Decoding Vacation Rental Reviews: Airbnb, VRBO, & Beyond

I’ve covered the ins and outs of reading hotel reviews—but what about private rentals?

Compared to a hotel stay, there’s a lot that can go wrong with a private rental—and, more importantly, it’s harder to fix any issues.

When something goes wrong at a hotel, all you need to do is head down to the concierge and lay out your doubts. But at a private rental, whether booked on Airbnb, VRBO, or another platform, we aren’t nearly as empowered to handle mishaps.

That means it’s even more important to get a good sense of the rental before booking.

For the most part, pictures and lists of amenities paint a strong picture. Even the tone of the host’s description might tell you a few things about the property, like whether or not it’s professionally managed, how casual the hosts are, and more.

But the real treasure trove is in the reviews.

Want to nail your private rental selections like a professional travel agent? Start with the tips below.

How to read private rental reviews

Just like with hotels, skip those sensationalist reviews. Whether overly cheerful or actively sassy, sensationalist reviews usually mean that a guest was in a highly emotional state when they wrote it. That being said, if you see a ton of ultra-positive or negative reviews, then they’re probably accurate.
Make sure the reviews match up to the listing. Here’s what I mean: if you see a negative review about a broken window, you might notice that the rental’s description reads ‘windows newly renovated’, which means the issue has been resolved. If you have any outstanding questions, ask the host directly—and feel free to bring up what was discussed in the review.
If the reviewer isn’t similar to you, their feedback might not apply. Depending on the booking website, you might not have too much information on the person leaving the review. But if you do, then focus on reviews that were written by travelers like you, whether they’re similar age or the same type of traveler. In other words, value what your contemporaries say.
The most recent reviews are (usually) the most accurate. Recent reviews let you gauge what’s going on with that rental in real-time. Just make sure to consider the season. If you’re traveling in the summer, reviews from winter might not be entirely applicable.
Search specifically for topics that matter to you. You can use a keyword search in your browser to focus on topics that are important to you. Maybe that’s solid air-conditioning or a great view. Whatever your focus is, make sure to dig in with a few keyword searches. I recommend reading at least five reviews on the topic to get a good sense of things with a focus on more recent reviews.

My bonus tips for reading private rental reviews

If you stick to the five tips listed above, you’ll find a great fit in no time. But they’re far from the only tricks of the trade. As a long-time private rental fan, let me dig a little deeper into how I trawl those reviews.

If the pictures suck but the reviews don’t, it’s probably a solid pick. I’ve seen more than a handful of near-perfect, five-star-rated vacation rentals that looked subpar from the photos… only to be swayed by glowing reviews. If you’re struggling to decide on whether or not a rental is right for you because the pictures don’t grab you, but the reviews do, I vote you book it. Remember—most hosts aren’t professional photographers.
There’s usually a theme that you’ll pick up on. I read reviews partly because I like gossip. (Flips hair over her shoulder.) In my nosy digging, I’m usually able to pick up on an overall theme from the reviews. Maybe the walking distance to hotspots is a little longer than expected. Maybe an appliance is ridiculously noisy. So don’t be afraid to gloss over the reviews—you’ll probably pick up on an overall consensus.
If there are fewer ratings, give some grace. Last year, I booked an aparthotel that had a pretty low aggregate rating because it had only a handful of ratings—and one was a very sensationalist negative review that didn’t match the others. I took a chance and booked it anyway only to be very, very happy with my stay. Don’t let a lower rating turn you off from at least checking out a profile if there are only a handful of reviews.

The 10 Dating Apps You Need for Mingling Abroad

Who doesn’t dream about falling in love while traveling abroad?

Cue the Hollywood reel of images—

A couple dines on a cobblestone street with a bottle of wine between them; two strangers meet on a beach after an umbrella goes windborne; a traveler at a crowded bar locks eyes with a potential love interest across the room.

I could go on and on. And while it might seem like the stuff of movies, travel really does bring people together—sometimes for a long time, too.

