subject: Free Vacations Is That Really Possible? [print this page] Are you wondering if there is such a things as a free vacation? If you are, then let me tell you that there isn't. However, did you know that there is such a thing as free accommodation?
When you receive a call from a travel agency, they will tell you that they are currently offering a free vacation package or they say you won free plane tickets to an exotic location. Aside from hearing about this all the time, you also find out after the fact that it was all some sort of travel or vacation scam.
You know the hazards of not taking that much needed time off and the economy is bad and you are also already hesitant to go away on vacation. So you book your trip, you pay your deposit, you hop on a flight, and your nightmare begins! As much as possible, do not let this happen to you.
As you hear about them, there are times when you unknowingly provide them with the information that they need to contact you. You fill out a form, enter a draw, buy some sort of lottery ticket, or just fill out a questionnaire and suddenly there they are on the other end of the line trying to relieve you of your hard earned money. Of course, there are ways of saving a significant amount of money on your family vacations but don't be fooled since nothing is free.
Are you aware that in many countries free lodging is offered for free to travelers? Because of religious and charitable ideals, some cultures do that while others do it because they believe that they can benefit from knowing you and your culture. Through Monasteries in countries like Italy, France, and Spain are considered as the most common places where you can get free accommodation.
Several monastic orders define hospitality/charity as one of their vows and they are only too happy to accommodate us for a night or two. Remember that usually, these monasteries are in the rural areas and you may still need to give them a token gift but it's a wonderful lesson for our family to see how people can live with so little "stuff" and still be contented in life. With this stay, your family may even save millions later in life because of the lessons learned in frugality.
Using their resources sparingly and leaving the rooms clean as they were before your family used it and remember to give them an offering, whether it's a few dollars or an item of clothing, or perhaps a blanket or afghan are other things you should always remember to do.
