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Honeymoon exchange - Part II: Exotic Adventure

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archived in fun activities ideas, love and romance, places

The final part of this week’s honeymoon exchange pack includes two suggestions to add adventure to your home exchange honeymoon. Most times when you travel you are embarking in an adventure, but these destinations will give you an extra dose of adrenaline. Enjoy!

Photograped by Mila Zinkova

Photograped by Mila Zinkova

French Polynesia - There are over 100 islands in the French Polynesia, but you probably heard of Tahiti and Bora Bora. This tropical paradise is located in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Australia and South America. Water sports in clear lagoons created by the coral reefs holding the ocean waters are the best adventure attraction of these islands: snorkeling or scuba diving with sharks, dolphin23s and stingrays, parasailing, water skiing, kayaking while you see everything that is going on in the water below you, and even underwater walks.

Mauritius - This tropical island is part of the archipelago known as the Mascarene Islands. Beautiful, pristine beaches, unspoiled environment. The food is something to be tried as the local cuisine has been influenced from Creole, Chinese, Indian and even European cuisine, along with the local Rum. Regarding the adventure part, water sports are the best way to exploit the warm oceanic waters that surround the island, but there are many adventure sports that will allow a close encounter with the stunning natural beauty of the island. We recommend surfing (specially in renowned Tamarin Bay), sea diving, windsurfing, water-skiing, snorkeling in the coral reefs, mountain biking, rappelling, horse riding and trekking.

If you want to relax after the adventure is over, there are several spas in these destinations as their tourism industry is well developed and they offer fist class services. Just look for your special home exchange opportunity using HomeForHome.

Honeymoon exchange - Part II: Two European Classics

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archived in cities, love and romance, money saving, places

There are no surprises in this post, just a two of the most famous and classic romantic honeymoon destinations in Europe. The upside of our post? With home exchange you don’t need to worry about the cost because with HomeForHome you will find someone interested in a free home swap. This means you probably won’t have to split your budget between the wedding and the honeymoon because accommodation expenses usually account for over 50% of a trip’s budget so you will be making a huge cut there :)

Paris, France - As romantic as it can get, Paris is of course the capital of romance. Three suggestions for an unforgettable afternoon: a rest stop in a Parisian cafe terrace, a walk holding hands down Montmartre or the Avenue des Champs Elysees, kissing on any of the numerous Seine Rives bridges. Quoting Woody Allen: “As long as you haven’t been kissed during any of those rainy Parisian afternoons, you haven’t been kissed at all.

A few other places worth a visit: the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg Castle and the adjacent gardens and the Louvre Museum. Check our 10 step guide to Paris

Image by Francesco Marino /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image by Francesco Marino /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Venice, Italy - Noise, smog and traffic will not interfere with the romance in Venice. Other unique things in Venice? The canals, the gondolas and the gondoliers themselves, Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica, the “Ponte dei Sospiri” (the Bridge of Sighs), the art decorations in most buildings, Murano glass, and Venetian food… Mmm

In case you are wondering there are several registered swappers in both destinations, so HomeForHome is the place to start planning your classic romantic honeymoon.

Honeymoon exchange - Part I: North America

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archived in cities, love and romance, places

Home exchange can be the way to travel under any circumstances. Honeymoon? Why not? You will know the date with plenty of time to plan and execute your home-swap-partner search, you can be a little flexible about the date, you won’t be using your own house and there are many interesting destinations with registered swappers. Today we have five suggestions from North America that can make an excellent honeymoon nest.

Niagara Falls - Considered one of the most romantic places in North America, a home exchange to the area near Niagara Falls can become the perfect honeymoon. The Niagara Falls are both accessible from the US and Canada and HomeForHome has registered houses near the Falls from both sides.

Florida - Perfect weather, tranquility, a varied entertainment offer including some of the most famous theme parks. With over 100 houses registered and ready to swap, HomeForHome is the right place for you to find a swap partner in Florida.

Cancun - Another warm tropical place to relax with your spouse. The Caribbean waters, Mayan archaeological sites, the unexplored cenotes, a few theme parks, and a must in Cancun: swimming with dolphins.

Hawaii - Probably the closest to honeymoon in paradise: sandy beaches, crystalline waters, impressive natural environment, first class services for relaxation and pleasure. Check out HomeForHome’s 14 registered homes in Hawaii and think no more!

