Airbnb Plus is a service that provides “All the comforts of home, plus more.” The service is designed to normalize vacation rental standards to better compete with hotels. What that means is by being accepted to Airbnb Plus, your home is considered to have all the standard features expected in a hotel-like vacation rental.

Airbnb Plus is currently only available in Austin, Barcelona, Cape Town, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Melbourne, Milan, Rome, San Francisco, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto. There are already talks of it expanding to other locations as well, so you’ll just have to keep up to date to find out what cities they are moving into.

How To Become An Airbnb Plus Host

To even be allowed to apply to become an Airbnb Plus hosts you must have previously been an Airbnb host that has met certain standards. You are also required to pay a $149 application fee.

The requirements for becoming an Airbnb Plus host are averaging a review rating of 4.8 out of 5, accepting at least 95% of bookings that have been made on your property, and lastly having no cancellations in the past year.

Becoming a highly rated host can have its challenges, but it can also be very rewarding. This will be the most difficult part of getting your home the Plus designation. For more information about becoming a highly rated host check out how to impress a guest on a first impression, it highlights steps I used to become an Airbnb Superhost which essentially is the same standards that Airbnb is using to become an Airbnb Plus host.

Once you’ve submitted your application for Airbnb Plus status, every home is visited in person for a 100+ point quality inspection to ensure standardized comfort.

Professional photos will be taken of your home and once accepted the PLUS badge will be prominently displayed below your photograph on Airbnb’s search.

Requirements For Airbnb Plus Homes

Airbnb lists requirements for homes before they are approved. The basic requirements for becoming an Airbnb Plus host are having a thoughtful design showing your unique style and personality, keep your home well-maintained and clutter-free, have a comfy mattress, high-quality bedding, and plush towels, and lastly be well-equipped with amenities like wifi and coffee.

Airbnb claims to hold its Airbnb Plus Hosts to a 100 point checklist of standards, these points are evaluated when a representative inspects your home for certification.

I have not been able to find exactly what is on this 100 point checklist but they have released a 35 point requirement list. This list is broken down into 4 subcategories, thoughtfully designed, comfortable, well-equipped, well-maintained. Each of these categories is further broken down here.

Why Did Airbnb Start The Plus Service

Airbnb designed the plus service to better compete with hotels, simple as that. The problem Airbnb is having is that there is no definite guarantee to what you are getting from a home even with the review system in place, while the hotel industry can guarantee a certain quality standard across all of its properties. Don’t get me wrong, many people including myself love the fact that every Airbnb is unique in its own way, but for others that can be worrisome.

So, Plus is the response to those worries. You can now book a property that is guaranteed to meet a certain standard of living that was not previously found on Airbnb’s platform.

Basically, Airbnb can now tap into a larger segment of travelers who were not willing to even try using its product before.

How Will This Impact Travelers And Hosts

Airbnb Plus will impact hosts much more substantially then it will travelers. The only thing that will change for a traveler is that you will most likely start booking Airbnb Plus homes more often simply because they are listed at the top of the search. Being listed at the top of the search is very important for occupancy rates.

As for the Airbnb hosts, expect a lot to change. If you choose not to apply for Plus Home status expect your occupancy rate to fall, once the service moves to your city. That is because your listing will be moved below the Airbnb Plus listings, this is because travelers will be less likely to see your property and more likely to book a property they see at the top of the search.

Don’t worry too much, the rollout of Plus services will take some time. The service is currently only offered in 13 cities around the world. If you live in a smaller city expect it to take a good amount of time before the service comes to your area. If you live in a larger city you can expect the service to come to you sooner rather than later.

If you choose to become an Airbnb Plus Host here’s what to expect. Once you get past the required quality, your property will receive Plus logo that will be featured prominently on your property. Becoming a Plus Host will catapult your listing to the top of the search page, that will mean a higher rate of occupancy for your home.

There is a problem though, Airbnb claims that Plus Hosts currently can charge double the average nightly cost on Airbnb. While that might be true for now, don’t expect it to last. Once the market is flooded with Airbnb Plus Hosts the prices will fall just like they did when Airbnb’s current offering flooded basically every metropolitan around the world.

For some more opinions on becoming a highly rated Airbnb Host check out these links below.

