Travel the Home Exchange Way

Promoting local attractions: home swap travel tip

If you live in a tourist area or a major city, you may think that potential home exchange partners will only be interested in how easy it is to get to well-known attractions from your home; of course, it is important to provide such information, and details of public transport, but don’t ignore those lesser known attractions closer to your home that you may take for granted or even not be aware of, for example, if you don’t have children living at home. Home swappers tend to be adventurous and open to exploring local neighbourhoods and will appreciate your suggestions which, of course, you can expand on when in direct contact during your home exchange arrangements.

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Anna and Jeremy, along with their toddler daughter and baby son, live in Herne Hill, a suburb in southeast London. They have included in the Home Base Holidays home swap offer a detailed and really inviting list of attractions in their area. See below the description of their local attractions. 

 

Within walking distance… 

• At the bottom of the road you’ll find Sunray Gardens, a peaceful public garden and play-park, with an artisan bakery and coffee shop nearby. The glorious Ruskin Park with wild flower garden, paddling pool and views across London is 10 minutes away on foot and you’ll pass the Grade II listed art-deco Carnegie Library en route. 
• Herne Hill, with its pedestrianised hub, is 8 minutes away on foot. You’ll find a flower shop, book shops, gift shops, artisan bakeries and restaurants amid live music from the street piano. The buzzing Sunday market sells a wide range of high quality food alongside vintage collections and designer craft.
• Herne Hill is directly opposite the magnificent Brockwell Park, South East London’s largest park, with orchard, rose garden, ponds, Lido, large children’s play area and cafes. There is a 600 year old oak tree and a fantastic view across London. 
• Dulwich Village is 15 minutes away on foot, home to the famous Dulwich Picture Gallery, serene Dulwich Park with its American Gardens, bike hire, boating lake and enticing café and ice-cream parlour. There’s also a historic pub in the village, plus more restaurants, cafes and gift shops to explore. 

Within 10 minutes by car or an easy bus ride away you’ll find…

Visit the fabulous overstuffed walrus in London's Horniman Museum

•  The unmissable Horniman Museum, with its natural history and musical instrument collection, gardens, butterfly house, aquarium and panoramic view across London (the famous over-stuffed walrus in the museum is shown in the photo).
• East Dulwich and Lordship Lane; home to a fantastic range of restaurants, including a pastificio selling to-die-for handmade pasta, a lively Saturday street market, plus cinema and boutiques.
• Brixton Village, you’ll find a maze of small, independent food outlets, selling authentic dumplings, pancakes, craft ales, Italian Cuisine, tapas and cocktails alongside unique galleries, clothes boutiques and gift shops. Brixton also has the elegant, refurbished cinema, the Ritzy.
• The South London Gallery in Camberwell, a famous contemporary art gallery, with café, bookshop and landscaped garden. 
• Sydenham Wood: one of London’s best kept secrets, a delightful mix of new and ancient woodland with remnants of Victorian gardens, home to more than 200 species of trees and plants as well as bats, birds and woodland mammals.
•  You`ll of course have all of all London available within easy reach - whilst there is much to enjoy within the immediate local area too.

View the family's full home exchange offer in London including photos of their home.

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Have a look at your own home swap offer and see if there is extra information you could provide on your area that would be of interest to potential home exchange partners. 

Train to Spain: home swap adventures, from 'bocadillos' to 'bikini'!

Guest post by Judith Stafford

"We were feeling bravas - patatas bravas - so we accepted a home swap offer for our French house and scrambled up onto an enormous train at Narbonne, then cruised our way to Spain. Grabbing baguettes and mini rosés from the station café, we were all set for a picnic while passing étangs, flamingoes, frothing surf and terracotta baked villages. 

The TGV had huge windows with massive blinds - so big in fact that you shared them with the person sitting in front of you. 

The person sitting in front of me was watching cartoons on his laptop, so had pulled the blind down. When we asked if we could possibly edge it up a nano-morsel, so as to enjoy the aforesaid view, his Maman responded with a fit of gesticulations and animated outraged spitting.

I wouldn’t mind but he was at least 37. Either that or a gargantuan, hairy ten year old. 

So, hunched down to peer through the three visible inches of panorama, we arrived in Barcelona Sants two hours later, like excited Quasimodos. 

Vilanova i la Geltrú is a seaside town just past Sitges, an easy 30 minute train ride from the city. 

We were met at the station by our host, who was charming and helpful as he guided us towards our new home. We met his delightful family, exchanged keys and off they drove to our place in the Languedoc. 

Our flat was light, cool and comfortable with a balcony peeking on to the port. We had everything we could possibly need there. 

Vilanova I la Geltrú is fringed with a selection of lovely beaches, is quieter than Sitges and a completely Spanish family holiday resort - no English menus, fried breakfasts or Anglophoam parties. 

We loved that about it, although with a total lack of Spanish we often felt like ignorant buffoons. For example, when I once unselfishly gave free rein to my husband in the choice of tapas. (I sometimes think that I am the only truly selfless person I know.) 

