Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

"Our only regret is we didn't start home swapping sooner"

"My wife and I have enjoyed four very successful home swap holidays. Our only regret is that we didn't start swapping sooner - had we known about Home Base Holidays earlier we would have used this wonderful service before we retired. Apart from the pleasure of first hand experiencing the cultures and lives of other countries the biggest advantage has been the wonderful friends we have made in the process. 

 

We have found home swappers to be friendly and very helpful in every respect. We have never been disappointed with our experiences. We have made firm friends with our swap partners and continue to be in touch and have had many requests for repeat visits. We've found that people are generally more careful with somebody else's property than in their own and respect the wishes of their swap partners. 

 

We also really appreciate the freedom home swapping gives us - the freedom to come and go as we please, to save money by making some of our meals at home and the space to just relax when we want... and relaxing is after all what holiday is about!"

- Bernard & Ruth

 

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Start home swapping and cut the cost of your next holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays and save up to 90% on the cost of your holidays by arranging a home exchange. Search the latest home exchange holiday offers

First time home swappers: fabulous trip to the UK and Italy

Jarn and Ian's home swap holiday to Burnham-on-Sea and Lake Como

We love receiving trip reports from Home Base Holidays members. First time home swappers, Jarn & Ian, enjoyed a wonderful home swap holiday with Jenny & Colin, swapping to their house in the English seaside town of Burnham on Sea. They even enjoy a short trip to Italy's Lake Como!  

Jarn & Ian's fabulous home swap holiday in the UK & Italy "Thank you so much for the opportunity to be in the UK again! We had house sat and exchanged homes with friends of friends, so we were a bit hesitant at first to go on-line and find a suitable couple to stay in our house and us in theirs. We had contacted a few members while looking for somewhere suitable and close to see our family in the UK.  When Jenny and Colin responded, we were thrilled! We chatted online, then emailed and after a few days we called and spoke. It’s actually a bit like online dating!! These lovely people, were so knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process. We both discussed dates and cars, insurances for the houses, passports were viewed and driving licenses. Arriving to their beautifully cleaned home, we felt at home straight away. Plus they provided lots of food in the fridge, which they told us to help ourselves to... how kind and appreciated that was after a long haul flight! We both have dietary restrictions and so it was so handy and cost effective to be able to cook delicious, home cooked food. Plus having laundry facilities was a great plus too. The supermarket was less than a mile away. Jenny and Colin’s home was close to Bristol Airport, so we even enjoyed a short trip to Italy and Lake Como. On our return, we relaxed for a couple of days in a comfortable home. Recovered for the next adventure, where we explored this wonderful area and ended up in the beautiful town of Clovelly, near Bridport. We also visited Bletchley Park, which was amazing. The home swap was fantastic. Now we are great friends but never meet. We speak and email each other often. We feel very blessed and lucky." - Jarn & Ian

Highlights of the holiday: We were extremely lucky to have a delightful exchange with Jenny and Colin, such beautiful people. Visiting Clovelly, Bletchley Park and a trip to Italy's Lake Como The best part is having a home from home… no unpacking and packing up... blissful. Home exchanging makes everything so much easier.

 

Photos from the home exchange

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Jenny & Colin's home in Burnham-on-Sea, UK Lovely semi-detached house close to Europe's 2nd longest sandy beach. View their home swap holiday offer	Jarn & Ian's home in Adelaide, Australia Fabulous home close to city, beautiful beaches and vineyards. View their home swap holiday offer

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Start home swapping and cut the cost of your next holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays and save up to 90% on the cost of your holidays by arranging a home exchange. Search the latest home swap holiday offers

How to maximise your success at home swapping

Marguerite Payen, a Guardian Home Exchange member and experienced home exchanger from Harrogate, Yorkshire, sent in this lovely article on how to approach and arrange an exchange (whether an offer by herself to another member, or an offer sent to her by another member).

"When I joined Guardian Home exchange, it had been many many years since my last exchange that I did while living and working in France. Initially I felt quite out of touch and felt quite a bit of trepidation. So, how did I deal with it and make the most of this world of opportunity?

Firstly, when I received a message from another home exchanger, I decided to copy their style in my messaging... I quickly realised that, nine times out of ten, the best style was chatty and relaxed but always clear regarding dates and what is 'on offer' etc. There was no need of formality, no reason to be shy about asking questions, or, stating in a friendly way, any concerns that I had.

Never feel nervous about messaging people, there is nothing nicer than seeing a Guardian Home Exchange message pop up in your inbox and then opening the message to see who is interested in your home! Remember, the more contacts you make the more chance you have of finding your swap. 

