Travel the Home Exchange Way

Climate change & travel: benefits of home swap holidays

As a UK based travel company, Home Base Holidays, like so many others, has been badly affected by travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as business gradually returns to normal, we are also very aware that our business, albeit in the still relatively small niche home exchange market, encourages people to travel and so, as a responsible business, we urge our members to use our service thoughtfully, limiting air travel especially, to drastically reduce the effects of travel on global warming. The heat dome that hovered over the vast area of western Canada and much of the USA recently, bringing dangerously high temperatures followed by hundreds of forest fires, should be a wake-up call. Reducing the effects of climate change can no longer be delayed by governments whatever the cost, and we must all do our part to reduce our carbon footprint.

‘Tourism is not just a victim of global warming - it also contributes to the problem’                                                                                              - Sustainable Travel International

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With travel restrictions still in place, a growing number of Home Base Holidays members are discovering the pleasures of home swaps closer to home. Home swappers have always tended to prefer unique experiences (not merely sitting on a beach for two weeks every year!), whether it be swapping a rural home for a flat in the city to visit museums and the theatre or, as city dwellers, seeking out rural locations to enjoy fresh air, quiet open spaces, country walks and pubs. Although cost savings are a factor for those on a tight budget in choosing home exchange over expensive hotel rooms and holiday rentals, this is certainly not the only reason that swapping homes has become increasingly popular over the last few years (Home Base Holidays has been operating a home exchange service since 1978 and were pioneers in promoting the advantages, never more important than now).

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How home swapping can reduce your travel impact on the environment:

1. Use your home as a resource when it would otherwise be left empty while you are away
2. Stay in a real home from home rather than contribute to the development of more hotels
3. There are no rental costs so stay longer and travel less often, especially to long-haul destinations
4. Retired or working from home? Swap homes for longer for a change of scene or to visit family
5. Look for homes in areas where a car is not needed and, if possible, travel there by train
6. Wash bedding and towels as needed, not every day as happens in many hotels
7. Support small businesses by shopping locally for food, crafts and regional specialties
8. Swaps closer to home are easier to arrange than international exchanges without the need for air travel.

"Actually, there are also deeper layers of thought to the home exchange idea. When you think about global waste and conservation, the idea of combining resources with other people on the globe has more merits than those you experience on a personal level. Think of all the hotel sheets and towels that are washed every day; of the low-paid hotel workers (often foreigners); of the huge and wasteful industry that has grown around the needs of people who want to experience a holiday in a different country."  - Ruti Singer (from 'Home Away From Home')

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Add 'local to you' options to your home swap offer: As well as giving details of local attractions, provide information on getting there by public transport If you have bikes you could share, give details and also whether there are safe bike lanes in your area and cycling/walking trails If there is little public transport in your area and you offer to swap cars, is yours electric and are there convenient charging points nearby? Do you have good local food markets? Many people, switching to a more plant-based diet, would love to buy fruit, vegetables and baked goods from local sellers Are there cafes and restaurants close by offering a variety of vegetarian options (much more appealing than fast-food chains)? Do you have memberships to local sports or arts clubs that you could share? Even as Covid-19 restrictions ease, swap guests will be re-assured by knowing the steps you will take to leave your home clean and safe. View the Cleaning tips for holiday home swaps during COVID-19

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Join Home Base Holidays - start your home swap adventure! Sign up to the Home Base Holidays 2-week free trial and start planning your home swap holiday. Whether you're looking for staycation accommodation or planning a trip abroad, you'll find thousands of tempting home swap offers, including country cottages, city apartment, houseboats and homes by the sea. Search home exchange vacation offers

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Useful Resources: websites and articles

• Sustainable Travel International
• Nature: Rethinking travel in a post-pandemic world
• David Suzuki Foundation: Air travel and climate change
• Friends of the Earth: Responsible travel – eco tips for getting around
• DW Made for Minds: Climate change - Is eco guilt changing the way we travel?

London for free: top ten London parks

On a sunny hot day like today, what better than to take a break and relax in one of London's lovely parks. Explore everything from the picture perfect St James's Park to the huge 2,500 acre Richmond Park where you might forget you are even in London. Here we list our top ten London parks.

