There's nothing wrong with traditional hotels and resorts, but you shouldn't feel limited to them. Alternatives like B&Bs, house swaps and farm stays may offer more value — and certainly more personality. Check out resources such as BedandBreakfast.com, DudeRanch.org, HomeExchange.com, Agritourism.net (working farms that welcome guests), CouchSurfing.com (a network of people who let travelers crash on their couches free of charge) and UHOTW.com, or Unusual Hotels of the World, where lodging options include train locomotives, lighthouses, caves, old jails and treehouses.