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

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

Starting at $59 a night | Private Room in Home