AirBnB in Italy?

We rented one in Rome and it was a nice place to stay.

We've had fabulous experiences in Florence, Rome, Naples, and Trapani. We've rented a house in Catania for our ten nights in Sicily next month. We love being able to relax, cook, and meet our wonderful hosts.

We've stayed in 40 airbnb apartments in Italy (300+ nights) and enjoyed them all. I'm very picky, I read all the reviews and examine the photos carefully, and try to book with superhosts with many reviews but who are not managing lots of apartments. In a town with a medieval center (i.e. not a big sprawling city like Milan) I often look for an apartment on the edge of the center but still within the old city walls. I think I get nicer apartments for less money when it's on an upper floor of an old building with no elevator. Unless it's winter, I look for AC (every September/October trip we've been on has been HOT).

Where do you want to go? How many nights do you have for this trip?

I’m the same as Nancy…….what she said.
I’m also v. picky.
We/I’ve rented over 30 Airbnb and booking.com apartments , mostly in Italy.
It’s the way to go!
If you would like links, I can see if I can find some from places I’ve stayed.
Of course, with the pandemic, many withdrew from the rental market, so may no longer be available.

If anyone has Airbnb'd in Venice, can you recommend a good area to aim for? I want good access to the main canal, right?

I travel on a low budget, so reasonable cost is key. Thanks to any of you who have recommendations for any specific hosts. I'll be in Venice sometime between Oct. 5 and 11ish.

The best VRBO/AirBnB I ever stayed was in Rome.

I’ve had great luck with Airbnb throughout Europe and some of the best places were in Italy. Exponentially better experiences and value over what I’ve gotten in North America. The same properties are often listed on VRBO which feels like the preferred platform in Europe, I wonder if this is some part of the reason it’s so much better over there.

Last year we did 5 different ones across the country and had a wonderful stay in each. Always filter for SuperHost.

I have looked on AirBnB for apartments in France and Italy, but I didn't think the cancellation options were as generous as what I could get using booking.com. I've found some awesome places on booking.com. Just filter on apartments.

Th first time I heard about short let apartments was 2000 from people renting one in Rome. In 2002, I was looking for accommodation in Venice and kept seeing this website called AirBnB. But it was hard to use, as computers generally weren't robust enough to load all the photos of available rentals....that or I didn't have the patience.
It is my primary search platform for my upcoming 2 months in Italy. I have no reservations.
Read the reviews, ask questions from the host (I have never had one refuse to give me the true address prior to booking), read the bottom security and rules section if pet allergies or smoking/non smoking needs), check the reviews after booking. I have noticed they have also improved cancellation policies to be closer to arrival date.

I’ve had great luck with Airbnb and Booking.com. throughout Europe.
In 2011-Italy, I had a terrible experience through Home Away, bait and switch a few weeks prior to stay.
Apartment was nothing like what was represented to us. Their response was “We have your money” Long story short they fully refunded me once I mentioned American Express would be contacting them. Stayed at Hotel Royal Victoria which was lovely , expensive but with the last minute change we were grateful. BTW I understand VRBO is part of HomeAway I don’t recommend either.

Thanks for all the reply's and suggestions. It seems like staying in AirBnB's is a good way to go. The tour I tried to book on RS Site was the Village Italy tour but they seem to have booked up very quickly. I kind of like the idea of visiting smaller towns etc. and being in the famous countryside of Italy. I would probably start in Rome however, as I can get a direct flight there.