Staying with locals (and even with non-locals who know the place) is my favourite way of travelling as it enables me to fully engage in the culture and visit hidden places unknown to most tourists.

I am a big fan of Hermann Hesse, Kundera, Bukowski, Remarque.. I have been getting into Murakami lately and I am always very open to recommendations, especially regarding not-so-famous foreign literature - discovering new books is fun. Music - such a big part of my life, I go everywhere with my earphones in - favourites include The Doors (have been exposed to their music since childhood), The Smiths, The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse... Movies - American Beauty, Donnie Darko, I Origins, Lost in Translation, Pelíšky.. there's loads.