Airbnb Experiences to Travel Like a Local From the Comfort of Your Home

If you've ever wanted to make pasta with Italian grandmas, meditate with a Japanese Buddhist monk, or dive under the sea with a shark scientist from Cape Town, South Africa — all without ever leaving home — Airbnb has you covered with its Online Experiences platform. Travel and meet people from around the globe through bookable live-streamed cooking classes, guided city tours, history and culture talks, live music, and more, designed and hosted by locals in cities around the world. Add these standout live-streamed experiences to your travel bucket list today.     

Related: 31 Historic Places Across America That You Can Tour Virtually

Paris 

If you can't make it to the City of Light, spend a relaxed and "fabulous day in Paris" with a Parisian host who can show you the landmarks and off-the-beaten path sights virtually. Dive into French culture and learn about the city with a local guide through videos, photos, and storytelling on this fun, fact-filled tour. 

One reviewer "really loved that the guide gave us the choice on where to go or what to talk about instead of just taking us to the basic spots." Groups and parties can even opt to send cheese and wine to participants and stream real-time footage from the streets of Paris. You'll depart this virtual tour feeling a bit more Parisian — and pick up some tips for your next trip to France.         

Related: 36 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Paris

Rome 

Book a pasta-making experience with real Italian nonnas, who will share their handmade pasta secrets passed down for generations. From their respective kitchens in Italy, five host grandmas (and their families) make a different pasta dish each day of the week — from trofie with pistachio pesto to ravioli with ricotta and spinach to classic lasagne as well as tiramisu for dessert on Saturdays. In advance, they'll send a list of ingredients and tools needed to prepare and even suggest wine and music pairings to round out the experience. 

One reviewer says, "The evening was a lot of fun and ended with such a great meal. The production quality of this was so impressive too!"

Kingston, Jamaica

Learn about the origins of chocolate and create your own confections through this online experience with a chocolate maker in Jamaica. The experience begins overlooking the Kingston harbor from the Blue Mountains as your host, a former BBC News foreign correspondent turned international award-winning chocolate maker, provides a brief overview of the island's history and the uses and artisanship of cacao. 

You'll make your own inclusion chocolate bars and also get an up-close look at cacao beans on the farm and find out how they're fermented and nibs are processed "from seed to bar." It's a "mix of fascinating information about Jamaica, the chocolate industry, and the cacao farming process, alongside hands-on chocolate tempering."    

Related: 18 Cheap Recipes That Celebrate Chocolate

Dublin 

For an unconventional historical and cultural experience, join an engaging Irish guide and his dog Missy for an interactive and humorous virtual tour of Ireland. According to one reviewer, the virtual adventure is "like an amuse-bouche for a holiday in Ireland" with "a little taste sample of the scenery, the history, and stories." 

Even if you've already visited the Emerald Isle's green rolling hills and colorful villages, you'll enjoy getting the inside scoop with breathtaking views from a walking tour, trivia, and anecdotes through the lens of a local. 

Related: Free Things to Do in Ireland

Mexico City 

Coffee enthusiasts can master the art of brewing the perfect cup of java with a judge in Mexico's national coffee competitions. You'll uncover the basic concepts behind the neuroscience of flavor — breaking down the different components and how it interacts with your senses — then learn about the various processes to crafting the best cup of coffee. You'll better understand the flavor sensations, improve your pour-over coffee skills, and be on your way to becoming a professional coffee taster in no time. 

A reviewer notes that she "got some great tips and a new perspective on mindfully consuming coffee."       

Related: From Mocha to Java: The Secret History of How Coffee Took Over the World

London 

Experience British pub culture and learn about the history of beer with a couple of "ridiculously entertaining" veteran London tour guides at this quirky online tasting party. They'll divulge Britain's centuries-old sacred beer drinking rituals, "cultural peculiarities," and "stories about famous drinkers and legendary characters." 

You'll be well-versed in British culture, and one reviewer says it's "A great way to enjoy a pint or two and learn a bit about beer and the culture and traditions surrounding pub life in England. Would love to go on a pub tour with these lads when we can visit London again."   

