Staying in hotels and resorts has been a traditional part of travel since the beginning of mass tourism. But nowadays, many tourists want a more intimate experience. For this reason, they are choosing to 'go native'. This often means staying in the kinds of places that local people inhabit. In big cities, you can try staying with the friend of a friend. You may end up sleeping on the couch or the floor, but the advantages outweigh the discomfort. The biggest plus is that you'll be staying with a local and seeing the city from a local perspective. Another option is house-swapping. Several websites allow you to connect with people who want to trade living situations. It's usual to exchange emails about favourite places in the city before the swap, meaning you can have a truly local experience. But of course, you can only do this if you don't mind having strangers staying in your house. For the more adventurous, staying in a native structure in an African village or a hut on the water in Vietnam or Thailand can be real thrill. These might not even include plumbing or electricity, and that is part of the charm. The experience of dealing with oil lamps and carrying water really gives you a sense of how the people live. No matter how unadventurous you feel, you might want to consider crossing hotels off your list. Getting to know the local way of life is the most valuable part of travel. And what better way is there to do this than staying where the local people actually live?