Less Pence for Your Dollar? Home Exchange Makes the UK Affordable for US Visitors

The news that one pound sterling is currently worth more than two dollars US has meant a spate of articles in the UK press on how Brits can spend, spend, spend on trips to the USA where their money will now stretch even further. The converse, of course, is visiting the UK has become more expensive for Americans (although recent statistics show the numbers of American visitors to London continues to rise).

There is a way to make dollars go further when visiting the UK - swap homes. Arranging a home exchange cuts out hotel bills, usually the most expensive item on a trip. As well as having a rent-free home as a base, many home exchange offers include extras such as cars, club memberships, pet and plant care and generally lots of local information to save you needing to buy many guide books and maps.

Living in a real home means having a fully equipped kitchen too so that not all meals need be taken in expensive restaurants. The main cook in a family may want a break from shopping and cooking but shopping in local markets, speciality food shops, and even supermarkets, is often part of the fun for all the family of living like a local in another country. And, when you do want to splurge on a big meal out, your exchange partners will most likely have left their insider tips on the best, and best value, restaurants, cafes and pubs in the area.

With the ratio of UK to US home exchange offers on Home Base Holidays currently more than 2 to 1, there's never been a better time to arrange a home swap in the UK.