Are you full of questions when you visit a new place or another country but not sure where to find the answers?
Perhaps you want to have a more fulfilling connection with the people who live there, and find out for yourself the inside story on the places you visit?.
Servas can open doors for travellers who want to connect with the world on another level. There are more than 15,000 Servas hosts in more than 100 countries who would love to open their homes to travellers.
Servas travellers usually stay with a host for two days and share their everyday lives.
The travellers and their hosts can find time to talk things over – fascinated to explore differences and excited to see what is the same for us all.
Servas travellers come from all walks of life and all ages. They may already have travelled widely or be starting out on their first contacts with other cultures and countries. What they have in common is a wide-ranging curiosity and an open-minded approach to other cultures, and a commitment to promoting peace through friendship and shared experience.
Servas is a special way of seeing the world as a place where there are no strangers.
Find out more about Servas here
Travelling safely
When you’re travelling independently you want to enjoy your trip, but you also need to think about travelling safely.
Servas aims to make sure that your Servas visit goes well, and so it's policy is to interview hosts as well as travellers before they join. As Servas is based on trust between the host and the traveller, this interview is an important safeguard to ensure that new members – hosts and travellers – are responsible and open-minded, and that they fully accept the aims of Servas.
Planning your visit
- Before travelling try to learn about the customs and culture of the countries you will be visiting.
- If travelling with friends, your friends must be approved Servas travellers with a current Letter of Introduction (LOI) if they intend to stay with you in Servas hosts’ homes.
- Follow the instructions individual hosts provide in the host lists on how to contact them (email/phone/letter) and how far in advance of your visit. Please do not turn up without notice. Even if hosts indicate 'No Prior Notice Required', (NPNR), telephone first to confirm arrangements a day or two before arrival.
- Please do not telephone hosts later than 9:30pm or before 8:00am.
- Do not presume meals will be provided.
- If you cannot visit as advised to the host, please let your host know as soon as possible.
- Try to visit hosts in middle, outer suburban and country areas. Some hosts seldom receive visitors and anxiously await you! (Some hosts may be able to collect you from the bus, train or plane but do not expect them to do so.)
- Many hosts live in smaller, intimate and often historically more interesting towns or on farms. They are wishing to broaden their field of associations and may have more time to spend with you than hosts in the big cities. Look for the code WMT (Want More Travellers) or similar statement in host lists.
- A normal stay is 1 or 2 nights but longer stays are at the discretion of the host.
- If you have any problems arranging visits with hosts, please contact the host coordinator for the region who may be able to give you the names of additional hosts.
- Day hosts in the Servas host lists are usually people who are keen to make a traveller feel at home for at least a part of a day and act as guide and friend. These day hosts are often a reliable source of information on local places of interest and on transport. Day hosts do not offer accommodation for Servas Travellers.
- Take with you photos or literature from your home country or region to show your hosts. Some small souvenirs from home make suitable gifts of appreciation.
- Respect a host’s right to say “no” to your request for a visit. If you have difficulty finding an available host always be prepared to find alternative accommodation. Do not rely solely on Servas.
During you visit
- Show your original Letter of Introduction on arrival. Do not wait to be asked.
- Spend time with your host and come prepared to talk about yourself and your country. We have much to share with one another.
- Ask about household routines and try to fit in with them. Offer to help in the house with cooking, washing dishes, gardening etc. Behave as you would expect a guest to behave in your home.
- If you need to use a host’s telephone, please ask first. Avoid making long distance calls unless essential. Please reimburse your host for the cost of all phone calls.
- It is not necessary, but it can be useful to carry your own sheets or a sleeping bag. If you do so, offer to use them.
- Please don't expect your host to drive you around. However, hosts will often advise you on what is best to see and how to get there.
- Never ask your host for money.
- While you are a guest, do not ask to extend your stay.
- Contact a Servas Host Coordinator or the National Secretary if you have any major difficulties or issues.
After your visit
- Send an email or postcard to your hosts. They are interested in you and like to know that you arrived safely at the next stop or finally back at your home. Contact is always appreciated and many lasting friendships with return of hospitality have resulted from such continuing contacts.
- At the end of your trip send a travel report to your Travel Officer or the Servas Newsletter Editor. Your travel report might include names of hosts visited, photos and any notable experiences. It would be great if you post a short report on the Servas Australia or your home country’s Facebook page. Your report may be included in the Servas Newsletter as part of Traveller’s Tales or on the website servas.org.au but do seek the permission from hosts should you display photos and their names.
- Remain active as a Servas member if you can. Perhaps you can become a host if you’re not one already.
- Remember the Servas host details are confidential and are not for public circulation. They are to be deleted when you have finished with them. Any hard copies should be shredded.
Have a good time and enjoy your Servas experience. We hope you return to Australia with happy memories and many new friendships.