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Top ten London parks

 St. James's Park with views of the London Eye and Horse Guards Parade

1. Hyde Park:

Hyde Park covers 350 acres of central London. Hyde Park has something for everyone, you can enjoy swimming, boating, cycling, skating or just relax in this central London oasis. There are pitches for team games, tennis courts, tracks for horse riding and a spectacular children’s playground. The park is fabulous all year, a great place for summer time picinics or enjoying the Winter Wonderland festival during the winter months. royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park

2. St. James's Park:

One of my personal favourite Royal parks, St. James's Park covers 57 acres and is home to a wonderful mix of flowers and birdlife (don't miss the pelicans being fed between 2.30pm and 3pm daily!). The bridge over the lake offers great views of Buckingham Palace at one end and the London Eye and Horse Guards Parade at the other end. royalparks.org.uk/parks/st-jamess-park

3. Regent’s Park / Primrose Hill:

Located in NW London, Regent’s Park is a Royal park that covers 410 acres and is home to London Zoo, the Open Air Theatre (performances end May to early September), and a boating lake. The view from the top of Primrose Hill is one of London’s best, with fantastic panoric views across the city. royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park

4. Richmond Park:

Located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London covering a massive 2,500 acres. This beautiful park of hills and woodlands set amongst ancient trees, with plants, animals (including 650 deer) and butterflies, offers a peaceful respite to visitors. royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park

5. Greenwich Park / Blackheath: 

Located in SE London, Greenwich Park covers 183 acres and is the second oldest enclosed Royal Park. One of the largest green spaces in south east London, Greenwich Park offers a wide range of facilities and points of interest, including a child-friendly boating lake, six tennis courts and the National Maritime Museum just on the perimeter. The Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park is home to the Greenwich Meridian Line which represents the prime meridian, relative to which world time is calculated and the distance to every place on Earth is measured. royalparks.org.uk/parks/greenwich-park

Blackheath stretches across the very top of Greenwich Park into the pretty village. Tip: check out the views from 'The Point', a small area at the corner of Blackheath, with it's spectacular views over the city.

6. Hampstead Heath:

Hampstead Heath is located in NW London but just four miles from Trafalgar Square. The Heath has some of the best views and highest points in London for everyone to enjoy. It includes Parliament Hill, Golders Hill Park, an open air Lido (open 365 days a year), swimming ponds, splash pools, countless sports pitches and facilities, athletics track, playgrounds, stunning listed Pergola and Hill Garden and enough green space to really feel like you have escaped the City! Hampstead Heath

7. Kensington Gardens:

Kennsington Gardens covers 275 acres and was formerly the private gardens of Kensignton Palace. The park is planted with formal avenues of magnificent trees and ornamental flower beds. It is home to Kensington Palace, the peaceful Italian Gardens, Peter Pan statue, the stunning Albert Memorial and the Serpentine Gallery. There are two playgrounds, including the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens

8. Victoria Park:

Victoria Park is a fabulous 213 acres oasis located in East London's Tower Hamlets. Attractions include canals, ponds, a pavilion, tennis courts and a sports ground. Open air pop and rock concerts are held in the park during the summer. Victoria Park is not very far from a number of other attractions including Brick Lane, Spitalfields and Columbia Road flower market. Victoria Park

9. Battersea Park:

Battersea Park is a 200 acre park in the London Borough of Wandsworth in SW London. It is situated on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Chelsea. An inner city park with so much variety, hidden secrets, and activities. batterseapark.org

10. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park:

This lovely park in East London includes many of the former Olympic and Paralympic venues – including London Stadium, the London Aquatics Centre, the Copper Box Arena and Lee Valley VeloPark. www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk

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Free staycation in London

One of the biggest budget busters when visiting London can be the cost of accommodation. However, rather than booking a hotel or holiday rental, arrange a home swap in London and you will dramatically cut the cost of your London holiday.

Home Base Holidays is a London based home swap holidays website and has a large number of tempting home swap holiday offers.

Our home swap: the perfect post-lockdown tonic!

