Travel the Home Exchange Way

Home exchange trip report: adapting to changing situations

Report by long time Home Base Holidays members and experienced home exchangers, Dan and Jane from Seattle, Washington:

Sometimes house swapping is a matter of flexibility. We had arranged a swap to England for August and September. Between the swap time we agreed upon and the actual dates the other swappers bought a new house and had gotten involved in DIY projects. They were concerned that we would not be happy with the situation and wondered if we could put the swap off till a later date. We already had tickets in hand and assured them we would be ok in the midst of their projects. As it turned out their place was not as disrupted as they seemed to think and we, indeed, had a great time.

To complete the picture, they experienced travel problems while visiting friends in California, prior to coming to our place, and never actually made it. We have offered them a window of opportunity when we are going to be out of our place next year, and they are deciding if they can utilize it. We hope they will be able to. Sometimes things just don't go as you planned but it generally all works out in the end. 

Dan and Jane's home exchange offer in Seattle:

Comfortable 400 sq. ft well equipped studio with a 90 sq. ft private deck 30 minutes from downtown Seattle by frequent nearby bus. Local area includes Zoo, restaurants, shopping, groceries, live theatre and parks within easy walking distance. 

There is a fully equipped kitchen, Internet access, an in-unit laundry, landscaped courtyard and a roof top deck with a 360 degree view of city and mountains.

Read the full home exchange offer and see more photos, HE17283

Featured Home Swap: Koh Phangan, Thailand

This 2 bedroom house on the beautiful island of Koh Phangan! This island is very picturesque, abundant in white sandy beaches, tucked away bays and coves,turquoise blue ocean lapping the shores and surrounded by lush tropical jungle.

Home Exchange Request: Open to offers

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'Avoiding the Airplane Cold' on your next long haul flight to a home exchange destination

Although home exchangers who pick up a cold or flu while on holiday at least have a real home to hunker down in, with a kitchen to make comfort food so no need to venture far when feeling poorly, of course it's always better to avoid common colds that can spoil a holiday if at all possible.

Having recently returned from a great trip to Thailand and promptly getting a very bad cold on my return after the long flight to London, I was interested to read an article, 'Avoiding the Airplane Cold', on IndependentTraveler.com. And what do you know, there really is much more chance of picking up a virus on an airplane just as we probably all suspected.

There are some very good tips in the article for things you can do to minimise your chances of catching a cold on your next flight and a poll, How do you avoid germs on the plane? (View Poll Results).

Featured Home Swap: London, Notting Hill

Beautiful property in London's fashionable Notting Hill. Set over two floors of a four storey building, with a gorgeous private garden and access to a larger private garden for local residents.

Home Exchange Request: India, Asia, Zanzibar, South Africa, New York

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Arranging a home exchange for the Rugby World Cup, New Zealand, September 2011

Major sporting events attract much interest from Home Base Holidays members as arranging a home exchange makes particularly good sense at a time when other types accommodation will be at a premium and expensive. However, as there will be competition for exchange offers for major international events, join Home Base Holidays several months (a year or more ahead is not too soon) for the best choice. Also, if you live close to a venue but aren't interested in the sport, add your own offer early, mentioning that your home is available during this time.

Home Base Holidays members looking for home swaps to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup 2011:

 

Vincentia, New South Wales, Australia

Neat two storey 3 bedroom beach style house with an open and airy feel, located about 200 metres from the shores of pristine Jervis Bay. Two hours from Sydney. My wife Anne is a social worker and I am a retired police officer. The reason for our trip to New Zealand is to watch a few games in the Rugby World Cup as well as to travel around New Zealand to see your great country. We have recently returned from England where our daughter played Rugby for Australia in the women's world cup. NZ took out the final. We had a successful exchange and are looking forward to our next exchange. Read full home exchange offer, HE24880.

Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England

A smart semi detached house, with a delightful garden. 10 minutes walk from historic town which dates back 1000 years. Only 35 minutes to London by train, but in the heart of the countryside. Numerous fine restaurants, cafes and pubs as well as Britain's best cinema (according to the BBC). Many historic features including a castle and Grand Canal with local barge hire and many buildings dating back to the 16th Century. We want to swap for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Read full home exchange offer, HE24740

Corneilhan, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Two story house on the edge of a small quiet village just outside Beziers in the South of France. 1 hours drive from Carcassonne, 45 minutes from Montpellier, 30 minutes to Cap D'Agde. Breathtaking views over the rolling vineyards, which start at the edge of our back garden, to far distant mountains. Swimming pool makes the house very comfortable in the hot weather. We would like to arrange an exchange to be in North Island, New Zealand, for September and October 2011 for the Rugby World Cup and some fishing... and then maybe some more fishing! Read full home exchange offer, HE22807

 Homes in New Zealand available for exchange at this time:

Christchurch, Canterbury

Comfortable 80's style bungalow, living downstairs & 3 bedroom upstairs, wood fire (wood supplied). Outstanding views of Sumner village and Sumner beach to the east and surrounding hills to the south. 10 minute walk to beach, restaurants, cafe & movie theatre & 15 min to Christchurch central. Walks in hills above the property. Venue for 2011 rugby World cup. Read full home exchange offer, HE24785

 

New Plymouth, Taranaki

Our home is a modern 2 storey and basement, 3 double bedroom, 2 bathroom house overlooking the port and sea. Ngamotu Beach is 5 minutes walk and portside cafes and restaurants are a further 2 minutes slow walk away.  New Plymouth is hosting three Rugby World Cup games in September 2011 with teams from USA, Ireland, Wales & Namibia. Read full home exchange offer, HE24542

 

Gulf Harbour, Auckland

Great holiday location & golfers dream. The house has stunning views to the Hauraki Gulf and hills beyond, and is situated on the edge of Whangaparaoa Golf Club (can view 12 greens!). It is within walking distance of Championship Gulf Harbour golf course (hosted NZ Open), marina, bars, restaurants, and the commuter ferry to Auckland (50 mins). We have had fantastic exchanges in Cornwall and the Coramandel which we thoroughly enjoyed and would like to do more. We are not using the house during the Rugby World Cup. Read full home exchange offer, HE21115

To find more members offering homes near RWC venues or wanting exchanges to New Zealand at this time, use Detailed home exchange Search. In the box beside Keyword Search, type: Rugby World Cup. Search.

Note: use Keyword Search to find homes available for any major international event, e.g. London Olympics 2012.

Featured Home Swap: Loire Valley, France

Stunning 4 bedroom house. Partly built in 1830, originally as a wine farm. 13km from the beautiful Chateau de Chambord and in a region of fine wine and cuisine.

Home Exchange Request: New York

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