HOME SWAP
by Samira Daneshvar

Swaps can mean homes tailored to kids and could even mean the use of a car.

For most people, accommodation choices for holidays include a hotel, self-catering or some form of camping.

There is an alternative, however. Providing that you live in an area that provides interest for other tourists, it is possible for you to organise a home swap.

The benefits of home swapping are financial and practical. Instead of paying for hotel or self-catering accommodation for your family, which can add up to quite a handsome sum, it is possible to get all your home comforts rent-free. And it is possible to do this with a family here or abroad.

You will enjoy having the space and the convenience of staying in a real home. Exchange with a family with children of a similar age to your own, and your children will have a whole new set of toys, books and videos to occupy them.

Other young families will have homes suitable for the needs of young children, which enables you to pack much lighter than is usually the case when travelling with little ones.

You can even swap cars.

Home swapping enables you to cut down on expensive meals out and have free home entertainment. Exchanging with a family often has extra perks such as local babysitters and playmates for your children.

Not everyone exchanges with families similar to their own and, provided you make certain that the home will be suitable for children before you agree to an exchange, there are no restrictions on who you can exchange with.

Experienced home swapper Jo Piercey, an American who lives in a small village in rural England with her husband and three children, swapped her home for a stay in Cape Cod in the US. “We were a little hesitant as our exchange partner was a bachelor,” says Piercey. “We did the usual swapping of photographs and chats on the phone and decided he was the chap for us.”

The home swapper in Cape Cod even borrowed baby equipment so the family didn’t have to carry everything on the long-haul flight. “Overnight we had a cot, a car-seat, a pushchair, a playpen and a bag of toys.”

The family previously exchanged their home for a stay in Florida. “It was a fabulous exchange with a couple who had two sons,” says Piercey. “Their home was beautiful and it included a swimming pool, jacuzzi and the use of a small motorboat.

“I do hope they had as good a time in our humble cottage as we did in their splendid Florida paradise.”


Arranging a suitable home exchange may take rather longer than the average holiday booking, but the communication by email and phone allows both families to get to know each other, which reassures both sides that they are dealing with responsible people who share priorities and interests.

The children can enjoy getting to know each other via email, planning theme park visits, comparing toys and games, favourite things to do locally and preferred restaurants.
Home exchanging offers the chance to live a different way of life and not be the typical tourist. This particularly offers children engaging education and adventure.

Flexibility and readiness to compromise are required for a successful home exchange. It may be necessary to adapt dates and ideal lengths of stay, but there is no doubt that the advantages significantly outweigh any inconvenience, and detailed planning reaps its reward.

Visitors may view all current exchange offers, often with photos, and join Home Base Holidays online.

Report by Samira Daneshvar

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Contact information

http://www.homebase-hols.com