I love finding great travel deals, because money is often an obstacle that prevents us from taking the trips of our dreams (and right now, given the weather, we’re really craving a getaway).
So, a few years ago, when I went to Quebec, I looked into cheaper accommodation options. I had heard about apartment exchanges, a friendly and inexpensive way to travel all over the world.
So, back then, I signed up for the home exchange site HomeExchange.
The principle is simple: in exchange for an annual membership fee of €130 (which works out to €11 per month), you get access to offers from other members worldwide who are ready to swap their apartment for yours.
You need to fill out a profile (in a bilingual version if you have the skills) about your apartment: the square footage, number of rooms, description, floor, etc., which you can enhance with photos. You also specify how many people your apartment can accommodate and how many people are in your travel party.
Once this step is done, you can make proposals to other members living in the region or country you want to visit, or wait for others to make you proposals if you are ready to go on an adventure almost anywhere.
As a Parisian, I can assure you that even with a small apartment, you will attract quite a few proposals. Another benefit is that you don’t have to be a homeowner to swap your apartment, since it’s not considered subletting because no money is exchanged.
Of course, you have to be trusting and accept that people you don’t know will come and live in your home for a few days. You will certainly not cross paths, but you can talk at length (via email or phone) with your hosts before confirming the exchange.
Moreover, people who sign up for the site are there to play along; they have paid their subscription just like you and have the right mindset for this type of concept.
Another interesting thing is that the exchange is not necessarily simultaneous. Indeed, your hosts can come when you are traveling elsewhere, and you can go to their place later. However, this is not always the easiest thing to organize.
The Great Deal: For you, my dear readers, HomeExchange is offering you a 20% discount on your subscription, valid for any registration in 2013 with the following code: MelleTroc2013.
I hope this makes you want to travel differently!
