The recent positive news of the success of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccine trials has been a very welcome boost and has given everyone hope that home exchange holidays will be given the green light to go for 2021.
As a result, over the last week we've seen a significant rise in Home Base Holidays members again starting to discuss home swap travel plans for next year. It's important though when planning your travels, especially if you're planning an exchange for this winter, to check the current travel restrictions.
Travel reopening: country by country guide
Stay up to date with each country’s travel restrictions and revised rules using the table below.
It always pays to start planning your home exchange holiday well in advance of dates you want to travel. The first step is to add your home swap offer (details about your home, location and where/when you want to travel). Once you've added your home swap offer, spend some time contacting other Home Base Holidays members to ask if they would be interested in a swap.
Travel tips: when planning a home exchange holiday, it's a real plus if you can be flexible with travel dates and open to new destinations - one of the joys of home swapping is receiving a swap requests from interesting destinations you may not have previously considered. Being flexible with dates/destinations is especially useful while travel restrictions continue to fluctuate. If planning international travel, make sure to double check that tickets are refundable and, if possible, try to purchase flights using a credit card.
Looking for a much needed getaway in 2021? Arrange free holiday accommodation by choosing to swap homes rather than book hotels or holiday rentals. View the latest home swap offers then sign up to Home Base Holidays.
Explore your own neighbourhood and add photos / info to your home swap offer
With many of us again facing travel restrictions, it's good to focus on safe ways to keep active while not venturing far from home. Going for a walk or bike ride is a great way to lift your spirits, get some exercise and take in local sights.
Take a camera with you: take photos of your neighbourhood and upload them to your home exchange offer
Write a guide: include details about local walks and sights in your welcome pack
Keep in touch: send us your like a local stories
Home swap cancelled? Contact us for an extension
2021 holidays: search the latest home exchange offers
Join Home Base Holidays: start planning your travels for 2021
Whether you're looking for staycation ideas or planning ahead to overseas travel in 2021, by arranging a home exchange vacation through Home Base Holidays, you'll cut the cost of your getaways by up to 90%. View the latest home swap travel offers and join for free.
With people in many countries and regions facing travel restrictions, many of us are having to focus on safe ways to scratch the travel itch while not venturing far from home. So, if home swap holidays are on hold until 2021, you could use this time to get out and explore your local area - become a tourist in your own town.
Going for a walk or bike ride is a great way to lift your spirits, get some exercise and also take in some of the nearby sights. Getting out for a safe wander is also a good opportunity to support some of the small local businesses - so go out, grab a coffee and explore!
We'd love to hear from you! Send us your local sights and tips
Let us know how you've been keeping busy over the last few months. If you've been using the time to explore a little closer to home - we'd love to see your photos and hear about your local walks and nearby adventures.
Autumn is such a beautiful time of year and so, when heading out to stretch your legs and explore your neighbourhood, make sure to pack your camera (or camera phone) so that you can capture some of the sights.
Home swap tip: add the photos to your listing
When browsing home exchange offers, in addition to photos of the homes, it's always nice to see photos of the local area. Upload some of the photos from your walks so that you can highlight some of the nearby sights.
Write a short guide to nearby walks:
There’s no one better qualified to write a guide to your local area than you! What are the must-sees? If another home swapper asks you for recommendations, what nearby sights and off the tourist trail tips would you suggest?
Home swap tip: add recommended walks and local tips to your welcome pack
Include information about must see sights and nice nearby walks to the home swap welcome pack that you leave for your guests. Remember, in addition to the cost savings, a huge plus of home swap holidays are the local tips and recommendations from members (i.e. real locals!).
My East London / City of London walk (by Mark Sealey)
I've always loved getting out and exploring London and am quite lucky to live in an area with lots to see within walking distance. However, you do not need to live in a big city to find lots to see and do - perhaps a lovely walk in the countryside, a stroll in a nice nearby park or exploring and learning about your town's history.
Here's a nice walk I did last week taking in some of East London / City of London's well known and a few slightly lesser known sights.
East London / City walk itinerary(photos below from top left to right):
Spitalfields Market: I started the walk in East London's fabulous Spitalfields Market. There has been a market on this site for over 350 years. Up until recently it was a fruit & veg market supplying much of London. Now it is a slightly trendy place to grab a coffee, pick up some street food or browse the independent stalls.
Christ Church: next to Spitalfields market is Brushfield Street and at the end of the street is the glorious imposing Christ Church. Built between 1714 and 1729 to a design by Nicholas Hawksmoor.
Artillery Passage: this is a glimpse into London's past, one of the last remaining 17th century streets (and also featuring in a Harry Potter film!).
Sir Robert Peel: there's been a police station in Bishopsgate since about 1737, and there is still one nearby at number 182. Here we see a memorial to the former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel (policemen are commonly referred to as 'Bobbies' after Sir Robert Peel who oversaw the first professional police force).
The 'Gherkin': London is such a mix of old and new. Here we see 30 St Mary Axe (more commonly known as 'The Gherkin') next to St Andrew Undershaft Church that dates back to 1520.