• How To Be A Great Airbnb Host
• How to WOW Your Airbnb Guests
• For Your Airbnb Guests, First Impressions Count

Now as travelers we have different ideas for what the perfect host is. Some of us are outgoing and want to talk to our hosts. We want the report that creates a more personalized experience. Some of us are introverted. We like the idea of staying somewhere other than a hotel but would still like to be left to our own devices. Whatever your preferences are, that is okay. There is the perfect host for you in pretty much every city.

The best hosts ask your preferences or just have the sense of what you’re about. Usually, these are the super hosts, the hosts who have had dozens if not hundreds of visitors. They can use these experiences to better understand you as a traveler. However, not all hosts are created equal, so here I have the three main categories that hosts fall under:

1. The Active Host

An active host is a person who rents out their house almost as if it was a hobby. Sure they like the money that comes with renting, but they get more joy out of the people they meet. They genuinely enjoy the experience of hearing others stories and sharing their own.

They will engage you in conversation. They try to understand more about you and why you have traveled to their city. They will use their local knowledge to recommend places based on your interests and sometimes re-route you from your current plans. The active host is more likely to cook you breakfast in the morning and stock your room with drinks and snacks.

When staying with an active host, you have the highest chance of having clean amenities, and extra perks(free breakfast, snacks etc. ). They provide the best experience for most travelers and often have good reviews. However, some travelers want a space just to themselves, they are not interested in socializing with a host. For these travelers, it may be the passive or away hosts are more of interest.

2. The Passive Host

The passive host is the person who rents out their house often as means for supplementary income. They are willing to let you use a room in their house but aren’t very interested in getting to know you. They won’t necessarily go out of their way to give great recommendations.

They will interact with you, greeting you upon arrival and making sure you have everything that you need for a comfortable and happy stay. You can expect a casual conversation until they retire to their room or head out of the property. With the passive host, there won’t always be food waiting for you in the morning. You will have a clean place to stay, but that is usually it.

The passive host is perfectly fine for most people. When you are traveling you usually want to spend your time exploring instead of being in your room anyway. The service a passive host provides is most like a hotel: there when you want it and gone when you don’t. You won’t have your own personal tour guide, but you’ll have a nice clean, quiet place to stay.

3. The Away Host

The away host is the person who rents out their house solely for money. Sometimes they rent out several units in an apartment building and sometimes they’re renting out their vacation home and aren’t even in the city. Most of the time you end up dealing with a real estate management company instead of the owner of the property themselves.

When you rent from an away host interaction is minimal. Either they tell you where the key is hidden, or you briefly meet with someone who drops off the key for you. The good thing about all this is that once you’re there you have the room all to yourself. The bad thing is that unless they leave a city guide you’re on your own for recommendations and you miss out on the personalization that the active or passive hosts provide.

The away host is best for when a family or group of friends are looking to rent out an entire home for a vacation or retreat. Here you have the freedom to be a bit louder, stay up late, and move freely throughout the house as long as you still show respect to the property. You usually find that most vacation home rentals, not homes in the cities, have more away hosts.

Conclusion

No matter what type of host you get, when you travel with peer to peer rentals you are likely to have a pleasant and unique experience. It is important to acknowledge the different types of hosts, however, because depending on what experience you are looking for, you may be interested in different levels of host involvement. In my experience, when Active hosts are good, they have the potential to make your trip a once in lifetime experience.

So, what type of host are you? What type of host do you look for when you travel?

1) Bordeaux, France

Price: $156.68

Experience the fine wines and rich culinary culture of Bordeaux on a full-day food tour of the rich winemaking region. With an expert gastronomic guide, visit four esteemed wine estates and feast upon a lunch of local specialties at an acclaimed restaurant.

Gaze at the picturesque vineyards of the Margaux wine region; take a tour of the cellars and vat rooms of four Margaux chateaux, and enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from Bordeaux in an air-conditioned coach.

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2) Sausalito, California

Price: $155

Come on the all-new Sausalito Food and Wine Tour, a culinary experience of Sausalito’s downtown village with colorful, renown restaurants with an option to include wine. Given Sausalito’s popularity with tourists, we have created the town’s first small-group-walking-tour, interspersing culinary delights with delicious bites of local history.