Sophie and Bill enjoyed a perfect post-lockdown home swap

"The moment we could after lockdown, we headed to Garway Hill for a home exchange with Corinne & Colin. Their attractive Edwardian house and large gardens lie in a beautiful, remote valley with wonderful views across to Wales. We were lucky, as the sun shone every day we were there and so we were able to enjoy fabulous walks from the door. We know the area quite well and there is much to see & do in the area: the characterful towns of Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye, Abergavenny and Hereford are all within easy reach and we were able to make another visit to the amazing Kilpeck church. Corrine & Colin were perfect exchange partners; they looked after our house perfectly and even cared for our cat. Would we exchange with them again? Like a shot!" - Sophie & Bill (Bradford-on-Avon, England)

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Highlight from the home swap:

1. The view from the top of Garway Hill
2. The comfort of Corrine & Colin's house
3. The stunning, unspoiled countryside, with newborn lambs everywhere!

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Perfect post-lockdown staycation in Garway Hill

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Meet the Home Base Holidays members:

Member HE39837: Sophie & Bill  Sophie is a professional musician who gives recitals internationally and teaches from home; Bill teaches at a local secondary school. They have a very friendly cat, Darcie, who has something of an international fan-club, built up through their house swaps over the years! View their home swap offer in Bradford-on-Avon

 

Member HE39186: Corrine & Colin  Corrine & Colin love the countryside and exploring other places and cultures. They are also interested in short city breaks when they feel like an injection of shops and galleries and museums. View their home swap offer in Garway Hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Home Base Holidays: join for free and start home swapping Sign up to Home Base Holidays two-week free trial or select a full membership (6-month membership is just £29 and 1-year at £49). Home swap guarantee: second year free if you do not arrange a swap during your membership.

Happy Earth Day 2021 💚🌏 Staycation home swaps

Tourism and the environment is always a difficult balance. Of course, if you were to fly half way around the world for a three day home exchange, it could never be classed as 'eco-friendly'. However, home exchanging is an excellent way to help cut waste and make full use of our resources. It's so sad to see so many places around the world damaged by over development; knocking down neighbourhoods to build new hotels or shopping malls aimed at the tourist market. By swapping homes, you're not increasing the demand for hotel rooms but you are staying in a real home in a real neighbourhood ...often exploring and supporting local shops and markets.

"Actually, there are also deeper layers of thought to the home exchange idea. When you think about global waste and conservation, the idea of combining resources with other people on the globe has more merits than those you experience on a personal level. Think of all the hotel sheets and towels that are washed every day; of the low-paid hotel workers (often foreigners); of the huge and wasteful industry that has grown around the needs of people who want to experience a holiday in a different country." - Ruti Singer (from 'Home Away From Home')

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Post-lockdown getaway? Staycations (holidays within your own country) will again be very popular this summer as people hold off on overseas travel. By arranging a staycation instead of a long haul holiday, you'll help reduce your carbon footprint by avoiding the need for planes or cruises. The good news is that there are lots of tempting home exchange staycation offers available for this summer through Home Base Holidays.

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Small selection of home swap staycation offers

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Links to the above home swap offers: Cotswolds, England: 180 year old stone cottage in idyllic village. View offer Cranbrook, England: period family home in the heart of the Kent countryside. View offer Devon, England: 300 year old cottage in pretty village near Dartmoor National Park. View offer Ghadira, Malta: bright fully refurbished sea view apartment in North Malta. View offer Shoreham-by-Sea, England: large open plan houseboat with use of kayaks and bicycles. View offer Waterbeach, England: family home on the edge of a lovely village close to Cambridge. View offer Canonbie, Scotland: 17th century cottage in an ideal location for exploring this quiet and wild corner of Dumfries and Galloway. View offer Saffron Walden, England: converted granary dating back to 1820 in the heart of a historic market town. View offer Hebden Bridge, England: newly-renovated wide beam houseboat moored on the Rochdale Canal. View offer Loch Long, Scotland: cozy house with stunning views on the shore of Loch Long. Kayaks available to guests. View offer Cornwall, England: restored Cornish farmhouse with a wildlife pond, pizza oven, summer house and a meadow. View offer Cumbria, England: 300 year old farmhouse situated at the centre of 130 acres of farmland in the Eden Valley. View offer Villeneuve, Switzerland: boutique apartment with fast Wifi and desk for remote working. View offer Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France: fabulous home with roof top terrace with jacuzzi overlooking the sea. View offer Spanish Point, Ireland: cottage overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the sandy beach of Spanish Point. View offer

