Sentience in a seed-pod

You know, the thing about travelling is that besides all the touristy stuff, besides the shopping and the experience of an otherworldly environment, what I really want is a group of friends. Friends from home would be nice - sharing a common experience and battling the hardships and pleasures which beset the path of the itinerent - but friends from abroad would be even better.
These are people who know what to expect, have been there, done that, and who know not to buy the t-shirt because it's a cheap tourist trap sold for twice its worth. They know their country, what they do to have fun, and they can give you that coveted home from home feeling.
I'm sure other people feel like this, and I wish I could find some way to make it happen, while at the same time pocketing huge amounts of the disposable incomes of others like me. Hmmm.