Discovering new destinations: home swap experiences

Home swap: Pheonix, Arizona (USA) to Mersea Island, Essex (England)

"We returned to the USA in November after a wonderful home exchange to Mersea Island, England. It wasn’t a destination we had ever considered until communicating with experienced home exchangers, Kathy and Steve. Their home is lovely, comfortable and filled with unique original artwork. Mersea Island and the surrounding areas are beautiful and full of historic significance. There are fantastic walks, delicious pubs, restaurants and coffee shop/cafes all easily accessible. However, the most outstanding thing about our visit was the care taken by Kathy and Steve which assured that we had such a terrific visit. As a bonus, it turns out that some of the friendliest and most helpful people we’ve ever encountered live on Mersea Island. To our delight we were invited to walk and dine with some of their engaging, knowledgeable and resourceful neighbors. This was truly a marvelous home exchange!"

- Jill & Leland

Home swap: Mersea Island, Essex (England) to Pheonix, Arizona (USA)

We are still adjusting to our 3 months in USA, a wonderful kaleidoscope of scenes and adventures. After travelling 3,500 miles and an air flight we arrived at this wonderful desert house. Just loved the 'feel' of the house. Our loves, art, books, family, relaxed, safe, and within striking distance of so much. The home exchange was arranged over a long period of communication, through the Home Base Holidays website, emails, Facetime and so on sorting out dates times and generally getting a feel of exchange partners and houses. All excellent.

The house was in a very safe up-market area close to the Biltmore, good for a walk and evening tipple. All amenities such as food shops, restaurants, museums, downtown and light rail/public transport were just around the corner. We became brave not just using our exchange car (we'd agreed to exchange cars but neither of us really used each others cars during the swap) but exploring the wider area by foot and public transport was so much fun. We met so many lovely people and visited great art galleries, museums, festivals, ballroom & country dancing and we even made a baseball game! Phoenix was not a destination we had originally thought of but the photographs and description on the Home Base Holidays website drew us in. Do not hesitate to swap with Jill & Leland - you will have a magic experience with the most likeable, easy going people! Sunshine, a swimming pool and fab house - who could ask for more?

We hope to remain in touch and catch up again in the future. Our neighbours in the UK loved Jill & Leland ...a sure recommendation!

- Kathy & Steve