Leadenhall Market: dating back to the 14th century, the market was originally a meat market but now is a mix of restaurants, shops and pubs. It was also featured in a Harry Potter film as Diagon Alley!
St Dunstan-in-the-East: dating back to 1698 and built by Sir Christopher Wren, the church was sadly bombed in World War II but has been converted into a beautiful garden - a lovely calm oasis in the city.
Billingsgate Market: this lovely building on the banks of the Thames River used to be a fish market and still has golden fish decorating it's roof - one famous former worker at the market was Sir Michael Caine!
London Bridge / The Shard: crossing London Bridge we see Western Europe's tallest building - The Shard.
Southwark Cathedral: next to London Bridge on the south side of the river is the lovely Southwark Cathedral.
Borough Market: a foodie's favourite is Borough Market where you'll find some of the city's tastiest treats.
HMS Belfast: now walking along the Southbank of the Thames, we pass the impressive HMS Belfast battle cruiser which played a very major role in World war II, by sinking the most dreaded German warship.
Hays Galleria: next to HMS Belfast is the vaulted roofed Hays Galleria. This is one of London's oldest wharfs where the 19th century tea clippers raced from around the world to unload their goods. It's now been converted into a lovely covered area full of shops, cafes and a riverside pub.
City Hall: on the Southbank on the way towards Tower Bridge we pass City Hall where the London Mayor does his duties.
Tower Bridge / Tower of London: crossing the iconic Tower Bridge we have lovely views of the World Heritage site, The Tower of London, and also views towards the towers of the city.
St. Katherine's Dock: just to the east of Tower Bridge is St. Katherine's Dock where you'll catch a glimpse of some luxury yachts from all over the world.
Wilton's Music Hall: this listed building dating back to the 1850s is one of very few surviving music hall buildings.
Cable Street Mural: painted in the early 1980s to commemorate the Battle of Cable Street, when people of the East End of London prevented Oswald Mosley’s fascist black shirts from marching through the area.
Whitechapel Bell Foundry: founded in 1570s, the Whitechapel Bell Foundry cast bells including the Big Ben and the Liberty Bell. It's currently closed and sadly it's future is under threat (check out the Save The Whitechapel Bell Foundry website)
Brick Lane: this trendy street is the place to go for street art, Bangladeshi/Indian food, Sunday markets, coffee shops, live music and vintage clothes.
Join Home Base Holidays: start planning your travels for 2021
Whether you're looking for staycation ideas or planning ahead to overseas travel in 2021, by arranging a home exchange vacation through Home Base Holidays, you'll cut the cost of your getaways by up to 90%. View the latest home swap travel offers and join for free.
Although many people may not yet feel ready to make firm travel commitments, this is still a good time to start conversations with other Home Base Holidays members to discuss home exchange plans for 2021.
Five tips: find your home exchanges for 2021
1. Start a conversation:When looking to arrange a home swap holiday, it's always good to be proactive and make the first move. So, once you have added your home swap offer, don't just wait to be contacted but be proactive and start conversations with other members so that you can pencil in your home swap holiday plans for 2021.
2. If possible, be flexible: It's always a big plus if you can be flexible with your travel dates and preferred holiday destinations - this is even more the case now with the ever changing travel restrictions. For many home swappers, one of the great joys of home exchanging is discovering a new destination that may not have previously been on your travel radar.
3. Keep your listing up-to-date: Make sure to check that your home swap listing details and photos are accurate and up-to-date. Update your home swap offer with your 2021 holiday availability dates.
Staycation swaps? This is when you holiday within your own country rather than travelling abroad. With many people facing restrictions on international travel, home swaps closer to home are a popular option. If you are looking for exchange offers within your own country, make sure to include this information in your listing (add it to the 'When & where' section).
4. Add photos: Listings with photos uploaded are far more likely to generate interest then those without. You do not need to add dozens of photos (in fact, it's best not to!) but make sure to upload between 5-15 good quality photos that accurately show your home and local attractions.
Photo tip: Try to take photos at a time of day when your home has good lighting so that your home looks welcoming. Also, prior to taking the photos, make sure to tidy up (no one needs to see your dirty laundry and unmade bed!).
5. Covid-19 precautions: When discussing a possible swap with another member, make sure to also highlight the steps you will take to make your space safe and reassuring for your guests. View our Cleaning tips for holiday home swaps during COVID-19
Join Home Base Holidays: start planning your travels for 2021
Whether you're looking for staycation ideas or planning ahead to overseas travel in 2021, by arranging a home exchange vacation through Home Base Holidays, you'll cut the cost of your getaways by up to 90%. View the latest home swap travel offers and join for free.
If you live in a tourist area or a major city, you may think that potential home exchange partners will only be interested in how easy it is to get to well-known attractions from your home; of course, it is important to provide such information, and details of public transport, but don’t ignore those lesser known attractions closer to your home that you may take for granted or even not be aware of, for example, if you don’t have children living at home. Home swappers tend to be adventurous and open to exploring local neighbourhoods and will appreciate your suggestions which, of course, you can expand on when in direct contact during your home exchange arrangements.