Sausalito boasts a handful of famous restaurants with stunning views accessible from Fisherman’s Warf in San Francisco and is a perfect place to spend a morning exploring amazing views while sampling from a multi-restaurant menu. This tour is a pairing tour for those who opt for wine, it is all-inclusive and more than handles enough food for your lunch on the day of your experience.

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3) Portland, Oregon

Price: $100

Go wine tasting near Portland in Willamette Valley, stopping at three wineries such as Colene Clemens Vineyards and Montinore Estate. With more than 250 of Oregon’s wineries calling Willamette Valley home, there are plenty of varietals to suit individual tastes, from the region’s distinctive pinot noir to gold-medal chardonnay.

With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll visit a handpicked selection of small-town vineyards. Numbers are limited to 10 wine lovers on this small-group tour.

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4) Niagra Falls, Canada

Price: $80

Private, Custom Tour. Visit wineries small & large as you travel deep into Niagara wine country. Stay near the Lake or explore the Escarpment, on this cross section tour of Niagara’s Wine Region. Tour takes 5 hours and includes chocolate factory tour & tasting. Let us make the day all about you. See, taste and experience only what you want. We will build you a great custom itinerary.

The classic cool-climate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc flourish here, the region also boasts over 40 other thriving varietals across 13,600 acres. The Niagara Peninsula continues to shape a rapidly expanding premium wine industry in Canada as the home to approximately 55% of Ontario’s VQA wineries. So why not take a weekend to venture off the beaten path and visit some of these great small wineries… your next favorite bottle may be waiting just around the corner!

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5) Crete, Greece

Price: $137.50

From pure olive oil to organic wines, locally produced cheese to a unique smoked apaki, this tour will let you taste all the treasures of Crete! We’re heading to a training centre dedicated to sustainability by supporting small-scale family businesses. Taste some treats, learn about local flora, and pick up a few tips for making your everyday life more environmentally friendly.

On this island that has been inhabited before Minoan times, the architecture varies from town to town, all due to Crete’s long history and the many occupations it’s had from foreign cultures. But tonight, we’re going to host you in a venue that’s the first of its kind in Europe! On this Crete tour, we’re heading to a sustainable facility that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient.

Find Vacation Rentals in Crete

6) New York, New York

Price: Price Upon Request

Do you prefer wine, beer or whiskey? Or do you like all three?! Awesome, let’s go! This private New York tour will take you and your group to three local producers of your preferred nectar, and give you insight into their craft (or is it art?). Plus, we’ve got plenty of tastings along the way.

How are they making wine in the city? Where is the vineyard? These wineries are operating in the tradition of the urban winery, in which the grapes are grown nearby, harvested, and brought into the winery where the rest of the process occurs. So while the vines are not on-site, they are local, and getting grapes delivered from vineyards is actually quite common in the industry, even with wineries that are located right in the vineyards. The wines are outstanding and showcase the growing wine regions of New York State.

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7) Cognac, France

Price: $311

Explore the famous Grande Champagne region with an English speaking local guide and driver, visiting vineyards where the best cognacs are produced.

The day with your guide starts with the visit of a traditional cooperage inactivity, where will be presented a millenary handicraft essential to the brandies aging process.

In the afternoon, you will meet two cognac producers during a private tour of their wine cellars and distilleries.

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8) Hoboken, New Jersey

Price: $75

A Pair Wine Tour is a fantastic way to learn everything you ever wanted to know about wine, while discovering new restaurants and meeting new people! You’ll visit two restaurants and one wine shop on a sommelier lead walking tour through beautiful and historic Hoboken N.J..
Over the course of your two-hour tour, you’ll taste and learn from six world-class wines, learning food and wine pairing and blind tasting techniques while enjoying delicious bites at our restaurant stops thoughtfully prepared with ideal pairing in mind. Our last stop is a well-curated wine shop where you’ll learn how to read wine labels, get tips on the best wine regions for value and if you choose to, take advantage of the 10% discount on all wine purchases you receive as a wine tour participant.

