Martina Smidova quit her job and moved to Koh Samui, Thailand, in search of a slower and more meaningful life. Amanda Goh. 2025-05-26T00:14:01Z d Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? At 25, Martina Smidova felt there had to be more to life than the daily grind of a 9-to-5 job. She quit her corporate job in the Czech Republic to travel around Asia before settling down in Thailand. Living in Koh Samui made her realize she didn't have to follow a conventional life path. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Martina Smidova, a 29-year-old digital nomad living in Koh Samui, Thailand. It has been edited for length and clarity.At 25, I felt trapped in my corporate job.I was working 9-to-5 as a project manager in the automotive field in the Czech Republic. With an hourlongOne day, it hit me: there has to be another way to live. So I quit.I decided to find a remote job and live abroad. I didn't have a plan B. I told myself that I'd figure it out, and off I went to Asia. I'd visited before on vacation, and it felt like the right place to start over.I spent half a year in Bali before traveling around the region, including to countries like Vietnam and Malaysia. But Thailand stuck with me the most.It was the people, the food, and the lifestyle. I felt comfortable here — almost like home — so I decided to stay. She lived in Chiang Mai for two years before she moved to Koh Samui to experience island living. Martina Smidova. After spendingChiang Mai, about 450 miles north of Bangkok, and meeting my boyfriend in Phuket, wemove to Koh Samui together. I wanted to experience island lifeAt the same time, I also wanted access to modern amenities. Living in Samui, you have everything you need — plus peace and quiet. There are parts of Samui that are well-developed and attract many tourists, but if you travel to the other side of the island, you'll find villages that feel frozen in time.A year ago, my boyfriend and I moved into a two-bedroom condo in Bangrak, in the northeastern region of the island. We found it on Facebook Marketplace.I knew I wanted to be in a good location. Even though it's a small island, I didn't want to travel an hour to get to the gym or somewhere else I needed to be.We pay 55,000 Thai baht, or about each month in rent. We have a common pool, but the view from the balcony sold me on the unit. Her condo is situated on a hill and overlooks the surrounding greenery. Martina Smidova. I have gotten toAirbnbs. It was hard for me to make friendsI still feel that way sometimes. There are different communities of people on the island, but they are often a bit older than I am.I met all of my friends either through the gym or through other friends. While the digital nomad community of young people is slowly growing, many don't stay for a long time. That's the sad part about this lifestyle — you meet amazing people and then they're gone.But the locals are really open to helping you, so I reach out when I need something.I doMy life here is so different from back homeNow I work in operational management. But since my clients are in Europe, I work European hours, which start at 2 p.m. in Thailand.I have the whole morning to myself. I'll go to the gym, have a nice breakfast, head to a coffee shop, or meet up with my friends.I start work in the afternoon and usually finish up around 6 or 7 p.m. Then it's time to have dinner or to go for a walk on the beach. She says life is much slower in Koh Samui. Martina Smidova. Back home, everybody was rushing. I saw stressed faces all the time, but it wasn't their fault.In order to meet up with friends, you need to schedule it three months in advance because everyone's so busy. But here, people are so chill.My mom came to Samui to visit me last year. It was her first time in Asia, and she experienced culture shock.I remember driving her from the airport, and she asked me incredulously, "You like it here?" It took her two weeks on the island to change her mind, and in the end, she didn't want to leave.Living abroad broadened my horizonsI'm going to be 30 soon, and I don't plan on having kids yet. I'm not sure if I ever will, and I think that's something that won't resonate with my friends back home.Before I started traveling, I didn't think about it as a choice. You grow up, you get a career, then you get a family, and that's how life works. While she misses her family, she doesn't see herself returning to the Czech Republic anytime soon. Martina Smidova. When I started meeting people who made the decision to pursue different careers or not have families, I realized, "Oh, it's a choice."I try to reflect on my life every now and then. I've been living Thailand for four years, and even today, I still have moments when I can't believe that this is my life.I don't plan on moving back in the foreseeable future. Of course, I miss my family, but I don't miss the lifestyle. #thought #only #choice #was #grow

