| In these troubled economic times vacations are | | | | arrange one main vacation, which may involve |
| naturally the first things to suffer. After all, the | | | | traveling thousands of miles, plus additional much |
| average vacation costs thousands of dollars and | | | | shorter weekend, or long weekend exchanges to |
| less and less people have that amount of spare | | | | locations much closer to home. Alternatively, lots |
| cash floating around. | | | | of exchangers prefer to pass over the big |
| However, think for a moment: with a little online | | | | exchange, opting instead for several shorter trips. |
| research, it's possible to find some great deals on | | | | When you think about it, the options and possible |
| flights; the airlines are hurting and are offering | | | | arrangements are endless. A home exchange |
| unbelievable fares. Accommodation represents by | | | | listing allows you specify your exact preferences |
| far the biggest expenditure, but there is a very | | | | in dates, length of stay, destination, and much |
| easy solution offering accommodation completely | | | | more. |
| free: home exchange! | | | | Having said that, it's always best if you can |
| Since its humble beginnings back in the fifties, | | | | manage to be as flexible as possible. Don't forget, |
| home exchange has been growing steadily in | | | | a home exchange is very much a two-way |
| popularity. Dozens of companies have grown up | | | | arrangement and the more give and take on both |
| promoting the concept, a handful of which have | | | | sides, the easier it will be to find a partner. |
| been around for twenty plus years and longer. | | | | As you read, thousands of people are all over the |
| Another significant saving comes when the home | | | | world home exchanging: taking part in a vacation |
| exchangers also swap their cars. Have you | | | | other people only dream about, and all it's cost |
| checked the car rental prices lately? On a recent | | | | them is their travel expenses. The average |
| trip to the UK my husband spent more on the | | | | exchanger is usually more interested in location, |
| car rental than his economy air fare! | | | | with big houses exchanging with little apartments, |
| Often families 'exchange' pets, leaving the family | | | | villas with condos. |
| pet(s) in their familiar home environment with the | | | | Home exchange is for anyone and everyone: |
| visiting family agreeing to care for them. This too | | | | retired folk, couples, single, families with children. All |
| can represent a substantial money savings perk. | | | | enjoy experiencing new lifestyles, and cultures, |
| Kennel fees quickly mount up. | | | | exploring not only the popular destinations, but |
| Home exchanging provides a base with all the | | | | also locations way off the beaten track. Parents |
| comforts of home. Instead of a generic hotel | | | | provide their children with opportunities to learn |
| room, you have an entire home to spread out in - | | | | new languages and lifelong benefits of living like a |
| a kitchen to cook scrambled eggs at three in the | | | | local and gaining confidence in other countries. |
| morning, books to read, games and toys for the | | | | Just remember this simple fact: when the |
| kids, often friends close by for them to play with, | | | | accommodation costs you nothing, you're able to |
| and friendly, helpful neighbors close by, a world | | | | spend more not only on traveling, but on the |
| away from tourist traps. | | | | simple pleasures that make your trip so much |
| A great many seasoned home exchangers | | | | more enjoyable. |