Alternative Accommodations: 2003
House swapping, convents and monasteries, college dorms... when it comes to beds, the less you spend, the more of Europe you experience. Others swear by renting a "flat" (apartment) or "villa" and becoming a temporary local. Any tips about fun, unique, or unusual accommodations?
Lucca Italy
This summer we stayed at the lovely Villa Giovannini in Lucca Italy. Lucia
Giovannini, the owner, was a wonderful host. We had a lovely 2 bedroom apartment
on the top of a hill overlooking a vineyard. It was an ideal base for exploring
the area including being close enough to take the bus to Florence for the
day. Lucia provided a wonderful breakfast each morning. She had maps and
booklets and was very willing to help with any travel plans. Our stay was
one of the highlights of our trip. She can be contacted at lucia.giovannini@libero.it
Cheryl
Redding, CA USA Sun 12/28/2003
Rome apartment
We stayed 1 week at the 3rd floor apartment on Reginella in the Jewish
Ghetto. The apartment was in an incredibly convenient location close to
Campo de'Fiori and a few minutes walking from Piazza Navona and Piazza
Argentina. We did not rent a car nor ride any public transport. Admittedly,
we do very much enjoy walking but there are many attractions within a
few minutes of the apartment. I cannot say enough about Mauro. We were
picked up and dropped off at the airport in a very timely manner. Mauro
was always willing to help in any way possible. We have traveled Europe
several times but was with a friend who had never been out of the US.
He called (bugged?) Mauro several times for advice and information on
the cell phone provided.
If safety is a concern, particularly
a break-in, then this apartment is definately for you. I do remodeling
and was impressed with the security of the complex entrance door as well
as the door to our apartment. Also, the building has been remodeled in
the past few years with great attention to comfort, but preserving the
old timbers inside. I had a great feeling of being in the center of Rome
and experiencng it more as a local and less as a tourist. We ate most
meals in the apartment. The small kitchen was well equipped, the bathroom
clean and modern with a new washing machine. There is a TV but we did
not turn it on all week. It was a wonderful experience.
Keith <email>
Davis, CA USA Fri 12/26/2003
Rent an apartment in Barcelona
Hotel rates in Barcelona aren't cheap. I was travelling with my family (2
adults + 2 kids) and we found a lovely apartment with a superb location
for a VERY reasonable price. It was very clean and very comfortable, and
we enjoy buying vegetables and food in the great market La Boqueria (a must-see!)
which was near by. We book the apartment at http://barcelonaapartment.8m.net/
They told us they also rent it through agencies, but at http://barcelonaapartment.8m.net/
you save the agency comission.
gaby <email>
paris, france Mon 12/15/2003
Rome Apartment
We spent a week in Rome Nov 9 thru Nov 16 and we stayed in an apartment.
I think it was my best idea for this trip. We used guestinitaly.com and
it worked out really well. The apartment was exactly like the pictures.
We had so much space. We spent 90 euros a night, it was north of the main
tourist area but on a tram line. The locals were so friendly even though
most did not speak English. We took day trips by train to Florence and Pompeii.
Jana <email>
Portland, OR USA Tue 12/09/2003
Alternative Accomodation
We stayed in convents in Venice. Not being Catholic, I thought it might
be a little awkward, but not at all. They were clean and safe, my only
criteria. We didn't mind the curfew (11 and midnight) because we were
so tired after touring all day, we were asleep by 10.
In Paris, we had a small apartment for $95 per day, but there were 3 of us, so it worked out quite cheaply. We could shop for groceries and cook in when we didn't want to wait so late for dinner. Many of the restaurants didn't even open until 7:30 p.m., so a nice home-cooked dinner at 6 was great! Also, adventures in shopping.... we don't speak French so in many cases we were not exactly sure of what we were getting. If it looked good, we bought it. The milk and cheese and butter section had selections which were not familiar to us. We couldn't figure out which item corresponded to what we had in mind. Some people say that eating out expands your contact with the local population, but believe me, grocery shopping does, too. We're going again in 2004 and will try the convent route again!
Convents are at santasusanna.com
(or something close to that) The apartment was parisholidayapts.com (John
is the owner and quite nice - an American in Paris with a number of apartments
available)
Carol Icard <email>
Half Moon Bay, CA USA Fri 11/28/2003
Chez Vous apartment in Paris
We just spent a great week at the "Cosmopolitan" apartment (6 rue Malar)
booked through Chez Vous (www.chezvous.com). Exceptional location (3 blocks
from rue Cler and the Seine, easy walks to Eiffel Tower and Invalides).
All facilities and service met or exceeded our expectations. We got a 25%
discount for rental after Nov 1.
P. Conte <email>
Eugene, OR USA Sat 11/15/2003
Free accommodation through Hospitality Exchange
If you are a friendly person and would enjoy staying with and hosting other
friendly people, hop on over to the Hospitality Club at www.hospitalityclub.org
for free accommodation worldwide. We are now more than 7000 members in 129
countries and would love to have you onboard. Greetings from Germany!
