AirB&B

Airbnb‘s are pretty much how we roll when traveling in Europe but if you are coming from America or are new to Europe, there are a few things you NEED to know.

Age of the buildings

America is a bit younger than the countries in Europe so if you are traveling on a budget like I typically am, there will be somethings that you are probably not used to….the homes are likely MUCH older than you are accustomed to….and don’t have as many of the luxuries that we are used to.

Bathrooms

The Europeans seem to love their half glass doors in the shower (if you haven’t seen one yet, it’s a glass door in a shower that is only 1/2 the length of the tub, it is connected by hinges and swings open/shut and rarely doesn’t leak) I have not yet figured out their affinity with this as it seems totally impractical. Not only are you generally catching a breeze while you shower, but you are also usually flooding the floor while showering. Something else that was hard for me to deal with is that because of the fact that most bathrooms don’t have a ventilation system (again due to their age), generally there will be mold somewhere in the bathroom.

Washing clothes?

If you are looking for a place with a clothes washer, understand that if there IS a washing machine, it likely does not come with a dryer. Europeans are very into environmental friendliness which is awesome but a little unexpected if you don’t know ahead of time. There will likely be a drying rack that you can use but don’t expect to be able to do a quick load of laundry before you get back on your flight home. Many will even provide the laundry detergent when they have a washing machine. Keep in mind that they are also usually much smaller than ‘we’ are used to and the cycle will literally never end or spin out if you put too many clothes in there….I think my record is like 12 hours-we went out sightseeing and came back and it was STILL going…not too great for your clothes as it tends to stretch them out quite a bit….anyway, keep the loads small and save time and frustration.

Shelter from the elements

One other thing that you need to pay attention to if coming to Europe during the summer is that not all places have air conditioning….in fact MOST DON’T. Generally they will have heat for the winter but few will have air-conditioning-they seem to be getting better with this in the time that I have been here but don’t expect it, ASK…additionally, if there is no A/C pay close attention to where you’re located. To get a good night sleep you will probably have to keep the windows open for a cross breeze BUT if you’re in an active neighborhood, you may not be able to sleep through the noise.

Beds

As far as the beds are concerned, to maximize space and accommodate more people, most locations will have pull out couches or other easy to pop up beds….sooo, not extreme comfort but usually enough to get some sleep on for your next day of exploration. Linen is not always what we’re used to….there is often a fitted bed sheet and a comforter…they didn’t forget that top sheet, they just don’t always use it. If you got it, consider yourself lucky.

Many places will be one room with just the necessities-like a studio. Keep in mind, you’re coming for the sites not the accommodations usually so see where you prioritize it and go from there. If you plan your trip in advance, you can get very good deal and snag really nice accommodations. For me, Airbnb is about the location and I would rather spend a little bit more to be right in the middle of the action (with a kitchen and washing machine) than having to spend more on transportation to and from the action. It’s nice to have an Airbnb so that you don’t have to spend money on breakfast. That is one thing that I always love. Day one coming from the airport or train station I go get cereal or eggs and then cook breakfast in the mornings without having to spend a ton of time and money at a restaurant to start off the day.

Water heater

Some places will require you to turn on and off the heat for the water, again because they are very energy and environmentally friendly. Not life altering but it usually throws people for a loop if its their first time.

Recycling

Over here in Europe recycling is big. Many AirB&Bs require you to separate your paper, food, plastics and other waste into four separate bins. They will label them or let you know which-some May even ask you to dump your own trash into the dumpster at the end of your stay.

WiFi

Many locations offer free Wi-Fi. It will usually be enough to stream your Netflix but it is not going to be what you are used to in the states. Also remember that you are in a different country so do not expect for them to have a bunch of channels in English. For me, I don’t care but it may be a little more of a significant emotional event if you have children traveling with you. Either preload your movies onto the tablet or log into your Netflix account.

Access to apartment

In my experience, there is usually a few locks to get behind in order to get into the house. You will likely have to go up a bunch of stairs-even if you are on a first floor flat. My last stay had an old rickety elevator that I had to pay .10€ for each ride…but even with the elevator I had to still walk up 2 flights of stairs to reach it. Don’t get me wrong, I am not lazy I don’t mind the glute workout however that initial and final trip can be a little rough when traveling with multiple suitcases and small children (or elderly parents).

***Europe usually takes the stance of personal responsibility, which I absolutely love however, they tend to keep that standard in reference to safety as well…which I absolutely do NOT love. Stairs are uneven, cracked and warped. The railings are not always sturdy, or even present….most times your child will be able to fit through and fall right out if you do not hold onto them so pay close attention. I know that this seems like a lot of negative but these are things that you should know prior to coming so that you are not caught offguard especially with the small children or disabled/elderly travelers.***

As with everything, if you want more specifics on the flat you’re looking into, always message the host for details on their particulars. Our Airbnb stays have been great (all but 1) and I just suggest that you understand that they will be different than stays in United States. AirB&Bs come with a lot of benefits and personal touches, hosts will usually help you get settled, help with suitcases, let you know where to go (or stay away from), leave some sweet personal touches (like notes or chocolates), and you may even get to stay in places that royalty once enjoyed (I have stayed in the hunting lodge of a 17th Century king…and his mistress…sooo interesting). I almost always prefer the AirB&Bs over chain hotels, although sometimes still do use hotels. It is really up to you and your intentions for that trip. First and foremost, keep and open mind and enjoy your trip!

For more information about our travels, tips and stories, like and follow my page at

https://solomamaadventures.org/

Until next time…continue seeing the world and comment below if you are interested in more info or any other locations (coming soon: Iceland, Rome, Portugal and more!)

Update: One of my readers commented on another good point to bring up when booking an Airbnb. Make sure if you are not comfortable with sharing the rental that you filter it for the entire home; otherwise your results will include shared spaces or single room rentals with shared living areas and bathrooms. It is pretty clear when you were looking at it, but if you don’t know to look for it you may be in for quite a surprise when you arrive to your vacation destination.