Imagine taking in the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower in Paris as an au pair, watching the sunset fade as you trek through the mountains of Peru as a tour guide, or white water rafting in between repairing park trails. Don't think you can afford a vacation? You can travel anywhere in the world for less by working a temporary job while away. You will need a small nest egg to live on when you first arrive and in case of emergency, but with a little prep, the possibilities are endless. Everyone deserves a break, so we found a few ways for you to work (and play) while exploring the world.

If living in a cabin (or even a tent) with scarce showers is your idea of paradise, look into the great outdoors. Check out these for a taste of what life could be like in the wilderness:

Southwest Conservation Corps
WORK: Wildfire prevention, trail construction and maintenance, as well as other conservation projects.
WHERE: Colorado or Arizona
WAGES: Food, training, travel and usually a small stipend.
WHY: Getting outside, working up a sweat, and saving the environment keeps your heart rate and your spirits up.
WEBSITE: sccorps.org

Fruit picking and packing
WORK: Pick citrus fruit to work off your ticket.
WHERE: Australia
WAGES: $20 AU per bin, accommodations provided.
WHY: On your time off, you can play with the kangaroos in the bush and visit the metropolis that is Sydney.
WEBSITE: seasonalwork.com.au

Try your hand at teaching English in almost every country in the world. Some teachers have as little as 18-hour work weeks, leaving plenty of time to explore the Taiwanian cities or the shopping in Milan. Here's what you should know:

Full and part-time positions teaching English
WORK: Positions often require a special teaching certificate. Several different companies offer certification, but the most widely accepted comes from the University of Cambridge, at cambridge-efl.org.
WHERE: All around the world. You can find positions in places like Japan, Russia, Egypt, Columbia, South Africa, or Afghanistan.
WAGES: Vary based on the country and your qualifications. Read everything carefully as volunteer and paid positions are often found on the same site, such as i-to-i.com.
WHY: While you teach English you will learn your host country's language, which makes exploring during your time off much easier.
WEBSITES: teachabroad.com and tefl.com

WARNING:
Scams and less-than-honest employers are prevalent in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs abroad, so remember these tips:

• Check watchdog lists like englishschoolwatch.org for the schools you're interested in. Don't rely solely on sites like this, but it's a good idea to check them out.
• Don't sign any contract until arriving. Confirm you are getting what was promised.
• Take your time, ask lots of questions, compare job offers, and always be wary.

Are you a kid at heart? These opportunities make work seem like recess.

Camp adventure
WORK: College-age students serve children and youth 2-years-old to high school seniors.
WHERE: On military bases in Europe, Japan, Korea and the U.S.
WAGES: No wages, but they cover room and board, traveling expenses, and provide a stipend.
WHY: Because you can check out Hamburg, Paris, and Florence on the weekends.
WEBSITE: campadventure.com

Adventures Cross-Country
WORK: Leading groups of students on adventure trips that can include anything from backpacking to ice climbing to conservation projects.
WHERE: Around the world and the U.S.
WAGES: Per diem with bonuses for experience and training.
WHY: Honestly, why not?
WEBSITE: adventurescrosscountry.com

Countless programs exist to help you search for temporary jobs. Confused by the visa application? Some programs even fill out the paperwork for you. Try these resources to get hired and traveling:

Backdoorjobs.com: A list of websites for all kinds of temporary jobs, from sheep farming to dish-washing.

Workingabroad.org: If you can front a program fee (varies by program), this service could payoff. For example, as an "au pair" in Paris, you will get room and board, plus a small stipend every month.

Resortjobs.com: Find a job in hospitality abroad, with everything from waiting tables to managing a hotel.

• Obtain visas, passports, immunizations, travel warnings, etc. Check out travel.state.gov.
• Secure health insurance for traveling abroad. Visit globalsurance.com.
• Research your destination to see if special prescriptions are needed, like malaria medications. Check cdc.gov for country-by-country instructions and requirements.

Sources: statravel.com