Related: 15 Drinking Pilgrimages You Need to Make

Rio de Janeiro

Get a peek behind the scenes of Rio de Janeiro's famed Carnival — the city's annual celebration of colorful costumes and extravagance and the biggest carnival in the world — and learn how to play Brazilian drums with the Grande Rio Samba School. This online experience will give you a taste of the history of samba and the Carnival with a production line tour of parade floats and costumes followed by a samba and percussion workshop. 

A reviewer notes: "Great event to bring our family together, hosts were very knowledgeable, the musical pan banging and dancing was great fun."

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New York 

If you're on the hunt for an uplifting virtual experience, try singing songs with a Broadway star in New York City. In his 20 years as an actor, the host has starred in many Broadway musicals, including "The Producers," "The Phantom of the Opera," and currently as Scar in "The Lion King." After a fun warm up, participants will discover singing tips and techniques, then learn a song and sing together. During the Q&A session, you'll also have a chance to get insider knowledge about the Broadway theater scene. 

Reviewers say it's "the MOST enchanting and wonderful family experience" and "there was singing, laughter, and all around good cheer for an hour we'll never forget."

Related: A Virtual Weekend Vacation in New York

Rotorua, New Zealand

Meet friendly, adorable sheep and lambs (and even a sheepdog) on a New Zealand countryside farm through this "humorous, engaging, and informative" online experience. You'll get a glimpse of farm life, connecting with nature and learning a bit about how the small farm is run as well as the history of sheep farming in the country. Your host will explain how wool is shorn from the sheep and processed, then demonstrate how it's turned into fibre and spun into yarn. 

One reviewer says, "What a fun experience, great presentation, and beautiful countryside. We really enjoyed seeing the sheep and lambs, and learning about the farm and how wool is processed."

Cape Town, South Africa

Virtually dive into a vibrant marine reserve that's "brimming with sharks and big fish" with a real life shark scientist in Cape Town. On your adventure, you'll meet a world-record sized school of fish and a celebrity tiger shark, learn about sharks' movements and behaviors, and even tag and track large sharks underwater. Young ocean enthusiasts will love this fun and educational activity, where all questions are answered by a passionate marine biologist and "shark guy." 

One reviewer says, "It was interactive, personal, and so interesting. Justin was very comfortable teaching young students and engaging them in the science of sharks." You'll feel extra good about booking this online social impact experience because 100% of what you pay goes directly to a nonprofit that supports ocean science and conservation through enlightened tourism. 

New Delhi

Based out of New Delhi, this "approachable, fun Indian cuisine class" will teach you time-honored techniques to make rich curries, aromatic rice, tasty Indian breads, and more. Plus, the host sheds light on the heritage of the dishes, giving you a local's insight into the spices, ingredients, processes, and dishes you'll learn to serve for your own family and friends back home. 

One reviewer says, "A casual but informative experience, it felt like you were being personally invited to Neha's kitchen to learn a new skill." Check out the weekly schedule for rotating dishes like saag paneer, chana masala, and butter chicken (vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available).     

Related: 15 Spices and Spice Blends That Will Make Almost Any Meal Better

Edinburgh, Scotland

Harry Potter fans can take in Scotland's beautiful capital city of Edinburgh "through the eyes of J.K. Rowling" on this magical virtual experience. Led by city tour guides, the tour kicks off with moving images of places that inspired the author's famous storylines and characters — from the school thought to inspire Hogwarts to the graveyard filled with characters' names. There's even a bit of competitive trivia along the way, with extra points awarded to those in costume. 

A reviewer writes, "Not only did we get to see Edinburgh, which we have never visited but want to, but we also learned quite a bit about where Rowling wrote the books, her difficult circumstances during that time, and a very fascinating fact about a statue that was the inspiration for Dumbledore."     

Related: J.K. Rowling by the Numbers

Montreal

Learn how to bake French macarons from scratch — from making and piping the batter to filling and decorating your sweet treats — with the founder and head teacher at a boutique baking school in Montreal. You'll receive the recipe right after booking, so you can prepare before class. Opt to bake along at home or watch and learn (and bake later). 

A class participant exclaims, "I have attempted macarons SEVERAL times before and they have never turned out. With Jessica’s step-by-step instructions, my fiancé and I both managed to make a successful batch!"  