One of my best friends (from the Netherlands) met her partner (from Spain) while on a family vacation in Indonesia. Ten years later, the couple is still together.

The same is true for me. I met my partner while in Latin America. Fourteen years later, we’re still arguing about the same nonsense (lovingly, of course).

Here’s my point: travel forges a deep bond—one that can last a long time if properly tended. And while many people make friends and start dating the ‘old fashioned way’ while on vacation, that’s not always the case.

Familiar apps like Tinder and eHarmony bridge the gap for millions around the world—but some apps are actually built specifically for an international experience. They cater to broader age groups, offer more language features, and make it easier to break the ice and establish an intercultural connection.

Can’t tell Bumble from Badoo? Here’s your crash course in using dating apps abroad.

A lot more than Tinder

There’s a dating app for every lover out there. I’m suggesting options that are used in regions that Americans frequent most often, including the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe. But know that this is just a basic introduction.

On top of that, keep in mind that some dating apps are pay-to-play, meaning you might need to pay a subscription for a fully optimized experience. Now onto the good stuff.

Popular dating apps that you can use abroad

You’ve probably heard of the names before—but do you know what makes each of these apps a solid pick in international waters?

Tinder: Perfect for casual dating. It’s the OG casual dating app and it’s still one of the most-used in the world. You can find matches on Tinder in over 190 countries worldwide and download the app in over 50 languages. That’s not all—Tinder also offers one of the more unique international dating app capabilities through its premium Passport feature, which lets you drop a pin and start matching with local hotties before you’ve arrived.
OkCupid: Shop for lovers till you drop. The charm of OkCupid is its massive user base, similar to Tinder. With singles in around 180 countries ready to look for love, you can find a plethora of potential mates. But it’s not just a numbers game for OkCupid—this app uses refined algorithms to help you find a quality match, which prevents you from drowning in those options.
Bumble: A great pick for the (straight) ladies. Okay, this app is also for men—but only women have the ability to swipe and match with a man’s profile. (It’s geared toward heteros but anyone can use it.) That makes this perfect for travelers because you can really curate your options. Plus, the premium subscription lets you use Travel Mode. Like Tinder’s Passport, that lets you change your geographic data to start swiping anywhere in the world.
Hinge: Catered toward long-term lovers. This dynamic platform isn’t quite like others in that it’s geared toward establishing long-term relationships. You can do that by setting up a multifaceted profile that digs deeper into your likes, with polls, prompts, and more. The cherry on top is that Hinge lets you drop your pin to explore matches anywhere in the world without paying for a premium membership. (That being said, you’ll probably pay for the premium to get the most out of this app.)
eHarmony: A solid pick for travelers anywhere. As a millennial, I usually think of Tinder as the OG dating app. In reality, that title belongs to eHarmony, which launched in 2000. It’s stayed at the forefront of online dating for a reason and is now operating in over 80 countries worldwide. It’s a top pick for singles in English-speaking countries, too, including the UK and Canada. Just know that eHarmony is best used for finding a long-term partner, similar to Hinge.

Best international dating apps

Because they were created and launched specifically for international lovers, these apps have a stronger focus on security, language versatility, and cross-cultural meetups.

Hily: Date anyone, anywhere, at any time. What if you’re interested in dating internationally beyond the scope of a vacation? If that’s the case, you can find a match on Hily. If you’re in the same city, you can take advantage of added safety features like live-streaming with your date before meeting up in person. If you’re on opposite sides of the world, you can also use that live-streaming feature to break the ice.
Meetic: Your European matchmaker. Though it doesn’t have a strong international reach it’s now live in 12 European countries, plus China and Brazil. Similar to eHarmony and OkCupid, Meetic is geared toward more serious singles who want to find a long-term match.
Zoosk: For 30-somethings to 70-somethings. Zoosk is available in over 80 countries and operates in over 20 languages, letting you really expand into new cultural territory. What I really like about Zoosk is that it offers a Millenial-focused dating pool, along with a Zoosk Seniors option. With a strong focus on like and dislikes rather than cold, hard dating data (like age, race, and religion), you can also get outside your dating box, so to speak.
Badoo: The tried-and-true veteran. This app has been around for well over a decade, even if many Americans haven’t heard of it. Badoo outshines the competition for a few reasons. First, it has a ‘bumped into’ feature that notifies you if potential matches are nearby. Like, ten feet away. That can help you establish a real-life connection that isn’t always possible with dating apps (at least, not right away). On top of that, Badoo is live in over 190 countries and has the most language capabilities that I’ve seen with over 47 options.

