Travellers love to recount how they enjoyed a vacation or special break that was relatively cheap. But the latest trend is opting out of the mainstream for life on an island, completely free. While 'free' usually comes with conditions, these ideas might spark inspiration for your next vacation plans.
Cats Eyes On You
If you are a cat lover and fancy an island stay in Greece, this offer could be for you. According to EuroNews, an organisation called Syroscats is offering people the chance to unwind on the island of Syros, but they must meet one condition: they must love cats.
The animal welfare organisation said it is looking for volunteers aged 25 or older. "We welcome volunteers, individuals or couples who are fit, mature, healthy and independent," it said.
They must be prepared to look after cats for at least a month for around five hours a day, five days a week. In exchange, the organisation provides accommodation, breakfast and utilities.
"If you have training or experience as a veterinary assistant or experience with feral cats, you are especially welcome, but we are happy to hear from all cat lovers, as long as you are willing to get your hands dirty, are reliable and independent and can turn up on time," it added.
Syros is located in the Cyclades and is considered relatively unspoilt. The main town is Ermoupoli, with broad squares, townhouses, an impressive town hall, cafes and restaurants.
Swedish Delights Await
Sweden's travel board, Visit Sweden, recently came up with a novel idea: offering five lucky people the chance to take charge of their own little piece of the country for a whole year. Each winner will receive a certificate and a formal contract outlining their rights and responsibilities.
Officials say that you can explore and even invite guests to your island, as long as you show consideration for the local wildlife and environment.
Sweden is famous for its beautiful islands. It has an astonishing 267,750 islands, the highest number of any nation in the world. So Visit Sweden dreamed up the initiative, offering winners to own the likes of Tjuvholmen, Medbådan, Skötbådan, Storberget and Marsten, all islands in the south and east of the country.
Officials say they want to inspire curiosity and share a very Swedish outlook on life and responsibility in nature.
Even if you don't win, you can still visit any of the islands, as Sweden's Right of Public Access law gives everyone the freedom to roam as long as local wildlife and environment are respected.
"Sweden has more islands than any other country in the world, and we would like to invite people to enjoy what may be the most genuine form of luxury: the peace and tranquillity of nature on your own island," says Susanne Andersson, CEO at Visit Sweden.
The prize includes a round-trip to Sweden for two people, but does not include a round-trip to the islands you could own. So winners will need to plan ahead on how to get there.
Get Your Clickers Out!
Another option for enjoying remote island living is off the coast of south-west Wales. The catch is that you will have to count your close neighbours – puffins!
Skomer Island is a seabird island off the Pembrokeshire coast and managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW). Applicants will have the opportunity to spend several months there as part of conservation efforts.
The island's visitor officer, Rob Knott, said its at-risk puffins were "absolutely iconic birds" and counting them was "quite a job". While the roles are unpaid, WTSWW will provide free accommodation and travel expenses to and from the island within the UK, plus a bursary of £200-£400.
He said the counting operation involved splitting the island into sections and going around about two hours before sunset, when a larger number of puffins were on land. "We get our clickers out, and we count all the ones on the land, then the sea and the ones in the air as well."
Puffins are listed as vulnerable to extinction on the global International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List.
Andy Probert is a freelance journalist whose work about global travel news, aviation, business and human-interest features has appeared internationally in print and digital formats.
