Hotels and motels are the traditional mainstays of the travel industry and an abundance of hotel information is readily available on the Internet. However, many alternatives to hotels exist that may inspire a sense of adventure or better meet the needs and special requirements of the independent traveler.

B & Bs, Home Stays, Farm Stays and Hospitality Exchanges

Unique Accommodations

B & Bs, Home Stays, Farm Stays and Hospitality Exchanges

The most basic accommodation is a simple room in someone's home. Rooms in modest homes are rarely advertised and are usually found locally by asking around. Rooms in upscale homes are more likely to be advertised at local tourist information offices and on the Internet. This option has become popular worldwide because visitors are able to experience local life from a host's perspective. How better to discover a country than with friends? There are extensive listings of B&Bs, Home Stays and Farm Stays on the Internet and these are best found using a search engine. Here are some resources for Hospitality Exchanges:

• Hospitality Exchange is a traveler's directory for sharing information and hospitality with members worldwide.
• Stay 4 Free organizes accommodation exchanges in four categories: the business traveler, home exchanges and gay and backpacker accommodations. Membership is free but mandatory to view available listings.
• The Hospitality Club strives to increase intercultural understanding and strengthen the peace on our planet.

The rental of an apartment, villa, resort condominium or houseboat is another option that is suitable for lengthier stays of a week or more in a single location, families or small groups and for those who prefer privacy. While we are not advocating the purchase of a timeshare, such facilities usually make their unused units available to the public on a nightly and/or weekly basis at competitive rates. Information is easily located through travel agents, newspaper ads and the Internet and will not be duplicated here. A home exchange offers similar benefits without the associated cost. Listed here are some Home Exchange organizations:

• Christian Home Exchange has listings in the US and abroad.
• Digsville.com is an easy to navigate site featuring global home and hospitality exchanges.
• Home Base Holidays.
• HomeExchange.Com has worldwide listings.
• Home Exchange International.
• Home Link International.
• International Home Exchange Network.
• Intervac: International Home-Exchange Holiday Service.
• Seniors Vacation and Home Exchange is exclusively for the over 50 age group.
• Stay 4 Free organizes home exchanges and other accommodations. Membership is free and mandatory for viewing available listings.
• Sydney-based Travel Choice Home Exchange was first established to help with finding accommodations for the Olympic Games but has now expanded to include a worldwide listing.

Hostels and Campgrounds are traditional choices for the low budget traveler. Once limited to students, hostels now cater to families and some even offer facilities that are associated with more expensive lodging. Here are some resources for locating hostels worldwide but other bargain accommodations such as convents and student dormitories are also listed under Unique Accommodations.

• Hostelling International features hostels worldwide under the auspices of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) which is an international non-governmental, non-profit making organization recognized by UNESCO. Membership is required and is open to all ages.
• Hostels.com has an extensive database of hostels worldwide as well as other helpful information for travelerw.
• Eurotrip highlights a comprehensive selection of European hostels with readers' comments and reviews.
• Hostelling Russia lists some hostels not included in the web sites above.

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