What is Airbnb and how does it help you find a place to stay anywhere in the world?

Airbnb (short for AirBed&Breakfast, an air mattress and breakfast) is a platform that connects people looking for a place to stay with people offering one all over the world. Anyone can list absolutely any kind of place, sometimes a pretty unusual one (a trailer, a treehouse, an observatory, etc.), on their own terms.

You, in turn, are free to choose the option you like and contact the host (that is what the owner of the place is called) to confirm the booking. Hosts often offer rooms in houses where they live themselves with their families. They may invite you to breakfast or lunch with them, give you tips, help you with something, and so on, which is an advantage when it comes to sharing information and getting to know the local culture.