Veit Kuehne <email>
Dresden, Sachsen Germany Sun 10/19/2003
London Hostel/Dorm
I stayed at the University of Westminster's student housing in London during
the summer. It is run as a hostel, and is clean and has really good security.
Nice location - about a block from Westminster Cathedral, 3 blocks from
Victoria Station, and at $21/night the price was right. However, it was
the dingiest room I've seen in Europe, and the kitchen was rather frightening.
So I'd say its a good last-minute alternative.
Cathy <email>
Seattle, WA USA Wed 10/15/2003
Wonderful Apartments in Montepulciano, Italy
Just returned from two weeks in Italy with one week spent in a lovely apartment
in Montepulciano which we used as a base for our travels to other Tuscan
hilltowns. It was such a positive (and affordable!) experience that I wanted
to share it with others. Their email is: alpoggiolo@libero.it.
It's been
owned by the same family occupying it for a couple of hundred years! The
apartments are recently renovated so all amenities are American-friendly
but when you step outside you are in another time and place!
Charlotte Nicks <email>
Houston, TX USA Thu 10/09/2003
Accommodation in Portugal
Pure Portugal offers a varied selection of holiday accommodation, activities,
events & workshops in the Beiras region of Mid-Portugal. Choose from camping
on an old Portuguese fruit farm; rent a caravan amongst the vines and olives
on an organic quinta; go horse riding in the Gois valley; bed and breakfast
in a traditional stone farmhouse with all mod cons, or stay in a luxury
bedroom in a manor house once owned by the mother of first King of Portugal!
Take part in organic fruit juice making; organic wine tastings; walk the
many peaceful tracks; swim in a natural river pool or go fishing on the
Rio Mondego or Rio Alva; visit lively Arganil market or simply relax in
the sun with a cool drink. www.pureportugal.co.uk
scarielle <email>
uk Sat 10/04/2003
Convent in Rome
We have been extremely pleased with this convent in Rome. Instituto Santa
Giullianna Falconieri. VERY central accomodation (2 blocks from the Pantheon),
big rooms, clean as a whistle. We just returned from there- 3 nights with
breakfast was 195 euros. The sisters are extremely cheerful and can answer
lots of questions for you (and no, you don't have to go to mass)The doors
close at 12:00 midnight- you have to be buzzed in with an electric door
so you feel safe leaving your stuff in your room. This is our second stay
and we can't recommend it enough
gwen rogers <email>
arlington, va USA Sun 09/14/2003
Gay Alternative Hotels and Reservation Site-GayRes.com
In looking for "Alternative" hotels...many may consider "Alternative" in
the sense of Gay Lifestyles. As a gay man, I often look for hotels that
I can be assured that my partner and I will feel comfortable. I found a
new reservation site, www.GayRes.com and was able to book online and get
automatic confirmations. I checked the deals and found they were competitive
with other Internet based sites out there. We now use them whenever we travel.
So, if you are part of the gay community definitely it's worth looking for
hotels/B&B's on GayRes.com. We recently stayed at Castle in Spain through
their site. It was magical....and still at the right price.
Ben <email>
Miami Beach, FL USA Thu 07/17/2003
London B&B
LONDON: My wife and I have just spent a week there enjoying the wonderful
English summer and once again we used London Home-to-Home. They have a great
range of class accommodation in various parts of the British capital and
they've never let us down yet. And their website is very accessible and
easy to navigate: www.londonhometohome.com
Andrew Williams <email>
Melbourne, Vic Australia Mon 07/07/2003
Free accommodation
These are something like www.place2stay.net which was mentioned earlier.
Riikka
FIN Tue 07/01/2003
House Rental
Six of us rented a house in the Languedoc region of France in May,2002.
It was in a small village named Cesseras, near Norbonne, Carcassonne and
the Midi Canal. The Mediterranean is about a hours drive and Spain could
be a day trip away. A great homebase to be used to explore the region.
The house had 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. The house is owned by a professional
photographer and his wife who has a antique shop in Paris. It was filled
with art, books, both in French & English. A wonderful experience, like
being a guest in someone's home. The kitchen was equipped with all new
Miele appliances, condiments and wine from the local region that you you
drank and paid for via the honor system.
We found this property via the internet, a site
named www.holidays-france-rentals.com. The site is small but has several
rentals in several regions of France plus some Paris apartments. They
accomodate as many as 14 people or 2-4 for the apartments in Paris. The
house we rented ranged from $1,100 to $1,500 a week depending on the season.
This includes linens, condiments, washer, dryer,& pool. The name of the
house we rented is Les Olivers The region is less crowded than the Provence,
subsequently less expensive. Many wonderful restaurants and things to
do. We enjoyed our stay at Les Olivers we plan to go back
Doris Beck <email>
Pt. Townsend, WA USA Sat 05/24/2003
Paris rental apartment
My mom and I returned from a trip to Paris a little over a week ago. We
had rented a furnished apartment through www.parisperfect.com. The plave
was great - clean, great amenities, and in a wonderful neighborhood right
adjacent to Rue Cler. It was small (we stayed in the Beaujolais), but fit
our needs perfectly. Some friends met us in Paris and stayed in the Armagnac
apartment. Their place was massive and absolutely gorgeous. Well worth the
money. And the people that run the apartments are very nice. I would recommend
staying there.
