Your Next
Getaway is Closer Than You Think!
After my first home swap, I pretty much knew I found the
best way to travel! With swapping, not only did I eliminate the cost of my
accommodation from my travel budget, a home gave me the amenities I needed (such
as a kitchen to prepare meals), more space to relax and an opportunity to
experience a different way of living. I thought I knew everything about the
concept... so much so that I wrote a book about it! But I was wrong.
Being involved with home swapping has allowed me to
travel the world while only paying for my transportation. But now, with work
and other demands, travelling abroad is becoming less frequent. Yet with still
having the need to regularly get away, I came upon the perfect solution - house
swapping locally where the swap is only a road trip away. Here homeowners trade
their city homes for country retreats and vice versa offering everyone a much
needed change of pace without the stress of a long distance trip.
In looking closely at the concept, I was thrilled with
the ease of its preparation. I would no longer need to spend the countless
hours that’s usually required when planning an international exchange. Nor
would I need to pay the steep price for an airline ticket. All I would need
would be a full tank of gas in my vehicle and I’d be on my way.
I was also delighted with the many other benefits of
swapping locally such as reducing any unknowns by talking directly my swapping
partner or having the option to have a pre-vacation visit to the home to ensure
that it would meet all my needs. Most importantly, the flexibility of swapping
locally offers the perfect solution as it allows me to take several
mini-vacations throughout the year. I no longer need to cash in all my vacation
days at once for an extended trip down south or abroad because sometimes all I need
is a weekend escape to recharge my batteries.
Swapping locally is also ideal for the novice swapper who
has heard of the concept and wants to give it a try to see if it’s right for them.
For seasoned swappers, it’s a chance to getaway and rejuvenate in surroundings
not far from home but light years away from everyday routine. It’s also a great
accommodation alternative when visiting one’s children at university or
attending an organized sports tournament or class reunion.
And the best part when swapping homes with someone who is
only a road-trip away, if the weather forecast looks unfavourable, the swap can
be postponed to a time when the weather is more pleasant. There are no airline tickets
to cancel!
The concept of swapping locally was conceived by Montreal-based
Catherine Massé when she traded her city home for a weekend getaway with a
friend’s home in the country. After a 45 minute drive, Massé and her family
were instantly surrounded by the calmness of a country setting while her
friend’s weekend was filled with the vibrancy of city life. “We both enjoyed
the best that each other’s world had to offer and it was the least complicated
(and least expensive) vacation I’ve ever planned for my family” recalls Massé.
Seeing a need to make home swapping more accessible to all
homeowners (and not just to those who live in popular tourist destinations) and
after experiencing all the countless benefits of exchanging, www.LocalHomeSwap.com was created. The
community is made up of like-minded travellers who support the sharing economy
concept. And as part of a community, mutual respect is one of the natural
results of sharing, with members caring for each other’s homes as though they
were their own. It’s a true win-win!
For a limited time, Local Home Swap is offering free annual
memberships. It’s a great way to experience a home exchange and to save
hundreds to thousands of dollars on your next vacation. Join this growing community of home swappers and discover why
your next escape is
closer (and sooner) than you think!
Here are some pictures for you to enjoy on home swapping.
BIO:
This post has been written by Sandra Pearson, a serial home
swapper based in Toronto, Ontario. Driven to have everyone try a home
swap at least once, Sandra recently joined Local Home Swap to make swapping
easier and more accessible to everyone. She has shared this passion recently
when interviewed by the Globe and Mail’s Travel Concierge. (see link for
featured article http://bit.ly/1hpQj2F).
Whether travelling or at home, Sandra is always available to answer your home
swapping questions, sandra@localhomeswap.com
All the above comments belong to the Guest Blogger Sandra Pearson.
I have received nothing for posting this guest blogger's information except to share with my followers and viewers. Debbie
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