Image by thephotoholic /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image by thephotoholic /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

New York - What can be said about New York that you don’t imagine already? This city has everything: famous places, nightlife, entertainment, events year-round, and the list can go on and on…

Every vacation with home exchange

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archived in Advantages, Home Exchange, love and romance

Everyone deserves to spend time relaxing once in a while and that’s why vacations should be planned so that they are as unique as the person that needs to relax. Some people need excitement to get away from their daily duties, some people need to spend their vacations quietly, maybe sleeping more than they usually do, or reconnecting with family and friends, or just a combination of sun, sea and sand.

Photo by Chan-_-Chan /Flickr.comWhat about you? Are you looking for an exciting vacation? Do you prefer quiet destinations to unplug from the city rush? Are you counting the days to get to the beach? What about a romantic escapade to an uncrowded small village? No matter the preference, the right place is accessible through home exchange.

Whether you are planning a family vacation, a few days by the beach, a touring time in the city, an adventurous vacation trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, etc., there is a home in HomeForHome with all you need to complete your custom made “vacation pack”. Even a romantic honeymoon trip may be waiting for you in a home exchange. What would be more romantic than having a complete house for two? No crowded hotel or resort. Just a couple, having their first morning breakfasts in the kitchen with no schedule or timetable, moonlight dinners in the terrace or garden, if you can imagine it you can have it in your swap.

Combinations are also possible. For example, you may have a romantic getaway to an important city, combining the tranquility of a residential area for your “alone” times and the proximity of downtown areas, easily accessible, with cultural attractions, nightlife and entertainment. Get ready to swap and enjoy!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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archived in love and romance

Happy Valentine’s Day to all our home swappers! The most romantic day of the year is here, a time to let your loved ones know how much you care about them. Now, are you having trouble writing a card? Well, we won’t write the card for you, but to get you in a better mood we have a selection of humorous quotes about love. We chose humour because even if you don’t have a card to write, you will have some fun anyhow.

“Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity.” — Albert Einstein

“No man is truly married until he understands every word his wife is not saying.” — Anonymous

“You can’t buy love on eBay.” — Anonymous

“Men aren’t necessities, they’re luxuries.” — Cher

“If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?” — Anonymous

“There are three kinds of men who do not understand women: Young, old, and middle-aged.” — Anonymous

“To laugh often and love much… to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to give one’s self… this is to have succeeded.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.” — Alice Reppler

“Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love.” — Albert Einstein

“What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork.” — Pearl Baile

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” — Franklin P. Jones

We hope you enjoyed our selection, and remember if you want to find a romantic home exchange deal visit HomeForHome. Our listings include homes in the most romantic cities around the world. If you haven’t registered yet, you can do it in just a couple of minutes (registration is FREE) and you can start contacting other users right away!

By graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Valentine getaway

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archived in Home Exchange, Tips, fun activities ideas, love and romance

heartsFor some it is the most romantic day of the year, for others not so much, but one way or the other, you are probably going to share a special moment and even exchange presents with your significant other. For the most enthusiastic ones and, why not, all those looking for a good excuse to travel we have our HomeForHome (obvious) suggestion: a getaway exchange. Many of our members could be just looking for the same deal: a weekend exchange in a romantic place for a different and unique celebration this February 14th.

HomeForHome has members all over the world, so near of far, your Valentine exchange could be around the corner. For some people, it may be too little time to plan and coordinate an exchange, and that is understandable, but for others it may be easier. For example, if you already had a successful swap in a place you just loved, contact your previous home exchange partner and check if their place will be available during the 14th. Check the forums, there are many topics asking for weekend exchanges.

With only a few weeks before Valentine’s Day you may also find good last minute deals on flights and that wouldn’t hurt the Valentine budget either. A special dinner vs a unique romantic getaway, what would you choose?

Swiss Beauty

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archived in Home Exchange, love and romance

One of the most romantic and probably one of the most famous winter vacation spots among couples is the Alps in Switzerland. Although the Swiss Alps is a good place to go to all year-round, the most snow fall peaks around January and February. But what if you are planning to visit on a different time of year? Switzerland boasts fantastic sceneries and romantic places to go to which you can have the best views of all year round whether through a hike, a cross-country drive, a rail trip or a boat trip on the lakes. A relaxing spa at the middle of the Alps is a rewarding experience.

train

The Alps is not the only place to see when you are in Switzerland. There are many other places that you could go to, other must see places are Lucerne and nearby Saentis, Matterhorn, Jungfraujoch and Zurich. There are lots of art museums and tourist spots too. Enjoy the sights of castles, historical old towns and churches which are simply amusing. Because of Switzerland’s diverse culture, there is a lot to be discovered. Tease your taste buds with gastronomic delights from specialties of culinary regions to wine tasting, chocolate indulging down to haute cuisine.

