of the beautiful Koh Rong island in Cambodia, this stunning desert island offers a lush jungle backdrop leading down to golden sands and spectacular sea views. 

Help is required with snorkelling/sunset tours, yoga teaching, cooking for the volunteers team, and general maintenance. Soak in the simple life: contemplate your life back home from un uncluttered perspective, look for “ treasure” in the jungle or explore the coral reefs. Ahhh Paradise!

Be a part of it in New York, New York: Theatre school in New Jersey

For all those who love travelling and the performing arts, what could be more whacky and exciting than helping to run a thriving music and theatre arts school alongside young art educators and family.

This is a co-operative venture with a creative team of people committed to making theatre magic happen. Help is needed in a wide variety of areas from video production, digital marketing/advertising, yard work, cleaning, and other projects at home and school locations.

In the words of Irving Berlin “ There’s no business like show business, like no business I know. Everything about it is appealing” …and who wouldn’t want to be a part of it?

Stay in a Traditional Home in the Jungle of Chitwan, Nepal

The local indigenous people are known as Tharus, and they have a culture steeped in tradition, herbal medicine, dance and the art of living simply within their natural surroundings. They are keen to share their age-old wisdom and folklore with visitors as well as learning from them.

In this tradition home located in the middle of the Nepal jungle, help required includes gardening, animal care, cooking, and other daily chores. As well sharing your surroundings with the domestic animals: chickens and cows your next-door neighbours are the elephants, the one-horned rhinos, crocodiles, deer and their predators – the illusive Bengali tigers! Take a stroll in the jungle, listen to the exotic birdsong, ride on an elephant, or watch one bathe in the river! But… don’t stop to smile if you see a crocodile!

As well sharing your surroundings with the domestic animals: buffalos, cows, oxen and goats your next-door neighbours are the elephants, the one-horned rhinos, crocodiles, deer and their predators – the illusive Bengali tigers! Take a stroll in the jungle, listen to the exotic birdsong, ride on an elephant, or watch one bathe in the river! But… don’t stop to smile if you see a crocodile!

Journey down the Amazon: River Adventure of a lifetime in Ecuador 

The Amazon has captured the imagination of many writers and film makers who have then gone on to provoke a worldwide fascination for the region. It is revered as a sacred place of hidden mysteries and surprises. So the child within would no doubt be thrilled to share an adventure of a lifetime by joining a family living close to the Ecuadorian Amazon.

The project is to construct cabins, construction trails, and cultivate medicinal plants! This is not a trip for the feeble or faint-hearted, the Amazon is a place of murky waters and strange nocturnal noises. It is a world within a world, a labyrinth of unpenetrable density, yet to be fully understood or explored…perhaps one of the very few places on earth where Nature reigns supreme. Are you up to the challenge?

By the way…as the family members only speak Spanish it would be a total immersion experience in oh so many respects!

Are these five fanciful fantastical destinations playing merely to our childish mind? Yes perhaps, and why not?! Nowadays as “sensible” adults aren’t we just as easily duped by clever advertising campaigns and persuasive news stories? Even more reason to switch it all off and indulge one of our deep-seated childhood fantasies!