The World's Best Homestay Holidays

"The only way to get under the skin of a place is to stay with a local" reports Robert Ryan in the Sunday Times.

"Backpackers have known this for decades – if you’re seeking an "authentic" travel experience, a chance to mingle with the locals on an equal footing, to share their stories and sample their cuisine, you need to go native and move in with them.

"Homestay holidays are catching on, and while some remain simple mattress-and-a-meal experiences, others promise smart digs with lots of extras: cooking lessons, perhaps, or personal trekking tours."

Read where Ryan recommends in the Himalayas, southern India, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Guatemala and Grenada, on Timesonline.