One thing I certainly did was cheat a little bit. I viewed quite a number of home swap offers, especially in my area... getting a feel on how to write my "Meet the member" profile, details about my home and my area, and of course the photos of my home. When taking the photos I made sure that my home and garden was nice tidy and that I included several photos of surrounding places of interest and beauty. I played around with my profile to include a little montage of phrases and descriptions that I felt worked.

I always make an effort to answer any inquiries as soon as possible, even if it is to say 'no thank you'. It's always reassuring when I look at member's profiles and see that they have a quick response rate.

In my home swap offer, I have included several favourite destination that I'd like to visit, but have also included that I am 'open to offers' - sometimes the best swaps are the unexpected! 

Last year I had a home swap to a beautiful home in Cornwall. I asked my home exchange host if the friend I was travelling with could bring her dog... happily the exchangers said yes! We had a wonderful holiday, as did Paddy, and the couple thanked us for leaving their home in immaculate condition. After this exchange, I am also now open to members bringing their dogs to my home. However, do remember when arranging a home swaps with pets that you discuss and agree all details with your home exchange partners first. 

Once I've completed a swap I make sure to leave a home swap trip report for my hosts and find that they are happy to reciprocate.

In my first year I had five wonderful home exchanges and received many other offers that unfortunately I was unable to take up. This year I have six home exchange planned, plus a visit from a lovely lady, Sandra, who I had my very first home swap with. Sandra is a very experienced home exchanger and shes always been wonderful and happy to help with tips and advice. So my tip is to never be nervous about asking other members questions or advice, people are generally very happy to help... I think it is the lovely nature of people on this home swap website. Happy home swapping!" 

- Marguerite

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Meet the home swapper:   Marguerite has a charming cottage in Harrogate, a lovely spa town in North Yorkshire View her home swap holiday offer

 

Home swap holiday in Spain with such wonderful hosts

Pete & Dawn swapped their apartment in Chester for Bert & Heidi's house on a golf community in Spain

We love receiving trip reports from Home Base Holidays members! In this trip report, members, Pete and Dawn, enjoyed a wonderful non-simultaneous home exchange holiday staying in Bert and Heidi's house set within a private golf complex community in Vera in the south of Spain. The two families built an excellent friendship, sharing local tips & recommendations. 

Pete & Dawn's non-simultaneous home swap in Almeria, Spain "This was the second part of a non-simultaneous home exchange holiday with The Bramer family. We had already built up an amazing friendship leading up-to and during their visit to our home in Chester. They are such warm and wonderful people, and such great communicators. They took such great care of our place in Chester. Their home in Vera, a beautiful village overlooking the mountains, was a 1hr 40 mins drive from Murcia airport on excellent and easy roads. The house is part of an exclusive golf complex community, but this small group of villas has its own secure gates entrance, private parking and use of a great pool. On our visit the pool was hardly used by any other residents and we loved having a daily swim to ourselves. We enjoyed drinks at the Golf hotel terrace, listening to the golf gossip! 😀 And had a very nice meal at La Hoya also near the hotel and a just a short walk from the house. Their house is so lovely, super clean and very comfortable, it has everything you could need. We especially enjoyed using the plancha grill on the roof terrace, we cooked several meals enjoying the lovely views from the roof terrace in the evenings. We explored Almeria City, the Alcazaba is well worth it and free to visit for UK. We booked an excellent 4WD tour of The Tabanas desert, Cabo de Gato coastal nature reserve with is stunning beaches and clear blue seas. So many amazing views as you drive through this region. We really enjoyed this beautiful home swap trip which was made extra special by the wonderful messages and helpful local tips shared between the families. Thank you so much Heidi and Bert " - Pete & Dawn

Highlights of the holiday: Mountains & coast: great location for the stunning scenery  Wonderful house with wonderful warm hosts Relaxing in the sunshine & enjoying the roof terrace

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Reply from Bert and Heidi: "Hi Pete and Dawn, thank you very much for this lovely review and the gratitude of your Almeria holiday in southern Spain. We crossed paths thanks to this great home swap website and what a beautiful and satisfying home exchange it was for both of us. It was a great pleasure to see you and Pete enjoying Almeria and we discovered so many similarities in our lives 🌝 Thank you very much for this special holiday exchange with amazing conversations and friendship. Very best wish, Bert and Heidi "

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Photos from the home exchange

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Pete & Dawn's home in Chester, UK Beautiful top floor apartment overlooking the canal basin in the historic city of Chester. View the home swap holiday offer	Bert & Heidi's home in Vera, Spain Lovely home in a golf complex community with fantastic views, roof terrace and swimming pool. View the home swap holiday offer

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Start home swapping and cut the cost of your next holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays and save up to 90% on the cost of your holidays by arranging a home exchange. Search the latest home exchange holiday offers

Travel Q&A: arranging a home swap for the Xmas period

Arrange a last minute home exchange holiday for Christmas & New Year

Q: Me and my husband are hoping to visit London over the Christmas period and hopefully staying until the 5th January. Most of the half decent hotels and holiday rentals we've looked at have been incredibly expensive. Also, as we're hoping to be in London over Christmas and New Year, we'd ideally like to stay somewhere where we can relax and enjoy a homely festive feel.

