Get Travel Tips from Your Local Cousin

As travel opportunities become more personal, travel hounds wish to see the sights with someone who knows them better than a tour guide: a local. Your Local Cousin helps you with just that by pairing you with a trusted member of their service to give you the inside look into your destination of choice.

Rather then spend hours poring through guidebooks and cramming sights and excursions into a limited amount of time, let a local guide you to the authentic side of the new country and culture.

Before you take off to your destination, log on to the website and enter your details including the country(ies) you plan to visit, the dates of your vacation and your travel interests so you will be connected with an appropriate guide. Then, you will be offered the chance to speak with the local using Skype, Gchat or email. Within 24 hours, you will be contacted using your method of choice. Use this opportunity to ask all and any questions about the place you will visit and to jot down tips and advice from the local.

Conversations are available in 15- or 30-minute increments (prices are $9 and $15, respectively). If you’d rather email, text or Gchat with a local, the price is $12. If you still have more questions after your conversation, you can send a follow-up email and ask remaining questions.

Interested but not sure if you want to commit? Your first guide in your first city is free when you register online.