Travelling has evolved a lot since our adolescent days. Visiting touristy attractions were possibly the main agenda back then, but most of us now are no longer satisfied with the mere act of ticking off these iconic sightseeing places.

Instead, an increasing number of travellers are craving for an authentic local experience and immersing themselves in the lives of natives.

Perhaps the need to “escape” is no longer present for we now feel the need to educate ourselves with foreign cultural experiences – which really isn’t a bad thing. From living in a local town, partaking in cooking classes, sampling street food to walking whenever possible, here are 13 ways to live like a local while one is on a vacation.

#1 AIRBNB

For a true-blue experience of living like a local, rent either an entire apartment or private room from the locals. We highly recommend rent lodging website Airbnb for some local hosts provide the most amazing dining recommendations!

This enables travellers to get a taste of life as a local and explore surroundings of a foreign destination’s local neighbourhood like never before.

#2 COOKING CLASSES

Regardless of whether it is a half-day class, one-week workshop or a month-long course, cooking classes are a great way to learn about a destination’s culture and cuisine.

It is also during these interactive activities that you will pick up some lingo, make friends and also learn precious skills of replicating local delicacies.

Check out 7 Cooking Classes in Ubud (Bali) That Are Worth Travelling For.

#3 DITCH THE GUIDEBOOK

While a destination guidebook’s primary purpose is to facilitate one’s travels, we have also realised that most recommendations are geared towards touristy ones. To avoid tourist traps, we suggest you avoid over relying on the guidebooks and try an alternative route instead i.e. ask the locals you encounter for suggestions.

#4 DRESS UP LIKE THE LOCALS

Instead of sticking out like a sore thumb with very touristy outfits, why not do some research in advance on your designated destination and try to dress up like the locals?

Fake it ’till you make it! Avoid wearing tacky straw hats and floral printed shirt or else you might end up attracting pickpockets and scammers.

#5 EXCHANGE HOMES

There are several online websites such as Home Exchange and Love Home Swap that allow travellers to temporarily exchange their houses.

For those not in the know, it essentially means that you get to live in someone else’s home and the other party gets to live in yours. It’s a win-win situation and you get to save up.

#6 MAKE FRIENDS WITH NATIVES

You never know what striking up a conversation at wherever you are could lead to. Humans are inherently good by nature and chances are, your new friend could bring you to the coolest places in town.

Of course, always trust your gut instincts and never befriend someone whom you think is potentially dangerous.

#7 MOBILE APPS

Thanks to the advancement of technology, we now have access to the insider’s news at the tip of our fingers. Some app would feature only locally-owned restaurants while some provide tips on cities by locals themselves.

#8 PICK UP THE NATIVE LANGUAGE

Picking up a foreign language from scratch with no prior knowledge is tough, but it goes a long way when you know the key basic words.

Alternatively, why not take it to a whole new level by learning it from a language center? Your new lifelong skill could definitely help you heaps to blend in when travelling around.

#9 READ LOCAL PRESSES

For the most up-to-date information, browse through the newspaper stands and local hipster cafes for brochures and magazines. It is through these local presses that you will uncover a trove of information on the city’s upcoming events, hottest dining destinations and more.

#10 SAMPLE STREET FOOD

It is time to step out of your comfort zone and start sampling local street food on the streets itself!

This might be a daunting experience for the reserved, especially when the specific dish is particularly funky. But it is through food that you get to learn about a destination’s history, geography and demography.

#11 VISIT LOCAL GROCERS AND MARKETS

Visiting different local grocery stores and markets is an eye-opening experience. These places pose a great opportunity for travellers to check out the local communities and catch a glimpse of their livelihoods.

You are also bound to chance upon many products that you have never seen in your own hometown.

Source: Easy Tour China

#12 VOLUNTEER

Volunteering vacations are extremely common these days. If you have the time and energy to spare, why not join one of these service-based vacations where you can join the locals to build homes, teach kids or sort food donations etc.

Volunteers get to make a positive difference and meet new local friends.

#13 WALK WHENEVER POSSIBLE

While taking a private taxi could potentially save time, walking in between point A and point B (assuming it isn’t too far) could actually reveal many hidden gems you would have otherwise not known about.

Most local eateries are tucked away in small obscure streets and would be easily missed if you are driving or on a car.

You do not need to fly to exotic locations for an affordable, pocket-friendly getaway. Instead, try looking towards these beautiful Airbnb locations all around Malaysia.

They are cosy and beautiful in their respective ways, and more importantly, affordable.