Find Vacation Rentals in Hoboken

9) Venice, Italy

Price: $138.79

Forget the gondola! Go local in a Venetian boat taxi that’ll take you through the city’s lesser known canals. View Venice from the water while riding past main sites such as Rialto and San Marco, and heading into the local neighbourhoods of Cannaregio or Castello. Finish it all up with an aperitivo of local wines and cicchetti at sunset.

You’ll start your Venice boat tour at the Rialto Fish Market pier, in the oldest area of Venice, right in the heart of the city. From there, we’ll climb into an oh-so-stylish Venetian taxi boat that will take us along the Grand Canal, crossing beneath that famous Rialto Bridge — a must for anyone who wants that classic Venice view.

Find Vacation Rentals in Venice

10) Kansas City, Missouri

Price: $71.50

knowledgeable, expert driver and guide as you sample three wines at three or more stops both within the urban core and at nearby vineyards. Get exclusive insight into the inner workings of an urban winery and discover Kansas City’s burgeoning wine scene.

Ever wondered what an urban winery looks like and how it operates? Curious about why early brewers first decided to cultivate hops as a superior alternative for brewing beer than other flowering plants? Want to know why whiskey producers use copper stills to distill flavorful spirits from sour mash?

Kansas City has seen an explosion of interest in craft beers, fine wines, and small production spirits in recent years, and larger numbers of people than ever before have started asking themselves these questions. This tour offers you the opportunity to answer some of these questions and more during a five-hour adventure trekking across Kansas City’s urban core and outlying areas discovering what’s happening in the urban wine scene.

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Conclusion

Anyone of these destinations is sure to be a good time. These tours are a great way to have fun and experience something new while traveling all while being affordable.

If you have any other destination that you feel should be on this list please comment and let me know what you think.

I have hosted world travelers in my place through Airbnb for some years now. As a host, I have been able to learn incredible things and experience unforgettable emotions with my peers. Each one of them has given me something very valuable. Some have provided knowledge and others have provided extraordinary moments. If you like nice challenges, hosting your peers through Airbnb will never deceive you.

The Story

Julia is a lovely Airbnb traveler from Helsinki, Finland. She is also an Airbnb host, so she knows the rules. In 2013, she wanted to surprise her mom with the most incredible Christmas present ever, and she required the help of a local host. With her dad’s help and silence, the three of them wanted to travel to Madrid (Spain) for several reasons. Julia´s mom thought they were going to Madrid just to enjoy the beginning of the Finnish Christmas season, which starts on Saint Nicholas Day, at the beginning of December. She could not imagine that she was just about to live one of the most extraordinary moments of her life. Julia told me her crazy plans and I could not say no. She made the reservation.

To begin with, why Christmas in Madrid? To my surprise, for the Finns, and for the Dutch Saint Nicholas comes from Spain. That sounds really weird to a Spaniard because we always thought that he was from Finland (an example of our lovely contradictions in the diverse European Union). Apparently, Sinterklaas in Finland is celebrated with the giving of gifts on December 5th, the night before St Nicholas Day. The popular Christmas icon of Santa Claus is based on Sinterklaas. In any case, Julia’s mother came to Madrid thinking that she would spend a relaxing week with her husband and her daughter.

The Arrival

They arrived on December 3rd, 2013. The first two days were truly joyful for Julia’s mom. I took them for a walk like I do with all my Airbnb guests. I am very lucky to live in the very center of Madrid. My neighborhood is basically 17th-century churches, 18th-century palaces, and 19th-century buildings now hosting 21st-century commercial spaces, like the Apple Store or lovely bakeries. My home is some 300 meters away from Puerta del Sol, Spain’s geographical center. Yeap, it seems like THE place to stay, so a walk around my neighborhood always works and has been regarded as a great start in all Madrid stays.

The three Finns visited the grand Prado Museum, promenaded around the lovely Retiro Park and freaked out with our splendid Royal Palace. For Julia’s mom, life seemed to be pleasant and smooth in Madrid. For Julia and for me, life became hectic. We had to organize the logistics for a surprise dinner for 12 people, taking place on December 5th, in my place with Julia’s four brothers and sisters-in-law coming from different places in the world. Madrid was the secret meeting point and they all arrived on the 5th. While Julia went with her parents to Toledo, a historical city close to Madrid, for a day tour, the four couples arrived in turns….plus the cook and the flowers. The dinner table was nicely set, the candles were lit, some soft jazz music was played and everything was organized to create a magical moment.