If you are planning to make a trip for the Holidays in Switzerland, better look for a home exchange earlier on. The Holidays is a peak season for tourism in the country so prices for hotel accommodations are slightly higher than normal. Having a home exchange instead will definitely be a great idea if you want to cut back on expenses a little bit. Another good thing about home exchange is the convenience of having a place to stay ready even before you set your foot in this breath-taking country. So what’s the reason not to spend the Holidays in Switzerland?


10 step guide to Paris

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archived in Tips, fun activities ideas, love and romance

Now that the main juice of the summer, the sweet nectar has been syruped up, it’s time to pick yourselves up, dust yourselves off, and get planning those autumn mini-breaks away!

It would be so sad to say good bye to the summer if autumn wasn’t so damn pretty! So as the more orangey sun grazes on the crunchy autumn leaves, it’s time to start thinking about where you would really enjoy spending the most romantic and aesthetically pleasing of the seasons.

Charming, elegant, full of class and culture… Where could you go? Paris, of course! Where every individual molecule hanging in the incensed air quivers with romance.

Located in the heart of the Île de France, Paris is easily accessible from the main European cities thanks to the many low cost airlines that fly there.

Moreover, as we have repeated many times now, you can save money by swapping your home with some Parisian type eager to visit the beautiful country … we have over 1500 French houses!

Paris is a city so alive and intense that not even a month would be enough to visit it all … but we will offer ten point guide:

1. LOUVRE

1louvreLocated within the former French royal palace, the Louvre Museum is one of the most famous and most visited in the world. It is a thriving artistic and cultural home to some of the most precious art treasures of Paris.
Musée du Louvre 99, rue de Rivoli, 75001, www.louvre.fr

2. ORSAY MUSEUM

2orsaySituated in the romantic heart of Paris, on the Left Bank, the Musee d’Orsay has a ripe old charm because it is situated in the old Gare d’Orsay station in the Belle Epoque, which houses collections of 19th century domestic famous throughout the world. Musée d’Orsay 1, rue Bellechasse, Paris 75007

www.musee-orsay.fr

3. TOUR EIFFEL

3eiffelThe most famous monument in Paris was completed March 31, 1889, and is the result of the work of the engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel. As the Eiffel Tower was built, the public was not particularly satisfied by the its implementation because they thought that the structure was unattractive. Today, however it is considered one of the most remarkable examples of architectural art in the world. It receives in any season a great number of tourists from all backgrounds who come to admire it - in all its majesty - or to even climb it to enjoy the spectacular city views.
Eiffel Tower, Champs de Mars, Paris 75007, www.tour-eiffel.fr

4. POMPIDOU CENTER

4pompidouIn one of the oldest districts of Paris, President Pompidou wanted to create a cultural center that would give space to modern and contemporary art as well as fashion, design, film and literature. This was the genesis Pompidou Center, a curious structure that occupies an area of about one hundred thousand square meters, where it remains affected by its external pipes, each in a different color. This is because each color corresponds to a different one of its functions.

Center Pompidou, Place Georges Pompidou, Rue Saint-Martin, Paris 75004, www.centrepompidou.fr

5. LATIN QUARTER

5latinquarterOn the Left Bank of the Seine, you have the Latin Quarter, the heart of young life in Paris. It is full of shops, bookstores, film-clubs, and the most fashionable bars and restaurants amongst students are concentrated here. The name suggests a neighborhood full of Brazilian, Mexican and Columbian cafes,but this area of Paris actually takes its name from the Latin language spoken by the professors of the Sorbonne, the most prestigious universities in the world, where everyone has at least once dreamed of studying, Indeed for centuries, the life of this neighborhood revolves around its most important institution.

6. MARAIS

6maraisOn the Right Bank of the Seine, north of Île Saint-Louis, one of the most visited zones, a busy area full of trendy bars and clothing shops, where different lifestyles cluster together in the streets. These are punctuated by the great aristocratic palaces of the Renaissance, from grand hotels to small and characteristic medieval alleys. Other important points of reference for visitors are the Picasso Museum and his collection of works by the Spanish master, the Museum of art and history of Judaism.