Located on one of Copenhagen’s most prestigious streets and surrounded by a multitude of shops and restaurants, this Indre Bay historic apartment is designed for those who want to experience European glamour at its best. Step inside the private entrance to discover high ceilings, picture moldings, a glistening crystal chandelier, and a dining room that can host a 10-person dinner party. Although this feels like a step back in time, don’t worry—the historic design doesn’t extend to the amenities. High-end appliances, spa-like bathrooms, large closets, and luxurious bedding offers the modern comforts all travelers desire. From per night.BOOK NOWHistoric Home in Indre BayPerks: Fireplaces, washer, crib and pack-and-playLive like a lord or lady, at least temporarily, in this 1757 home that was built for nobility and aristocrats. Connected to the Yellow Palace, the apartment, which showcases intricate moldings and arched oversize windows, has served as a home to two kings. Fittingly, walls and furnishings in jewel tones can be found throughout. It’s an easy walk to the city center, but a fireplace, oversize velvet furniture, and king-size bedsdressed in luxury linens will make it difficult to leave your own personal castle. From per night.BOOK NOWLuxurious and Cozy Apartment in FrederiksbergPerks: Fireplace, balcony, pets allowedWith its picture moldings, built-ins throughout, and fireplace, this Frederiksberg apartment oozes historic charm while its white color palette and sun-bathed interiors ensure that it still feels fresh. Start your day enjoying coffee on the bedroom’s charmingly furnished balcony. If at the end of the day, you’re too tired for dinner at one of the many surrounding restaurants, prepare a meal in the classic white kitchen and enjoy it in the elegant dining room. Then, retire to the spacious living room to sip a digestif on one of the large couches. From per night.BOOK NOWMagical Fairytale PenthousePerks: Balcony, courtyard, washer and drierEmbrace your inner Rapunzel in this 1847 penthouse with expansive views of the city’s rooftops and iconic towers. Vintage-inspired wallpaper, a mix of antique and modern furnishings, and historic art set a layered, eclectic vibe. Bring home some local produce from the nearby farmer’s market to make a meal in the well-appointed kitchen, which opens to the living room. The only challenge you’ll face during your stay is deciding between the first bedroom with its original atelier windows or the second that hosts a comfy reading nook and access to the private balcony. From per night.BOOK NOWSpacious Elegant Space in Indre BayPerks: Shared courtyard, washer and dryer,While this large, sun-filled flat was recently renovated, it still maintains the original charm from when it was built in 1700. A stylish, muted paletteallows the ceiling moldings, natural floors, and built-in cabinetry and shelves to shine. Within walking distance to many fashionable shops, popular restaurants, and public transportation, as well as Tivoli Gardens, you won’t have to go far to enjoy the city. Want to socialize a bit closer to home? Head to the shared courtyard to meet a mix of local residents and other tourists. From per night.BOOK NOWCozy Atmosphere in AmagerbroPerks: Quiet location, washer and dryer, shared backyardLooking for a flat that feels somehow minimalist and vibrant at the same time? This one is for you. Contemporary white kitchen cabinetry with butcher-block countertops balance sleek style with warm vibes while the exposed brick in the bedroom adds another hint of coziness. Textiles and artwork infuse the space with pops of color, making for a playful setting that both adults and kids will enjoy. For those who want easy access to the city center but prefer to avoid crowds, the location is a bike ride to the heart of the city, while the home itself is located in a quiet neighborhood for resting up. From per night.BOOK NOW #best #copenhagen #airbnbs #that #embody

Airbnb has taken a major step forward in its journey to become an all-in-one travel booking app. The app now lets you book service providers, such as chefs, trainers, or hairstylists, and experiences, such as cooking classes, museum tours, water sports, and more for your trips. "People choose hotels for their services. People choose Airbnbs for the space… Now, we're giving you the best of both worlds—amazing homes with services that make them even more special," says Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, in a press release.The updates are live on the latest version of the app, with the homepage showing two new tabs: Experiences and Services. Services at your doorstepAt launch, Airbnb's services are spread across 10 categories in 260 cities, with more to be added later on. You can now get chefs, photographers, massages, spa treatments, personal trainers, hairstylists, makeup artists, nail specialists, ready-to-eat meals, and catering services delivered to your Airbnb. (Credit: Airbnb)All service providers will have an average of 10 years of experience, Airbnb says. They will be added to the app only after they complete an internal verification process and submit relevant licenses and certifications. Those looking to enroll as service providers can submit an application on Airbnb's website.While booking, users will be able to view each host's qualifications, offerings, and pricing on the details page. In our time with the app so far, we even found portfolios of photographers on their details page. Airbnb says that many services will have an entry-level option of $50 or less.Experiences: Explore like a localThe Experiences tab is designed to help you move around a city