There he was ordering away with gay abandon - cheese, charcuterie, tuna with anchovies..... then it all arrived.....in sandwiches. In his frenzied hunger and excitement at new found  independence, he’d omitted to spot the word “bocadillo”. 

Now, I like a ham roll as much as the next señora but call me old fashioned, it’s not my idea of dinner.  

I spent the next morning shopping and called in there for a caffe con leche. As I sipped and surfed their Internet, feeling SO Catalunyan, a waiter mistakenly brought me a cheese sandwich, which nearly made me choke on my churros. If only I could have uttered a word I’d have shared the joke. As it was he just stared mournfully between his unwanted bocadillo and my coffee splattered chin. 

To spend ten days cycling between golden beaches and dipping into warm waters was bliss. Our host couple had a young son, whose bike I rode. I was told by the only other English speaker that I looked as if I should be in the circus. He called me Bippo and kept making beep beep noises like a clown’s car.

Not very suppportive. 

The various beaches had chiringuitos at intervals, supplying refreshment of all sorts. They ranged from chic cocktail pop ups with Ibiza vibes, to humbler kiosks pumping heavy metal. But even they sold Cava alongside the Magnums and crisps. 

The sea shelved gradually, so was popular with families, except for one cove with turquoise water and a thrillingly steep slope. This was the Naturist Beach.

Oooh that reminds me, we had some delicious mini chorizos one night, with Gorgonzola balls - fluffy on the middle, golden and crisp outside. There was also truffle veined peckeri.....sorry, pecorino. Damn this spellcheck. 

Everything we ate was fabulous, fresh and extraordinarily good value. Jamon with almonds, tangy anchovies, saltcod croquettas, melting garlicky squid, gazpacho and olive oil ice cream. 

It was all washed down with iced fizzling Cava - €2 a glass - or deep, leathery Rioja.

Villanova has its own mini Rambla and a marvellous covered mercado. 

Apart from the fish, meat, vegetation, oils, spices etc: there was a stall which sold home cooked dishes - tender rabbit with lentils, luscious chicken and peppers, quail with  olives, oozing cheesy croquettes, tortillas and crisp empanadas - at a price that you just couldn’t cook it for. So we didn’t. We took it back for candlelit suppers at our dining table in the flat, balcony doors open, sea breeze wafting. 

Vilanova is a bustling commercial town and many shops were in sale mode, which made for some good present shopping bargains. 

And there was a Zara. 

Swirling a brandy around a balloon glass, flamenco being sung at a beach bar, toes in the sand, moon reflecting on the Mediterranean - it’s a top minibreak. 

We ended with an afternoon’s shopping in Barcelona, checking our cases in at Sants station’s left luggage. (€10 per item.) 

The market, the boqueria, was heaving with traders, shoppers and tourists but it’s still always fun, colourful and mouth-watering. We squeezed onto a tiny lunch table at Joel’s Oyster Bar and shared six ostras, salmon sashimi and - naturellementados - a glass of Cava. 

With pulsing trotters we eventually staggered back to the station laden with Jamon, manchego, saffron, squid ink, truffles, an Andalusian jasmine, mini watermelon seeds and a doormat that said, fittingly, “Adios”. 

The train ride homewards was beautiful, as we rocked through the Spanish countryside, with a backdrop of receding mountains like layers of torn mauve tissue paper.  

Basquing in early evening sunshine, we chewed our market bocadillos and toasted Catalunya with wine from the buffet car. On crossing the border the scenery changed to salt flats and sodium encrusted ponds that ran pink, as the sun dripped like a paint brush, staining everything with vermillion ink. 

And our lovely Catalunyan family, with whom we have corresponded throughout, enjoyed the Minervois. So we’ve all agreed that we’d like to repeat the experience. 

However I’ve found out that saying French words in a Spanish accent just doesn’t cut the moutardos, so next time I’m going to learn some lingo.  Particularly as I’ll be accompanied by someone who’s a sandwich short of a picnic. 

P.S. To save further embarrassment, remember that “bikini” means a “cheese and ham toastie”.

Recommendations in Vilanova i la Geltrú:

La Sal, Toscana, Jardin Secreto, El Dinou, Cal Purgat for tapas/dinner.

Nomada for coffee & drinks on the beach. 

Yamamoto for amazing value and quality Japanese tapas. 

La Daurada beach club for sunset cocktails and jumping into deep blue sea from their deck."

- Judith Stafford  

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Editor's Note: If you love Judith's writing as much as we do at Home Base Holidays, check out her book, Chez Mwah: How to Languish in the Languedoc, described as 'part diary, part travelogue, this is the reality of owning a holiday home on a budget in southern France'.

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Judith and husband, Paul, have been members of Home Base Holidays since their children were tiny (they're now adults) and are very experienced home exchangers. View their home swap offer in France, a beautiful traditional 120 year old French town house in the friendly, bustling village of Olonzac, right in the middle of the wine producing area of the Minervois in Languedoc Roussillon, France.

