For many people, home exchange has solved the troubling idea of not bringing an important member of the family on their vacations: their pet. But sometimes, the possibility of travelling with your pet doesn’t solve a major problem, how can we avoid the trip being a bad experience for them? Your pet may be used to short distance car drives or you can train your pet for a long distance drive by taking trips of longer distance every time and even check with your vet for advice to make the trip an enjoyable one, but what if you need to take a long distance flight to your destination?

Well, for this particular issue, there’s a new solution called “Animal Airways” that provides many pet travel services. Their idea is to help people make the best arrangements to assure their pets will travel as comfortably as possible. For example, they can advise you on the most suitable airline and route for the particular destination you’ve chosen. It seems as their service was first intended for people relocating, but it may as well help people travelling for a different purpose.

Here is their basic service description:

“1. Tell us your plans - talk to us or fill-in your flight, pet and personal details, so we can identify the most suitable solutions for your family and pet travel plans.
2. Explore your options - Our representative calls to talk with you about your plans and explain the different options.
3. Choose your flight - After taking into account your comfort, budget, and your pet’s safety, our flight managers assist in choosing a flight that’s just right for you.
4. Get ready - We inform you of all regulations and how to prepare yourself and your pet for the flight. We prepare all the necessary documents.
5. Fly! - Sit back. Relax. Enjoy your flight.
6. Support - Our 24/7 call center is available to answer your questions and put your mind at ease.
7. Settle in - We confirm that you and your pet have arrived safely and give advise on how to ensure a healthy stay for your pet.”

They have other solutions so if you want to learn more about them just visit Animal Airways, and to find your next home exchange visit HomeForHome.

To complete the information provided in our previous post, we couldn’t leave out the list of forbidden items. If you pack any of these items in your hand baggage you are going to be delayed in the security checks at the airport. Remember these regulations are to protect us all, so be patient, hopefully after you get through to the lounge you’ll be enjoying your home exchange vacation already.

The Directgov UK government website clearly states that “You cannot take any objects in your hand baggage that can cause injury to yourself and other passengers. These are considered ‘prohibited’ and you are only allowed to take these items in your hold baggage (bags you check in)” and a quite thorough list follows. We will not reproduce the full list, but here is the main groups with a few examples to help you get the idea:

- Pointed/edged weapons and sharp objects, like scissors with long blades, knives of any kind, corkscrews, darts, screwdrivers, drills, ice skates or darts.
- Blunt instruments. Many sports equipment items are included in this group, like hockey sticks, paddles, bats, fishing rods and billiards cues, among others.

Objects that cannot be taken on the plane at all:

- Guns, firearms and weapons. If you are thinking “ok, like anyone in their senses would bring a gun” well, keep in mind that even toy guns and ball bearing guns are included in this category, so don’t take it lightly.
- Explosives and flammable substances, leaving out the obvious let’s say that here we have aerosol spray paint, smoke generating canisters/cartridges, non-safety matches, pyrotechnics, party poppers and drinks with over 70% alcohol by volume.
- Chemical and toxic substances, like organic peroxides, acids, alkalis (here is where “wet” batteries are included), tear gas, pepper spray or any kind of poison.

Please keep in mind that these items are strictly prohibited on the plane and will not be allowed in the hold baggage either. If you have any doubts, contact your airline to request more information. For regulations applying in other countries, you may visit the Foreign Office website.

Pack your bags and get ready to fly to your home exchange destination with HomeForHome.

Nobody wants their vacation to start with a problem at the airport, and nothing better than knowing the rules on advance to avoid any misunderstanding during baggage check. The Directgov UK government website offers detailed information about travel and transport and specially air travel, including hand baggage rules, things need to know about airport security and items you cannot take on board a flight.

Let’s make a quick review about hand baggage rules:

- Maximum size, as determined by the Department of Transport, is 56×45x25cm including wheels, handles and pockets, but some airlines may have a different maximum size allowed, so it is a good idea to check with your airline in advance (the same applies to the number of items you are allowed to check-in). Oversized items will be checked-in as hold baggage and will not be allowed in the cabin.

- Laptops and other electrical items are allowed but they have to be screened separately.

- If you need to bring medical equipment that is essential for you, you need to have supporting documentation from a medical professional (prescription, letter, etc.)

- Musical instruments may be allowed as hand baggage, but it is essential that you contact the airline in advance, since you may have to make special arrangements.

- It is best to pack liquids in your hold baggage, because there are several restrictions to the volumes allowed in hand baggage items.

- Surprisingly, one lighter is allowed per person, and you must keep it with you through the whole flight. It is not allowed to have a lighter in your hold baggage and you cannot place it on the hand baggage.

- You may bring enough food, milk or sterilised water for a baby to cover their need during the flight.

- Liquids bought after passing through security are allowed in the cabin.

