If fact, as long as you’re in reasonably good shape and willing to learn, there are any number of boats you’ll be welcome on. And if you’ve got some good skills and experience, so much the better. That gives you even more choices.

My first experience joining a crew happened after talking with a friend and hearing he was heading off to race sailing yachts for a week in the Caribbean. Of course my immediate response was envy, followed quickly by a question – does the skipper need an extra hand?

Now the boat in question was a fairly new 42’ Dufour, and my experience up til that time was just small stuff like Hobie’s, plus it had been a while. Anyway my friend said he’d check to see if a grunt was needed and lucky for me, they were short one man.

All I had to do was get myself to the island and the rest was covered. During the week when not racing, was diving, sightseeing and fun. Most of the crew slept on board and I had one of the four cabins. Food was also provided and the only money I spent that week was the odd drink or meal ashore. Admittedly, not sharing in the cost of food is unusual, but there was a sponsor involved.

Anyway, that’s what got me hooked on sailing bigger boats. Point is, anyone can. Even if you don’t have friends that sail, there are ways to get on. If close to the marinas and anchorages you wish to sail from, post your availability. Otherwise, the internet can be useful – just do a search on “crew wanted for sailing” and start investigating. A couple useful sites are floatplan.com and cruiser.co.za.

You’re going to find boats and skippers looking for a willing crew for anywhere from a few days to several months. One key to getting chosen is being ready to go when the boat is. Often it’s a last minute need, because someone pulled out.

When making a decision on joining a crew, take the time to ensure you understand all arrangements and that you and the captain have the same understanding. The above sites also have info on what to expect in terms of “free cruising”.

The cost should be no more than your share of food and personal expenses. Anything beyond that like fuel, moorings, etc, means it’s a commercial enterprise. Also be aware that there are folks out there looking not so much for help on their boat as help supporting their cruising lifestyle. A good deal for them and maybe for others, but not what we’re looking for.  

That being said, what’s stopping you?

Once you fly into Phoenix the state awaits you at your door. You can travel north to Flagstaff and discover the wonders of this mountain region or travel to Sedona and experience some of the most outstanding creative art anywhere. The rust colored mountains are a sight to see and the town filled with artists featuring their skillful work.

Golfing is highlighted at many of the top resorts in the state where the courses are maintained to the professional qualities of the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and even Tiger Woods. If you ever wanted to play on a course that would be appreciated by this level of golfer then the Phoenix area is where you have to play. Take your clubs and enjoy the serenity of any of the courses in the area. In Scottsdale alone you will find 174 courses for you to choose from, there will be one that certainly fits your skill level.

The climate in Arizona offers a wide array of options for your enjoyment. The desert region can reach temperatures well into the 100’s in the summer and at night drop to below freezing in the winter. The mountain region remains a delightful range of 80’s and 90’s during the summer and gets snow in the winter. You can hike the mountains in the summer and snowmobile them in the winter.

The cheapest flights for Phoenix are usually in the summer with the temperatures getting hot and steamy. If you like the heat you can discover some fantastic deals on airline tickets throughout the summer. Winter is the peak season so ticket costs are often higher. If you watch you can obtain some great values during the spring and fall when the tourism market isn’t as strong. It’s a beautiful time to visit while the desert is in bloom and the air fresh and clean.

Nowadays, there are cheap airline deals all over the place. Almost every day, there are dozens of offers for cheap travel international tickets to thousands of different destinations. Paradoxically, this can make it harder to find the best deal than before. There are many websites where you can look for cheap tickets, and each one is set up in a different way.

Some people have a favorite. My mom, for example, almost always starts with Kayak.com. I know other people who are big fans of Travelocity, Cheaptickets.com, or some other airline travel bargain website altogether. Still, in reality no one site has the best deals all the time. With cheap travel international, as with any other attempt to find the best price on the Internet, the more work you do the better off you’ll be.

