Getting insider advice from a local

Maybe this has happened to you: you realize that you’re learning more about the home countries of your fellow backpackers than the place you’re traveling. Or your only interaction with the town residents is limited to a ‘hi’ and ‘bye’ with the owner of the internet café around the corner.

You don’t have to be convinced that it’s time to meet the locals.

Unfortunately, making a connection isn’t as easy as it sounds. You might start by thinking like a local. That means visiting the ordinary places of daily routines—like the laundromat, the daily market, a sporting event, or a class.

But even then, you’d be hard-pressed to establish the rapport needed for an insider’s restaurant recommendation, or to ask the types of questions on your mind.

If you’d rather not leave that up to chance, you might try out Like-a-Local.com. It’s an online community, at-the-ready with local advice and wisdom. Browse profiles to find the activity and guide that best suits you—whether you end up spending an afternoon at a local’s favorite hangout, or eating a meal she prepares for you herself. Based in Amsterdam, the group currently offers events (at varying costs) in seven European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK.

Or else, you might try these other networks: ToBeLocal.com, Viamigo.com, or HospitalityClub.org.