Going Local

Vilnius

Vilnius

My time in Vilnius this summer was my fifth Airbnb experience in two years.

Airbnb

My first was Paris in 2013. Since then I’ve used Airbnb twice to find places in Toulouse, and also once in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam apartment

Amsterdam apartment

You don’t have to be a genius to work out I’ve been happy with those experiences!

Hotels are fine, but for longer stays (a full week in Vilnius and the same each time in Toulouse) getting a small apartment is more comfortable. More space. More flexibility.
It also gives me a feeling of living the local way.

Toulouse studio

Toulouse studio

I lived in Toulouse for a year in the 70s and spent so much time working in Vilnius in the 90s that I felt as if I’d “gone local”. Hotels would just feel wrong in both cities.

The Vilnius apartment was ideal. Quiet. Clean. Well located. Well furnished. Comfortable. Good wifi (I have to work when I’m away).

Vilnius "home"

Vilnius “home”

The hosts (Irmantas and Jane) were great. Irmantas collected me at the airport when I arrived. It was close to midnight, so that was especially welcome. Jane arranged a taxi for me when I was leaving.

Vilnius apartment building

Vilnius apartment building

Their apartment is in A. Vivulskio gtv. in the Naujamiestis (New Town) but very close to the Senamiestis (Old Town) and so it was an easy walk there for pubs and restaurants. The same for Gediminas prospekt – the city’s main street.

Gediminas prospekt

Gediminas prospekt

An Iki Express mini market was only 50m away.

Iki

Ideal for croissants for breakfast. I found a very good restaurant (Fortas) close by in Algirdo gtv. when I didn’t want to walk far to eat.

Fortas

The airport is barely 15 minutes away in a taxi, and an airport bus service passes very close by. The railway station is an easy 20 minute walk.

Vilnius Airport

Vilnius Airport

The cost was £43 per night (inclusive of Airbnb’s charges). Great value.

I’m using Airbnb hosts for my trips to Helsinki and Budapest in the autumn. Fingers crossed that I’m not jinxing myself!

© iain taylor 2015

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