We've just started looking at the possibility of arranging a home swap holiday in London, it sounds like it could be a perfect option but ...we are total novices in this! We have a two bedroom cottage in Cornwall (not far from St Ives). My concern is, have we left it too late to arrange a home swap for this Christmas?

Allison

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A: Thanks for getting in contact! Home swapping sounds like it would be an excellent fit for your travel requirements. Firstly, the accommodation is free (except for the small membership fee) and secondly, you'll get to stay in a real London home over the festive period - far more festive than a hotel room!

You'll still find many members that are looking for last minute home swaps over Christmas and New Year. However, it's best to get a move on and start looking as soon as possible!

The first step is to sign up to a home swap website such as Home Base Holidays. You can add details of your home in Cornwall and add your request for a home swap to London over Christmas and New Year. Once you've added your offer, start browsing London offers and contact members to enquire about a festive swap!

• Search home swap holiday offers

You can also add your offer to "Last minute swaps" and also search other members that have selected the Last minute swap option.

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Start home swapping and cut the cost of your next holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays and save up to 90% on the cost of your holidays by arranging a home exchange. Search the latest home exchange holiday offers

Wonderful 6-week home swap holiday exploring Australia

Jenny & Colin enjoyed a wonderful 6-week home swap holiday exploring Australia

We love hearing from Home Base Holidays members about their home exchange experiences. Here we have a fantastic trip report from Jenny & Colin on their fabulous 6-week holiday swapping to Jarn and Ian's lovely home near Adelaide.

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Jenny & Colin's home swap holiday exploring Australia "When Jarn and Ian contacted us from Moana, near Adelaide, Australia we were thrilled to accept their offer of a 6 week home exchange during their Australian Spring. For many months before the trip, we kept in touch exchanging lots of laughs and information. They did everything possible to make us feel welcome and help us get the most out of our trip. What a delight to arrive at their lovely, super clean, modern home on the coast. It was beautifully decorated with Jarn's photos and treasures from their travels. There was everything you could possibly want for a comfortable stay – including friendly, helpful neighbours. The neighbourhood was really lovely and green, with easy access to a major road leading to Adelaide and the wider areas. We used to catch the train to Adelaide, which was easy and so cheap. During our stay we took the opportunity to fly from Adelaide to Port Douglas, then to Sydney and then on to a week with a campervan in Tasmania and back to Adelaide to spend the remainder of the trip in Moana. £800 for 2 people for 4 flights – unbelievable! We had one week in each destination. Port Douglas was beautiful, warm and sunny with the rainforest coming down to the beach. We took the chance to ride on the Sky train over the rainforest and took a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef to have a look at the corals - I shall never forget swimming in the Coral Sea! Sydney was a wonderful exciting city and we saw all the major sights and had some great food. Easy to travel around and fun on the ferries. Prices for everything were very reasonable. Tasmania was much cooler, more like our Autumn back home but still sunny every day. We started at Hobart explored the east coast, then to Launceston and back down the middle to Hobart. Brilliant roads – so quiet even though it was their school holidays. Tasmania is lovely, green and reminded us of North Wales! Beautiful pristine beaches and rolling open countryside. We spotted an Echidna (Tachyglossidae within the order monotremata-egg laying mammals) near the coast. What a privilege. Regretfully, we didn't have time to explore further into the mountains. The camping sites are amazing with camp kitchens, showers, laundry etc. Then back to Moana and a couple of weeks exploring the wider area and Adelaide especially the Aboriginal exhibition in the museum and the parks. A big thrill for us was listening to and seeing birds everywhere we went. Visiting wildlife parks and encountering wild kangaroos in a reserve not far from Moana was a great experience. We even saw a brown snake – an unwelcome guest in an enclosure in Sydney Zoo – not many Australians get to see that! Fabulous home exchange with so many wonderful memories! So grateful to Jarn and Ian who have helped give us the trip of a lifetime. Pleased that their enjoyment of our home and country helped make their first experience of home swapping so enjoyable for them too." - Jenny & Colin