5 of the Coolest Whiskey Distillery Tours in Ireland: Must-See on the Emerald Isle

I heard about whiskey at least once a day during my two-week jaunt across the Emerald Isle.

On day three, it became apparent that whiskey is a lot more than a spirit to the Irish.

It’s also a source of pride and identity—similar to how Polish and Russians feel about vodka. Like vodka, whiskey is tied to social customs, history, traditions, and even national identity.

The word whiskey comes from the Irish uisce beatha, which translates to ‘water of life’. It was first brewed by monks who returned from the Mediterranean with a keen knowledge of distillation.

The first mention of whiskey comes from the Annals of Clonmacnoise, which was written in 1405. In reality, whiskey had likely already been around for a few hundred years.

Over the next centuries, whiskey production was closely tied to Ireland’s economy and cultural standing. It’s also been a hero of the island’s cultural renaissance, which took off following Ireland’s independence from Britain in 1921.

In short, to know whiskey is to know a deep part of Ireland, and one that is internationally recognized—whether or not you like to drink.

Part of the proof of Ireland’s great respect for whiskey is its standing in the US. As immigrants arrived from Ireland (and Scotland), they brought along their appreciation for barley and distillation, creating delectable offshoots like bourbon whiskey. (We even had a whiskey rebellion, y’all!)

But forget about the US for a moment—I want to focus on the Motherland of Whiskey. If you’re heading to Ireland anytime soon, I’d highly suggest touring a popular distillery. You can find them all around the island.

Best distilleries in Ireland

Midleton Distillery Experience, County Cork

If you’ll be passing through Cork, don’t skip the Midleton Distillery Experience. While you can take a Jameson Distillery tour in Dublin, you won’t actually get to see a working distillery.

At Midleton, you can explore where Jameson whiskey is brewed. You can also explore the Old Midleton Distillery, which was in operation throughout the 1800s until 1975.

That’s a pretty fine balance if you ask me. The tour explores the history of whiskey in Ireland, operations at the old distillery, and how modern whiskey is made. Uniquely, Midleton produces whiskey for Jameson and other brands like The Spot Whiskeys, Redbreast, Powers, and more.

The Teeling Whiskey Distillery, County Dublin

If you want to dig into Dublin distilling, I vote you skip the well-known Jameson tour for the Teeling Whiskey Distillery experience. (Or do both if you have time!)

Teeling is located in the Liberties, right in the heart of Dublin, and is one of the country’s newest large-scale distilleries, having opened its doors in 2015.

That might make it seem like this distillery is way too green to offer a solid whiskey tour—especially given the historical relevance of the drink. That being said, it has near-perfect ratings (I’m talking five stars with over 5,000 reviews on TripAdvisor) thanks to the tour’s scope and its passionate guides.

You’ll learn about the history of whiskey, the history of the distillery, and get to sample local whiskeys, other drinks, and traditional snacks.

Rademon Estate Distillery, County Down

Rademon Estate Distillery offers a strong historical tilt. The Rademon Estate was built back in 1667 and still covers the same massive 500-acre plot. Only 18 miles south of Belfast, it won’t take you long to reach the grounds.

You can expect a more intimate experience here, one that focuses in on the scientific elements of distillation. The company produces small-batch whiskies and gins and is fully operational, meaning tours need to be booked ahead of time.

