Cruising the Mediterranean is a great way to get a taste of Italy, France, the Adriatic Coast. But what to do when there’s that one spot that you really loved? How do you head back and really get the full flavor of a destination, rather than just a taste? Our friends at G Adventures seem to have found a great way to make this happen. It’s called Local Living and its a great way to let the essence of a destination seep in.

Local Living is not the traditional tour by any means. There’s no “see the monument and get back in the bus” moments. There’s not even a bus. It’s a small group of people living together for a week in a rental property. The setting is different depending on the location. It might be a tuscan villa, or an agriturismo on the Amalfi coast. It might be a week on a river barge in the Burgundy region of France, in a beachfront apartment on the Spanish coast, or even a week of living like a nomad in Mongolia. Whatever flavor is being sought, there’s probably an option – with over 20 different Local Living itineraries available for 2013.

Destinations range from places people expect, like their top sellers in Southern Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, to some of our favorite “well-kept secret destinations,” like Nicaragua and Iceland. Couples will always get their own room, and breakfasts are generally included as well as one dinner. The best part? Although there’s a tour director, there’s no structure so guests can do exactly what they want on their week’s vacation.

Pricing starts as low as $499 to $1499 per person for a Local Living stay, but we think the experience will be priceless.

G Adventures offers lots of different options and lots of different adventures all over the world. Click here to start planning your next adventure!