Related: 11 Online Cooking Classes to Sharpen Your Skills While Stuck at Home

Tromsø, Norway

Witnessing the magical northern lights are on just about everyone's bucket list, but many people don't have any idea how to catch them. This online experience with a husband and wife guide team explores the best conditions for seeing and photographing the aurora borealis. 

Through a spectacular photo slideshow that turns your own home into an observatory, you'll hear stories and tips for "how/when/where to catch them," so you'll be prepared when you travel to see them in real life. One reviewer says, "this experience helped me get one step closer to making my lifelong dream of seeing the aurora borealis come true."      

Related: Best Vacation Rentals for Seeing the Northern Lights

Barcelona, Spain

Learn how to prepare a home-cooked paella, one of the most beloved Spanish dishes, from scratch with a lively Barcelona-based chef and founder of the Paella Barcelona Cooking School. She'll patiently walk you through her family recipe based on your chosen paella style (seafood, meat, combo of seafood and meat, or vegetarian), teaching you about Spanish cuisine, culture, traditions, and Barcelona along the way. 

Many reviewers were "blown away by how delicious our paella turned out," say the class was "fun, engaging, and easy to follow," and that they "now have the confidence to make it again for family and friends."    

Related: 23 Traditional Hispanic Foods Most Americans Don't Know About (But Should)

St. Petersburg, Russia

Join a local tour guide and passionate history buff for a peek into Russian culture and "a fabulous historical tour of St Petersburg without leaving home." Embark on an interactive stroll through the city's main attractions — including Peter and Paul Fortress, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and the Gala Banquet in the Winter Palace at the Hermitage Museum — via visuals and virtual walks. You'll uncover a great deal about European history, and even hear tips on where locals go to find the best food and drinks. Like many others, one reviewer "took away so much and can't wait to visit St. Petersburg one day."     

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Big cat enthusiasts will enjoy "mastering the art of identifying individual leopards'' through this educational online experience with a safari guide, who has tracked leopards in Sri Lanka for travelers across the world on a daily basis. Learn all about the elusive creatures and their behaviors through photos, videos, and stories from his years on the reserve. He'll share techniques for identifying leopards and answer all your burning questions (like why leopards mate more than 25 times a day!). 

One reviewer says, "This is a fascinating virtual visit with the leopards in two Sri Lanka national parks. We learned so much. Dhanula is a very friendly, kind, and knowledgeable guide."      

Related: 21 Places to Safely See Wild Animals Up Close

Agia Paraskevi, Greece

While it's no secret that food is a big part of Greek culture, you can uncover secrets of the exceptional Greek gastronomy — from Spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) to gyros to baklava — with an "engaging, friendly, and knowledgeable" Athenian food guide in this intimate cooking class. 

You'll hear stories and "learn to cook the best Greek food of your life" while  exploring and preparing fresh, seasonal ingredients through a rotating menu of simple, yet flavorful dishes (choose your date and time based on the monthly schedule). 

Vienna 

While you can't beat the experience of a live concert hall performance, you can certainly enjoy the convenience of live streaming a world-class classical piano concert from the comfort of your couch. Live from Vienna, an international award-winning pianist will play a mix of pieces from Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and others as well as his own beautiful compositions, weaving in stories about the composers and answering questions from the audience. 

One concert attendee says, "We prepared an Italian dinner at home and we thought to make it special by having a live online classical piano concert during dinner. It felt like we had the front seats in a hall in Vienna."     

Related: 36 Bucket-List Destinations for Music Lovers

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Explore the history of tango and experience a live performance from your living room with a Latin, Grammy-nominated tango singer born and raised in Buenos Aires and a harmonica player originally from California. The duo will lead you through the origins of tango in the 1890s to today's thriving Buenos Aires music scene. 

One reviewer remarks: "I enjoyed learning about the origins of tango. This experience had me looking up plane fares to Argentina."   

Related: 15 Bucket-List Destinations Below the Equator

Bangkok, Thailand

The host of this "fun, social, and educational" Thai cooking experience welcomes you into her Bangkok home to teach you about Thailand and its culture, virtually tour her garden to learn about common ingredients used in Thai cuisine, and prepare authentic recipes. The menu changes often, and participants can expect to make dishes like fresh spring rolls, crispy shrimp pancakes, spicy minced chicken salad, creamy tom yum soup, massaman curry, spicy basil fried rice, pad thai, and pad kee mao (vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available). 

