🎙️ Episode Title: 15 Best Airbnb Alternatives in 2025 for Ethical, Eco & Unique Stays

Are you tired of overpriced Airbnbs, endless cleaning fees, and cookie-cutter apartments? In this episode, I explore 15 of the best Airbnb alternatives in 2025 — from eco-friendly guesthouses to house swaps, digital nomad coliving spaces, and pet-sitting opportunities that let you stay for free.

These platforms are perfect for travellers looking to avoid the big platforms, support local communities, and travel more consciously — without sacrificing comfort, connection, or creativity. Whether you're a budget backpacker, a remote worker, or just someone who wants their stay to mean more, there's something here for you.

I break these down into easy-to-follow categories so you can find what fits your style of travel best:

🌱 Eco & Ethical Platforms – like Fairbnb, Socialbnb, and Ecobnb, which support local communities or prioritise sustainability.

🏡 Swap & Share-Based Travel – including Kindred, Holiday Swap, Trusted House Sitters, and Couchsurfing for travellers who want to trade space, time, or pet care for a place to stay.

🧳 Digital Nomad & Remote Work-Friendly Rentals – like Nomad House and Blueground, designed for long stays and laptop lifestyles.

🏕️ Boutique & Curated Stays – like Canopy & Stars, Landfolk, and Coolstays, featuring unique accommodations like treehouses, cabins, lighthouses, and countryside escapes.

🏖️ More Traditional Alternatives – like Homestay, Stayz, and HomeAway (now part of Vrbo), which offer familiar vacation rentals in homes around the world.

Along the way, I share some of my personal experiences, travel hacks, and tips for booking safely, finding verified listings, and avoiding hidden fees. This episode is packed with insight for those who want to travel smarter, spend less, and connect more deeply with places and people.

✅ Great for: solo travelers, digital nomads, couples, slow travelers, and anyone seeking a different kind of stay

🛑 Avoid if: you’re all about resort life and convenience at all costs (no shame — just not the vibe here!)

If you’ve ever asked yourself:

• “Are there alternatives to Airbnb that are actually good?”
• “How do I travel without paying hundreds a night for a place to sleep?”
• “What are the best sustainable and ethical accommodation options out there?”
• ...this episode is for you.

💬 Got a favourite Airbnb alternative? Message me or leave a comment — I’d love to hear your recommendations.

☕ Enjoying the podcast? Support it by buying me a coffee or leaving a 5-star review.

Thanks for listening — and here’s to better, smarter, more meaningful travel in 2025 and beyond.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Winging It + Why This Episode Matters

01:20 – The Airbnb Problem: Cost, Impact & Traveller Frustrations

02:30 – What to Expect: 15 Alternatives for Conscious, Smart Travel

03:00 – Not Anti-Airbnb, But Why We Need Options

03:50 – Exploring Categories of Alternatives

04:25 – Fairbnb:

This week, I’m joined once again by travel writer, YouTuber, and author Dave Seminara to explore a country rarely found on bucket lists — Suriname. Tucked between Guyana and French Guiana on South America's northern coast, this former Dutch colony is bursting with untouched jungle, rich multicultural heritage, and wildly underrated adventure experiences.

Dave recently spent eight days solo travelling across Suriname, from the capital, Paramaribo, to the remote Maroon villages deep in the rainforest. He shares everything — how to get there, where to stay, why the Upper Suriname River is a must-do journey, and why it may just be the friendliest country in the world.

We dive into:

• The colonial history and ethnic diversity that make Suriname one of the most culturally layered countries in the Americas
• Unique cultural practices like polygamy and menstruation houses in Maroon communities
• Why Suriname is known as the most Asian country outside Asia and the most African country outside Africa
• Incredible food: from roti to Indonesian cuisine — and why Suriname is a hidden foodie destination
• The realities of getting around Suriname, including limited flights, overland routes, and remote access points
• Visiting remote villages via dugout canoe and navigating rivers that cut through untouched rainforest
• Why Paramaribo is worth a short visit — plus tips on markets, accommodation, and cultural etiquette
• An honest take on safety, infrastructure, friendliness, and why the locals are genuinely curious about travellers

This episode is full of inspiration for anyone dreaming of a more authentic, remote, and meaningful travel experience. Dave’s storytelling is full of insight, humour, and practical tips — and by the end, you might be planning your own trip to Suriname.

Thanks to Dave for coming on again, and he is welcome back anytime, as he is a much-loved guest on the podcast.

🎙️ Hosted by James Hammond | Part of the Voyascape Network

🌐 Explore more episodes + content at voyascape.com

☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com

📺 Watch Dave's Suriname vlogs on YouTube: Mad Traveler

🌐 Visit Dave's website to buy his books or read his work: website

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Where is Suriname?

02:30 – Dave’s travel style and why he chose Suriname

04:45 – Suriname’s location, Dutch colonial past & unique geography

06:55 – The most diverse small country in the world

09:00 – Maroon tribes, escaped slavery & cultural preservation

11:30 – Polygamy, menstruation houses & village customs

13:45 – Food in Suriname: Caribbean, Indian, Indonesian & more

15:50 – Is Suriname the world’s friendliest country?

17:00 – Can white travellers visit every village? The Dahomey debate

19:20 – How to get to Suriname (flights from the US & Europe)

21:30 – Suriname’s surprising lack of tourism infrastructure

23:00 – Visa tips, borders with Guyana & French Guiana

25:00 – Safety, yellow fever, currency & costs

27:30 – Paramaribo: What to do...

🎙️ My Journey to Dual Citizenship (Canada + UK) But Australia Is Still My First Love

In this solo episode, I’m sharing a big personal milestone—I’ve officially become a Canadian citizen! After years of navigating immigration paperwork, PR applications, and ceremony dates, I finally hold dual citizenship with the UK and Canada. I walk you through the entire journey—what it really takes, how much it costs, and what I’ve learned along the way.

But that’s only half the story.

I also take a nostalgic trip back to Australia, the country that first lit the travel fire in me. From the moment I landed in Perth to the chaos of Christmas Eve/Day morning (early hours) to Boxing Day cricket in Melbourne, Australia, my first travel experience completely changed my perspective on the world. I discuss culture shock, the beauty of spontaneity, and how that experience set me on the path I’m still following today.

To wrap things up, I share a bit about the future of Winging It—where I see the podcast going, how I want to evolve the solo and immersive episodes, and what I’m most excited to create for the second half of 2025.

If you’re curious about moving to Canada, falling for a country you barely knew, or just want to hear honest stories from someone winging it through life and travel—this episode is for you.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro to the Podcast & This Week's Episode

00:50 – Becoming a Canadian Citizen: The Big News

02:10 – The PR Process: Work Permits, Points & Admin Errors

04:00 – What It Costs to Become a Canadian Citizen

05:10 – Tips for Tracking Travel History for Immigration

06:30 – Why Dual Citizenship Was Always a Goal

07:45 – Future Life Plans with a Canadian Passport

08:30 – Flashback: My First Time in Australia

10:00 – Culture Shock in Perth: Heat, Clean Air, and Beaches

11:20 – Cricket in Melbourne and Backpacker Christmas Chaos

13:00 – How That Aussie Trip Kickstarted My Travel Life

14:30 – Lessons from Taking a Chance on Travel

15:30 – Australia: Why It Still Feels Like Home

16:50 – Winging It Podcast: Future Plans and Format Update

18:10 – Outro and What’s Coming Next Week

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com

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