It is always a good plan to start looking for home exchange possibilities several weeks (several months even better) before the dates you want to exchange. It also increases your chances of finding a suitable swap if you can be at least a little flexible on dates, length of exchange and exact destination. However, there can be times when, perhaps, a limited special air fares offer comes up that's just too good to miss. In these situations, especially when travelling long-haul with a couple of children, the savings on air fares has to be balanced against restricting your options in having to find an exchange that fits around fixed dates and length of stay.
Meg, a recent Home Base Holidays member from Santa Barbara, is in exactly this situation with tickets already booked for London for August 3rd to the 24th. Meg and her husband are coming to London to visit his relatives in England and, as she writes, 'familiarize our sons with the turf over there.' Their boys are two and six years old.
Southern California is a popular destination with UK home swappers, and there are a large number of home exchange offers in London. It also is really helpful that Meg's dates fit in with the school summer holidays in England so, hopefully, the family will soon arrange an exchange that fits around their August fixed dates.
Meg's home exchange offer:
'Our home is a California cottage located on a quiet street. Downtown shops, restaurants, art museum, public library, public parks, and coffee houses are a 5 minute drive or 30 minute walk. Beautiful sandy beaches are a 5 minute drive away.
Santa Barbara has long been a popular tourist destination due to its inviting climate and Spanish style architecture. It is also conveniently located within 90 minutes of many Los Angeles area attractions.' See the full exchange listing and more photos, HE17729
Comments