with locals who know it the best. At launch, the feature is available in 650 cities, with more being added every day. Recommended by Our EditorsA quick look at the tab displayed the experiences available for each popular tourist city around us. Airbnb classifies its experiences into these categories: landmark, museum, and other cultural trips; food tours, cooking classes, and dining experiences; outdoors, water sports, and wildlife experiences; gallery tours, art workshops, and shopping experiences; workout, wellness, and beauty experiences. (Credit: Airbnb)Like Services, you can select your preferred Experiences after learning about who is hosting them, what they entail, and how much they'd cost. We looked into a cultural trip around Goa, and we could see the name, rating, and reviews of the host, in addition to the places included in the trip and the time required. If you're interested in hosting such experiences, Airbnb is accepting applications for that, too. The platform has also launched a premium version of Experiences called Airbnb Originals, hosted by celebrities. You can get beach volleyball lessons from Olympian Carol Solberg in Rio de Janeiro or pastry-making lessons from chef Raphaelle Elbaz in Paris. Airbnb is also promising a day on set with pop star Sabrina Carpenter in the future.A future update to the app coming later this year aims to make it more social. Airbnb says you'll be able to see who has taken the experience before and ask them about it "with simple and transparent privacy controls."Along with the introduction of new features, Airbnb has made several other changes to its app experience. For example, the Messages tab now lets you share photos and videos, and the Profile tab adds a list of your past trips and people you have met.All of the above updates are part of a $200+ million Airbnb revamp that's just kicked off. The next two stages involve making your Airbnb profile more robust so it's "almost like a passport" and the inclusion of more AI tech, Chesky tells Wired. Source: https://me.pcmag.com/en/mobile-apps/29826/airbnb-now-lets-you-book-meals-haircuts-museum-trips-and-more #airbnb #now #lets #you #book #meals #haircuts #museum #trips #and #more

While some people yearn for wide-open floor plans that boast over 2,000 square feet, others don’t care for all that space and prefer smaller footprints. While living full-time in a tiny home isn’t for everybody, there are some good reasons why people do choose to downsize their material lives and move into the spatial equivalent of a backyard shed. From reducing one's environmental footprint to saving money on a guesthouse, there’s plenty to love about living in a small home. Still on the fence? Check out the tiny house ideas below for some examples—you can even book a stay in them to test-drive the small-scale lifestyle.Whether you start from a floor plan or you purchase a prefab structure, the tiny home rentals below will allow you to reimagine your entire living setup. There’s a reason designers love decorating small spaces, such as powder rooms: These jewel box spaces allow one’s creativity to run wild. Typically, with these houses, function comes before beauty, but that doesn't mean there can't be strategically stylistic flourishes throughout. You can still find beautiful ways to decorate a tiny home, and the 58 options below will show you how. Keep reading for the best tiny home ideas that are endlessly inspiring.Additional copy by Kate McGregor.For more tiny home inspiration:1Lofty DreamsAirbnbNestled among the trees just outside the town of Woodstock in upstate New York, this treehouse-like tiny home is elevated to create sweeping views of the swimmable pond and surrounding forest. Its most enviable features include a sleeping loft, full walls of windows, a breakfast bar, a wood-burning fireplace, and a barrel-style hot tub.BOOK NOW Related Story: 33 Amazing Treehouses You Can Rent for Vacation2Slanted Exteriorbe tkBeAsk any architect: Walls don't have to be straight. The off-kilter style of this pro-built tiny house in the Catskills adds visual interest and makes space for a lofted bedroom, built-in shelves and cabinets, and a breakfast nook with a window seat. It also illustrates how much you can do without electricity or running water.BOOK NOW Related Story: 8 Tiny House Resorts for a One-of-a-Kind GetawayAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Baby Bluebe tkBeThis New Paltz, New York, tiny home's interior design is fairly standard, but its showstopping two-tone exterior paint job makes it a standout. The platform it's built on creates a wide deck for eating and hanging out—a simple way to sneak in a few extra square feet.BOOK NOW 4Coastal ViewsAirbnbSet directly on the coastline of Quebec, Canada, this '70s-inspired tiny house has vast square windows along the front for assessing the surf conditions and taking in the views each morning. Don't miss the natural wood built-in storage (including the queen beds' headboards) and ceilings and clever recessed lighting throughout.Book Now Related Story: 22 Hotels With Breathtaking ViewsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Quaint Cottagebe tkBeTucked away in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, this no-frills cottage, named for its fairy-lights