When I start off looking for cheap travel I usually go to kayak.com first. The advantage of that web page Is that it runs searches of other travel engines. As a meta-search tool, it is more likely than most to provide the cheapest international tickets. Nevertheless, it is not always right. Sometimes, it misses a deal. Other times, there is a special rate only available on an airline’s own website. It varies from time to time, and sometimes things end up being disappointing. There have been times, for example, when I have bought a cheap airline ticket only to see one much cheaper crop up the next day. In these circumstances, it is important to keep your mind on the positive. Just remember that you are getting a great deal, and missing out on an even better one will not depress you as much. Cheap travel international is like anything else – no matter how good a deal you get, chances are that there is an even better deal somewhere.

To this end they fund scientific field research and provide ways for regular folks – like non-scientists, to act as volunteers on projects around the world. Besides traveling to exotic locations, you get the opportunity to participate in these projects and maybe even learn a thing or two.

There are expeditions to a variety of locations, and depending on your interest will hold differing appeals. The ones I like are those involving the oceans and opportunities to dive as part of the work.

Below are some sample locations and a brief synopsis of what volunteers can expect:

First are the Coral Reefs of Thailand:

In the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, Thailand’s coral reefs are some of the most magnificent and diverse ecosystems on Earth. Like many of the world’s reef systems, Thailand’s reefs are facing the pressures of overfishing and destructive fishing practices, as well as the threats posed by global warming and coral diseases. Scientists from Reef Check are joining forces with Earthwatch to survey Thailand’s resplendent coral reefs and monitor the effects of marine protected areas as well as recovery from the 2004 tsunami. With this information, agencies and local communities can better manage and conserve these beautiful reefs.

Perhaps the south Pacific is more to your liking. Here’s a chance to spend a couple weeks Diving the WWII Wrecks of Truk Lagoon:

Now part of the Federated States of Micronesia — Truk (a.k.a. Chuuk) was an Imperial Japanese Navy base during World War II. Considered second only to Pearl Harbor in strength, the U.S. saw this base as a major threat and in February 1944 began Operation Hailstone, a 2-day intense aerial bombing campaign that continued in various forms until the war’s end. More than 50 naval and merchant ships were sunk in Truk Lagoon, along with up to 100 aircraft, with many intact, having been protected by the surrounding barrier reef. Maritime archaeologist Bill Jeffery, materials scientist Dr. Ian Macleod, and marine ecologist Maria Beger aim to document and help protect Truk Lagoon’s rich historic and biological heritage.

Or maybe the Belize Regional Initiative:

Be part of a collaborative effort to conserve an entire ecosystem. Based on remote islands scattered along the world’s second largest barrier reef, our Belize projects offer snorkeling, diving, and shore-based experiences. Surrounded by one of Earth’s largest barrier reefs, Belize is becoming a popular destination. But despite the designation of its waters as protected Marine Reserves, coastal development, overfishing, and tourism threaten the biodiversity of this tiny nation. We offer the chance to study and protect the life that depends on this reef. Whether your team is based at our remote Living Reef Center or at a beachside hotel, you can experience Belize in a unique way and be part of a group of projects working to help this country strike a balance between economic growth and ecosystem health.

Volunteers are responsible for the cost of getting to the assignment location plus a contribution amount that covers meals and lodging, plus other associated costs. This expense is far less than a typical vacation in the same area, and there is usually enough free time to check out the locale. Learn more about Earthwatch Institute and upcoming projects here.

As part of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, Atiu is one of 15 islands with a combined land area of only 240 square kilometers (92.7 square miles), but spread across 1.8 million square kilometers (0.7 million square miles) of ocean.

Even though the country spans an area the size of India, it’s population numbers just 16,000 with two-thirds of them living on the island of Rarotonga. The Cook Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. They have their own language and enjoy a vigorous and diverse culture that displays significant differences between each island. 

The Cooks were first settled in the 6th century A.D. by Polynesians who migrated from nearby Tahiti which lies to the southeast. The people are friendly, and despite around 100,000 visitors annually to the capital island of Rarotonga, they are largely unspoiled by tourism.

“They offer a rare opportunity for people from the cities of the world to experience a different type of vacation. There are no high-rise hotels, only four beach buggies and very little hype. Ideal for travelers seeking more than the usual clichés associated with the South Seas, each island has its unique qualities and offers the visitor a special experience.”

