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How would you like to visit Paris in the spring? Sample localwines in Tuscany in September? Enjoy the English countryside inthe summer? Sound like a dream? It doesn't have to be.
You can travel to some of the world's most exotic and beautifullocations, and stay in an Italian villa, a Parisianpied-a-terre, or an English manor and you'll only pay forairfare, dining out and tourist attractions!
How? By using a housing exchange service. Some of thesecompanies have been around for 50 years, and are widely used inEurope, Asia and Australia.
It works like this. You pick what country you want to visit,when you want to go, and how long you want to stay. Arrangementsare made, and you exchange homes with someone else.
This is a wonderful way to drastically cut costs, and yet seeexciting, wonderful places. By staying in a home, you're notpaying the high cost of hotels (which can run upwards of $125 anight) or dining in restaurants, saving you hundreds, if notthousands of dollars!
Plus, you get the added benefit of living like the locals do.You enjoy total immersion into the culture, and rather thanbeing treated like a tourist, you have the opportunity to makenew friends and participate in your surroundings as a member ofthe community. With a "homebase" you have the choice of how youwant to explore the region.
You also have the peace of mind that comes from knowing thatyour home is being carefully looked after, your plants are beingwatered, and your pets are taken care of.
So, how do you get started? Do an Internet search for "housingexchange." Find a company that you're comfortable with. Sign upand join the housing exchange list. (Some companies have over10,000 members!) Decide where you want to travel, when
travel,,Flights,,vacation package
and howlong you want to stay. Then, with a click of your mouse, you canfind information of other, like-minded travelers, who want tovisit your area.
You can look at pictures and read short bios about the homes, tohelp you make your decision, and then contact the owners toreach an agreement.
Here are some of the things you'll want to agree on: Totalnumber of adults and children staying in the home Use of thevehicle and it's maintenance What linen will be provided inhouse, and how will it be cleaned? Care of pets Long distancephone calls
Don't worry though. Your housing exchange company can help youput together a list, and give you ideas for preparing for yourguests.
Instead of going to a cold, impersonal hotel room, you go "home"and are welcomed by your next door neighbor, who gives you thehouse keys and invites you to dinner the next evening, tellingyou to call them if you have any questions.
When you enter the front door, there's a bottle of wine andfresh flowers on the table to welcome you. You find a note onthe fridge, telling you how to heat the light meal that's beenprepared for you. On the kitchen counter is a pile of brochuresand maps, giving you insider information about where to go andwhat to see.
Over the next week, you visit the places you've only dreamedabout during the day, making new friends and building memoriesthat will last a lifetime. And every night when you come "home"you get to relax and unwind, without stress or worrying aboutanything.
You can have the vacation you've always dreamed about, and savethousands of dollars at the same time! Bon voyage!
About the author:
To find the best travel and vacation tips, advice, and bookingsvisit: http://www.travel-adventure-guide.com
Written by: Selvyn Patterson
GooGle News
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