Favorite Travel Homes: Santorini, Reykjavik, and Rome
Santorini
This cave home in Santorini remains my favorite home-share experience of all time. Tucked away from the crowds near Thira, this private nest is the perfect dreamy, yet affordable, romantic Grecian-island stay. The cave features a “cool-cuzzi” private jet pool on the front porch, that is the perfect temperate for those hot Apollo days. The Airbnb host even stocked the kitchen with light groceries and a bottle of island white wine.
Renting a car is the best option to reach this getaway, but the privacy and quiet it offers makes it well worth it. If you want to stay in Santorini but can’t quite cut the pricey caldera views of the cliffs, you won’t be disappointed by this mainland stay.
Starting at $148 a night | Full Home
Reykjavik
Photo Credit: Esther Sullivan (my pal!)
Iceland is expensive. But one way you can cut costs is staying in a home-share with a full kitchen. My friend, mom, and I booked this truly cozy Airbnb in central Reykjavik, and enjoyed making warm Icelandic meals with groceries from just down the street. Every grocery walk included a greeting by the neighborhood cat who followed along from the minute we stepped out the door, to the store, and all the way back.
Another highlight: The apartment is minutes from a local public bathing pool.
Just a 15 minute walk away we had nightly swims with locals, exchanging stories, experiences, and secrets of Reykjavik (including a pretty fantastic drag bar!).
Besides the fantastic location, this two-bedroom apartment is stylish and modern, and is perfect for a party of 3-4.
Starting at $166 a night | Full Home
Rome
Photo Credit: Erika Whalen (also my pal!)
This lovely Roman haven is located in a central, and lively college-town area of Rome. Close to public transportation, and plenty of bars and bistros. Unlike the above stays, this AirBnb is a private room, shared with both the host, his cat, and guests staying in other rooms. It sounds like a lot of folks, but this stunningly clean apartment is spread so out you hardly know anyone is around. The host, Gabrielle, is perhaps the cleanest person I have ever met, and his apartment reflects this. He also provides a lovely light Roman breakfast complete with espresso.
Aside from the structure itself, Gabrielle provided a wealth of knowledge on Rome, both historical and cultural, and has created an absolute gem of an experience in Roma for any visitor.
Starting at $59 a night | Private Room in Home
