Skip to main content

Vice and Airbnb Want to Send You to One of the World’s 4 Greatest Cities

Most travel contests and giveaways promise to send winners on an all-expense paid vacation to somewhere exotic to spend a week on the beach sipping neon tropical drinks. And, really, is that all bad? But, what if you want to dig deeper into the local culture? Vice and Airbnb have teamed up to gift 100 travelers each the trip of a lifetime to explore a unique subculture in four of the world’s greatest cities.

Vice — a company renowned for its hard-hitting journalist reporting in some of the world’s most fascinating destinations — is arranging the individual trips and itineraries. Contest winners will have the opportunity to dive deep into one niche subculture in their chosen city, including Cape Town, New York City, Paris, or Tokyo. Parisian winners, for example, will receive a proper education behind the history of the “City of Love.” Vice collaborated with sex and intimacy writer/therapist Camille Emmanuelle to develop an itinerary that explores the city’s cabarets, “love stores” (i.e. sex shops), and private burlesque classes.

Kira Airbnb New York Harlem
Kira, Belle of the Ball/New York/Airbnb Image used with permission by copyright holder

New York winners will venture to Harlem to develop an appreciation of the underground “voguing” dance culture. Artist Kia LaBeija will teach travelers the dance moves and history behind the movement and even attend a vogue party. Tokyo visitors will explore the city’s somewhat underground “queer culture by learning how manga comics are pushing LGBTQ narratives into mainstream pop culture.” The tour’s highlight is a visit to the capital city’s Ni-chōme district, home to the world’s largest concentration of gay bars. Cape Town winners will visit Khayelitsha Township for a behind-the-scenes look at the thriving “Township Techno” electronic music scene. Tour-goers will have the opportunity to learn traditional and modern South African dance moves, plus work with renowned rapper Spoek Mathambo to lay down a brand new track.

Recommended Videos

Every winner will receive round-trip airfare to their chosen city, three nights accommodation in an Airbnb, and a per-diem to help with food and additional transportation. The requirements are simple: you must have an Airbnb account (free), be at least 21 years old, and live in Australia, Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec), France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom, or the United States. You have until September 1, 2017 to submit a unique, thoroughly creative video outlining why they should pick you. (And, if you win, you must also promise to take us with you!)

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Topics
Personal item vs. carry-on differences explained — don’t board without reading this
Not sure which bag goes where? Let’s break down what sets them apart
someone carrying a duffel bag and someone carrying a backpack next to each other

There’s something satisfying about sliding one perfectly packed bag into the overhead bin and tucking the other neatly under the seat in front of you. But to reach that moment without stress, you first need to know the difference between a personal item and a carry-on.

One is for your in-flight essentials — the things you’ll actually reach for during the flight. The other carries the bulk of your stuff, from clothes to toiletries. 

Read more
Fly in comfort: Emirates adds premium economy to every A380 to New York
Emirates A380

This week, Emirates announced that all Airbus A380 flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will include four cabin classes, one of which will be Premium Economy. As of December 1, Premium Economy will be added to flights EK201/202, which offer direct service between Dubai and New York. The airline will also add Premium Economy on its daily EK205/206 service to Milan, which begins on November 10.

Emirates Premium Economy makes long-haul trips easy

Read more
American Airlines unveils a new way to enjoy the beaches of the Bahamas
Boats in Bimini

This week, American Airlines announced a new way for travelers to reach the Bahamas: a non-stop trip from Miami (MIA) to Bimini (BIM). The first flight embarks on February 14, with the airline offering round-trip service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

American will be the only carrier flying direct to Bimini

Read more