When I was a kid, and our family went on holiday, my parents would always rent an apartment or a villa. Whether a white-walled flat in Corfu or a rustic two up two down on the Costa Brava, every childhood vacation was spent in someone else’s house. Even though there was the occasional domestic disaster like ants in the kitchen or a blocked toilet, I have fond memories of these digs. Yet when I got home, my friends’ stories of fancy hotels with organized games, fine food and a monster swimming pool filled me full of jealousy.

Live like a local

A lot older, and a little wiser, I now understand why my parents went down the renting road. For a start, it’s often cheaper. You also get a lot more space, you have an infinitely wider choice and, most importantly, you get to live like a local, at least for a couple of weeks.

It’s impossible to really get to know a place by staying in a hotel. To get a true sense of somewhere, you have to live like a local.

Don’t get me wrong, I still check into hostels and hotels. But if I’m staying somewhere for longer I always choose an apartment. A five star hotel is a five star hotel. Even design hotels start to become predictable after a while, but every rental apartment is different. And the fact is, they help you have a far more authentic experience. You’re more likely to buy food from local shops and you’re more likely to find out about the best local bars, restaurants and events.

House swappers

If you want to get a taste of the rental experience, one country well worth a visit is Croatia. The vast majority of available accommodation is either rented apartments or rooms. I travelled around the country for three weeks and stayed in five different apartments, the most amazing being a stunning loft on the island of Hvar.

If you don’t mind having people at your place, another option worth considering is apartment swapping. There are plenty of websites to help you hook up with other swappers, and you get the advantages of renting without paying any rent.

As my childhood experiences show, renting may not be as easy as lounging in a hotel. But getting a local perspective makes your “heroic” sacrifice of the giant swimming pool and buffet breakfast worth a few ants in the kitchen.