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Home Base Holidays: join for free and start home swapping Sign up to Home Base Holidays two-week free trial or select a full membership (6-month membership is just £29 and 1-year at £49). Home swap guarantee: second year free if you do not arrange a swap during your membership.

Had the Covid-19 vaccination and now looking forward to a post lockdown home exchange holiday?

Looking forward to your next home exchange getaway?

The speedy roll-out of vaccinations for the groups most vulnerable to Covid-19 has given us all hope of a gradual return to normality in the coming months. 

Many Home Base Holidays members had to put 2020 home swap plans on hold. However, there has been a steady increase in new members joining and current members renewing in recent weeks. Since this week's very welcome briefing from the UK government outlining a roadmap for easing restrictions, we've seen a big spike in members discussing home exchange holidays for this summer.

As with last year, when summer home exchanges were primarily domestic, many new exchange requests are again for home swaps not too far from home. Members looking for international destinations are often planning further ahead to home exchanges in late summer and beyond.

Without analysing in depth, it does look like the largest proportion of very recent new and renewing members are older travellers (we don’t ask for ages but members can indicate if they are seniors – see the "S" symbol in search result listings). It would make sense that older members are feeling the most optimistic at this time when the lucky ones have already had at least their first vaccination jabs, and others will get theirs soon. The speed of the roll-out of vaccination programmes will vary from country to country, as will the drop in numbers of people testing positive for Covid-19 so, although we still have a long way to go until travelling the world will be safe again, when many of us have hardly travelled further than our local parks for months, it’s great to be able to look ahead to better times and a change of scenery.

As in 2020, for the next few weeks at least, it’s best to pencil in potential home swap dates rather than make a firm commitment to exchange. However, this is a great time to start contacting members to suggest and plan swaps for when both parties feel comfortable doing so.

Swapping homes is one of the safest ways to travel as you and your family will have got to know your hosts and will be living in a self-contained, well-equipped family home, rather than mingling with many other visitors and staff in a hotel, busy resort or on a cruise ship, or renting a property that may have had many previous occupants recently. Please also check out the Cleaning Guidance to ensuring your home is Covid-safe for your guests.

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Arranging your home exchange:

It always pays to start planning your home exchange holiday well in advance of dates you want to travel. The first step is to add your home swap offer (details about your home, location and where/when you want to travel). Once you've added your home swap offer, spend some time contacting other Home Base Holidays members to ask if they would be interested in a swap.

Travel tips: when planning a home exchange holiday, it's a real plus if you can be flexible with travel dates and open to new destinations - one of the joys of home swapping is receiving a swap requests from interesting destinations you may not have previously considered. Being flexible with dates/destinations is especially useful while travel restrictions continue to fluctuate. If planning international travel, make sure to double check that tickets are refundable and, if possible, try to purchase flights using a credit card.

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Small selection of recent Home Base Holidays offers

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>> Browse home exchange holiday offers

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Useful links:

• Preparing for a home swap checklist 
• Top 10: things to do at the end of a home swap
• Cleaning tips for holiday home swaps during COVID-19
• BringBackTravel (interactive map of the latest travel restrictions)
• Search the latest home exchange offers

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Join Home Base Holidays: start planning your home swaps Looking for a much needed getaway? Arrange free holiday accommodation by choosing to swap homes rather than book hotels or holiday rentals. View the latest home swap offers then sign up to Home Base Holidays.

Recreating your home swap memories through food

Home swap travel plans postponed until later in the year? With much of the world again in lockdown, many of us will be looking for fun, proactive ways to fill the time and keep our spirits up. If you're tired of the TV and it's too cold and wet for gardening, you may want to head to the kitchen and try recreating some of your favourite dishes from around the world.