The Surprise

When Julia’s mom came from Toledo at 8.oo pm and saw ALL the members of her family, together for the first time in three years, she went into a shock. They were all there happy and smiling. There was a very heavy silence for some five seconds. She suddenly burst into tears and could not stop crying. She thought it was the happiest moment in her life and could not stop kissing her sons and daughters-in-law, becoming very emotional all the time, constantly thanking Julia. Food and wine were also delicious. Laughter filled up space. Julia’s dad made a speech and made me say some words. I was very happy when I was invited to share those moments with a happy family. Julia blinked at me. We made it!

And that is what the Sharing Economy is really about. I have learned that trust in the #sharingeconomy creates fabulous stories among strangers who nevertheless feel as peers. Julia’s incredible experience is only one of the thousands that have happened in Madrid and other cities with Airbnb travelers. Julia’s and other stories inspired a digital Grand Pas de Deux, started by Airbnb SuperHosts who got together in 2014 to create a local structure to connect all their travelers to Madrid’s secrets and to make sure that everybody feels connected, happy and safe 24/7.

The fable of the YottaConnector

If anything arises to any traveler, and it can, it is easily solved by one of the members of the connected community in less than 3 minutes. These connected citizens with 5-star reviews have now hosted thousands of Airbnb guests in Madrid, every single problem has been solved and all travelers have enjoyed a great experience. Two years later, these Airbnb hosts regrouped under a local network in Madrid called Yottotel feel more empowered. These Airbnb hosts are YottaConectors: digital proactive citizens who can now connect you to infinite local options, being Yotta the maximum prefix in the Metric System. Technology has allowed 5-star local citizens to connect with 5-star world travelers, and we love each other because we share values.

And yes. Julia’s experience can only happen in a home with a trustworthy local host. Hotels would have probably provided other emotions.

During those winter months, a lot of us are dreaming of crystal clear water and white sand beaches. Wouldn’t it be nice to ditch that winter coat for a bathing suit, right?

Don’t worry, we got your back! We selected 5 destinations for this winter that will make your colleagues jealous and your Instagram account look good.

1) Le Marin, Martinique

Forget about the white snow and head over to Martinique with white-sand beaches. With the Hurricane season over, clear and warm water await you at the south island. This place is also an excellent spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. Nighttime isn’t forgotten too, and the bustling marina Le Marin is packed with restaurants combining the finesse of French Cuisine and local Créole specialties.

Finally, if you get tired of the beaches, the north island’s rainforests and mountains are just a stone’s throw away.

2) Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Chase the 80s temperature in this haven for sun-worshippers. With its rich history, warm weather and warmer locals, Punta Cana should be on everyone’s bucket list. Wallet-friendly all-inclusive resorts are numerous on the shoreline and a constant balmy breeze will make you comfortable on your deckchairs.

If adventure is more of your thing, you can go horseback riding to see waterfalls, visit underground cenotes or go zip lining nearby.

And we don’t stop there.

Sometimes called the Coconut Coast, Punta Cana is cheaper than many other Caribbean destinations. Moreover, is it conveniently served by a new airport and fresh roadways that will make your trip easier.

3) The British Virgin Island

A classic winter getaway. Needless to say, the British Virgin Islands are the most popular destination in the Caribbean. And we easily understand why.

Escape the cold and choose to explore dozens of islands as winter is one the best times to visit the BVI.

Do not forget to treat yourself with the Baths of Virgin Gorda. This spectacular place, now a national park, is filled with windy tunnels, boulder rocks and pools.

And if by any chance, you are a sailor, enjoy the short distances between the islands

4) Dubrovnik, Croatia

Aiming at Europe this time ! During the winter season, the temperature in Croatia is not as warm as the Caribbean islands, however, a light jacket will be more than enough to explore this Dubrovnik.

Packed with history, this charming pedestrian-only old town will know how seduce you. Get lost among the white limestone buildings and try to spot the famous filming location of the popular TV show, Game of Thrones.

Do you want to know the best part?

