Hey y’all —
While I was in The Hague, I started thinking about how I could make money in another country and travel at the same time. That’s when I met other travelers who told me about seasonal work — jobs where you work for a few months, get accommodation included, meals covered, and actually save money while living abroad.
By February, I started applying for seasonal summer jobs in Europe, with only two expectations:
– Accommodation must be included
– Anywhere except the Netherlands and Cyprus 😅
And by the end of February… I got a job in Croatia for 3 months (June–August) as a kids animator and entertainer.
Learn more about seasonal work in Europe at EURES – European Job Mobility Portal
Selfie as an Animator
Before this, I had absolutely NO idea what this job even meant. Not gonna lie — I applied and figured it out later hehe.
If you’re looking for seasonal work in Europe as a solo woman traveler, this type of resort job is one of the easiest ways to start.
HOW I FOUND SEASONAL WORK IN CROATIA
The process was surprisingly easy. They didn’t ask for much, and languages were not mandatory (but after doing this job, trust me — languages are a HUGE bonus).
I booked the flight, left the hostel, went to the airport… and landed in Croatia.
(Of course, that’s the sped-up version. Reality included overnight airport stays, delays, many hours on buses, getting lost in Croatia, meeting cute people in hostels 😉… and finally arriving in Pag.)
🟡 MY FIRST DESTINATION: PAG ISLAND CAMPGROUND
My first destination was Pag, in a lovely private campground by the sea. People were staying in caravans, tents, apartments, cars, and campervans — families everywhere enjoying their summer holidays.
The campground had an overpriced mini-market (classic), but also the most beautiful front-row view of the blue sea 💙
I stayed there for about a month and a half, working with both kids and adults. Let me break down what my job actually looked like.
WHAT DOES A KIDS ANIMATOR DO?
🎂 Morning: PR & Birthday Surprises
In the mornings, I did PR — walking around the campground, giving flyers about the day’s events, chatting with guests, and answering questions.
But my FAVORITE part?
Birthday visits.
If it was your birthday, I showed up dressed as a giant cake 🎂 with cuddles, bad jokes, and a gift from the camp.
Adults got wine (and honestly… the wine looked GOOD 😏)
Kids got drawing books or sandals
Low-key best job ever: getting paid to be a birthday cake.
🏖️ Afternoon: Beach Games & Aqua Fun
After that, I went to the beach to set up games and prepare for aqua activities. I even got to drive the golf cart to move equipment — aka the Bat-Mobile (YES, that was the nickname and YES, I loved it).
Then we cleaned everything up, went back to storage, and finally… lunch and break time 🙌
🎨 Evening: Activities & Kids Disco
In the evening, I helped with activities like volleyball tournaments and hobby classes — painting bags, shirts, and freehand art.
And at night… the legendary kids disco.
Costumes on.
Shark song on repeat.
“Shark doo doo doo doo doo doo” still haunts me to this day.
After the kids disco, there was the adult disco — choreographies, dance songs, and drunk happy guests joining in. The more fun they had, the crazier the energy got.
Honestly? Such good vibes.
WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE JOB?
This is the BEST part about seasonal work 👇
With this job in Croatia, I got:
- ✅ Free accommodation (max 3 people sharing an apartment)
- ✅ 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- ✅ 1 day off per week
- ✅ Salary
- ✅ Living by the sea all summer
This is why seasonal jobs are PERFECT for budget travelers and solo travelers.
🟡 SECOND DESTINATION: HOTEL RESORT IN KRK
After a month and a half, I was sent to help at a hotel resort in Krk, where I stayed until the end of my contract.
Same benefits: accommodation, meals, one day off.
My job here was mainly in the kids’ activities area — even at the nudist beach 😅
Kids came to play puzzles, mini-golf, or get face painting.
In the afternoons, teenagers mostly came to chill, play PlayStation, or just escape their parents.
It was very chill… but also a bit boring, because I worked mostly alone.
WAS IT WORTH IT?
Would I do this type of work again?
Absolutely yes.
Maybe not with the same company though 😉
Yes, it was a lot of work.
Yes, you work under the sun all day.
Yes, only one day off per week.
BUT — here’s how I choose to see it:
I got paid to:
– Dance with kids
– Play games with them
– Win Fortnite and FIFA matches 😌
– Dance with drunk happy guests
– Live by the sea
– Have free accommodation and food
And with the money I saved?
👉 I traveled and lived in Mexico for 4 months
👉 Ate SO much good food
👉 Lived my best life
Worth it? 100000% yes.
“A lot of people asked me how I found this job, so here’s exactly how you can find similar seasonal work in Europe too 👇”
How YOU Can Find Similar Seasonal Jobs in Europe
If you want to work in resorts, hotels, or animation teams like I did, this is how I personally found my job:
Step 1 – Use the EURES portal
Go to the official European job portal: EURES.
Search for keywords like:
- “Animator”
- “Resort staff”
- “Seasonal worker”
Step 2 – Apply early
For summer jobs, the best time to apply is between November and February.
For winter jobs, apply between May and August.
Many resorts hire months in advance, so the earlier you apply, the better the chances.
Step 3 – Your CV
You don’t need anything special. A normal CV is enough.
If you have experience with kids, sports, dancing, or hospitality, mention it — but even beginners can get hired.
Salary & conditions (from my experience in Croatia, 2025)
“In my case the salary was around 1,000€ gross per month, with accommodation and meals fully included — which meant I saved almost everything.”
- Free accommodation
- 3 meals per day included
This makes it a very good option if you want to save money while living abroad.
FINAL WORDS
Seasonal work is one of the BEST ways to travel Europe on a budget, especially if you’re a solo woman traveler and want safe accommodation, steady income, and new experiences.
If you’re thinking about trying it — DO IT.
As always,
Wonder. Explore. Live.
Till next time,
💫 Wander Woman Quest
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