Journeys and Adventures

Although the idea of staying with locals isn’t a new idea, the fact that there are now several organizations specifically committed to organizing and aiding visitors who want to stay with locals is a fairly new idea.  These home exchange opportunities offer a unique “hotel” choice.

   Living like a local in a house, staying with a local family, and sleeping on a local’s couch is a unique accommodation choice for anyone looking for some adventure, a chance to really understand the culture, and who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money.

   Here are three options for homestays:

Home Exchange

   Anyone that saw The Holiday, a movie with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, knows what Home Exchange is; it’s a website that connects people around the world that want to participate as home exchangers (people who trade houses during times convenient to both) or hospitality exchangers (people who host visitors in their home). 

   It costs $99.95 for a year-long membership—during that time, you’re welcome to peruse the listings for houses you’re interested in while others will be contacting you about staying in your house.  You have complete control over where you stay and who stays in your house—and in 14 years, they have never had a report of vandalism or theft, but site owners do say “good communication minimizes misplaced expectations.”

   Exchanges are available all over the world including Zimbabwe, Vietnam, and Fiji.  Popular destinations (with many listings) include Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, and the United States.

Servas

   Servas was started in 1949 and works to connect travelers and hosts.  “Through Servas, travellers have opportunities to meet hosts, their families and friends, and join in their everyday life. Where convenient, hosts may offer two nights (or more) accommodation and invite travellers to share a meal.”

   In her travel book Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World, Rita Golden Gelman discovers Israel through the Servas program and says “Servas and I are a good fit.  Over the last two years I’ve learned that what I like most is to participate in people’s lives, and that’s what Servas is all about.”

   To stay with Servas, there is a somewhat lengthy application process to ensure all travelers are trustworthy, open-minded, and committed to the Servas philosophy.  Travellers submit their application to their local chapter, are interviewed, and, once accepted to the program, search for hosts and then travel.  Sometimes a small fee is required and travelers are also expected to write a letter of introduction and travel report.

   The organization has been recognized by the United Nations, participates in fundraising and other charitable efforts, and offers many events for members.

CouchSurfing

   Similar to Servas, CouchSurfing is a volunteer organization that connects travelers with hosts around the world; “CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance, and facilitate cultural understanding.”

   With this program, you create an on-line profile offering your “couch” to other members.  When you travel, you search through the profiles of other members, request stays at various hosts that meet your needs, and make a decision on where you want to stay.  Others may be looking to stay at your place, as well.

   Again, you have complete control over who stays with you and there are various processes involved for members to become “vouched for” and “verified.”

   CouchSurfing users often focus on the ability to truly interact with your hosts and make new friends as an immense benefit—and the fact that it’s completely free certainly helps.

This is the eighth post in a series on Unique Accommodations.  Find more unique hotel choices…

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a monastery is:

1. “A community of persons, especially monks, bound by vows to a religious life and often living in partial or complete seclusion.
2. The dwelling place of such a community.”

   Now, many of these “dwellings” (including other religious housing units like convents and pilgrimage accommodations) are available as a unique accommodation choice for those traveling to Italy.  A website has devoted itself to offering and arranging these monastery stays for those interested in this unique “hotel” choice.

   “Since the 5th Century monasteries and abbeys have been hosting guests who call at the door. Most monasteries follow the Rule of St. Benedict written fifteen centuries ago…. And [their life is one] devoted to others and hence the emphasis on hospitality in the Rule of St. Benedict.”  Enjoy the open hospitality and chance to experience a different side of Italian life by choosing this unique accommodation.

Accommodations

Monastery Stays only includes rooms that are the equivalent of a 3-4* hotel choice with ensuite bathrooms, but does remind its guests “Do not expect luxury—that is not a monstery’s purpose.”   Room types vary by monastery and range from single room (with single bed) to multiple room (with 4-5 beds and privacy curtains).

Rules

There are some rules to staying in a monastery out of respect:

• People of the opposite sex sharing a room must be married or be direct family members.
• Guests are expected to follow established curfews—each monastery and convent is a functioning religious house and has their own established opening hours so check-in, check-out, and getting in at night to this unique accommodation is all based around those hours.
• Reservations must be made for a minimum two nights.

Locations

Reservations are available all over Italy including popular destinations like Venice, Rome, and Tuscany and more remote areas like Basilcata, Sardenia, and Umbria.

Rates

Rates vary based on monastery and room choice, but are generally lower than standard hotels and B&B’s.

Reservations

It’s a bit more time-consuming to make reservations at a monastery than just point-and-click, but the folks at Monastery Stays will help arrange everything for you.

More Information

Some articles are available that explain what it’s like to stay in a monastery or convent, why this unique hotel choice is ideal for women travellers, and why this is a good accommodation choice for families trying to save money.

This is the seventh post in a series on Unique Accommodations.  Find out more unique hotel choices…

According to Wikipedia, “A lighthouse is a tower, building, or framework designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire and used as an aid to navigation and to pilots at sea.”  Modern lighthouses are much more functional, based on technology, and less picturesque than they used to be…so now, many historical lighthouses have become a unique hotel choice for guests looking to experience a quiet, relaxed, and peaceful stay near the water.

   Two lighthouse hotel/bed and breakfast choices include:

Saugerties Lighthouse, Saugerties, New York

The first lighthouse here was built in 1838, but the last time the lighthouse was manned was in 1954 and the building quickly fell into poor condition.  Thirty-six years later, in 1990, a renovation and conservation effort was completed and the lighthouse became a bed and breakfast.

   This unique accommodation is open Thursday-Sunday throughout the entire year, except for the month of February.  Heating is available, but air conditioning is not.  Surrounded by the Hudson River, Saugerties Lighthouse is only reachable by boat or walking down a “gentle half-mile trail.”  (So pack light!)  Breakfast is included, but for dinner, guests must eat in town or bring their own food and use the facilities located in the lighthouse hotel.

Activities

Canoeing, kayaking, fishing and swimming

Rooms

This unique hotel only has two rooms, so books up quickly (check available dates on their calendar)—everyone in the lighthouse shares one bathroom.

Rates/Reservations

One night in the lighthouse costs $200 for two adults including breakfast.  Make reservations on-line.

Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel, near Stranaer, Scotland

This unique hotel has been a functioning lighthouse since 1815 and continues to help direct ships approaching the mouth of Loch Ryan, although it is now a luxurious and peaceful retreat for guests looking for a unique accommodation in Scotland.  With views of the Scotland and Ireland coastlines, an award-winning restaurant, and recent renovations, this lighthouse hotel is popular for guests to Scotland.

Activities

Golf, day trips to Ireland, walking, bird watching, and pony trekking

Rooms

Ten rooms are available with various sizes, views, and prices.

Rates/Reservations

All rates include a five-course dinner and a full Scottish breakfast with champagne and smoked salmon.  Rates vary on room choice, but begin around £75 per person.  (Rates for single occupancy and B&B only are available.)  A reservation inquiry can be made on-line.

   For more information on other available lighthouse hotels (mostly in the United States and the United Kingdom), check out this Directory of Lighthouse Hotels or consider the below book:

This is the sixth post in a series on Unique Accommodations.  Learn more about unique hotel choices…