Of this "must-attend" class, repeat attendees say it's a "fantastic experience as always and she couldn't have been more helpful or patient with us! The food was so delicious." 

Lima, Peru

Become a "pisco pro" with an engaging Peruvian tour guide and former bartender. Mix up refreshing Peruvian cocktails like the pisco sour, the iconic national drink of Peru, and chilcano — and learn a bit about Peruvian culture and the history behind the South American brandy. A reviewer shares: "We had a great experience learning more about Peru and mixing drinks with Tito! During the session itself, Tito thoroughly explains each step of the process, passionately details parts of Peruvian history and culture, and invites everyone to have a relaxed, fun time together." 

Related: Spirits and Mixers Every Home Bar Should Have

Stockholm 

As a native Swede, at-home cooking instructor, and caterer, your host of this hands-on virtual baking class is an expert maker of Swedish pastries, desserts, and other traditional dishes. Prepare a tasty local treat, cinnamon and cardamom buns, while gaining insight into Swedish lifestyle and traditions like the concept of "Fika" (translated as "coffee and cake break"), a cultural state of mind that "values making time each day to savor a cup of coffee and time with loved ones." 

A reviewer notes, "We made absolutely delicious pastries, learned about traditional Swedish culture, and shared many laughs." 

Related: Babka to Yorkshire Pudding: 25 International Baked Goods to Try at Home

Prague 

For a truly unique perspective of historic and beautiful Prague, tour the city through the eyes of a plague doctor. You'll be guided through the deserted city streets, following the footsteps of a plague doctor as you learn about the Black Death and 17th- and 18th-century plagues. Your journey will take you through landmarks like the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and the Jewish Quarter. 

One reviewer notes, "It was an interesting combination of plague history and a rare exploration of the beautiful city of Prague. Despite the dark topic, it was anything but morbid or depressing."    

Related: 51 Free Walking Tours From Across the U.S.

Shanghai

Learn how to make traditional Shanghainese xiǎolóngbāo soup dumplings with an instructor who's been teaching Chinese cooking classes for nearly a decade. She'll share the special techniques behind prepping authentic, handmade dumplings — from kneading the dough to rolling wrappers to pinching and wrapping up the soup inside the dumpling. Devour your fresh dumplings and socialize with other class participants, then take home an easy-to-follow recipe, so you can perfect your newfound skills later. 

One reviewer mentions, "I loved how she included little tidbits of her Chinese heritage throughout the class. I feel like I learned a lot more than just how to make soup dumplings."    

Related: 15 Delicious Dumplings from Around the World

Bogotá, Colombia

Learn the basics of Colombian-style salsa dancing and other Latin rhythms with an energetic and entertaining dance instructor. Even if you have two left feet or no previous experience, you'll find yourself engaged. 

Reviewers highly recommend this dance class, deeming it "informative, hilarious, and a great workout" and "a great way to meet people from around the world and have fun from the comfort of your home." Another participant says, "We were laughing and dancing the whole way through. Highly recommend this experience!"   

Austin, Texas 

Whether you're new to the craft beer scene or a true beer nerd, you'll get sucked into this online experience as it unveils the history of "one of the oldest drinks humans have produced" and "the most consumed alcoholic beverage on the planet" (that'd be beer). Your Austin-based host from the female-lead "Lady Brew Crew" is "a fun and dynamic presenter who is incredibly knowledgeable about beer," and she'll highlight the role of women in beer culture, the history of popular beer styles, beer and food pairings, and more. 

Support your own community by buying local brews to taste throughout the experience. It's true: "This class will keep you engaged and have you laughing along the way."    

Related: 15 Beer Subscription Clubs to Enjoy Craft Brews at Home

Budapest, Hungary

Discover Budapest's fascinating Jewish culture and history through an interactive conversation with a guide who usually leads in-person culture walks through the Jewish quarter of Hungary's capital city. She'll reveal the "real essence of this neighborhood and community," sharing stories from the Austrian empire through the Holocaust and Communist era to modern day, offering both historical context and personal family stories. 