So, while non-essential travel and holidays are currently off the menu, try to relive some of those wonderful home exchange memories through food. Sure, it might not be quite as good as the real thing, but reliving memories of vineyards and olive groves, vibrant food markets, and mouth-watering meals comes a close second.

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A taste of Italy: Aubergine Parmigiana (Home Base Holidays member recipe) Former Masterchef contestant and Home Base Holidays member, Paul and his wife Judith, sent in the following recipe for a super delicious Aubergine Parmigiana.   Slice a couple of aubergines lengthways into 1cm slices. Slather with olive oil. Bake in a hot oven for about 20 mins or until brownish & tender. Meanwhile make a tomato sauce. Sweat some chopped onions/spring onions/leeks. Add chopped garlic then, a tin of tomatoes, past-their-best squashy ones or a jar of passata. Stir in a squish of tomato purée, a dash of Worcester Sauce, a sprinkle of sugar, a dusting of cayenne, a glug of wine - whatever is to your taste. Layer the aubergines and tomato sauce in an oven dish with plenty of seasoning and any herbs you like. Cover the top with grated or crumbled leftover cheese - cheddar, Parmesan, feta, mozzarella, Camembert - or all of them! Bake for another 45 minutes or so until the cheesy crust is oozing and golden. Serve sizzling, with bread to mop up the juices or as an accompaniment to lamb or fish. Also tasty served at room temperature with salads. Any leftovers can be frozen, then chopped up and used as a pasta sauce.

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Meet the members Paul and his wife Judith are early retiree art & design lecturers and very experienced home exchangers. The couple have a beautiful French home in Olonzac, right in the middle of the wine producing area of the Minervois in Languedoc Roussillon. Their home has a lovely courtyard planted with figs, grapes, lemons, olives, bougainvillea, oleander, hibiscus and lavender, as well as herbs and tomatoes, where you can dine al fresco.  View Judith & Paul's home swap offer

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How have you been keeping busy?

Have you been more adventurous with your cooking during lockdown? Let us know of any dishes that remind you of past holidays! Please get in touch, we'd love to hear!

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Join Home Base Holidays: plan your summer swaps Looking for a much needed getaway later in the year? Arrange free holiday accommodation by choosing to swap homes rather than book hotels or holiday rentals. View the latest home swap offers then sign up to Home Base Holidays.

Home swapping: back to normal in 2021?

The recent positive news of the success of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccine trials has been a very welcome boost and has given everyone hope that home exchange holidays will be given the green light to go for 2021.

As a result, over the last week we've seen a significant rise in Home Base Holidays members again starting to discuss home swap travel plans for next year. It's important though when planning your travels, especially if you're planning an exchange for this winter, to check the current travel restrictions.

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Travel reopening: country by country guide

Visit the BringBackTravel website to view an interactive map of the latest travel restrictions.

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Planning your home exchanges for 2021

It always pays to start planning your home exchange holiday well in advance of dates you want to travel. The first step is to add your home swap offer (details about your home, location and where/when you want to travel). Once you've added your home swap offer, spend some time contacting other Home Base Holidays members to ask if they would be interested in a swap.

Travel tips: when planning a home exchange holiday, it's a real plus if you can be flexible with travel dates and open to new destinations - one of the joys of home swapping is receiving a swap requests from interesting destinations you may not have previously considered. Being flexible with dates/destinations is especially useful while travel restrictions continue to fluctuate. If planning international travel, make sure to double check that tickets are refundable and, if possible, try to purchase flights using a credit card.

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Small selection of recent home swap offers

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>> Search home swap holiday offers for 2021

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Planning a home swap holiday:

• Preparing for a home swap checklist 
• Top 10: things to do at the end of a home swap
• Cleaning tips for holiday home swaps during COVID-19
• Search the latest home exchange offers

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Join Home Base Holidays: start home swapping Looking for a much needed getaway in 2021? Arrange free holiday accommodation by choosing to swap homes rather than book hotels or holiday rentals. View the latest home swap offers then sign up to Home Base Holidays.