Are you an AirBnB’er? We haven’t ever stayed in one but man do they have a fun site. Looks like you can stay in everything from an Airstream in Malibu…
…to a little red cabin on a private island in Norway:
And what I didn’t know about AirBnB until last night, was that you can also use it to book experiences. Yep. They’ve got everything from Classes & Workshops, to Food & Drink, to Arts, Nature, Sports, History, Health & Wellness, Entertainment and Music.
For example, I discovered that there’s a guy in Boston who will teach you how to fly a hot air balloon for $300. It’s a 3-hour lesson and the price includes “delebratory drinks for a traditional post-flight toast”.
And there’s a gal named Sara who will take you on a 2.5 hour sunset hike to the Dent de Jaman in Switzerland:
The cost is $32 per person and that includes “a typical Swiss apéro including bread, local cheeses, dried meats and wine”.
Chelsea, teaches a 2-hour flower design class on a flower farm in Portland, Oregon.
Her description reads, “This class will start off at Sweet Delilah Farm where we will learn about harvesting tips and tricks for the flowers before we select our own to use for the class. We’ll then take about a minute-long adventure to another urban farm, right down the road, where we’ll use the flowers we’ve harvested to design our own bouquets and centerpieces. During this class you’ll be get the experience of spending time at two awesome urban farms in Portland where you’ll have time to explore both farms, learn from the farmers, and take home bouquets that you designed yourself.” The cost is $75 per person and includes the vases and flowers.
James, in Austin, Texas will take you on a Taco Tour for $50.
His bio reads: “My name is James, I’m a native Austinite, recovering professional chef, aspiring orchid farmer, pre-professional arborist, and taco scholar. I’ve spent many years in Austin finding the best off-the-beaten path taco spots, and I’m excited to share them with you!“. The tour includes one taco at each location and “all the Topo Chico (sparkling mineral water) you can drink”. He has 18 really great reviews from satisfied customers so it must be a pretty fun 2.5 hours!
Anywho- I had fun exploring this new (to me, anyways) aspect of their site and thought I’d share the discovery with you in case you weren’t aware of it yet either. There were so many unique things to choose from in addition to the ones I featured above. Recording sessions, bread baking, paddle board tours (in Venice!), personal styling, culture walks, secret concerts with Broadway stars…the list literally goes on and on.
And if you did already know about it and have already tried out an experience or two, I know we’d all love to hear about it so I hope you’ll share them below! 🙂
Layla
Michelle
That’s so fun! I will have to pay attention next time I book a place!
Cbarnes
You really should try Airbnb ! We have only booked cabins 3 different times also on Vrbo and they have all been great experiences with great hosts! So much better than a hotel! Just 6 months ago, we found a home for rent for a week in the panhandle of OK.. just what we needed! Give it a try !!!
Treva Cole
Did not know this. So interesting! Will have to check it out. Thanks!
Marilyn Day
My son and I just returned from Venice, Italy where we stayed in an apartment through Airbnb. It was our first experience using them and it was fantastic! I always included “Superhost” in my search along with air conditioning. What I liked most about it is that it was homey (cozy with seperate bedrooms and a kitchen) and not a typical hotel room.
I couldn’t link to it on my phone, but if you’re curious, search Foscari Suite in the Heart Of Venice.” It’s in Cannaregio, Venice.
Kris
We will be using VRBO for the third time this summer. For the locations we have used, VRBO has had many more options than AirBnB. That being said, I think they are similar services. We have LOVED every place we have stayed (3 so far, the fourth in a month!). We have found the cost is similar to a motel or hotel and you get so much more space for a family. I love having a kitchen–we keep our meals very simple when we travel, and I do enjoy eating out, but the cost of eating out can escalate–it’s easier to keep my money and my waistline under control if that isn’t the mainstay of a vacation! If you decide to try either service, do carefully read the reviews to ensure the best experience.
Joni
Hey that is great to know, thanks! My husband and I decided to vaca separately this year…. he just wants to go on a photography tour and I want the beach! He is looking into VRBO or AirBnB… I will tell him to look for a tour/experience!
KimG
Cool to see my fair city (Austin) represented! I may check out the Taco tour as I am always looking for good tacos! Austin is so big and if you do not know about the hidden places, you will never find them. I live in the “burbs” and don’t make it into Austin much, but it would be fun to do with some friends. If you get a chance, check out https://centsationalstyle.com/. Kate does a lot of travel and almost always stays at an AirBNB pretty much everywhere she goes and posts about it. It almost seems like the way to travel these days. Thanks for the post.
Layla
Keep us posted about the taco tour! 😀
And Kate and I go waaaaaaay back, so I loved seeing you mention her here today. What a precious and inspiring friend she is!
Judy Hagemeier
Hey Layla! You and Erin @cottonstem are my favorite bloggers. I am an Airbnb host in southeast NE. It’s so much fun meeting guests from all over the U.S. and learning their story. We don’t yet have experiences offered in Ne, but I will add one as soon as their offered here! My husband farms and I’m a hairdresser and raise pumpkins. Come visit sometime! Your neighborhood looks beautiful too!
Rachel Carey
Yes, but be careful. Hosts can cancel LAST MINUTE and vacationers have been caught without accommodations.
Rebecca
Gah! The hot air balloon lesson is quite literally right down the road from where I live and I had no idea it was through airBnB! I have been noticing the up-tick in hot air balloon sightings this summer and now I know why. Maybe they give discounts to locals 🙂
Kate @Centsational Style
I did a foodie tour with a local chef of Pike’s Market (and with Melissa from Inspired Room) when I was visiting Seattle, and I found it through the Airbnb Experiences, I love those!
xo
Kate