A reviewer comments, "Dora gives a very engaging, knowledgeable, and touching presentation that is rich in historical details, has interactive quizzes, and is brought to life by aspects of her own family history."       

Related: 19 Virtual Tours of Famous Homes

Bali, Indonesia

Whip up some popular and easy-to-make Balinese dishes after touring your hosts' house and garden in Bali, learning about life on the Indonesian island along the way. Choose from three types of cooking sessions: vegetarian/vegan, chicken, or fish. Based on your choice of menu, you'll prepare dishes like a spiced seafood curry with West Java-spiced rice alongside tuna sambal matah, a spicy and citrusy raw shallot salsa from Bali. 

A reviewer notes, "It was so lovely doing something that brought back the flavors and memories of Bali, as well as learning more about a place we love so much."  

Osaka, Japan

Meditation benefits both mind and body, and you can practice meditation with a Japanese Buddhist monk, a 20-year veteran who's worked in a temple and lead guided zen meditations, from the comfort of your home. The session helps you disconnect from your surroundings through two types of meditation: a 20-minute chanting mantra, which allows you to go deeper into your practice, and a 10-minute breathing exercise. 

One novice meditator remarks: "I have never practiced meditation before, and I was amazed at the feeling I was able to experience after just one session! I haven't felt so relaxed in a long time."     

Related: I Started Meditating, and This Is What Happened

Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya has more to offer than the typical African safari experience, and this virtual tour with a "fun and knowledgeable" local tourism enthusiast will give you exceptional insight into "the rich and fascinating Kenyan culture." The overview is packed with photos, videos, stories, and facts that will explore its people, land, and diverse cultures and traditions through a wide range of topics, including local tribes, language, food, customs, and traditional clothing. 

One participant says, "Samson made our group feel as though we made a magical journey to Kenya."

Marrakech, Morocco

Discover Moroccan cooking techniques and make a delicious, authentic dish with a Moroccan family. Your hosts will welcome you into their home virtually and walk you through step by step how to prepare chicken tagine with vegetables and a fresh Moroccan salad, and also share a bit about their life and culture. They're even open to tailoring your cooking experience by teaching other local dishes of your choosing if you'd rather prepare lamb, fish, beef, or even couscous and pastillas. 

A reviewer remarks: "Brahim and his wife Sana are wonderful teachers. The meal was delicious and I enjoyed learning about Moroccan culture while we all cooked together."     

Related: Dishes From Around the World Every Meat Eater Should Try at Least Once

Seoul, South Korea

Bust out of your normal workday groove and try something new that'll really get you moving. In this K-pop dance session, energetic dance team hosts with years of teaching experience set the stage for you to learn K-pop dance routines and create a virtual music video right from your living room. 

Even beginners will enjoy this hands-on class: "This was such a fun class! Great instructional style with lots of repetition for newbies (which we were). I enjoyed the thoughtful breakdown of the dance steps and the emoji reminders were creative. Plus, being in a short video at the end was fun — it'll be a great reminder and token to take with us."

Lisboa, Portugal

Reviewers rave about this entertaining, interactive virtual experience with drag queens in Lisbon. The Portuguese queens go beyond a typical live cocktail-making class, making it feel more like "a fun night out" with friends from all over the world. You'll make an authentic, fresh sangria from scratch together before they serve up cabaret-style live performances on stage — complete with fireworks, smoke effects, lights, and elaborate costumes. Then you can hang out and talk about Lisbon and drag culture. 

A reviewer says, "What an absolute treat! The queens were funny, musical, and super engaging."

Chernobyl, Ukraine

Through an interactive virtual visit to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, you'll have a chance to meet descendants of dogs that were abandoned after the 1986 nuclear disaster. Ride along with your host, a radiation specialist who can "can answer all radiation and contamination questions without missing a beat," to various locations to meet and feed dogs that roam the Ukrainian power plant and learn more about its history and impact while visiting the scene of the disaster, a protected zone where people have been prevented from living for over three decades. Reviewers deem it "a very special and moving experience." Your money will also go toward a good cause: 100% of what you pay for this social impact experience goes to the host's U.S.-based nonprofit Clean Futures Fund, which supports communities affected by industrial accidents like Chernobyl.

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