If you're a nomad who loves to travel, COVID-19 has surely thrown you for more than a loop. Either you've had to cancel trips you'd planned months ago, or you've spent hours on the phone with airlines and third-party travel sites trying to get refunds. You might have even had to re-up on the airline credits and miles to reschedule that baecation or girls' trip for next year.
Things may seem like they're going back to some semblance of normal---borders are re-opening and travel restrictions are being lifted---but some of us wanderlusters are still proceeding with caution. If you're looking for a quick change of scenery and don't plan to take any flights any time soon, here are 10 great Airbnbs that are perfect for a staycation to remember.
10. New Orleans: Vibrant Art Space
Image via Airbnb
This is a colorful, brightly lit spot that comes equipped with ample outdoor garden space for lounging, vibrant artwork in the indoor seating area, and a rainfall showerhead in the full bathroom. It's also touted as a short drive to local must-see places and has a "homey" feel.
9.East Point, GA: Grown & Sexy Tree House
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A tree house with grown-folk amenities including Wifi, a full kitchen, and garden seating? Who wouldn't love that? Vaulted ceilings and modern touches provide a nice contrast to the vibe of the outdoors. This spot even offers hot tub access and places to sit and take in the simplicity of nature.
8.Joshua Tree, California: Desert Vibes
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Three good signs of a great experience: It's managed by a superhost, has almost a perfect 5-star rating, and has multiple detailed, positive reviews. This desert retreat embodies bohemian minimalist chic and has 2 full bathrooms. Take a trip to Joshua Tree National Park for sightseeing or hiking, or simply enjoy the peace of a sunset right at home.
7.Nashville: Country Slick
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Hosted by Sonder Stays, this listing has modern and airy decor, an outdoor terrace, and a Bocce ball court. It also offers the convenience of self-check-in (so no face-to-face meetings or missed coordination). Nashville is near several black history landmarks and sites including the National Museum of African American Music.
6.Austin, Texas: Lone Star Adventure
Image via Airbnb
This home features a stone fireplace and a patio where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. You can bike and hike at nearby trails in the city. If you're looking for something other than nature to take in, explore the local black history landmarks or support black-owned restaurants and food trucks in the city center.
5.Phoenix: Global Oasis
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A private pool, ceiling-to-floor windows, and global-inspired art make this quite the top pick for Arizona. It's casual but offers a resort feel, and guests have said it's a great spot to venture out to nearby attractions like Echo Canyon Trailhead.
4.Park City, Utah: Sleek Luxury
Image via Airbnb
If you want to go full luxury, this bungalow might be the perfect fit. You can enjoy the rustic-glam decor that includes an Apple TV, a Sonos sound system, spa-like bathroom details, an open floor plan, and an outdoor deck. You can also request extras including a helicopter charter and chef services.
3.Atlanta: Barn Chic
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This listing gives new meaning to rustic living, and you might even forget you're actually staying inside a barn. There's a hot tub and fire pit, and the hosts even offer chef services by request.
2.Bentonville, Arkansas: Ozarks Beauty
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Since this home boasts amenities including a 60-inch TV, a master suite with private backyard access, and a bed that has massage features, you might never want to leave the house during your stay. But if you do decide to go outside, you can visit nearby Beaver Lake or other beautiful parts of the Ozarks, a beautiful natural treasure of mountain trails, hot springs, and rivers.
1.Tampa, Florida: Riverside Fun
Image via Airbnb
You've got a screened-in porch with a hammock where you can lay and enjoy a water view. Guests have enjoyed canoeing literally steps away from the property and if you're a fan of breweries, there are several good ones nearby. You can also check out to Busch Gardens or several local beaches (social distancing in practice, of course).
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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