Friday, 15 May 2009

• Have You Ever Been CouchSurfing?

   

  Imagine traveling by yourself to a foreign country where you know no one, instantly making a friend, and never having to worry about hundreds of dollars in hotel bills.
  
  CouchSurfing.com allows you to do just that, making travel more affordable while connecting you to people around the world. According to its website, the organization was created so every person has the opportunity to travel the world and “take part in cultural exchange.”
  
  The non-profit group connects people around the globe, helping users find free hospitality anywhere.  The site currently has over a million users worldwide who represent 231 countries.
  
  CouchSurfing works like this:
  
  First, create a CouchSurfing profile and become a member.  Then, decide where you want to go and book your flight through an airline.  After you have booked your flight, search for members within a certain radius of your travel itinerary.  Flying into Munich? Search within 20 miles of the airport to find where you can stay that night.
  
  After you conduct a search, contact matches and request to stay.  When you receive offers back, choose who you want to lodge with. Keep in touch with your host until your flight, adjusting your plans as necessary.  
  
  Your host will likely pick you up at the airport, and you will soon be on your way to making new friends, exploring a different country from a local viewpoint, and saving a ton of money on accommodations.
  
  CouchSurfing is aware of safety concerns, and allows users to become references or vouches for people they have previously stayed with to boost a person’s credibility.  The site also offers safety tips and informs users of proper etiquette.
  
  Have you ever tried CouchSurfing? Would you ever try it?
  
  

  

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