The stereotype of the ignorant tourist is something nobody wants to fall into when they’re vacationing. An easy way to avoid this is to rent a flat in the city or region you’re visiting. Why rent a flat when you could just as easily book a room at a resort? Besides cost and size of accommodations, one of the main reason smart travelers will choose to rent a flat is to experience the culture of their destination in the most authentic way possible.

Nothing will brand you as a tourist more than staying at an overpriced resort. Resorts typically cater to those wishing to have all the comforts of home while traveling. Of course, more seasoned travelers tend to avoid them for particularly that reason. If your accommodations are built to mimic the place you’re from, then why travel at all?

For less money than you’d spend at a most resorts, it’s possible to book fully furnished apartments in any just about any area you wish to go. These homes are typically much larger than the average room at a resort or hotel, generally sleeping at least four people comfortably, but sometimes as many as 15-20. You can usually rent them for extended periods directly from the property’s owner, and listings can be found on websites that cater specifically to rental homes.

The experience of renting a home for a vacation is much different than staying at the usual hotel. You’ll be immersing yourself fully in the local culture, truly living as the locals do. When traveling this way, it’s much easier to develop a deeper understanding of the region than you might tucked away in a posh hotel or resort. Imagine the interesting things you’ll see when you’re mingling with the very people that give your destination its character. Once you try it, you’ll probably never want to stay in a traditional hotel or resort again.