Jill <email>
Sacramento, CA USA Tue 05/13/2003
Alternative Accomodations
Stayed a week in London in one of the Winchester Hotel's flats. If you are
traveling with others and really need that extra space, look into renting
a flat from them. Had a full kitchen and accomodations were very clean.
Staying in a flat makes you feel like you are part of the neighborhood.
You shop with your neighbors and get familiar with the various shopkeepers.
It made London feel like home.
M Greene
Benicia, CA USA Wed 04/30/2003
Apartment rentals in Europe
Low-cost vacation apartment rentals, along with moderate, and high-end rentals
for all over Europe can be viewed at www.vacation-villas.us.
Rach <email>
Pittsburgh, PA USA Wed 04/16/2003
Universities
A lot of university residences double as youth hostels. My residence in
France rented rooms out (to students only - show ID) for 7e a night. Bring
sheets, but definitely quieter than a regular youth hostel.
Karla <email>
Strasbourg, France Thu 04/10/2003
Alternative Accommodations
Three of us traveled to Paris recently, and rented a furnished apartment
from Apartment Living in Paris (www.apartment-living.com). We heartily recommend
them to everyone. You won't go wrong! Francois Brunel and Gerald Deconclois
were absolutely charming to work with, going the extra mile with every facet
of our rental, and the apartment was everything advertised and more! Nothing
fancy, but clean, interesting, convenient, and comfortable. (A place with
real personality!)
For a fraction of what hotel rooms would have cost us, we were able to live almost like "locals", and much more comfortably than the tiny hotel rooms that were available for our budget. We had a boulangerie halfway down the block, where we picked up our baguettes and pastries every evening on our way back in from our daily adventures, and are now forever spoiled!
What a joy to have enough room to spread out in, to look at maps and plan our next day's activities, etc. It was also nice to have separate bedrooms to get away from each other for a bit...definitely the way to enjoy traveling together and remain friends. (We intend to rent apartments wherever we go from now on! No more hotels!)
Also, we'd like to help dispel the myth of the
rude, unfriendly Parisian. Although I am sure that some do exist, we didn't
meet them. I believe you reap what you sow. If you go there with an open-minded,
friendly attitude, keep a sense of humor, and you take time to learn some
of the language and customs, and attempt to fit in somewhat (or at the
least try not to be offensive...realize that the US is not the only country
in the world, and the universe does not stop turning just because YOU
are there!), chances are that you will be treated nicely. We had a glorious
time, and can't wait to go back.
Nicki <email>
Marion Station, MD USA Wed 04/09/2003
Villas & Apartments in Tuscany and Umbria
If you are looking to rent a flat or a villa in Tuscany or Umbria, try going
through Italian Town and Country. They are a small company run by very kind
folks. Here is the link: http://www.italiantownandcountry.com/
Tina
USA Thu 03/06/2003
Apartment in Rome, Italy
We had a wonderful experience renting an apartment in Rome from Underground
Viaggi at omtour.com. Our family of 4 stayed in the Jewish Ghetto, walking
distance from most of the major sights. When you rent through omtour.com,
airport transfer is included in the rental fee and they give you a cell
phone to use during your stay in Rome (free local calls). I highly recommend
this service!
Sandra <email>
Charlotte, NC USA Tue 02/18/2003
Paris Apartments
Please try www.locaflat.com, an apartment rental establishment in Paris.
I read positive things about it on this website, and now I agree. I was
taking two 17-year-old nieces to Paris and wanted them to feel like they
were actually living in Paris. Locaflat gave me very detailed descriptions
of the apartments and locations. I e-mailed with questions a couple of times
and always got prompt, courteous responses. They also had a fair cancellation
policy and little extras like airport pick-up etc. (for small fees).
The three of us were supposed to meet in the US and fly to Paris together. Although I thought everything was planned out brilliantly, the girls ended up in Paris a day ahead of me. The wonderful men at Locaflat came to the rescue. I e-mailed them and they answered quickly. They picked the girls up at the airport (even though I had the final payment), gave them a nice sightseeing tour, and got them safely into the apartment, without asking any extra money.
I went to meet these lovely Locaflat people at
their offices to personally thank them as they were so darned nice. And,
best of all, the apartment was exactly as it looked in the pictures and
the descriptions were accurate. The prices were very reasonable and working
with nice people just made everything so much more enjoyable.
Janet <email>
Chicago, IL USA Mon 02/17/2003
Barcelona accommodations
I booked an apartment through www.oh-barcelona.com. They offer really nice
apartments in the city center for reasonable prices. You might wanna check
out their site.
Meredith
USA Fri 01/10/2003