It's a strange and funny feeling when you realize you're on your own. It hit me as I dragged my feet through Heathrow Airport in London, watching a friend of mine run back and forth between luggage pick-up and security. We had been on the ground for minutes before someone had lost his wallet on the trip. The incident had pickpocket written all over it. The crowd of people and the commotion of the airport made for the ideal pickpocket scenario. We were collectively stunned. I had heard about them from plenty of people I talked to before the trip, but didn’t expect our group of six would be pinched right off the airplane. Pickpockets are to Europe what tap water is to Mexico: the "go-to" travel warning from people who insist on giving you pre-trip advice.

Pickpockets may be a concern abroad, but chances are your money won't be stolen out of your back pocket. It will be snatched from overpriced restaurants, attractions, and accommodations. Nearly everything you come into a purchasing contact with has the possibility (and probability) or costing you more than it should. Some friends and I stopped at what appeared to be a small hotel to use the restroom, and we were diverted to the bar. We purchased soft drinks for the right to relieve ourselves and could not believe the tab when we emerged. Three cokes, 27€.

A 9€ Coca-Cola may be steep, but in relation to most of the hostel prices we encountered, it was nothing. Hostels have always been the stepsister of hotels; providing younger travelers with cheaper bare bones accommodations. Yet everywhere we traveled, the tale of the discount hostel seemed to be a myth. In Venice, we made our reservations months in advance…and still paid 80€ a night. Not exactly budget-friendly. Cheap hostels may be out there, but they certainly require much more digging than one would think.

That’s where homestays come in. Just as hostels have presented an alternative to expensive hotel travel, homestays are the alternative to hostels. Ideal for students, homestays are hosts who exchange free or reduced price stay for work. This could be a couple hours teaching a language, watching children, or even working on a farm. Homestay exchanges are also an option, in which two people swap residences with one another. Yet as a student, I doubt anyone from another country would be interested in dormitory life.  

Homestays are ideal for locations that may be difficult to arrange trips to, such as more rural areas of Asia, South America, or Australia/New Zealand. Not only is the cultural experience be heightened as opposed to urban hostels and run-of-the-mill travel attractions, it’s a fraction of the overall price. Food and lodging combined were by far the biggest expense of my trip this summer, and if I could have eliminated both, all that’s really left is flight. And alcohol.

Hostels simply aren’t what they used to be. As they steeply rise in price due to crowding in typical locations, travelers looking for the cheapest options need to broaden their horizons. What’s more authentic and cost-friendly than free room and board in exchange for a little more than a small favor? 

Lidia Nash is the founder of Host & Care - a global social community that connects students and travelers looking for free accommodations with families and seniors looking for care. Young people provide few hours of free child care, tutoring, elderly or home care in exchange for free accommodations. Other non cash exchanges, such as house sitting, pet sitting, local service for service exchanges, helping out on organic farms and vacation home swaps are also available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lidia_Nash

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