Book a Homestay
A homestay is a great way to immerse yourself in local culture and divert from the guidebook. Many tour companies specializing in adventure travel offer homestay options. The length of the stay will vary based on preference, but usually ranges from several days to several weeks. Host families typically provide home-cooked meals and basic accommodations. They might also accompany guests on sightseeing trips and take them to community events.
Try Couchsurfing
Another way to stay with locals while traveling is by couchsurfing. Couchsurfing.com has more than 8 million members in 120,000 cities around the world. Once you register, you can search by city, browse potential hosts and send out a couch request. What’s more, couchsurfing is completely free. Since there is no monetary exchange, the concept of couchsurfing relies on generosity and the possibility of reciprocity. Hosts receive no compensation for offering up their couch to guests. However, hosts and guests build up a profile based on reviews.
Dine with Locals in a Private Home
If a homestay or couch surfing experience is too far out of your comfort zone, a new website called EatWith.com may offer an alternative. EatWith.com offers travelers the opportunity to dine in a local home and enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared by the host. There is a fee per guest. Users have the opportunity to sort by region, cuisine and price range. In-home dining provides an intimate cultural and gastronomical exchange without the commitment of an overnight or long-term stay.
Read This Next
How to Haggle in Marrakesh, Morocco
Destination
Aug 20, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedDestinations / Latin America
Nov 30, 2023What to Do During a Trip to Sangay National Park
Visiting Sangay National Park in Ecuador is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The UNESCO World Heritage site features an array of landscapes, from glaciers to cloud forests, moorlands to grasslands. It’s also an extremely biodiverse destination, with more than 3,000 flowering plant species, more than 400 bird species and more than 100 mammal species.
Sponsored Content
Discover Nashville Neighborhoods
Whether you are interested in music, art, history, food, sports or fashion, Music City has something for everyone to sing about. Nashville is accessible, friendly and authentic, with diverse neighborhoods, a storied musical heritage and a creative culture that energizes the city.
Destinations / Asia
Nov 30, 2023What to See and Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is the most-populous city in Vietnam, known for its historic landmarks, well-preserved French colonial architecture and vibrant street life. It’s home to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, the busiest airport in the country, and is the business and financial hub of Vietnam. Named after the revolutionary leader who declared independence back in 1945, the city is organized into districts, each offering its own unique offerings. Here are some of the best things to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City:
Destinations / North America
Nov 29, 2023Taste the Southwest at Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail
The flavors of the Southwest are unmistakable and one of the many reasons to visit a place like Santa Fe, New Mexico. While there are lots of other great reasons to go to this New Mexico city, the culinary scene is one of the best, and that includes the city’s Margarita Trail.
Sponsored Content
Greece: A Life-Changing Experience
Experience the life-changing destination of Greece by exploring its island gems in the Ionian Sea. Scattered off the western coastline of Central Greece, to the south of Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands are an island group comprising large and small islands.
Products / Technology
Nov 29, 2023Find Your Next Great Book with Aphilia
A new book subscription service hopes to introduce you to “literary hidden gems that you may not have otherwise come across.” Aphilia cuts down on the time needed to hunt for your next great read while allowing you to get to the part that actually matters — reading.
ShareThis