You can rent a boat for a cheaper price than usual, because of the low-season, and sail around Dubrovnik. This famous city is absolutely gorgeous from the sea and will stay in your memories for quite a long time.

5) Santorini, Greece

Santorini tends to be crowded in the summer however, you can skip the tourists and head to Greece during winter. Say hello to calmness and serenity in this white and blue paradise. Picturesque villages, beautiful wineries and multicoloured cliffs will make your jaw drop. This island is a supermodel among the greek islands.

Immortalized by poets and painters, Santorini is also celebrated for its cuisine. Local chefs are combining local products from the volcanic soil and sea with modern gastronomy in a fantastic way.

As if that’s not enough, sunsets over this island are stunning.

Conclusion

Winter may be coming to an end soon, but it’s not too late to get an amazing deal at one of these incredible location. Find your perfect vacation rental in our search.

There are several reasons for wanting to travel, seeing the world, immersing yourself in a new culture, and a diversity of ideas are some just to name a few. But what if I told you, you can travel and make a difference in a local community as well.

Sound pretty interesting doesn’t it?

Well, that’s what our partner at Urban Adventures is trying to do with their In Focus travel initiative. Urban Adventures runs In Focus tours in conjunction with local NGOs, non-profits, and accelerators around the globe.

“We’ve worked with these groups on the ground to develop experiences that show travellers what their projects are about and how they’re giving back to the community. We’re focusing in on a destination and its issues, and on what’s being done to make things better. And throughout all the In Focus tours, we’ve of course sprinkled our usual dose of fun, humour, and playfulness, because we believe that’s the best way to connect” says Urban Adventures on what In Focus means to them.

Urban Adventures wants to be clear that these tours are meant to prop up local start-ups in a sustainable way, rather than having these companies forced to rely on tourist dollars. “We want to help local businesses get off the ground, to see independent entrepreneurs succeed, and to make tourism a beacon for good — and we’re pretty sure you, our travelers, want that too.”

2017 Was The Year of Sustainable Tourism

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development recalling the potential of tourism to advance the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The idea behind the UN initiative is to create policy and business practices, that promote sustainable Tourism.

Urban Adventures has risen to that challenge and then some, offering In-Focus Tours that not only give participants an insight into the lives of people who have struggled to make their society better, they give these people an opportunity to create a business that they rely on, which they most likely would not have been able to achieve without some outside aid. Their stories are absolutely beautiful.

One Of Many Stories

Urban Adventures highlights some truly inspirational stories that show locals who have conquered the odds and bettered their environments for themselves and those in their communities.

They focus on four successful communities in Nairobi, Bucharest, Istanbul, and Cape Town.

Here is the incredible story of the Maasai, written by Pippa Whishaw, with photos taken by Damien Raggatt.

Mention Kenya, and many people will picture the Maasai — tall, scarlet-clad warriors leading cattle across the plains or leaping high into the air.

And no wonder; the Maasai are one of the few tribes in Kenya still maintaining their traditional ways of life. Most tours through the region will throw in a short visit to a Maasai village or an adumu — the performance of a traditional jumping ceremony — but how often do travellers really connect with these local people? Contribute to their livelihoods, hear their stories?

Peris lives in the Ngong Hills outside Nairobi. I meet her on my first day in the city, when I jump on the Urban Adventures tour A Day with the Maasai. Part of the In Focus range, the tour is run in partnership with One Horizon, a not-for-profit working to alleviate poverty in Kenya and South Africa. All net proceeds go to locally run projects on the ground, projects that are designed to become sustainable and self-sufficient as quickly as possible. Our guide, a friendly Kenyan by the name of Solomon, picks us up from our hotel bright and early. Peris is a Maasai woman and will be our host for the morning, leading us in a class on jewelry-making.

As we drive, Sol points out sprawling slums and new housing estates on the sides of the road. The day is about 20 degrees Celsius — unseasonably cold for August. The locals are baffled, talking excitedly and hopping about to keep warm. A soupy fog clogs the atmosphere, punctuated here and there by telephone poles and Acacia trees.

After about an hour, we park the van in a yellow valley and walk down a path. Three brightly clad Maasai women meet us along the way, singing a traditional welcome song on a lulling loop. We fall into step beside them. When we reach the property at the top of the hill, one of the singers introduces herself as Peris; the other women are her sister Unis and sister-in-law Emily. They smile and clasp our hands warmly.

