There is an art to good travel, the kind that leaves you feeling enriched and fulfilled on a deeper level. Eric and I have learned this on our travels and it’s why trips that offer just a fleeting glimpse of a destination always leave us feeling unsatisfied. It’s what enticed us about slow travel and walking holidays in the first place. We yearn for an immersive experience that allows us to connect deeply with our hosts and, by extension, their local community. Local inns and homestays provide that, but only with the right mindset. Let me tell you why…
Companionship begins as we offer hospitality. It begins as we stand or sit with each other side by side and look out together upon the world in solidarity. ~ Rennebohm and Paul, Souls in the Hands of a Tender God
Local inns + walking tours = destination immersion
Local inns and homestays complement the spirit of walking holidays, as these accommodations are often strategically located in the heart of local communities. A good walking tour company pays equal attention to the character of their lodging as they do to how pretty the walks are, because they understand that this is the magic combination. People want stories to tell after their trip, not just beautiful photos, and those good stories only come from experiencing something different or connecting with another human being.
The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities; but to know someone who thinks and feels with us, and who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden. ~ Goethe
Luxury doesn't equal memorable
Eric and I like our comfort, just like anyone else, but some of our fondest memories while traveling have been at lodging that will never make the cover of Travel & Leisure. Places without air-conditioning or appealing decor, and even God forbid — shared bathrooms! One of my favorite inns in Ireland felt like an old fishing camp but it was run by the most jovial couple with the best stories and delicious meals. When I’m old and looking back on my adventures, it won’t be the condo in Banff with the jacuzzi that I remember, it will be the smiling faces of those Irish innkeepers.
I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship. ~ Brené Brown
You must give in order to receive
Most of us understand this wisdom but for some reason it is utterly forgotten when we travel. Some of the worst examples of bad tourism occur because people forget this simple truth. They arrive to a destination with the primary goal of “what can this place do for me.” If you take that attitude throughout life, you’ll find an empty existence, void of true companionship and purpose. It’s the same with travel. Approach a new destination with the thought of “what can I offer” or “how can I learn” and it’s amazing how dramatically different your experience will be. The people around you will lower their protective walls and you’ll experience the warm fuzzy feeling of connecting with someone’s authentic self.
Let me give you some examples…
Innkeepers are masters at authenticity
Once you are in the right mindset then you’re ready to experience genuine hospitality at a local inn or homestay. On our recent trip to Canada, we met two innkeepers who exemplified authentic hospitality.
Kim, Woman of the Sea
We found Kim and her lovely Newfoundland homestay through Airbnb, browsing “Rooms” because we wanted to stay with someone who could introduce us to life in Newfoundland. We arrived knowing nothing about Kim or her town of Fleur de Lys (other than what we’d read in online reviews), but when we left her home 2 days later we left as friends. We came with the purpose of listening and learning from her and she rewarded us by treating us like family.
Shari, Blueberry Hill Inn
I’ve known about Blueberry Hill Inn for years because of their participation with Inn to Inn Vermont, but I knew nothing about the owner Shari or her team. This is an inn with a long history, located on some of the most beautiful land in Vermont. It has earned the right to some pretension, but that’s not Shari’s style and it’s certainly not what keeps loyal fans returning year after year.
What Shari and Kim have created is a perfectly balanced accommodation in which guests experience both the comfortable familiarity of staying with friends or family as well as the extra attention one expects as a paying customer. And they do so in a way that feels completely genuine. This type of hospitality is a gift but it’s not as rare as you might think.
Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone’s hand is the beginning of a journey. At other times, it is allowing another to take yours. ~ Vera Nazarian
How to find charming inns and homestays
Lucky for you, there are plenty of companies making it easy to find these magical places. This is what walking holiday tour operators do best, they match charming lodging full of character with the best walking routes in their region. This site is full of companies who have already done this research for you. If you are more of the DIY type or you travel long-term and need to make your own arrangements, here are our tips for finding more enriching accommodations.
Embrace Airbnb Rooms
Airbnb was originally created for people to share their home with guests. Over the years it has morphed into a massive real estate investment opportunity, but this year we are happy to see they’ve returned to their roots by implementing several updates to improve the experience for guest and host when selecting “Rooms” instead of “Houses.” We use this ALL THE TIME, it’s how we meet such interesting people and form such personal connections wherever we travel.
Search Responsible Travel’s Holiday Types
From Responsible Travel’s homepage, click “Holiday Types” in the top menu then scroll down till you see “Homestay” or “Ecolodge” or “Farmstay.” These options provide a good selection of lodging worldwide that are sure to immerse you in the local community and culture.
Use Walking Holiday Info to find hiking inns
The Walking Holiday Info site is one of our favorites for finding independent inns that offer walking packages. Their selection is small and only includes Europe but you’ll find some amazing guesthouses here. Best of all, the site lets you book directly with the innkeepers.
Use a Travel Agency local to your Destination
Every destination has some type of agency tasked with marketing and assisting travelers in visiting their region. The trick is finding the good ones. Use your social media of choice and follow hashtags for your destination plus #transformationaltravel or #immersivetravel or #authentictravel. Travel agencies are increasingly focusing on more immersive travel with local homestays. Eric and I are going to Albania and Montenegro this year and we’re doing so with a travel agency I found through LinkedIn that integrates homestays and family-run eco-lodges.
Consider a Working Homestay
Sites like HelpX, Workaway, and WWOOF connect you with homestays, local inns and farmstays where food and lodging are provided freely in exchange for volunteer labor. Lest you think this is just for the super young vagabonds, we’ve been invited several times on HelpX to exchange our tech skills and fascinating conversation for a comfortable stay in places like the Grand Tetons, Slovenia and rural France. We’ve never been in a position to accept because of prior commitments, but someday we’ll try this and let you know how it goes.
People leave traces of themselves where they feel most comfortable, most worthwhile. ~ Haruki Murakam
Staying in local inns and with local families has been the key to transforming our travel. Taking this lodging approach then opening ourselves up to listening and being vulnerable with complete strangers ensures a more enriching experience, full of memories that resonate long after our journey ends. Whether you book with a walking holiday company or plan your own, the type of lodging you choose and how you interact with your hosts has a profound impact on how you will experience the trip. So go forth, with an open heart and an open mind, and allow the world’s hospitality to embrace you.
