Home Swap: Vacationing Without Swanky Hotels
Ever watched the romantic comedy "The Holiday" in which Cameron Diaz plays a sophisticated Los Angeles denizen who exchanges homes with Kate Winslet, who plays a character living in the English countryside in Surrey?
City versus countryside cultural shock humor aside, home swaps aren't for everyone, but for the adventurous who are able and willing, exploring these sites will allow you to vacation without hefty hotel bills.
First home exchange allows you to match your exchange preferences with home owners in other countries. Post information about your house swap offer including your preferred destination and dates. Once a match is made, it's up to you and the exchange counterpart to work out the details.
Going with the slogan of "Mi Casa Su Casa," this site is a membership organization that was founded in 1992. Catering to lesbians, gays and gay-friendly members (a few with children) in over 20 countries and regions who've listed in the Member Directory with a property description and two photographs of their house or apartment. The Member Directory is an informative catalog that is updated regularly online.
Digsville operates on a free membership system, allowing for international vacationing. Users will have to fill out a detailed questionnaire that includes disclosing your housekeeping habits to ensure that you get a exchange match that won't result in too much of a shock when you return home.
GlobalFreeLoaders is also international and free, the only requirement is that as you enjoy being a guest and staying for free, that you also become a host at some point. The founder of the site writes on the user info section: "If you visit 20 other members then you're expected to accommodate 20 other members, over whatever period you're comfortable with." This system isn't a simultaneous exchange but rather, a guest-host set up, meaning, it'll give you a chance to stay at someone's home while the owner is there. The advantage being that if it's a foreign country, the local host will be able to show you all the local culture.
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