Home Exchange Tips
Thursday January 8, 2009
Home Exchanges can be a terrific way to travel affordably and with the conveniences, kitchen, laundry, and multiple bedrooms of home. If lodgings are free, then suddenly dream destinations -- such as Paris-- become do-able, especially if you can muster enough airmiles to cover ticket costs.
Writer Julie Ovenell-Carter has a savvy travel blog with something new every day or two; if you're interested in swapping homes for a holiday, read her Top Ten Tips for Home Exchange based on a recent trip to, yes, that dream destination, Paris.
| Paris Sightseeing With Kids | More Ways to Save on Lodgings |
Comments
I’ve expanded Julie’s list with 5 additional tips from our own experience at running a home exchange Website, 1st Home Exchange.
Here’s a summary
1. Start Early
2. Contact, contact, contact
3. Hire a cleaning service, if necessary
4. Be informative
5. Join several swap services
(Read the comment section for expanded details for each of these tips)
And here’s one more.
6. Leave a welcome/thank you gift
Many exchangers leave a gift for their guest. The gift can either be a welcome basket or a thank you gift upon departure.
A welcome basket can include local products and basic food items. For example; jams, wine, bread, milk, cheese, and more.
And don’t forget, irrespective of whether you choose a gift for arrival or departure, a “Thank You” note is always appreciated.
Thanks for drawing attention to home swapping as an eco friendly alternative to hotels. Not only do hotels and holiday apartments waste valuable land that could be put to much better use, staying in hotels contributes to a wasteful use of water and food resources too.
If you would like to find out more about home exchange, please check out http://www.homeforswap.com