One Two Ski: April 2023

The end of a fabulous ski season at Sun Peaks Resort (it actually closes on April 10, but I’ve left a bit early) ……. and my thoughts are turning to Spring.

Praia da Luz in Portugal’s Western Algarve

HOME EXCHANGE - a free-of-charge alternative to paying for your travel accommodation

Some of you have asked me for the links to Home Exchange which I joined last year. So here it is: www.homeexchange.com

simonlouise-b74f2 (Use this code when joining to say who recommended you)

You can see an article about Home Exchange that I wrote for TOMORROW Algarve magazine last month here: http://tomorrowalgarve.com/mar-2023-vacation-currency

Since joining the network myself, I have done a two-week exchange with a couple in Vancouver and had a great stay in their place in November while they were enjoying my Portugal place. As I type this blog, I’m in another Vancouver property, just for the weekend this time, “paid” for by Guest Points. This is a one-way swap where the property owner is collecting points to “pay” later for a trip of their own somewhere else. Both of these exchanges have been 100% successful.

https://www.homeexchange.com/holiday-home/1988137 (our place in Portugal’s Western Algarve, you can only see it by joining though)

I am very happy to answer any questions you might have regarding loading your own property, photos, etc, on the site and about my experiences of swapping. And also about how to field all the enquiries you will quickly start to get. There’s big demand out there, with members from all over the world.

For negative replies, there’s an automatic “No” response (if you click on the envelope icon top right and click View Messages and then click on a specific message) which sends a very polite message without you having to type it every time. Obviously, if you are interested in a message, you write your own response through the message section. Having a 100% response rate puts you higher in the ratings as a member. Once you have started a negotiation with another member, you can swap emails, phone numbers, set up video chats, and link up on social media.

You get automatic Guest Points on joining and these you can use for several free nights stays using just points, not an actual swap. When doing a reciprocal swap (either simultaneously or at another time of the month or year), you can close off a bedroom (or other room/closet) to store your valuables and personal stuff if you like. And if you are getting a smaller property in the deal, you can close off rooms in your home to make the exchange more even. You don’t pay anything until you make a “contract” for your first exchange and that is just a minimal annual membership fee to the Home Exchange site (covers insurance etc).

Home Exchange Collection is the luxury property site and the company has recently purchased Love Home Swaps, too. If you have any questions, please email me on louise.hudson2011@gmail.com.