The seemingly elusive dream of free travel can be attained through the increasingly popular travel trend of housesitting, which usually includes care of animals, plants or both. Housesitting allows both the owner and sitter to travel on a budget by providing free pet care and free board, respectively, both of which can be costly depending on the location. It's a win-win for frequent travelers.

I have completed numerous housesits throughout the world and have gained insight into the good, the bad and the weird about life and pets in other locales. For example, in a small mountain town in California, I attended my first cattle wrangling event and celebrated afterward at the town's one saloon. An actual saloon. On a hike in a small village in France, I found the local trails closed so the wild animals could rest. Who knew?

There are a wide variety of housesits available on multiple websites, with various levels of vetting. Thus, it's possible to be selective about when, where and what kind of sit for which to apply. I personally draw the line at farm animals, but that is an option. I also limit to three pets, but there are menageries available. I also steer clear of listings written from the pet's point of view.

The pets, of course, all have their own quirks.

I spent more hours than I care to admit washing one dog that, for some reason, thought rolling in poo was the most blissfully joyful experience of his life. Another homeowner agreed to pay for veterinary visits up to $100, but nothing over. Not one dollar more. I offered to contribute the dollar. I'm still not sure if he was joking.

One sit involved previously undisclosed house worms. Real worms. Another was remote and lonely, yet another led to lasting friendships. All provided a free, safe home from which to explore and engage in new activities.

Housesits range in length, and sitters can be singles, couples or families.

Housesitting is ideal for military families seeking to travel economically and have a base from which to explore a region. In addition, most owners want someone to keep their home secure, which makes a background in defense the perfect selling point.

Military families based in the area could also use the websites below to seek out house sitters for their own homes, since sits in the Pacific Northwest are popular. Offering a free vehicle to use can sweeten the deal.

Trusted Housesitters is the premier housesitting website. It is easy to use, has multiple layers of vetting or "trust," and includes reviews of sitters and homeowners. Membership is about the price of one night at a hotel. Other popular housesitting websites include Mind My House, House Careers, and House Sitters America.

The websites require membership to use, and the user must fill out an online profile. He or she can also provide photographs, request character references, and submit for identity verification and background checks. The member can then apply to or list a housesit.