Local Travel Experiences

These days, the typical vacation tour is getting a makeover, and locals are leading the trend. Several sites have been called the Airbnbs of the tour guide world because they let people who live in the area host activities, lessons, and experiences while sharing their insider perspective.

From the shores of Thailand to the hills of San Francisco, most of the offerings are budget-friendly and offbeat. Consider circus training in Las Vegas, fishing with a Fijian king, and learning how to eat fire in Los Angeles — now those are experiences you'd never get with a large tour operator.