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Mastering the Art of Staying Abroad: Lessons from Greece to North Macedonia
Curious if my Airbnb disaster hacks held up? Here’s the lightning-fast, tip-packed version of my trek through Greek studios and Macedonian granny flats last summer. The full original version is in the link at the end!
Stop #1: Ioannina, Greece: Tiny Space, Big Win
After a long bus ride from Albania, I hit the jackpot with a cozy studio in Ioannina.
Booked on Booking.com, this place was packed with comforts: a rain shower, mini kitchen, snacks, and even a stocked fridge.
For a night, it was perfect.
Only regret? Not booking a second night!
Stop #2: Thessaloniki, Greece: Minimalist to the Max
In Thessaloniki, my minimalist Airbnb was spotless but seriously bare-bones. Essentials? Nope.
Water? In 90-degree July heat?
Nope! Think again.
It had a fancy washing machine but no detergent or drying rack, just vibes and minimalism.
Two nights? Manageable. A week? Hard pass.
Stop #3: Skopje, North Macedonia: The “Granny Flat” Hidden Treasure Found! Bingo!
Arriving in Skopje, I met my match: a vintage-style Airbnb straight out of grandma’s catalog.
Spotless! It had every appliance under the sun and was walking distance from everything I needed.
The kicker?
My host helped me navigate North Macedonia’s quirky police registration requirement, peace of mind included.
They even gave me their bus pass, with a few rides in it and taught me how to recharge it!
One week turned into a month and one month turned into two!
…And I’m still not over how homey it felt.
Lessons Learned: Renting Without Regrets
1. Cross-Check Listings: Airbnb, Booking.com, see what’s on both for the best deal.
2. Start Short: Book a few days first to avoid long-term regret.
3. Ask Ahead: Don’t be shy! Ask hosts about transport tips, local taxi apps, and country-specific oddities.
4. Prepare for Surprises: Some places won’t have it all, adapt and enjoy the quirks.
Each stay, good or bad, is an adventure. So, pack your sense of humor, a bit of patience, and dive into the short-term accommodations maze!
David Peluchette is a Premium Ghostwriter/Travel and Tech Enthusiast. When David isn’t writing he enjoys traveling, learning new languages, fitness, hiking and going on long walks (did the 550 mile Camino de Santiago, not once but twice!), cooking, eating, reading and building niche websites with WordPress.