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Site Lets Tourists "Rent a Local Friend"
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AAALouvre, Paris; phillyreconstructed, flickr
Brazilian journalist Alice Moura started rentalocalfriend.com while living in London, after a reader of her blog asked her to show them around the real London. Moura, an experienced traveler, soon realized that the only way for a tourist to get an authentic experience of any city was to see it with someone who lived, ate, and worked there every day. She also realized that the demand for one-on-one insider tours was strong.
"I thought mostly of backpackers. But many clients are elderly people who like personalized service. We also have families that don't like inflexible tours, and young people who want to know trendy places," Moura told the AFP.
The website connects travelers with personal tour guides in 15 major cities spanning the globe, including New York, San Francisco, Paris, and Barcelona. Visitors first submit a short form with a description of their interests (culture, sports, photography, food, shopping) via email, after which the guides come up with a personalized itinerary.
Prices vary on location and length, but average around $85 for three people to go on a four-hour tour. For those who feel confident enough to take on their destination alone, the site also lets travelers choose a personalized guide compilation, which gives them a tailored, relevant guide that they can take with them as they explore the city solo.
While rentalocalfriend.com is lesser known than other recommendation sites such as TripAdvisor, Moura told the AFP that her business has led to authentic friendships between guides and travelers, adding "It's more for the fun than the money."
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I'm not sure about pairing up with strangers. Criminal backgrund checks? Are they done for the saftey of both the guides/friends and the people who "rent" them? It sounds like there is a great potential for danger. On reality shows like The Bachelor (remember the guy who chopped up his wife and stuffed her in a suitcase?), horrid people surface who are not screened properly. Sounds like a sociopath's dream sceme.
May 19 2010 at 7:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHey! How do I sign up to be an escort!? I've come to know many people on my travels and whenever friends of friends come into town, I always give them a personalized tour of the real city. I would love to do this. How do I find out more info?
May 19 2010 at 7:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYa,....Rent a friend! Thats a great idea! I'm going to join and pick out my victims...I will make sure I give her a tour all right! .....Now thats what the perverts in this world are thinking. This sounds way to un-safe. Any joe could be your guide. Hell perverst get jobs at schools, so how easy would it be for a rapeist to get to be your guide? And you don't know your way around, so he or she could lead you anyplace. NO THANKS!! I would feel safer just walking around lost. I think the idea is great, but it will turn out to be bad!
May 19 2010 at 7:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI planned a one year trip around the world and went by myself. Yes some tour buses but then talking to local people and staying at B&B's was the best for me. I only made it to 13 countries and metsomeone and married and stayed inthat country for 3 years. Traveling is great but I don't think you need to RENT a friend.
May 19 2010 at 7:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHopefully, you won't have to pay their expenses for admission, meals, etc...Otherwise, drop the name, "friend." Any good tour book should do. Here, in the states, AAA is useful. There's also visitor centers.
May 19 2010 at 7:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySo they're calling it rent a local friend now, huh? Listen all ye foreign travelers to the U.S., if you rent a friend with benefits, that's against the law here!
May 19 2010 at 6:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWHERE'S OUR GRAMPA?
May 19 2010 at 6:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyanother good idea.establish drive thru brothels and collect an amusement tax from the customers
May 19 2010 at 6:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyChicago has this for free.
May 19 2010 at 5:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replymost people could use "rent a brain".
May 19 2010 at 5:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot 5 Deals
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