You’ll get to take a closer look at a highly dedicated tinkering with a refined process that uses local ingredients. Plus, a gorgeous, rural setting.

Micil Distillery, County Galway

Once again, we have a multi-product distillery at Micil Distillery. In addition to whiskey, this family-owned company also distills poitín, gin, and cream.

Though the distillery is younger than Teeling (it opened in 2016), the family business started back in 1848 when the family patriarch started distilling his own poitín.

You can expect an in-depth tour that covers the history and distillation practices for the drinks listed above—one that has a casual, friendly atmosphere. You can even take home your own cask of whiskey that’s been slowly aging on the grounds.

Old Bushmills Distillery Tour, County Antrim

Last but not least, we have the oldest whiskey distillery in the world. Old Bushmills Distillery dates back to 1608—only two centuries after the first officially recorded mention of whiskey on the island.

Unsurprisingly, the tour digs deep into the distillery’s history, along with the cultural context of the spirit.

The coup de grace is the whiskey sampling portion of the tour, which lets you taste some of the top whiskeys at Old Bushmills. That means you’re getting a taste of whiskey as it’s been made in Ireland for over four hundred years.

4 Places to Experience Bioluminescence in the Continental US

Bioluminescence drove my interest in travel at a young age.

I saw something on the Travel Channel about New Zealand’s Waitomo glowworm caves. These gorgeous little worms glow in a bright blue color, clinging to the cave walls. Visitors can venture through the cave system with a view that almost looks like the night sky overhead.

It blew my mind. A few weeks later, I had a map of the world pinned to my bedroom wall with a few thumbtacks plotting out my escape from Missouri. (I also pinned the Yemeni island of Socotra, Angkor Wat, and Poveglia Island in Venice.)

Despite my life-changing desire to see those glowworm caves, I haven’t made it down to New Zealand. That being said, bioluminescence comes in all shapes and sizes—and Aotearoa (the country’s Māori name) is hardly the only place where you can catch this kind of activity.

Glowworms aren’t the only organisms that produce that iconic blue glow.

In fact, the United States has a handful of bioluminescent zones—and I’m not talking about those famous tours in Puerto Rico. You can explore glowing waters and bright natural wonders in California, Washington State, and Florida.

Assuming you know where to go, that is.

If you want to see nature light up like a neon sign on the Strip, keep these locations on your radar.

4 spots in the continental US with bioluminescence

San Diego, California

Cyan Bioluminescence on San Diego Coastline Beach at night (Getty)

Glowing waves? In San Diego? Though it’s not always a guarantee, the waters around Torrey Pines State Beach, Carlsbad State Beach, and Mission Bay are known to light up with the dinoflagellate species of phytoplankton. They glow when disturbed by waves, illuminating the tide.

Unfortunately, ecologists can’t always predict when hordes of plankton will show up, so you can’t plan a trip with a guarantee of seeing those glowing oceans. That being said, make sure to ask around for bioluminescence tours when you’re in town—you might be in luck.

Tomales Bay, California

Bioluminescent waves and a shooting star over sea stacks near Tomales Bay (Getty)

Just like San Diego, Tomales Bay is renowned for its glowing blue waters. They’re also a bit easier to predict, with kayaking tours running from August to November when the red tide rolls in. (You read that right—when dinoflagellate floods onto the beach, it’s an event known as a red tide thanks to the plankton’s reddish color.)

Just keep in mind that bioluminescence around Tomales Bay is best experienced when there’s a new moon. On cloudless full moon nights, the experience isn’t quite as impactful thanks to overhead light pollution.

San Juan Island, Washington

Want to bundle in a little bioluminescent adventure into your whale-watching?

Washington State’s San Juan Islands are renowned for their natural beauty and abundance of whales. And what do whales eat? Plankton.

