I came upon a website called Like a Local which claims to allow you eat, sleep and act like a local in Amsterdam. Like a local was founded by three Dutch women who felt that there was a demand from travellers for a non touristy experience where travellers could quickly gain the insider knowledge of locals. The site now covers other European cities such as London and Barcelona.


© katielips

I had a quick look for accommodation in Amsterdam and it was rather pricey B&Bs and holiday apartments that appeared on the first couple of pages. However I was more impressed by the eating options such as Amsterdam Delicious Bites where you could have a meal with a family for around 40 euros per person but I wasn't sure if the fee per reservation of 15 euros was a deposit or an additional fee.

I have mixed feelings about Like a Local. It is a great idea meeting some locals when you are in a strange city but it seems a bit contrived and I'm not not convinced that the experience would always be that authentic. If money is changing hands it all becomes more a financial arrangement rather than a genuine experience.