Staying with people who actually live in the places you're visiting allows the traveler to meet up people who do know very well the city or the area you're in. Your hosts can show you hidden gems, bring you to local events and delight you with meals in places tourist guides don't even know about, and most importantly help you to discover the culture of the city.

Music: The Beatles, Bowie, Gorillaz, Gustavo Cerati Books: 1984, Animal Farm, The Metamorphosis, The Martian Chronicles Movies: The Godfather, The Big Lebowski, Cinema Paradiso, Pulp Fiction