lined porch, can sleep up to three. Its latticed porch, rocking chairs, and weather vane dial up its charm.Book Now Related Story: How to Capture the Cottagecore Aesthetic at Home6Architectural Wonderbe tkBeDesigned by Austin-based architect Nicole Blair, this AIA Award–winning tiny house called the Beehive plays with angles to maximize sunlight and square footage. You'll want to bookmark the open-concept kitchen, spacious shower, and efficient staircase for your next trip to SXSW—or your own backyard project. Book Now Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Best All Aroundbe tkBeSoft canvas walls give this tiny house in the West Texas hill country a tent-like feel; all the comforts of home, like HVAC and plumbing, elevate its luxury level. Outside, a cedar soaking tub is for unwinding after a day of winery hopping and antiquing. The rustic privacy fencing, elevated deck, and private fire pit, and beautiful landscaping belong on your mood board too.Book Now 8Scenic Cabinbe tkBeWith sweeping views of Iceland's Kirkjufell Mountain, bay, and even the northern lights, this cabin and its deck are stained green to blend into its awe-inspiring natural surroundings. Book Now Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Hillside A-Framebe tkBeThe Malbec Cabin, nestled in the mountains of Brazil, is in-ground A-frame structure with expansive windows and a working wood-burning fireplace. If they're not enough to grab your attention (or would-be renters'), the rope swing and cozy fire pit definitely are.Book Now 10Essentials Onlybe tkBeThe Shepard's Hut on England's Cornish coast is no-nonsense in the best way possible. There's a quaint kitchen, fireplace, and Murphy bed, with double doors and farmhouse-style lighting adding to its friendly vibe. Its selling point, however, is the lakefront view and outdoor dining setup. You might want to copy their clever rope-and-post fencing and graveled terrace ideas.Book Now Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Bold A-Framebe tkBeJust 12 miles from Breckenridge, Colorado, you can't miss this creekside A-frame, painted fire truck red to stand out among the evergreens. Inside, a wood burning fireplace wards off the mountain chill and custom built-ins offer kitchen and bathroom storage. You don't want to miss its cozy loft, either.Book Now12Festive Containerbe tkBeYour tiny house's interior isn't the only place you can express your design personality. This wagon-style spot on England's North Cornish coast has a cheerful two-tone exterior and sports party bunting year round. You'll love the brilliant under-bed storage, floral curtains, and green-painted trim inside, too. Book Now Related Story: 25 Shipping Container Homes You Need to SeeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Urban Windmillbe tkBeNo structure is too small or off-limits for a tiny house, as evidenced by this windmill turned living quarters near Lisbon. The bedroom even features the original mechanisms in the ceiling. Because everything inside is rounded (even the shower and cabinets), it's full of helpful ideas for other challenging small spaces.Book Now 14The Greenhousebe tkBeThose not opposed to a lack of privacy can opt for glass walls like this greenhouse-esque home's in South Africa. Not traveling soon? Head over for inspiration from its luxury tile, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and sleek, modern deck. It shows how much life and beauty plants can bring to any tiny house too. Book Now Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Looking GlassGetty ImagesTucked away in the middle of the Catskills forest, this storybook-ready A-frame home is a small but mighty fortress. The view feels twice as special thanks to a full glass front wall.BOOK NOW 16The BubbleAirbnbDesigned by Roderick James, this Scottish insulated aluminum pod offers breathtaking views from dragonfly windows. The futuristic interior is warmed up by wood accents and cozy textiles.BOOK NOWAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17French CottageAirbnbThe stone exterior and interior details of this French cottage make it look like it came straight out of a fairytale. While the overall design of the interior isn't much, the architecture serves as major inspo if you're looking to build your own dreamy tiny home.BOOK NOW 18The Family HomeNew Frontier DesignWith two bedrooms (including a walk-in closet!), this tiny home is just right for a small family. The fully-equipped chef's kitchen can whip up alfresco meals for warm summer nights. Not to mention, the industrial-meets-cabin aesthetic is sleek and inviting.BUY NOW Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Lava FieldAirbnbAt the foot of a volcano in Hawaii, this tiny house—called the Phoenix House—will make you feel as though you've stepped onto another planet as you explore the lava fields and black sand beaches that surround it.BOOK NOW 20Container CabinAirbnbLive out your mountain getaway dreams in this tiny Catskills home, which is one of four shipping container cabins on the owner's New York property. It boasts a sleek exterior and contrasting cozy, rustic interior.BOOK NOW Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g2370/tiny-houses/ #adorable #tiny #house #ideas #you039ll #instantly #fall #love #with