I am heading to Crete, then a road trip around the mainland (this part will be spontanious and we don't know where on the mainland we will go. Anything is possible.) and lastly we are headed to Athens. I am in traveling with my father and I am hoping to partake in authentic Greek culture. It would be so lovely to stay in someone's house with them in some kind of exchange capacity but as I am not a student and I am not visiting for very long (all together just over 2 weeks) I do not know how to initiate something like this. I've been looking for a cooking class off the beaten track, ideally led by an old Greek woman. Airbnb a room in someones house could also provide a neat expereince. Or possibly an Airbnb expereince or other tours could be a way to initiate the intercultural exchange. Does anyone have any recomendations for a cooking class, home stay, or tour that might lend this kind of expereince? Or better yet does someone have a grandma or an auntie that could use a little help or money in exchange for a home cooked meal?
Posted by
France Southwest
2315 posts
what you are looking for is squaring the circle. We're not in the 80s anymore.
If you are looking for a "tour" or a "class" you will inevitably come across something organized for tourists.
For an intercultural exchange, if you find a grandma or aunty ready to welcome you, you will have to learn a little Greek first.
Also note that most Airbnbs are now managed by real estate agencies (85% in Athens) and not by individuals.
Even when they are individuals, they are rarely there to welcome you and sometimes use concierge services.
Tip with Airbnb:
If you use the USA English version you will not see if it is a professional or an individual.
To see it, use the Irish version because European law requires to mention whether it is an individual or a professional.
Posted by
NH (USA)
1222 posts
JoLui:
I wasn't aware of how much Airbnb rentals was "managed" by professionals rather than individuals.
Nice tip on using the "Irish Version" if you are concerned about using Airbnb.
Having said that I've used Airbnb several times and have had good experiences with them and for the most part have been greeted and/or met the owners.
Posted by
France Southwest
2315 posts
Tommy,
In fact I exaggerated (sorry), only around 75% of Airbnbs in Athens are a business (excluding single rooms). - source: insideairbnb
Of the last 5 Airbnbs we stayed in in Athens, all chosen because they were managed by individuals, we met the owners 3 times.
3 weeks ago in the Petralona district it was the mother of the owner who lived on the floor above.
For the other 2 times it was access via a key box with a code, we didn't see anyone, or a young guy employed by a concierge service, we waited for him 30 minutes in front of the door's apartment (:-
What you can see now on the streets of Athens is this kind of thing, building entrances with key boxes:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jt72Kxed7GEAVKPe8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/r7ZPzQpt4oYMtqCJ6
We understand the anger of residents who complain about the lack of housing for locals and rising prices.
Posted by
NH (USA)
1222 posts
I've only booked with Airbnb in Athens once, the few other times in other parts of the country.
In Athens there was a security box that held the key which I had a code sent to me to open. Once opened I got the key went to the room and unlocked the door. I never met anyone but the "owner" was quick to respond to any questions I had prior to the booking and once at the apartment.
The other times I eventually met the owners in other parts of Greece.
The majority of the times I've booked directly via an accommodation's web site and was always greeted by the owners at their accommodations.
The more options one has to book a place the better to get the best deal for your budget.
I've found you can better negotiate a deal with a non-Airbnb place but have been satisfied with the Airbnbs I've gotten and the "host"