Short listing seasonal work

Seasonal work is the ideal opportunity to explore a new place and indulge in a new culture, all whilst earning a living. The world is wide, and the options are endless when looking for seasonal work. So, here’s a breakdown of the top 9 hot and cold countries that provide a variety of brilliant seasonal work opportunities.

1. Spain

Spain is the ideal place for people all over the world to do seasonal work. The warm climate, the friendly culture, and the Mediterranean way of life can appeal to most people. The job market in Spain can be very competitive as a large proportion of Spanish students take on summer roles. However, the large influx of tourism over the summer means there is still plenty of opportunities for people all over the world to find a role. The typical types of roles available are: hospitality, hotel rep, au pair, teaching, and sports co-coordinators. It really can be the perfect place to do seasonal work.

2. Portugal

Cozied up next to Spain, Portugal makes an equally ideal place to go for seasonal work. Portugal is also one of the easiest countries in the EU to obtain a long stay visa making it even more ideal for seasonal workers. Portugal is a beautiful warm country, with traditional architecture along the rugged landscape and is one of the more affordable places to live in Europe. The opportunities over there are very similar to Spain generally being: hospitality, hotel rep, au pair, teaching, and sports coordinators. However, Portugal’s positioning on the coast means it's a surfing hotspot that attracts people from all over the world, all year long – meaning roles at surf camps are common occurrences.

3. The UK

Although not typically the warmest country in Europe, it has an incredibly beautiful and diverse landscape. Filled with vibrant cities and towns, to gorgeous, rugged hills and breath taking beaches. The UK is also another easy place to obtain a visa therefore making it another travellers ideal paradise. The UK has a wide job market and during the summer months it is incredibly easy to find the perfect summer position whether it's house keeping or bar work. There are over 46,800 pubs in the UK so if you can pour a good pint you’ll be welcomed anywhere.

4. France

France, what an ideal destination. France is perfect all year round. The south of France has a gorgeously warm climate, stunning beaches, beautiful vineyards, and a stunning agricultural landscape. The opportunity of hospitality work isn’t as available as other countries as many of their students migrate over to the South of France for the summer. However, they’re bustling vineyard harvesting has many opportunities for farm work. The only conceivable downside of the South France is that it isn’t always the most affordable but arguably memories are more valuable anyway.

However, once the sun goes and the snow starts to fall in the French Alps, it becomes an entirely different landscape. Millions flock from all around to indulge in quality skiing, après, cheese, and wine for the winter season. France is a brilliant place to spend the winter, controversially the people are the loveliest and always make you feel welcome. The busyness of their season also means opportunities are almost always available.

5. Australia

We’re all looking at it. We all want to go. It’s the it girl place to be. Warm climate, vibrant culture, stunning beaches, deserts, and coffee stronger than its kangaroos. Australia is a funny one to move to but if you’re a UK, USA, or Canadian citizen, you are able to move on a basic visa. If you’re a European citizen to move, you have to do 88 days farm work – which admittedly isn’t for everyone. However, it is more than worth it when you’re lying on a glossy beach and cooking on the barbie. The job market is very competitive due to the amount of people migrating to the area, however there are a variety of options available especially if you have a specialist skillset such as marketing or finance.

6. Austria

Austria is perfect all year round. If you want to live out your sound of music fantasy over the summer months, whaling with the goats in the mountains, it’s the perfect place. Austria run an enormous amount of summer camps for children of all ages. They're hostels are especially busy – filled with passionate hikers. Over the winter it’s a whole new adventure. Snow falls and it becomes a snow sport enthusiast heaven. Opportunities to become a ski instructor, ski nanny, chalet host, ski shop assistant and many other roles become available. It really is a beautifully brilliant place to go if you’d like to do a long term adventure that still keeps you on your toes.

7. Canada

Another one that just hints the nail on the head all year round. Canada becomes a hikers, bikers and kayakers paradise in the summer. The mountainous landscape and glossy blue lakes makes it an absolutely unforgettable place. Canada run thousands of summer camps for students over the summer months who are always looking for new volunteers every year. Canada is known for its extreme winters with meters of snow falling for almost three months. Its an ideal location to get out your snow boots and get on board with a friendly Canadian team to work your socks off.

8. Italy

Pizza, Pasta, wine… That’s it. I don’t have to convince you anymore. But Italy is also a brilliant all year-round destination to work. During the summer, global tourists flock to visit the sunning beaches and vineyards. During the winter snow falls over the Italian Alps welcoming even more opportunities to host the season. Roles include tour guides, chalet hosts, ski instructors, ski nannies and many more.  Italy is a wonderful place with an incredibly welcoming culture, however many opportunities within the Alps can be incredibly expensive and therefore make the quality of living whilst there not as glamorous as hoped. However, when surrounded by such an indulgent culture you really have to weigh up the benefits and disadvantages.

9. Switzerland

Now, if the idea of living in the glorious mountains has taken your fancy throughout this top 9, Switzerland might just make your number one. Beautiful throughout all of the seasons of the year, the Swiss mountains provide the perfect location for an adrenaline junkie. Throughout the summer mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, hiking and camping are just some of the activities that you can get involved in whilst living in Switzerland during the summer months. The winter is just as fun with skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, taking up most of the community’s spare time. If you’re someone with a passion for the outdoors and would love to work in this environment, Switzerland is for you. Many jobs revolve around these activities and hundreds of summer camps look for staff during the summer months.