The sky’s the limit when it comes to hotel room rates. But if you’ve been there, done that, consider some budget-friendly, and even eco-friendly, alternative accommodations on your next trip. More than the money saved, the experience will draw you back.
When most people travel they are looking for a bit of adventure. Just not too much adventure! Getting immersed in the culture of the place you’re visiting, hanging out in the neighborhoods where the locals gather, gives you a real perspective on life in a foreign city.
Unlike standard, Western-style hotels, where you might not be able to tell whether you are in Singapore or St. Louis, house rentals, swapping and housesitting are gaining traction as a viable way to reach into a culture and experience it.
Airbnb features over 2 million listings for 34,000 cities in 190 countries. Over 600 million people have found their ideal accommodation since the company was launched in 2008. If hosts are not on-site, they are available as needed by guests. Accommodations can range from studios to mansions, encompassing tiny houses, tree houses, geodesic domes, container homes, lighthouses, working ranches and everything in between.
At Airbnb, hosts find providing rentals a way to monetize unused space, meet new people and showcase their hometown. Travelers find a comfortable environment at a very reasonable price, and all the advantages of their own personal tour guide, directing them to the sights and events not to be missed.
House swapping is another option gaining in popularity. Most home exchanges involve quite bit of preparation and several Skype sessions for Q & A. You stay in their home, they come and stay in yours. This can be a really great way for a family or group of friends to visit distant lands, without the big expense of the overnight rooms. HomeExchange.com features 65,000 homes in 150 countries. This option is most likely to work best when you have advance time for planning. But the savings can be substantial and the experience unforgettable.
Housesitting is on the rise too, as more people are single, footloose and looking to travel on a budget. Typically the house sitter stays for free in the home, and may water the garden or tend to pets. Having someone on site gives homeowners peace of mind, too, because the house sitter can quickly notify the owners of troublesome leaks or appliance breakage. The owners know things are looked after at home, and the house sitter has a free stay in the city of their choice around the world. The chance to be a native in a different location is the draw here. Pick your city and reach out to homeowners on the web.
Sometimes house sitters combine their travels with Airbnb, and rent out their own place while they are gone. Homestay.com can tweak the Airbnb experience, involving hosts more in their guests’ local adventures. Right now Cuba is a favorite destination for U.S. travelers. Many times the hosts arrange airport transfers, tours, visits to attractions, bicycle rentals, and even restaurant reservations.
If you have a penchant for eco-friendly travel, there are homestays available for this, too. Think of a private Nicaraguan island independently powered by solar, or an organic farm in Thailand. One Austin, Texas listing notes: “Everything is reclaimed, recycled or re-purposed” on their eco-friendly homestead.
It’s the varied sights, sounds, tastes and people of the places you visit, that get under your skin and fundamentally change you. There’s no better way to experience a different culture than to steep yourself in the locale and activities of the natives who live there. Make new friends, enjoy new places, and save a bit of green, in your wallet and for the planet, the next time you travel.
And when you are looking for a rental car, be sure to visit AllStarTravel.com. We have great prices and availability all over the world, with hot summer deals right now.
And wouldn’t you like to see your rental car decision help someone else? All Star Travel is helping to win the war on cancer, and you can help by booking your car through them. Review our Pledge to You, and see Reviews from customers to know you are using the right rental car company.