The property is both Peris’ home and her place of business. After introducing us to her goats (for milking) and two heifers (both pregnant), she shows us around a large veggie patch, pointing out pumpkins, peas, black beans, maize, and Napia grass, used to feed the cattle. It’s only been in action for six months, but already her garden is flush with life. She planted the whole thing herself, together with her kids. Thorny bracken forms a fence around the plot.

With Sol translating, we ask Peris if she sells her produce in town, but she shakes her head. Everything she grows she uses to feed her family. Aside from a few items she still needs to buy, she’s almost entirely self-sufficient. I try to imagine growing everything I need to survive in my own garden, and the enormity of the idea hits me.

Home is what you fight for

Peris is HIV positive. After her husband learned of her diagnosis, she was shamed, threatened, and thrown out of the house by members of her own family. Women in Africa have very few land rights, despite the fact that their labour provides most of the continent’s food resources. Peris was living on the streets when she found One Horizon (and they found her).

First, she was required to undertake an 18-month Women in Equity program to learn more about nutrition and development. As she built up her small jewelry-making business, the organization covered her rental costs, allowing her to save enough to buy the title deed to some land, and finally build a house.

Right now, we’re standing in that house, in Peris’ very own bedroom. It’s a simple space, fitted with a bed, a shelf, and a small window. A stack of spotty homegrown pumpkins erupts in one corner. Two of Peris’ five kids are in Nairobi, but the rest live here with her, including her 15-year-old daughter, Lois.

In the living room, Lois points to a photograph hanging above an English alphabet chart. It’s a picture of Peris in flowing robes, taken on the day she graduated from the development program. Gazing up at her mother, Lois smiles broadly. “When I finish high school, I want to study medicine,” she tells us in English. With a role model like her mother, there’s no doubt in my mind she could do it.

Maasai beading 101

Despite the weather, our jewelry-making class takes place outside under an Acacia tree. A group of locals — family and neighbours, women and men, Maasai and non-Maasai — gather around the table, sipping tea, singing songs, and gossiping in Swahili. Calm, immune to the raucous party happening around us, Peris shows me how to sew a pattern of tiny beads — red, white, black; red, white, black — onto a woven leather bracelet, her fingers moving deftly. It’s a fiddly business, but I soon get the hang of it. At one point, Emily, Unis, and Peris break into song in their native language, Ma, and the rest of the table falls respectfully quiet.

As I look up, I see Solomon trying his hand with a needle and smile. In traditional Maasai culture, jewelry-making is a woman’s task, along with cooking, looking after the children, and house-building, whereas men are responsible for doing business, tending cattle, and protecting the community. Here, in her home, on her land, Peris does it all — with the support of family, friends, tourists, and the good folks at One Horizon, of course. She may make traditional jewelry and teach travellers about Maasai culture for a living, but in many ways, Peris is a modern woman. A modern woman with an incredible story.

Conclusion

It is clear that Urban Adventures is taking the reigns when it comes to humanitarian travel. Hopefully, this becomes a positive travel trend that not only provides an incredible experience for a travel but also helps the local community.

For more information on In-Focus Tours and how you can help change local communities check out Urban Adventures.

This New Year like always we are working to pass the savings onto you.

Right now, if you use this link to visit HomeAway, use the promo code CNY18 at checkout to save 8%.

Hurry! The CNY18 deal ends February 27th!

That’s it for now!

It’s crucial you don’t leave exchanging your money up until you’re actually abroad. When using money exchanges whilst traveling as opposed to doing it in advance, you’re putting yourself at risk of everything from dodgy rates to total scams, which could leave you completely out of pocket if you’re not careful.

Be sure to exchange your money before you go, in order to secure the best rates and ensure you’ve got your budget ready. Consider a prepaid travel card, too — these allow you to lock in the exchange rate and avoid any future fluctuations and will act like a typical credit/debit card once you’re actually out traveling.

