A new service called Your Safe Planet lends a helping hand to travellers by putting them in touch with a local resident in more than 15 destinations worldwide. They will send you information about what's going on locally, meet you for a coffee when you arrive and be in mobile phone contact should you have any questions during your stay. They may also be able to help fix up free accommodation with their friends and families, arrange volunteer work with small community projects and tell you how much to pay for local goods and services. Sally Broom, founder of the site, says most of the guides are personal friends she met while doing conservation work around the world. The service costs £60 for one country when you sign up, then £45 for any additional countries and is available at www.yoursafeplanet.co.uk. Two-thirds of the money goes to the local guide.