As COVID-19 cases surge once again in the U.S., an exotic tripcouldn't seem more out-of-reach.
But that doesn't mean you need to resort to a staycation or letting those PTO days go to waste. Airbnbs are more popular than ever, allowing those with the travel bug to get away— somewhere— even if it's only an hour's drive from home.
Tony and Cheryl Vardaro, Edison natives who now live in Kentucky, have seen this firsthand. The couple saw a surge in bookings of their Palm Strings, California,Airbnb property last summer, a trend that has continued.
"People are enjoying having these getaways closer to home. They're still a little bit afraid to get on airplanes— almost all of our renterswere people from California," Cheryl said."People like being in control of their experience, and they're getting used to at-home amenities where you have your own kitchen and the space to spread out."
Demand was so high that the couple sold that property and bought a bigger one, which they are also using as an Airbnb. It's been booking up "like crazy," Tony said, which he and Cheryl partially attribute to the pandemic.
"Last summer, we noticed a surprising amount of bookings come in immediately and throughout the rest of the year," Tony said."Usually in Palm Springs, which is a desert town, you can't count on any rentals in the summer. But we were getting booked up with several people coming in back-to-back, and that continued into the fall."
Here inCentral Jersey, you can do the same at nearby unique Airbnbs, which include everything froman alpaca farmto a solar-hydrogen home. Here are a few of the region's coolest for a trip that's nothing like your usualtrek.
Hut straight from the '60s in East Windsor
The Hippy Hutin East Windsor is true to its name. The one-bedroom and one-bathroom hut would be modest, except its decked out with street signage, Christmas lights, tie-dye tapestries and overhead lights of every shape, size and color.
"Bring your camera because you won’t be able to describe it to your friends," the listing reads, accompanied also by photos of a tree trunk carved as a face;a couch covered in greenery; and an outhouse with an encouraging message,
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On a practical note, there's also a sauna, hammock, camping stove, heated outdoor shower, mini fridge and coffeemaker. Don't forget to feed the coup of free-range chickens with the supplied dried mealworms on your way to pick up their daily fresh eggs.
Go:Hippy Hut in East Windsor; $165 per night;bit.ly/3BmaAIF
Luxuryalpaca farm in Far Hills
AtBluebird Farm Alpacas in Far Hills, you'll feel far away from the suburbs of Central Jersey. Book a stay at the loft above their event barn, which overlooks flower gardens and alpacas grazing in the pasture. If you choose, you can get up-close-and-personal with the herd, too — take thefarm tour orhalter training, where you will walk an alpaca through pastures and hedgerows.
Inside the suite, guests will finda double occupancy bedroom, full bath and kitchenette with a coffee maker, refrigerator and sink. The modern farmhouse aesthetic here includesimported vintage rugs, hardwood floors and an "upscale rustic interior," the Airbnb listing says.
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Don't want to spend all day in the barn suite— or with its furry neighbors? The 15-acre farm is only minutes from Natirar, a 500-acre park offering activities such as bird watching, hiking and picnicking. Other nearby attractions include farms for summer fruit picking, a craft hard cidery, an ample selection of antique stores, and country roads ideal for biking.
Go:Bluebird Farm Alpacas in Far Hills; $360 per night;bit.ly/3wW4ZoM.
Restored farmhouse andanimal haven in Flemington
Find a real farm experience atNew Harmony Farm in Flemington, a circa-1800s converted and restored barn thatis also a haven for rescued animals. It housesrescued sheep, turkeys, pigs, ducks, chickens, horses, alpacas, geeseandgoats that are all cared for and supported by Airbnb-stay proceeds. A window in the kitchen also provides views directly into the bird enclosure.
Jaw-dropping renovations:Asbury Park home, once owned by the Woolworth family, restored to its 1880 splendor
Outside the one-bedroom and one-bathroom home, there isa deck,firepit and camping area, kids playhouse, a creek with ruins of a tavern from 1746,and a playset with a swing set and a slide.
Or head out for a drive, where you can find farmers markets, shops and hiking trails nearby, as well as quaint towns including Frenchtown, New Hope and Lambertville.
Go:New Harmony Farm in Flemington; $325 per night;bit.ly/36PlWqz.
North America's first occupied solar-hydrogenhome in Hopewell
Want to do more than just recycle? Get a taste of real efficient energy usage at North America'sfirst occupied solar-hydrogen home in Hopewell. Ithasruncompletely off-grid for 15years— through two major hurricanes and several Nor'easters—has zero carbon emissions, and its byproducts are only pure oxygen and pure water.
Appliances at the four-bedroom housethat would normally run on natural gas have been converted to hydrogen, such as the cooking range, hot water heater and clothes dryer.Excess power produced is sent back to the electrical utility grid. Plus, the system integrates both an EV charging station and a hydrogen refueling station, making itthe only privately-owned, residential hydrogen vehicle refueling station on the East Coast. It also has ahydrogen-heated hot tub and a pool.
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Renters are offered complimentary tours of the property and energy systems, and a Q&A with founder Mike Strizki. If they're lucky, they might get a ride in his hydrogen-powered ToyotaMirai.
Anyone not staying as a guest can still schedule a private tour for a fee. Tours are notscheduled when guests are present, butsince the house is aworking laboratory and nonprofit organization,there occasionally may be staff members on site.
Go:Hydrogen House Project in Hopewell; $850 per night;bit.ly/36Tz4uS.
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA Today Network New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Contact: JIntersimone@Gannett.com or @JIntersimone.