Highlights of the home swap holiday: Wonderful 6-week holiday exploring Australia Encountering the wildlife and people Getting to know Jarn & Ian and staying in their lovely home

Photos from Jenny & Colin's trip to Australia:

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Jenny & Colin's home in Burnham-on-Sea Semi-detached house in Somerset, close to Europe's 2nd longest sandy beach. View their home swap holiday offer	Jarn & Ian's home near Adelaide Spacious new build home on the southern end of Adelaide, very close to superb beaches. View their home swap holiday offer

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Start home swapping and cut the cost of your next holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays and save up to 90% on the cost of your holidays by arranging a home exchange. Search the latest home exchange holiday offers

Family holiday swapping Cambridge for South France

Swapping family home in Cambridge for a week in the medieval village of Soreze

It's so nice to hear from first time home swappers! Mark and his family had a fabulous first home swap, exchanging their family home in Cambridge for a one-week holiday staying in Jan and Fred's house in the pretty medieval village of Soreze, in the south of France.   

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Jan & Fred: swapped their village house in France for Cambridge "We lucky to have a second home in the town of Soreze, in southern France. We spend a lot of time there but, as we don’t live there, it opens up all sorts of wonderful home exchange possibilities. We were delighted when Mark and his family approached us, looking for a stop-off on their tour of France. We thought their home in Cambridge sounded really nice with lots of interesting places nearby to explore. When we arrived we found their house was lovely – spacious and light. We spent a lot of time sitting in the open plan family area with the double doors open to the tree-lined garden. It was so nice and quiet, in the morning you can listen to the birds with your first cup of tea. We took the bus into the city each day, choosing a different museum or gallery to explore. Cambridge is small and easy to walk to most of the colleges. Not all the colleges allow public access of course, but the ones that did have magnificent grounds and gardens – free to sit in and just take in the beautiful surroundings. We visited as many museums as we could, but didn’t get round them all in a week. We’d really need another visit to see everything. The museums themselves were phenomenal. From quaint mahogany cabinets, to state of the art presentations, zoology, archaeology, sculpture, geology, science, Darwin, Newton, etc etc. We loved the Whale Café at the Museum of Zoology, and spent a happy hour in the quirky courtyard at The Punter bar on Pound Hill. Of course, we had to leave time to explore the little coffee shops and restaurants too, so it all takes time. But we took things slowly and savoured it all in the marvellous weather we experienced. Had it rained or snowed though, we would have found plenty to do! We could have taken a punt down the river and under the many bridges, but as it was, found a lovely walk along part of the way. I read the guide books after we returned, which made me realise how much more there is to see. We’ll just have to go back sometime! Highly recommended beautiful city, full of marvellous architecture, very clever people and a gorgeous river. Thank you so much to Mark and his family for a wonderful stay in their home!"

Highlights of the holiday: Exploring beautiful Cambridge (colleges, galleries, museums and cafes!)  Staying Mark and his family's lovely comfortable home Really friendly communication and lots of information provided

Photos from Jan & Fred's Home Exchange in Cambridge

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Mark & family: swapped their family house in Cambridge for France "This was the first house swap holiday for our family of 2 adults and 2 girls, aged 10 and 12. We swapped with Jan and Fred who are experienced home swappers and easy going. All was very uncomplicated to arrange and while they stayed in our home in Cambridge, we were travelling for the summer in France and stayed for 1 week in their lovely holiday home in Soreze. Their house had all one needs for a lovely stay. Jan and Fred were very organised providing lots of information before leaving, posting key well in advance and being available while we were there. The house was lovely and cool even when hot outside and their courtyard, while small, was great spot to enjoy our morning coffee and croissants! Soreze is a beautiful medieval village in Tarn area of SE France. Very relaxed but with bakery, a few restaurants and supermarket to make daily life easy. We enjoyed walks in the immediate hills, and swimming in lake and swimming pool, each 10 minutes by car. We visited the abbey in Soreze when feeling more cultured. We had a wonderful week and would definitely recommend the swap to any couple or family with children. Thank you very much Jan and Fred!"

Highlights of the holiday: Our home swap partners, Jan & Fred, made everything so simple Staying in their lovely house dating back to medieval times Exploring Soreze and the beautiful surroundings

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Mark's family home in Cambridge, UK Family home 10 minutes walk to river, then 30minutes walk into Cambridge's historic city centre. View their home swap holiday offer	Jane & Fred's home in Soreze, France Medieval town house in the pretty village of Soreze, set at the foot of Les Montagnes Noires. View their home swap holiday offer

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Start home swapping and cut the cost of your next holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays and save up to 90% on the cost of your holidays by arranging a home exchange. Search the latest home exchange holiday offers