If You're Planning a Trip to Europe, You'll Want to Know About Several Remarkable Meet-the-People Programs

I recently came across several initiatives in Europe that all aim at a similar goal: to provide a more up-close and personal travel experience. Meeting the French ( www.meetingthefrench.com ) is a combination B&B agency and activity booker that, in addition to arranging Paris homestays and B&B bookings, also provides experiences in which you can meet French people and learn something about their culture -- particularly culinary. Under "French Gourmet" section of the site, one can book any of a number of short cooking classes, market tours, or dinners with French hosts in their homes. (There is a link for such a dinner on the homepage, but it appears to be broken; however, if you click first on "French Gourmet" you will find several options where the links do work). B&B Ireland ( www.bandbireland.com/Pages/bed_breakfast_experience.html ) has launched a new initiative in which their member Bed and Breakfasts are slotted into nine specialist categories, most of which indicate a willingness on the part of the hosts to provide more than just a bed and a hearty Irish breakfast. They will also provide a deeper knowledge about some aspect of Irish culture or tradition. These new categories range from Farmstays to Adventure Seekers, Food Lovers to Eco Friendly, and Anglers to Gaeltacht Experience (for those interested in the Irish language). Plus One Berlin ( www.plusoneberlin.com ) is a combination of lodging (in a funky, modernist efficiency apartment in an up-and-coming arts area of Berlin) with the services of a well-connected local to provide insider knowledge, either over drinks or on a short tour of the city. The cost -- €120 a night -- is perhaps a bit more than you'd spend for most equivalent apartment rentals in Berlin, but with the added services of a local guide. Moscow Greeter ( www.moscowgreeter.ru ) has been around for a while, and is similar to such greeter programs in North America and Australia, providing a free walking tour of Russia's capital with a local resident. Meet the Danes ( www.meetthedanes.dk ) is a final, government-run program that provides all sorts of assistance and interesting exposure to the life of that country. Take a look at the interesting site.