FAQ: Traveling
1. Your profile as a Traveler
Once you have paid your membership fee, the Host List Coordinator will activate your Servas Online account, and you will receive a link to create your own profile on the Servas International page.
Here you add the requested information about yourself and your household. Don’t forget the picture, it is always nice to see who you are. In your profile you can also create a Letter of Introduction when you will be traveling.
Please take some time to fill this in carefully as this is your future hosts’ first impression of you! Remember to keep it up to date.
If you run into problems, you can ask for assistance by contacting us via the contact form or by mail.
Write something about your interests, what activities you find attractive, what your profession is or was, your leisure activities, something about what you like to read, watch, do, where you have traveled yourself, your travel plans,… This is a good way to tell other members about you.
You can find the instructions in this document.
Yes, you can and should update your profile yourself!
Servas International requires that you check your profile at least once a year, and more often when there are changes to be made (new LOI, new phone number or address, …)
If you run into problems, you can ask for assistance by contacting us via the contact form or by mail.
Check whether you filled in all the required information in your profile (Click “Edit profile” and don’t forget to click “Save” at the end), especially don’t forget your picture, and the part “About”. Then create a LOI by going to “Travel” where you can create a new LOI, or update an existing one. Fill in the part “About my trip” and the other fields if applicable. Save your LOI. Then request an eStamp by clicking either “+Request” or “+Renew”. The Travel Coordinator will validate your LOI, which is valid until December 31st of the current year.
Good to know: you can download the LOI to see what it will look like. You can always update the LOI or even make a new one after the e-stamp has been added, for instance if you want to add information, visit another country, … simply save the information again and you can download a new copy. There is no need to contact the Travel Coordinator again.
Remember that each member over the age of 18 who will travel needs to make his own LOI.
If you run into problems, you can ask for assistance by contacting us via the contact form or by mail.
Write a few lines about who you are and your travels. The aim is that the hosts will learn a little bit more about you and your expectations for the trip.
Some inspiration:
– Something you learned during your previous travels, why and how you love to travel, what is important to you when traveling?
– What are your plans and expectations for this trip?
Go to “Travel” in your profile, and click on the green “PDF” button. That automatically creates a PDF-version that you can review, save, mail to potential hosts, and take with you when you travel.
Yes, every individual over the age of 18 should have a valid LOI, and therefore be a member of Servas in order to stay with a Servas host.
Children under 18 who are accompanied by their parents can travel with their parents’ LOI.
Only registered members have access to Servas Online and can see your address and the information in your profile and LOI.
2. Before you start your trip
Through logging in to the Servas online platform you have access to the Servas member profiles. You can use different search filters to look up possible hosts. First of all you can make a selection based on the country, and if you have already more specific regions in mind, you can thereafter select these. You have further the option to add other criteria such as spoken language, age, interests and occupation. You can also search directly on the map.
You can look at the list online or you can download the host list in pdf format.
We suggest looking for hosts who ticked the box “Want more travelers”, and, wherever possible, to visit hosts in smaller cities. They get fewer visitors and will be delighted to spend time with you. Many hosts are prepared to pick you up at the nearest train or bus stop.
Don’t forget about our Day Hosts! Contact them if you already have a place to stay, or if your host has little time. You can also contact regular hosts to go sightseeing together, or for local advice.
You find all contact information in the profile of the Servas members, also on the way how the hosts prefer to be contacted. Inform them about who is travelling and when you wish to visit them. Add your LOI, and remember to include the LOI’s of everyone travelling with you.
We suggest you limit at first the number of hosts you contact in the same location. Only when you don’t find a host, contact some new ones.
Remember that personal mails have more chance of success, so make an effort and try not to send the same standard message.
Please keep the host updated about your travel plans (arrival day and times, eventual changes).
Absolutely, we do encourage local visits!
Of course, a host is not obliged to be available at all times and for everybody, and can refuse your request for any reason, without having to specify. Please do not insist if they are not available.
You will definitely be refused if you do not have a valid LOI.
You may communicate this in advance to your host. If the host cannot accommodate to your needs, maybe you can offer to bring your own food.
The presence of pets should be indicated in the host’s profile, but if you have a severe allergy, double check with the host.
This is inconvenient, so it is important to inform your host as quickly as possible.
3. At your host's house
Upon arrival you should present your LOI. Not every host may have had the opportunity to check online, it is a small formal gesture that is much appreciated.
During your stay, there are no fixed rules. People travel (and host) in many different ways, so there are plenty of options! But mainly, organize your visit so that there is time to spend with your host.
Remember that you are guests in someone’s house and daily life, and you should take this into account, and respect your host’s availability and their daily schedule. You are not in a hotel, so you are not (always) being served. For example, give a helping hand when clearing the table after breakfast, keep the bathroom and the room offered in clean condition. Accept the house rules, if any.
Good communication is key. For instance, ask after your host’s meal plans, about the possibilities to bring or cook something yourself. Keep your host updated about your travel plans at all times.
As a rule: no, you do not pay the host for your stay (accommodations and meals).
Of course, if you feel like and are able to do some shopping (bakery, groceries) or offer to cook or buy a meal for your host, this is a nice gesture.
You can also bring a small gift from your home country (e.g. a postcard will do if you travel light) and/or send a small message afterwards.
If your (day) host shows you around, offer to pay or share the expenses. For instance, if you visit a museum with entrance fees together, don’t expect the host to pay for you.
While you are visiting, your host probably has other things to do as well (work, family, …) so please respect their schedule as much as possible.
The host will give you what they can and what they are comfortable with. Take into account that there is no defined level of comfort for the accommodation, meals you share, nor time to be spent.
Nevertheless you can expect that they will make some time to get to know each other.
A standard visit is 2 nights, but longer or shorter stays are possible, if your host agrees. Hosts that welcome visitors for 1 night usually indicate this in their profile.
In some countries it is not acceptable to ask for a longer stay in advance. So, in case you want to stay for longer in their area, approach this carefully when communicating this with the host. Maybe it is easier to mention this issue, when you got to know each other personally during your stay.
Anyhow do not insist if the host seems to be reluctant to prolong the stay.
You can contact a local coordinator or the national secretary to discuss problems or inappropriate behavior (strong disagreement or argument, harassment, unwanted intimacy), so they can take actions if necessary.
Also inform Servas in Belgium via the contact form or by mail: there is a complaint procedure.
As for damages, Servas cannot offer additional insurance and all damages have to be arranged through the traveler’s and host’s own private liability insurance.
There are many possibilities, such as:
- Adapt to the environmentally friendly habits in the host’s home: waste sorting, recycling, water consumption, etc.
- Avoid gadget gifts that will end up in the bin. Instead, opt for homemade, consumable and personalized items…
- Make journeys by public transport, if available. Find out whether you can use or hire a bicycle.
- Also, look for smaller locations off the beaten track
Some international websites might give you also some information, and some practical tips, do’s and don’ts for a sustainable holiday:
“17 tips for sustainable travel” (English)
“10 tips for traveling more responsibly” (WWF) (English)
Do’s en Don’ts voor een happy holiday (WWF) (Dutch)
For the vision of Servas International: Caring for our planet, Sustainable Development en Sustainable Travel Tips.