Anna and Jeremy, along with their toddler daughter and baby son, live in Herne Hill, a suburb in southeast London. They have included in the Home Base Holidays home swap offer a detailed and really inviting list of attractions in their area. See below the description of their local attractions.
Within walking distance…
At the bottom of the road you’ll find Sunray Gardens, a peaceful public garden and play-park, with an artisan bakery and coffee shop nearby. The glorious Ruskin Park with wild flower garden, paddling pool and views across London is 10 minutes away on foot and you’ll pass the Grade II listed art-deco Carnegie Library en route.
Herne Hill, with its pedestrianised hub, is 8 minutes away on foot. You’ll find a flower shop, book shops, gift shops, artisan bakeries and restaurants amid live music from the street piano. The buzzing Sunday market sells a wide range of high quality food alongside vintage collections and designer craft.
Herne Hill is directly opposite the magnificent Brockwell Park, South East London’s largest park, with orchard, rose garden, ponds, Lido, large children’s play area and cafes. There is a 600 year old oak tree and a fantastic view across London.
Dulwich Village is 15 minutes away on foot, home to the famous Dulwich Picture Gallery, serene Dulwich Park with its American Gardens, bike hire, boating lake and enticing café and ice-cream parlour. There’s also a historic pub in the village, plus more restaurants, cafes and gift shops to explore.
Within 10 minutes by car or an easy bus ride away you’ll find…
Visit the fabulous overstuffed walrus in London's Horniman Museum
The unmissable Horniman Museum, with its natural history and musical instrument collection, gardens, butterfly house, aquarium and panoramic view across London (the famous over-stuffed walrus in the museum is shown in the photo).
East Dulwich and Lordship Lane; home to a fantastic range of restaurants, including a pastificio selling to-die-for handmade pasta, a lively Saturday street market, plus cinema and boutiques.
Brixton Village, you’ll find a maze of small, independent food outlets, selling authentic dumplings, pancakes, craft ales, Italian Cuisine, tapas and cocktails alongside unique galleries, clothes boutiques and gift shops. Brixton also has the elegant, refurbished cinema, the Ritzy.
The South London Gallery in Camberwell, a famous contemporary art gallery, with café, bookshop and landscaped garden.
Sydenham Wood: one of London’s best kept secrets, a delightful mix of new and ancient woodland with remnants of Victorian gardens, home to more than 200 species of trees and plants as well as bats, birds and woodland mammals.
You`ll of course have all of all London available within easy reach - whilst there is much to enjoy within the immediate local area too.
During the current uncertainty over worldwide travel due to Covid-19, with guidelines and restrictions likely to continue to fluctuate, some members understandably will not yet want to make firm travel commitments. However, it is a really good time to start contacting members to discuss possible home swaps, even if some members will not yet want to finalise dates.
Join Home Base Holidays: start planning your travels for 2021
Whether you're looking for staycation ideas or planning ahead to overseas travel in 2021, by arranging a home exchange vacation through Home Base Holidays, you'll cut the cost of your getaways by up to 90%. View the latest home swap travel offers and join for free.
Pet care: it's quite common for members to agree to look after pets during a home swap
Q: Me and my partner have a 2 bedroom apartment in NW London and are starting to think about going away for a short break in the new year - most likely for a few days in the countryside or somewhere by the coast. I've been thinking about home swapping for some time and feel I may now be ready to take the plunge. One problem, we have a (very friendly!) cat called Tony. Ideally I'd love it if my guests could feed Tony and give him the odd chin tickle, other than that he will likely be sleeping most of the day. Is it common for people to take care of pets during a home swap?
- Janice(UK)
A:Hi Janice, great to hear that you're interested in home swapping. Please let Tony know that many members will be very happy to look after him during a home exchange ...in fact, lots of members would consider it a perk! On signing up to Home Base Holidays you will see the options for “Pet care required”, “Pet care offered” and “Pets welcome”. Having your pets looked after by your guests can be another great cost saving and it is always reassuring to know your pets are being looked after at home rather than in a kennel or cattery.
Note: it is important when at the initial stages of discussing a swap to let the other member know that you will require pet care. For some members, especially those with allergies, looking after a pet (or even staying in a home where a pet has been) would not be suitable. Also, some members may want to spend a night or two away from your home and so looking after a pet may limit their plans (it is possible that this can be overcome by arranging back-up pet care, perhaps with a neighbour or friend of your host).
Join Home Base Holidays: start planning your travels for 2021
Whether you're looking for staycation ideas or planning ahead to overseas travel in 2021, by arranging a home exchange vacation through Home Base Holidays, you'll cut the cost of your getaways by up to 90%. View the latest home swap travel offers and join for free.
Home Base Holidays We're here to answers any questions on swapping homes, specific topics related to home exchange vacations plus share Home Base Holidays members' home swap stories and exchange offers.