There is definitely something for everyone – from luxurious seafront homes overlooking the ocean to more traditional-looking bungalows, and modern, quirky spots that will make you feel right at home. Here are 8 Beautiful And Affordable Airbnbs In Malaysia To Escape To.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

#1 A LOFT UNIT IN MALACCA

Immerse yourself in the history of Malacca with this comfortable loft, done up in a 1937 pre-war shophouse apartment. The original architecture still remains, while the interiors are fully renovated and furnished to make your stay a cosy one.

The apartment is also within walking distance from Malacca’s historical sites such as St. Paul’s Hill, Jonker Street, Chinatown, and A’Farmosa Fort!

Renting the entire apartment starts at S$92 per night.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

#2  A TRADITIONAL FARMERS’ HUT IN LANGKAWI

This homely hut is the ideal escape from the noisy city life. It overlooks Mat Cincang Mountain and the country area.The hut is also very accessible to the white, sandy Cenang Beach – a hit among visitors with an array of shops and eateries.

Renting the entire apartment starts at S$60 per night.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

#3 A SEAFRONT HOME IN PENANG

Does waking up to the melding, pastel colours of sunrise over the horizon sound like your cup of tea? This luxurious two-storey home in George Town has glass windows all around to provide you with that breathtaking view.

The apartment sports posh, all-white interiors, and even has a swimming pool! This is undisputedly #homegoals.

Renting the entire apartment starts at S$129 per night.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

#4 A PRIVATE ROOM IN MALACCA

You might not get to rent the entire apartment for this listing in Malacca, but you will still get to enjoy the traditional Malaysian experience nonetheless. This home is located in the heart of Malacca’s Chinatown, and other historical sites like temples and museums are also within walking distance.

Renting this private room starts from S$56 per night.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

#5 AN ECLECTIC SHOPHOUSE IN PENANG

This might just be the perfect Malaysian escape if you are one for shopping. The shophouse 5 minutes by foot away from malls such as 1st Avenue, Prangin Mall and Komtar.

Plenty more convenience stores, markets and food stalls can be found along the street from the house as well. The shophouse is huge, with three rooms and three bathrooms, and is decorated with vibrant colours.

Renting the entire apartment starts from S$157 per night.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

#6 A MODERN APARTMENT IN PENANG

If staying in historical shophouses is not your thing, then this apartment might be what you are looking for. It is fully furnished and decorated with modern elements.

It is situated near Georgetown, Gurney Drive and Straits Quay, and the owner of the home is more than willing to recommend interesting places to visit or spots to eat at.

Renting the entire apartment starts at S$57 per night.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

#7 A FARMHOUSE IN LANGKAWI

Unwind and relax at a beachside house is one thing to do when in Langkawi. This house sits on an actual farm. Take in the lush green paddy and watch as the cattles graze the fields. From where you sleep, you can even enjoy the view of Mount Raya and Mount Cincang.

The farmhouse is located just 10 minutes from Langkawi Airport!

Renting this private room starts at S$34 per night.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

#8 A CABIN IN SABAH

This little cabin was in fact made from the leftover materials from the construction of the Rumun Volunteers Longhouse – a space specially dedicated to the volunteers who came to offer their help in Sepilok.

It is cosy, and tucked away in the forest, so you won’t be disturbed by the buzzing traffic. Despite being a humble little cabin, the home still provides all the amenities for an enjoyable stay, such as working air conditioning, a heated shower, and a plush bed for a good night’s rest.

Renting this private room starts at S$33 per night.

If you are new to Airbnb, use our link to get S$40 off your first booking.

What do you think of when you travel? Whether air tickets are within your budget, or if taxis are exorbitant to hire? What about accommodation? What are your thoughts when it comes to your bed (and breakfast)?

There is no lack of properties to put up at wherever you travel to, because tourism has evolved and the world is definitely chalking up on the supply to meet the demands. And if you ask us, accommodation attributes largely to your overall experience – whatever kind of holiday you take.

While we love our huge beds and fluffy sheets of commercialised hotels, we enjoy blending in to local cultures and truly experience living like a local. Which is why we have been such believers of Airbnb. In our recent trip to Italy, all our accommodations were booked via Airbnb and we could not be more pleased with the experience.

For the uninitiated, Airbnb www.airbnb.com.sg is a booking website that offers accommodations all over the world and they are uniquely localized – think staying in a local’s summer house, with the entire apartment to yourself. You have the whole master bedroom to yourself, you can watch TV in the living room, you can cook breakfast, you can do your laundry…

Today, we share with you 10 reasons why we love Airbnb so much, and as we wrote this post, we were already counting down to our next Airbnb experience!

1. FIND UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD THAT YOU CAN’T GET ANYWHERE ELSE

The main reason why we love Airbnb is because it offers unique, local accommodation on any budget, anywhere in the world. From a seashell house in Mexico, to windmill in Greece, and castle in historic Scotland, there are so many special places that you can stay in.