7. MONTMATRE

7montmatreSituated on a hill 130 meters high, Montmartre in 1800 was the bohemian neighborhood where artists from around the world went to discuss art and politics. An irreverent district, crowded with tourists at all hours is a magical place, where Delacroix, Picasso, Modigliani, Utrillo and Van Gogh lived. But today, instead of the big names in art, there are painters and artists of all kinds of business trying to attract the attention of tourists. Then there’s Place Pigalle, a site famous throughout the world, seen and reviewed in numerous films, Moulin Rouge, known for “Dorissa Girls, girls strip and perform with ballet including the famous Cancan, is still an attraction for many tourists thanks to the increasingly rich offering of entertainment and dancing.

8. GARDENS

8-giardiniBesides being the city of a thousand lights, it is also a city full of green spaces, ideal for relaxing away sunny afternoons, spent for example in the most famous French garden. Known as the Garden of Luxembourg, a public park of 24 hectares, and founded in 1612 by Maria de ‘Medici, this garden is located on the border with the area of Saint Germain des Près, this is a beautiful green space full of thickets, tree-lined streets and culminates in a large panoramic terrace, with statues of French kings chosen by King Louis Philippe. Inside the garden is the Palais du Luxembourg, home to the Senate. It offers a luxurious landscape and is much loved by visitors of all ages, for a quick lunch in the open air, or for a leisurely stroll to spend happy evenings there, delighting in tennis courts and areas for children’s play. The Tuileries Gardens instead, were created in the seventeenth century at the behest of Catherine de Medici, and originally next to the gardens there was also the Tuileries Palace that were destroyed in a fire in 1871. Today the park, bordered by the Louvre to the east and west from the Place de la Concorde, is brimming with entertainment for children.

9. LA FAYETTE

9-la-fayetteWith their stunning Art Nouveau cupola, Galeries Lafayette are located in the district of works on the Boulevard Haussmann, and in general form a fascinating place full deputy shopping elite.
Galerie La Fayette 40, boulevard Haussmann, Paris 75009, www.galerieslafayette.com

10. FAVELA CHIC
10-favela-chicOne of the centers of Parisian nightlife, once famous for its prison that housed political and religious prisoners, and that was destroyed during the French Revolution of 1789, today is presented instead as one of the most vibrant areas of Paris. It is often used for concerts and other events where you can admire a wide choice of bars, nightclubs and live music halls.

Shooting stars

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archived in family, fun activities ideas, love and romance

If you’re a city-dweller, and have been so all your life, then you may never have even seen a shooting star. Throughout centuries in songs and literature, shooting stars have been documented and romanticised.

But even if you understand the symbol well, it’s still a special moment seeing one for the first time.  Imagine taking a vacation deep in the heart of the French country-side. Russtarstic farm-houses, lazy vintage tractors mowing down the windy, dusty roads, a heavy, roving sun beating down. Vine-yards.

Then imagine a chalky, warm evening. Outside in the garden you can tuck in to a light dinner, with some authentic, fruity wine. Then, with the over-whelming sound of the orchestra of crickets, you can look up to the clearest sky you’ve ever seen. So deep in the French country-side, so far away from either pollution or light-pollution, the sky clear, bright and striking.

The stars seem a lot closer, and you can see so many of them shoot across the sky as they give out their final blare of brilliance to the universe. It really is like nothing else. It’s the perfect romantic evening, either spent with a partner, or simply alone enjoying the aesthetic quality of the surroundings.

The Holiday!

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archived in fun activities ideas, love and romance, tips for going abroad

Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet have done it. In the film The Holiday they are both single women desperately in need of a change in camerondiazclimate. To get this climate change, you simply sign up online and go and stay in someone else’s home, whilst they’re in yours.

In The Holiday, as neither Cameron nor Kate’s characters go particularly prepared, they each get to know a new charming man, fall in love with him and end their vacation with a new relationship.

Are you also single and fed up things? Maybe you feel that you need a bit of a break somewhere, because either at home or at work you feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall. Then leave it to home exchange, and take advantage of a new environment. You can go to a new place, live like the locals, meet new interesting people, and maybe even meet a new partner! Even if it doesn’t come to love, you can definitely make some new friends ;-)

So, what do you say? Could it change your life, bring winds of change into your life, or simply help you get to know new places? Home exchange is a great way to take a cheap vacation. Give it a try.