2) Fly through the night

Flights can often be the thing you spend the most money on, especially when hopping from country to country as you travel. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to cut the costs on your transport — but it will come at a cost of a good night’s sleep, as flying through the night is the key to cheaper prices, as echoed by the Secret Traveller

Be sure to look at unsociable hours for flying, as you’ll be surprised at just how little the prices are compared to peak times — airlines know when demand is highest, and subsequently adapt the costs as such. Different days of the week make for lower or higher prices, too, so try and avoid the weekends for the best deals.

3) Stay in hostels, not hotels

Although you might desire the luxurious, five-star suites and giant swimming pools, traveling is about exploring — and so you likely won’t spend much time in your accommodation at all. With that being said, there’s an opportunity to cut costs here, and so choose somewhere to stay that won’t set you back in terms of your budget.

Hostels are a great choice of accommodation for travellers on a tight budget — they’re clean, comfortable and probably a lot nicer than you may anticipate. Do your research on the local area to find the best hostels available to you.

4) Establish a daily budget

If you’re trying to keep track of your costs, a daily budget is paramount. Think about your expenditure in each and every area of your trip, from the necessities — food, transport, accommodation etc. — as well as the extras you’ll likely be spending money on.

It’s important you’re mapping out just how much you can afford to spend on every part of your trip so that you’re not investing too much money into something and cutting your money short elsewhere.

5) Be vigilant and look out for scammers

One of the quickest ways to cut your budget short when you travel is by falling victim to a scam. Be sure to stay vigilant and cautious wherever you are in the world because some common practices in certain hotspots often catch travelers out — marketplaces, taxis and money exchanges are the most common points.

Be sure to haggle should you be faced with a vendor whose prices seem extortionate. Often vendors hike their prices up when dealing with a tourist, in the hope they’d be unaware and end up falling for the scam. Haggling is a common practice often used by travelers worldwide, so don’t hesitate to try your own hand at it.

Find More At Vuepeer.com

Travel up north to Killington, Vermont to enjoy an amazing winter wonderland with space for the whole family. Here are Vuepeer’s Smart Sort, top 10 vacation rentals in Killington.

1) 2 Bedroom, Sleeps 6

1 mile to Ramshead and Snowshed Base lodges which is the drop off for the Killington children’s programs. Just a little farther up the road you are at the Killington Peak base lodge. $238/night

2) 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10

5 minutes from our front door to Killington gondola. Long Trail Brewery is 5 minutes down the road. private hot tub overlooking mountains. private setting so you can be as loud or as quiet as you wish. game room (foosball, Nintendo Wii). european pillow top beds + down comforters $333/night

3) 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8

Our Killington home is the perfect place to spend your vacation. This modern, spacious house is over 4,000 sq/ft. with four bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, a large gourmet eat-in kitchen, and a formal dining room. Perfect for entertaining or relaxing in luxury in the heart of the green mountains, you will be able to enjoy the convenience of a great location while enjoying 4 acres of open space with amazing unobstructed views of Killington and Pico. $258/night

4) 6 Bedrooms, Sleeps 16

We invite you to enjoy our Cozy & spacious Vermont country home. On 20 private acres yet only 5 miles to Ski area. Great for three families or groups. Perfect for family reunions. Serene Mountain views and a quiet country road. The neighbors house on our shared driveway is also available for family reunions, combined we can sleep 28–30 people. $433/night

5) 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10

Works well for multiple families, large living room with fireplace, large family room with 50' flat screen, 14' shuffleboard table. Additional den with gas fireplace, 42' flat screen, private wing with adjoining queen bedroom and full bath. $800/night

6) 5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12

Easy living in this spacious, modern home. Green Mountain Golf course is nearby. 7 minutes to the Skyship Ski Lift. Perfect for large families, several couples or corporate retreats. A second home next door has 6 bedrooms. Together, they would accomodate up to 30 people for weddings and family reunions. $600/night

7) 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8

Newly and completely renovated. 5 minutes to the mountain. Located across the street from the base of West Hill Road which is a short cut to Killington Road and the mountain. This property offers a beautifully renovated 3 bedrooms 2 bath duplex fully equipped with bath towels and bed linens. Be one of the first to rent. This home offers 2 queen beds and 4 twins. The kid’s room offers a twin trundle bed, bunk beds, flat screen TV and a closet full of games. $275/night

Find more at www.vuepeer.com/blogs