Map of Daniel and Sylvia's 2017 trip
The idea of Servas grew from a group of people calling themselves Peacebuilders in 1949 in Denmark. After the devastation of WW2, American conscientious objector Bob Luitweiler and his friends in Europe and the U.S were deeply concerned about the world, and decided to work together for world peace and social justice. With other peace movements, they came up with the idea of a work-study travel system that enabled people from different nations to travel in a more thoughtful way, by enjoying the hospitality in the hosts’ homes.
Servas developed from the network set up to achieve these aims, reaching out to people who were ready to offer free hospitality for like-minded travellers. Within a few years the movement had taken root in a number of countries.
At the first international meeting in 1952, the network was renamed Servas i.e We Serve in Esperanto, a language invented in the C19th as a world language. 20 years later, in 1972, Servas International was set up, with its registered office in Switzerland. The organisation has an executive committee of international officers & regional coordinators, elected at international Servas conferences. The United Nations put Servas International on its list of associated non-governmental organisations in 1973.
So Servas International is an international, non-profit, non-governmental federation of national groups, in a global network of hosts and travellers. The purpose of the network is to help build world peace, goodwill and understanding by providing opportunities for personal contacts among people of different cultures and backgrounds.
Servas can open homes for travellers who want to connect with the world on another level - there are 15,000+ Servas hosts in 100+ countries. Guests usually stay with a host for two days and share their everyday lives, experiences, differences and commonalities.
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 abroad. What they have in common is a deep curiosity and an open-minded approach to other cultures. This world is a place where there are no strangers. Find out more about Servas on the Servas website for the country where you live.
Three Avignon hosts on left, two Australian travellers on right
Daniel wrote: To start with I want to thank the many Servas hosts, friends and relatives that made our trip so memorable! I started a friendship by correspondence with host Narciso long before we arrived in Madrid, receiving tips on places to visit and helping us on how to get tickets to a Zarzuela opera. In Narciso's opinion, instead of spending 1 week in Spain and 6 in Europe, we should have stayed a week in just Madrid and the rest of the time visiting the rest of Spain and it would not be enough. Bucket list!
We will fondly remember his small balcony overlooking a patio. It was a nice, cosy home away from home. Following his recommendation, we went to a famous place for Churros, but he scolded us for having it in the afternoon and not for breakfast! His house was walking distance from where my father was born and lived in most of his childhood.
We got an insider look into what it is to live in Catalunya. Host Nuria also had nice stories about the time she was a teacher in Mataró and in Andorra, and gave us a few tips on what to see there on our return trip. We all went on a nice stroll through Mataró, near Barcelona.
After visiting the impressive ruins of the Roman Colloseum we noticed that hostess Fatya's house in Arles was just one street away, so we decided to get to know her earlier than previously agreed on. I got to practise a lot of my rustic high school French! Due to a mistake, Fatya had double booked another Servas traveller couple from NZ, but managed to put us all up!
We enjoyed staying with hosts France and Bruno in Avignon. This couple is to be admired, as they continuously foster mentally disabled youngsters in their home!
Thank you to Bernhard in Karlsruhe, whose wife Anke is a Servas host but had to be away on business, for having us anyhow! We remember having breakfast discussing different aspects of life and world travel, and learning about the EggshellBreakingAndPerforatingDevice.
We really enjoyed the very warm hospitality granted to us by hostess Antje and her youngest son Jonas in Frankfurt. A friendship was established that just clicked. We hope to see Antje and family again, in Frankfurt or in Sydney!
Another welcoming home away from home with Angela and children Sharon and Julian in Bonn. It was interesting to chat with Angela about stories heard from our parents and grandparents about WW2 and its consequences. And we were surprised watching a robot device mowing their lawn! The attached photos of Cologne are special.
Hosts Marie and Philippe near Tours provided an amazing experience in a home first built in the C16th or earlier! Seeing and learning about the caves initially created by the Romans who removed boulders for building purposes, the Troglodytes were used for centuries by homeless people. Now they are popular as cellars and houses built above them. The cake made from homegrown cherries was delicious!!
Thank you Daniel! Thank you Servas