The couple were highly commended in the recent Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism awards, and they set out to initiate you into Isaan life, from shopping at the market to lunching in the rice paddies. From £72pp for a three-day stay, excluding flights, with Responsible Travel (01273 600030, www. responsibletravel.com), which also has stays in India, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Bali and Guatemala

GRENADA

Grenada is a Caribbean classic – and there are rainforest hikes, rum distilleries and street parties to be sampled, not just beaches. You’ve a choice of dozens of homestays, including apartments in the capital, St George’s, and rooms near Grand Anse beach, one of the sexiest in the Indies.

Home cooking might include oildown, an iconic stew with coconut, breadfruit and pork; or “stuffed jacks”, fish fla-voured with lime and local spices. In fact, expect nutmeg and cinnamon in everything, including the cocktails – this is the “spice island” after all.

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Most homes are in the range of £30-£50 per room per night, plus 5% tax. Book through Grenada Homestay (00 1 473 444 5845, www.homestaysgrenada.com)

VIETNAM

The Four Seasons it ain’t, but for a full-on, first-hand experience of tribal living, you won’t beat a few days with the Tay people in the Ha Giang province of northern Vietnam. The guest-house is in Me village, its three rooms partitioned by curtains and accoutred with thin mat-tresses on the floor – basic, but with western-style bathroom facilities and hot water.

Your engaging hosts will slot you straight into village life: taking walks and bike rides through the rice terraces and tea plantations, and perhaps dropping in on neighbouring tribes such as the Dao Lanten. Spend four nights in the village as part of a 10-day North Vietnam itinerary with Audley (01993 838140, www.audleytravel.com). It costs £2,530pp, including flights

GUATEMALA

Antigua is a Unesco World Heritage Site, with cobbled streets, pavement cafes and salsa bars, all set against a backdrop of brooding volcanoes. There are stacks of homestay options, mostly hosted by multigen-erational families in colonial houses with rooms fanning from a central courtyard.

Guests are normally expected to muck in with the household activities, from shopping to washing up, and on the menu you’ll find frijoles(refried black beans),buñue-los (batter fritters) and picado de rabano, a spicy radish salad. Side trips include the Mayan ruins at Tikal and visits to Lake Atitlan. A week, full-board, from £295pp, includes five days of Spanish lessons (four hours a day), with South American Experience (0845 277 3366, www.southamerican experience.co.uk); flights are extra

AUSTRALIA

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