Atiu itself, with only about 600 people living there, is called the Warriors Island. It’s elevation of 14,500 feet (4500 meters), and beautiful scenery make it an especially good choice for travelers wanting a vacation that involves more than just lying on the beach. 

“Atiu Villas is situated on Atiu Island on the outskirts of the central villages. The site provides a quiet and relaxing environment surrounded by wild tropical gardens and is only a short walk from the white sandy beaches of the southern coastline.”

The villas are unique chalet style structures made almost entirely of local native timbers and materials and feature the polished woods of mango, coconut, Christmas nut, acacia, cedar, java plum and many other tropical trees.

Each villa has a private verandah, cooking facilities, separate bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities and a fully stocked larder from which guests pay for what they use upon leaving. The larders are well-stocked with dairy food, beverages, packaged and tinned food.

The villas have sleeping configurations that can take from 2 to 6 people. There is plenty of water and each villa has a solar hot water supply. Electricity and water run 24-hours a day. Your hosts will help you organize transportation, tours, and activities.

As I said earlier, getting to Atiu, takes a little effort, but it’s well worth it. Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti and Pacific Blue are the three international carriers that fly into the international airport on Rarotonga. You then fly Air Rarotonga which provides regular domestic service to Atiu.

Taking the name of the river running through it, the Dordogne region is famed for it’s rich history spanning from early man, through the Hundred Years War, the Renaissance, and finally more modern times. Known for its many prehistoric caves and numerous castles, there is plenty to keep ones interest.

Of course, one of the big draws of the region is food, and it’s been referred to as the gastronomic capital of France. Meals are hearty, and the wine robust. Restaurants abound, prices are affordable, and it’s just hard to find a bad meal in the Perigord.

Besides superb eating, you’ll find extremely reasonable accommodations. There is lodging of every description, ranging from small B&Bs to elegant hotels. Below are a couple great choices, especially for the budget conscious. You can find more details and other lodging in this article, the Secret Hotels of the Dordogne.

Le Bellevue
Overlooking umpteen miles of rolling hills and the tiny town of Montignac, these basic accommodations offer a view that your average luxury hotel would kill for. Not only that, but the setting is appealingly serene as there’s nothing around but fields and farmland. You might even forget that the Lascaux Cave, home of France’s most famous prehistoric paintings, is just a five-minute walk away. Though none of the five rooms gets the view face-on, you can take in the scenery over café au lait in the breakfast room or simply plop down on the hillside at any time of day. One of the rooms has a small private terrace, so book well ahead; unlike most of these hotels, Le Bellevue is open year-round.

La Maison des Peyrat
Sarlat is probably the prettiest town in the Dordogne, but its popularity can make for a less-than-tranquil experience. This is all the more reason to stay at La Maison des Peyrat, about half a mile uphill in a residential neighborhood. The long, one-story stone building dates back to the Middle Ages and at various times was a hospital for plague victims, a residence for nuns and a farm. Part of its appeal was ample water as you may note by the well in what is now the hotel’s reception area. Current owners Martine and Jean-Luc Ginestet preserved the historic character of the building, while also injecting a dash of modern design. The result is 10 simple, airy rooms in light colors with rattan furniture; common areas feature exposed beams and original artwork, including some of Martine’s sculptures. Outside, a chestnut tree shades the terrace where breakfast and dinner are served in good weather.

Although the Dordogne is beautiful throughout the year, it’s the most beautiful in spring, when the many fruit orchards are in bloom, and the fall, when the light makes the landscape seem to come alive with color. Summer of course is popular and though Dordogne is no more crowded than other places, it can be frustrating trying to navigate the riverside villages. In winter, many shops and hotels close for the season.

Getting there: The Dordogne River valley is within the area known as Perigord, and the French use the terms interchangeably. The flights from Paris-Orly to Bordeaux are about an hour long; you can rent a car in Bordeaux and drive to Perigueux in about 90 minutes. You might also take the high-speed TGV train from Paris to Bordeaux (three hours), or a regular train to Brive-la-Gaillarde (four hours) or Souillac (41/2 hours), and then rent a car. Driving from Paris to Souillac via the autoroute (a toll highway) takes approximately five hours.