House Exchange for a Discounted Travel Vacation


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When you’ve been everywhere and done everything, it’s a fun idea to do a house exchange. Not only is it a fun and adventurous option, it is also an affordable travel option, especially when you are looking to travel overseas. There are a number of companies that specialize in this business such as Intervac. Using them, you have some reassurance through signing an exchange contract that you will not be let down at the last moment having already booked your discount flight.


You will see on their web site all the details of houses and apartments in all countries of the world ranging from cottages in the countryside to large houses with a swimming pool or near the sea or golf courses. You can run a search on specific requirements such as size of house, facilities and of course precise location and when they want to exchange. Exchange dates are usually quite flexible as many owners are teachers with long holidays or they are retired.

Some people have holiday homes that they put up for exchange and these obviously offer the greatest flexibility. Once you have found some that you like the look of, you email the owner and tell them about your home and requirements re dates and so on. You will have to register of course and this costs about $200 dollars a year. By so doing when you email they will see your reference number and they can look on the website to see what your house looks like and what you are offering. You can find discounted airfare to any international destination, allowing you to create a great house swapping vacation for you or your family.

If you have a pet you can arrange for them to look after your pet while you are at their home, they might also need pet care and that can be fun especially if you don’t have a pet yourself. If you are travelling with reluctant teenagers they might be thrilled to be able to have a pet for their holiday stay.

Many owners agree to car exchange as well and this is ideal because you can then have the freedom to explore the country you have chosen without having to pay for car hire. It’s quite easy usually to arrange insurance coverage for short periods if you are offering your car in exchange.

House exchanges are much more fun than staying in a hotel because you can step into another culture and live as they do. What other opportunity does one have to live in an Italian home for two weeks or a French one? The exchange family should leave you a file of information not only about the house but also where to shop for bread and where the best restaurants are. Also, what better way to extend the travel discounts that you already found on your airfare into a great accommodation?

You can travel light, you don’t need to take towels and basics, as they will be provided. Many of us need Internet access on holiday and you will be able to use their computer to check out local places or book discount flights internally if you are using the house as a base for further exploring. Many exchange partners are kind enough to ask a neighbour to pop in and check you are comfortable and this can lead to friendships locally.

You can make exchanges as often as you like and for as long as you like. You may want to exchange elsewhere in the US for a long weekend break or take a house near the sea in Europe for the whole summer. You shouldn’t have to worry about leaving your own home empty because they will be taking care of it. As it’s an exchange they will look after your home as they would wish theirs to be taken care of. If you have any private things or precious things you can put them away for safety or ask that certain rooms aren’t used. Don’t worry if you think your home is not as special as the one you want to exchange with. To someone coming from another country it will be delightfully different. Remember they aren’t buying your home, just staying in it so they will be out a lot of the time, as will you, so requirements will be different.

House exchange is a great way to take advantage of the wealth of cheap travel discounts available. You can arrange with your exchange family the exact dates you need so you can pick the best flight deal knowing you can arrive at the exchange home on that date and pick up the key. You will find it a great change from the usual travel package and a novel way to explore a new country or area.

Posted by Gabe on Mar 29, 2008 | Comments


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One Response to “House Exchange for a Discounted Travel Vacation”

  1. Posted by: Debo Hobo - 09/14/2008

    This is a great idea, there was a romantic comedy movie about just such a thing. It sounds like something I would live to try.

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