Ever heard of Couchsurfing?
Even though you haven’t visited the website you already know what lie (literally) ahead of you?
Yes, very similar to the Warm Showers website and service, it’s a free accommodation service for like minded travelers. Make new friends, visit wild places, pick up local knowledge and tips and ‘live’ a bit!
I love the strap line “where strangers, treat strangers like friends!”
However, you have to temper this kind of ‘free spirit traveling’ with some common sense in relation to personal safety. That said, they do seem to have reasonable checks to ensure visitors are as safe as they can be.
This is how they describe it……
What is CouchSurfing?
Imagine having an interesting friend wherever you go — whether that’s 2,000 miles away, or right in your hometown.
With millions of members in over 230 countries and territories around the world, CouchSurfing is blazing the trail towards a better, friendlier world where people who are different from one another can find their similarities. We are a community, and we are a movement. If you believe that all types of people can share fun, trust, and friendship, then you belong here.
How does CouchSurfing work?
When you join CouchSurfing, you tap into our network of welcoming people worldwide. You can share your hospitality and experience your city through new eyes by offering travelers a place to stay on their journey. You can bypass the typical hotel experience by staying at the home of a local and learning about their culture. You can meet open-minded people in your home city by attending events. And you can meet up with new people, whether at home or while traveling, for inspiring experiences and new friendships.