Every summer (June-August), the ocean lights up around the islands as the red tide rolls in. You can experience the magic from the shoreline of calmer beaches and coves, or head out on a tour of Garrison Bays and Westcott to get even closer to the action in a night kayaking excursion.

Kiwanis & Merritt Island, Florida

Kiwanis Island Park is a wildlife refuge located on Merritt Island. You can experience the wonders of phytoplankton with a kayaking tour in Kiwanis Island Park or elsewhere on surrounding Merritt Island. You might even recognize these tours—they’re some of the most recognizable bioluminescence experiences in the US.

Best of all, Merritt Island is close to Cape Canaveral, making it easy to bundle one of these tours with a trip to Florida’s east coast. You can usually see bioluminescence from May to September, which adds another layer of accessibility.

And don’t forget about those inland waterways; you can see glowing phytoplankton in Indian River Lagoon and on Banana River.

How to Use Mindtrip—Travel AI Made Simple

Want a little AI chatbot to help you put together an unforgettable vacation?

You’ve got options.

While most of the AI travel planning hype is focused on plug-ins and figuring out how to use general AI tools for travel purposes, some companies are creating tools specifically geared toward travel. These tools, such as Mindtrip and GuideGeek, are zeroed in on those elements that create a perfect trip.

But how do they actually work?

For now, I’m focusing on how Mindtrip works and how you can use it to put together a perfect trip. It’s AI time.

What is Mindtrip?

Mindtrip has ‘everything you need for your next adventure’. First and foremost, that’s an AI-powered chatbot that can help you research your destination and put together must-see, must-do, and must-eat lists.

The more specific you are, the more tailored the results will be.

Beyond the scope of getting inspired and planning your trip, Mindtrip also lets you collaborate with other travelers. Just share the link for your latest virtual travel vision board, then watch your friends and family tweak the itinerary to meet their needs.

I think the real coup is Mindtrip’s receipt-coordination capabilities. Just upload your receipts and let Mindtrip do the work of adding up expenses and splitting them between guests.

There’s also a group chat feature, a mood-board type of trip-suggester to inspire you, and programs created specifically for influencers and businesses.

Mindtrip can also be used as an app, letting you harness its power straight in the palm of your hand.

How can you use Mindtrip to plan your next vacation?

Mindtrip’s research and planning features let you find hotels, restaurants, flights, and experiences, with car rentals and tours coming soon.

That makes it a one-stop hub for pretty much every travel dream, letting you bridge the gaps to put together a perfect trip—or stick to Mindtrip’s itinerary.

But how can the average traveler use it to their advantage?

I consider myself pretty tech-savvy, but with so many features and so many use cases, I’m getting hands-on with Mindtrip by challenging this AI to put together a niche itinerary for a city I know well: Barcelona, Spain.

To get started, just head to the website and sign up by inputting your email—then start chatting with the AI bot. It doesn’t get much easier.

Does it actually work? A Barcelona case study

I’m going to push this AI to the limit with one travel challenge: put together a well-rounded Barcelona itinerary that avoids over-touristy zones.

It’s a hefty task, to say the least—so, I’m not expecting perfect.

These are the exact metrics I inputted:
I’d like to go to Barcelona in May. I only have four nights in the city. I’d like to see artwork of all kinds, including fine art, architecture, modern art, street art, and more. I’d like to stay somewhere central in the city. But the most important element of this trip is to avoid large crowds of tourists. Please put together a four-night itinerary in Barcelona for May 2025 that focuses on the arts.

The results include a pretty solid four-day itinerary—and each day explores a new theme. Day 1 is ‘arrival and architectural wonders’ while Day 2 focuses on ‘modern art and hidden gems’.

The suggestions were tailored, specific, and provided a solid day-by-day overview.

That being said, many spots suggested are overtly touristy.

For example, Mindtrip suggest Park Guell which was so overcrowded last year that the local government removed directions to the park from Google Maps. The program also suggested looking at El Born—which is perfect for street art but covered in tourists. (I would know, I live smack in the middle of it.)

