The new trend is to stay among locals in rental apartments.

The new trend is to stay among locals in rental apartments. This can be a fun way to experience another place. You could actually live in a real neighborhood, experience the local culture the way residents do, and it's a chance to save a few dollars.I recently rented a two bedroom, two bathroom, newly rehabbed apartment in Santiago, Chile for about $60 per night through one of my favorite booking sites, AirBNB . AirBNB has pretty good deals and have the capability to book anything from a studio to a multi-room house—if that's what you need. Using the site VRBO , I was also able to book an Italian Villa on the Amalfi Coast in Sorrento for about €600 for a week! I am definitely not saying that you can get the same deals, but it's worth a shot. When looking through sites like these for a modations, it's key to look for actual photos that guests post during their stay. These are typically more honest depictions than professional photos you're bound to e across.When booking, check to see if there is parking if you have a rental car. Know that you will have to do grocery shopping so look for those options, too. Let me tell you, there is nothing like waking up in the morning looking over the Bay of Naples, walking to the local bakery for fresh ciabatta, then heading to the market to gather ingredients to make your very own tomato sauce in the middle of Italy! PROS: Renting an apartment or home is cheaper than booking a hotel room, in many cases. Wi-fi is usually free. You can bring that cute hook-up from the club and not feel judged by the hotel's front desk staff. Parking can be free if you're in a house, low-cost if you're in a crowded area—which may require garage fees.CONS: You might have to actually cook. Be careful to book a place that's not in a sketchy neighborhood. This can be tough if you have not researched the neighborhoods in the city where you're going. Typical hotel amenities like a pool, workout room, concierge, and others might not be available.I've had some pretty good and bad experiences in hostels. When booking hostels, it is necessary to read reviews to make sure you get what you are looking for.My favorite experience was at Tom's Gay Hostel in Berlin. Tom's is super clean, has really neat décor, and they give you free drinks at Tom's Bar when you check in!