 

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Interested in home swapping? Find your next home swap vacation 

Happy Australia Day 2018! Home swaps in Australia

We'd like to wish all our Australian friends a very Happy Australia Day 2018!

Australia Day is celebrated each year on the 26th January and marks the date of the first fleet of ships from Great Britain in 1788. The holiday is celebrated throughout Australia and by Australians throughout the world, with fireworks, organised events, or simply getting together with family and friends.

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Australian home swaps: If you're planning a holiday in Australia, rather than booking a hotel, arrange a home swap holiday so that you'll enjoy free accommodation and so slash the cost of your Aussie getaway.

Home Base Holidays has a large number of home swap offers throughout Australia, including apartments in Sydney, beach villas and rural retreats.

• Find your Australian home swap holiday

Happy Burns Night 2018! Home swap holidays in Scotland

Burns Night is celebrated every year in Scotland (and by many people throughout the world) on the 25th January. It celebrates the life of the Scottish bard Robert Burns, who was born on the 25th January 1759. 

If you are fortunate to be in Scotland on the 25th January, you'll be able to take part in some of the numerous festivities to celebrate the occasion. Check out the Burns Night section on Scotland.org for details of events happening throughout Scotland: www.scotland.org/whats-on/burns-night

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Want to visit Scotland? If you're looking to arrange a vacation in Scotland, rather than booking a hotel, enjoy free by arranging a home swap in a ...Highland cottage, an apartment in Edinburgh, a Scottish yurt ...and many more. Home Base Holidays has a large number of home exchange vacation offers located throughout Scotland. If you're interested in arranging a home swap vacation, check out the latest home swap travel offers in Scotland.

Discover London: Touting Tooting

Tooting's excellent covered market

"When Lois from Home Base Holidays first sent me the Guardian article, 'In praise of Tooting, south London', about my little corner of London and suggested I write something, it seemed a bit odd. I always write about the places I visit, not the place I call home.  But why not? It's a gem and I have unashamedly stolen the title my house swap friend *Bea from Switzerland used after she spent a fortnight here.

The first indication we got that we might be on the wider London map was when the Standard ran an article entitled 'Is Tooting the new Shoreditch?' and people started turning up trying to find places on their mobiles. No. It's not the new Shoreditch. It's unique, another article recently naming us the friendliest place in London and another one of the ten coolest places in London.

I first came to Tooting as a student in 1972 and bought a house here, the one I still live in, almost 30 years ago when I became deputy head of a local primary school. Tooting has changed and developed in a sustainable manner. Since Edward VII visited (his statue is outside one of our two tube stations) when a new social housing scheme had been widely praised, it has been a diverse and vibrant area. At the risk of sounding like an estate agent we have an amazing common and the largest open air pool by surface area in the UK. And an indoor pool too! Great public transport links, bus, rail tube, mean it's an ideal place to live and visit.

Harrington's Traditional Pie and Mash

I think it's the old in perfect harmony alongside the new that is marvellous. Harrington's is a traditional pie and mash shop, a family business since 1908 and still busy. The shops are varied with chains alongside charity shops and one-off concerns. There are plenty of bars, pubs and restaurants, a few known names but mainly independent.

But I think it's the vast covered market that typifies Tooting's success story. New businesses have opened alongside the old, rubbing shoulders and getting along just fine, the artisan baker and the man who sells giant suitcases, the tiny traditional pub and the trendy gin bar, the modern dining experience and the greasy spoon. My friend and I, serious wine tasters, regularly attend the weekly tastings at Unwined, a wine and food bar which is run by knowledgeable young people. One of the many interesting wines they sell is Chateau Tooting, a rose made mostly from grapes grown, yes, you've guessed it, here in Tooting. Tooting Market is a busy and interesting place by day and by night. So here's to the next thirty years. Don't think I'll be moving anywhere else." - Sandra (London)

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• Check out Sandra's home swap offer in Tooting
• Also check out *Bea's article, 'Touting Tooting' and tips from a wonderful summer home swap in London.

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Sandra's article could be sub-titled, 'Looking at the attractions in your own area as a home swap destination'. It's useful to do this to send to potential home swap partners; and we'd love to publish your personal take on what makes your little corner of the world a great place to live and to visit. Contact Home Base Holidays if you are interested in sharing your local attractions story.

Happy Thanksgiving Day Canada!

Happy Thanksgiving day to all Canadians.

...make sure to eat lots of pumpkin pie!

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Here's a few recent home swap offers available in Canada:

Vancouver: mountains to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Washington state to the south. View this home swap in Vancouver

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Ottawa: a great base from which to explore Ottawa, Canada's Capital city. View this home swap in Ottawa

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Eugenia, Ontario: quaint and quiet country cottage by Eugenia Lake. View this home swap in Ontario

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St. Malo, Manitoba: tranquil cosy cabin in rural Prairies. View this home swap in Manitoba

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Hedley, British Columbia: in the Similkameen Valley with hiking, fishing, skiing, a charming mining museum and wineries. View this British Columbia home swap

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Interested in visiting Canada? View home exchange offers in Canada