But let’s not forget the golden rule of using AI to do anything: you need to keep at it.

I responded with, Great, thanks! What about less touristy areas? I’m worried about crowds. (Yes, I thank AI programs.)

Following my second input, Mindtrip did a great job of suggesting artsy spots that are out of more heavily trafficked zones. In fact, I even got a suggestion for a place I hadn’t heard of.

So, here’s my conclusion after this short case study: Mindtrip is a gem, but you might need to dig a little deeper to avoid basic suggestions. With a free tier that lets you get started just by signing up, why not dive in and see what it can do for your next vacation?

3 Valentine’s Date Picks in Milwaukee

Who doesn’t think of romance when they think of Milwaukee?

This Wisconsin hub is known for its love of craft brews and indie breweries, smoked meats, and Harleys. Though not the traditional Valentine’s Day fare, it’s a winning combination by most metrics—especially if you’re from the Midwest.

And there’s no better time to add a romantic spin to these prime-time Milwaukee pastimes than on Valentine’s Day.

That’s right—Milwaukee is my 2025 pick for a pleasantly surprising and romantic Valentine’s Day escape.

Easy to reach from hubs like Chicago and smaller cities like Madison and Green Bay, Milwaukee offers a great place to land for a little getaway for this year’s weekend Valentine’s Day.

A handful of hotels, restaurants, and spas around the city are rolling out V-Day specials, and they’re a lot more affordable than you might think. Locals can explore a lesser-known side of their hometown while out-of-towners can take a look at what the city means by ‘Milwaukee: Where the Welcome Sign Works Overtime’.

Want to take this year’s Friday Valentine’s Day to new heights without over-spending? You’re going to Milwaukee!

3 Valentine’s date picks in Milwaukee

Pfister Hotel’s Perfect Valentine’s Retreat

The Pfister Hotel has a solid list of programs for its guests—which are becoming more and more important for travelers. Personally, I always look for offers like wellness programs (massages, aroma therapy, etc) and packages for special occasions (proposals, anniversaries).

It shows that a hotel has invested time, energy, and money into thinking about its guests and how to optimize their time.

At the Pfister, you can choose from programs like Rover Night, Swim & Stay, Couple’s Getaway, and more. But let’s focus on their Perfect Valentine’s Retreat. This lux program includes a dozen roses scattered across your room, chilled champagne and sweets, complimentary parking, and a $100 credit for on-site dining.

Simple, attractive, and elegant. Enough said!

This is the priciest Valentine’s offer on this list with room rates hovering around $450 a night.

Iron Horse Hotel’s Valentine’s Day Weekend Special

At the Pfister, you can take advantage of the Valentine’s offer whenever it suits you—whether or not it falls on February 14^th.

However, if you’re more interested in a weekend of pure romance, then check out the Iron Horse Hotel. The hotel is hosting a weekend-long dining event that runs from February 13-15, letting you pop in for a great meal and then head home.

If you’ve heard of the Iron Horse Hotel, then you might know what to expect: an independent spirit, a strong love of motorcycles, and great brews. Their official philosophy is: enjoy your damn self.

Their Valentine’s Day Weekend Special is hosted by the Ash Hearth & Bar, which will host an intimate nine-course meal that’s tailored to you and your lover’s favorite dishes. There’s also a separate tasting menu that’s pre-fixe if that’s more your pace. (Prices start at $79 per adult, plus $65 for wine pairings.)

Saint Kate’s Cupid’s Escape

You might have seen the Saint Kate in Milwaukee’s downtown theatre district—it stands out as an elegant, arts-focused getaway. Over Valentine’s Day, you can also take advantage of their Cupid’s Escape.

You can choose from three room options with slashed prices starting at $169 a night. That also includes a bottle of champagne, truffles, and complimentary parking.

That makes this perfect for anyone who’s looking into a last-minute romantic escape that won’t cost an arm and a leg.