Airbnb has curated a list of the top 40 accommodations around the globe.

2. MORE THAN 600,000 SPACES AROUND THE WORLD TO CHOOSE FROM

Besides the fact that you can get quirky and fun places to stay in, there are more than 600,000 listings (in over 34,000 cities and 192 countries) on Airbnb to choose from – surely something that suits every one!

3. VARIETY OF CHOICES AT ANY BUDGET

As much as we would love to, not every one could afford staying in a luxurious 5-star hotel for every holiday. Airbnb’s listings cater to different budgets, and you can get accommodation for as low as S$100. We recently chanced upon this modern studio in Taipei and it is only S$68/night! And this alone had us harbouring thoughts of flying to Taipei for a getaway!

On the flip side, if you are willing to splurge, there are also amazing apartments like a penthouse on 5th Avenue in New York, or a luxurious apartment that is right beside Eiffel Tower.

4. INTERACT WITH LOCALS WHO KNOW THE CITY BEST

You get to interact with locals who know the city best, and they will be able to give you the best tips that are better than any travel guides. Our hosts in Rome and Venice gave us great tips on the best places to dine at – the restaurants where only locals know, and you won’t find any tourists – as well as the attractions that we must go to. Sometimes if you are lucky, they introduce you to the local merchants so that you get discounts when you get your wines and whatnot, too!

5. STAY WHERE THE LOCALS STAY

When we were planning our trip to Rome, we wanted to put up at Old Rome – the Renaissance-era centre of the city, where you can find beautiful squares like Piazza Navona and campo de’ fiori, cathedrals, and of course, the Pantheon. And there are not that many hotels in that part of the city, because it is where the locals call ‘home’ and tourists usually do not stay there. This is the charm of Airbnb. We found so many suitable places that we had difficulty trying to decide on one place.

The apartment that we stayed in Venice was perfect, too. Stable wifi connection, clean and cozy space, a well-equipped kitchen with all the necessities that we need to cook, a heater in the entire apartment, a library of encyclopedias and guide books, a cloth warmer in the toilet to dry our laundry, and best of all, it has an excellent location (2 minutes to Rialto Bridge, and 15 minutes to San Marco). We really felt like we were living and breathing Venice like locals, and we actually looked forward to returning home every night!

6. EXPERIENCE LIVING IN THE CITY

“Be a traveller, not a tourist” is one of our favourite travel quotes and we constantly remind ourselves to try new things, meet new people and explore the city like a traveller and not a tourist.

Staying at a local’s apartment gives you a unique perspective into the locals’ lives. Don’t be a tourist who is more concerned with visiting all the popular destinations; be a traveller and stay in a local neighbourhood, and discover things that you would otherwise miss or not know of.

7. HAVING THE FLEXIBILITY TO COOK

One of the plus points of staying in an apartment is having the flexibility to cook. Some of the apartments listed on Airbnb have kitchens that are fully equipped. Not only do you get to save money (from dining out), you also get to buy fresh local produce and whip up a hearty meal for your loved ones.

When we were in Venice, we bought seafood from the famous Rialto Seafood Market (which is just 3-minute walk from the apartment), and cooked almost every night.

8. STAYING IN AIRBNB IS SAFE, FUSS-FREE AND CONVENIENT

Airbnb has several verifications for hosts who list their space on the website. So you can rest assure that it is safe and you won’t have to worry that you will get a dodgy place.

Moreover, there are reviews – written by people like you and me who have stayed at the place before – that will give you a better understanding on the things to look out for. Small little details like whether there is hot shower, wifi, and a working lift in the building. It is vital to read through all the reviews before committing to a place that you are comfortable with.

Also, most hosts reply extremely fast, making it a fuss-free and convenient affair to book your accommodation.

9. THE AIRBNB MOBILE APP HELPS YOU TO BOOK A PLACE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

Searching for your dream accommodation on-the-go can never be easier with the Airbnb mobile app (available on iOS & Android). Download the Airbnb app now and look for a space for your next holiday!

10. THERE ARE MANY ENTICING ON-GOING PROMOTIONS FOR THE AIRBNB COMMUNITY

Airbnb cares about the community. They are always actively planning something for users, and it is great to know that. Go to www.airbnb.com.sg to book unique accommodation for your next holiday now!

Airbnb is offering all ladyironchef readers US$25 travel coupon to book your next holiday accommodation. Simply click on this link, sign up and get US$25 on your first booking on Airbnb. Share with us your dream destinations! Travelling does wonders to your soul, so save up, plan your next holiday and book your accommodations on Airbnb!

Follow Airbnb on twitter and facebook to find out more about the latest listings.

This post is brought to you by Airbnb Singapore.