More and more travellers are avoiding organized stays from A to Z in order to discover the country as it really is, off the beaten track. Here are a few tips that should help you make your trip a unique experience
Navigate with a local
Rather than renting a boat at a golden price to discover the coastline of your holiday region, call on a boat owner on site!
This is now possible thanks to the collaborative tourism site Boaterfly, which connects the inhabitants who own boats and travellers. For up to 40% cheaper than a classic rental, it is possible to sail with the boat owner or even sleep at the dock. A real good plan to discover beautiful secret beaches or the best fishing spots to not come back empty-handed.
Sleep in a private home
For a good understanding of the culture and customs of a country, sleeping at a local's house is an excellent option. This makes it easier for you to talk to the locals and ask them any questions you want
The best known options are couchsurfing, which allows you to sleep for free in a private home or Airbnb rentals to share with the owner. Guest houses are also a very good solution. You will find many of them in the Petit Futé guides in France and around the world.
Eat at home
The ideal way to discover the culinary traditions of the country of your holidays is also to eat at the home of the locals. There is nothing like an invitation to dinner in a local or a small guest house to really eat typical food.
The VizEat site allows you to be invited to a local house and to taste local specialities during a meal. The prices are lower than at the restaurant and the atmosphere is much more friendly. VizEat offers a wide choice of menus from over 55 countries around the world, with reservations and prices fixed in advance
Visit with the inhabitant
Cariboo
Cariboo is a collaborative tourism site that helps to set up tailor-made tours that are both authentic and low cost.
It brings together travellers and "citizen-guides" who help people discover their city. But it's not just a question of seeing the unmissable, these "guide-inhabitants" offer visits according to their passion and specific themes: myths and legends, gastronomy, contemporary art, architecture... Travellers can therefore choose the guide they need on the site according to their passions and interests.
The connection between travellers and guides is free of charge. To pay for a local guide, the hourly rate is the one indicated on the site but it is generally lower than that of a real classical guide.
The greeters
It's a network of volunteer locals who give free, off-the-beaten-track tours of their city. Thanks to them, you will quickly get to know the best deals on the premises. This way you avoid all the tourist traps!
Party with a local
Partying is a great way to live locally, but you still need to know where the locals really go out..." Party with a local" is a free application that connects travellers with locals who want to party. It's a great way to meet locals while having fun and find the best bars/clubs in the city you're in that night!
Just download the free application "Party with a local" on your smartphone. You can then select the kind of party you are looking for (pub party, drink in a lounge bar, party in an electro club...) and then choose one or more party companions from the list of local party people. Child's play! And this application is already a hit in many countries...
According to the same concept, the brand new Tripnparty site offers you to party with premises in Paris, Barcelona, London, Dublin, Madrid..