The Foreign Office website offers travel advice by country, so you can check the regulations in your destination as well, to avoid problems after landing.

We will continue next time with more airport checks advice, in the meantime find your home exchange destination and prepare to travel.

The New Year is on the road, and you probably made some resolutions and set some special dates aside in the calendar. Of course, with a brand new year, it seems like you’re going to have time for everything, but as the days start to go by, there are things that start trailing behind in the agenda. However, we want to encourage you to reserve some time to plan your vacations. If you choose home exchange, it is a good idea to get ahead of things, since it takes time for some people to find a good match to their swapping intentions.

There are several alternatives to plan your holidays using HomeForHome, whether a short trip to that nearby location you’ve always wanted to visit, a romantic getaway to Paris, a relaxing family vacation in a rural area or the coast, an intense trip to a busy capital, a cultural swap to a distant destination, whether you prefer skiing or surfing or trekking or if your favourite sport during vacations is intensive recreational reading, all these options are waiting for you a few clicks away.

We want to help, so here are some items for your agenda:

- Update your HomeForHome profile, share something new, add more photos, get involved in the community forum, get out there.

- Check your passport and all related travel documents you may need (travel assistance/insurance, credit/debit cards, etc.). You don’t want to find out in the last minute you were supposed to have them renewed a week ago! Remember that your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your trip and some countries even require travellers to have at least six months validity remaining on their passports.

- Mark dates that are set apart for other important activities and exclude them when you search for a place to stay, flights, etc. Also, if you know your house will be free during those dates, mark them as “available” in your HomeForHome availability calendar, since it may help you find non-simultaneous swaps.

- Take the initiative, contact other HomeForHome users, ask them about their homes, their availability, invite them to check out your home. Maybe you can make some new friends along the way.

You’ve long been waiting for your adventure across Europe and everything is planned out already. Everything is in its place but you suddenly stop to think of things: What if a snow storm comes and I get stuck at the airport in Prague? What if someone gets sick while you and your family are staying in your home swap in Barcelona? What if my travel bag gets lost in the baggage department in the airport in Copenhagen? Sounds crazy but possible, right? So what do you do for a better peace of mind? Get a travel insurance.

Travel insurances normally costs around 5 to 12 per cent of your total trip cost. But is it worth it? I say yes. There are many travel insurances available; you can browse the web for various companies and agencies offering travel insurance. Choose a company that is well-known or is recommended by most travelers. Remember to closely review the insurance policies they have too, as most of them have their perks and downsides. Choose what you think works for you and would suit your needs best. Most travel insurance packages covers trip cancellation or interruption, medical insurance, evacuation insurance, baggage insurance, flight insurance. It’s better to read closely and understand the mechanics of each aspect of the insurance package. Ask someone knowledgeable about the policies for any unclear issues you have.

Travel insurances doesn’t cost much, but will definitely be of big help in case any undesirable circumstance arises. It sure will cost you a price but you won’t regret it. Keep in mind that you are paying for your safety while traveling, and is not just something you are wasting your money on. It is better to be prepared for these undesirable situations than to regret you never considered thinking about safety.

When someone talks about Cannes in France, I usually only think of one thing: the Cannes International Film Festival. Every year, the festival is celebrated and the best films from all around the world are given recognition and honor. Movie buffs anticipate this event held every May. But is there more to Cannes than just the host for this wonderful festival?

Well, yes. Cannes is a city with overflowing culture and rich history. The city is located in the French Riviera, south east of France. The name “Cannes” has unknown origins, but suggested that it may have been derived from the work “canna”, meaning reed. As early as 2^nd century BC, Cannes was already established as a fishing village until Romans have since then occupied the city. The Spanish and British armies fought over the Lerins Islands in an attempt to gain control of it during the 18^th century.

Cannes is perfect for any outdoor activity, as the city has its share of the warm Mediterranean climate. Cannes has long been famous for its climate, as more tourists come here to spend 30°C Summer days. La Croisette is surrounded by beaches open to the public. It also is the place for boutiques, cafés and restaurants. La Croisette also houses several museums including Musée de la Mer, Musée de la Photographie and Musée International de la Parfumerie among others. La Suquet is the village overlooking La Croisette, this is where grand residencies were first built.

Grand residentcies or not, you are sure to find a home exchange available here. If not, you can also have home swapped in the nearby cities as going to Cannes is very quick and easy. Cannes is just an 8 hour drive away from Paris, as same as to Monaco and Nice. Brussels is a 6-hour travel via the railway system while 5 hours for Milan.

So next time someone says Cannes, it’s not just the film festival that you should think of, there are a lot of things to know and discover in Cannes. You might want to consider giving in to the idea of a visit there.

Staying at a new and foreign place is pretty exciting. We get amused at the things we see, the feeling we get when we are there, the things we want to experience. It’s always a good feeling to be carefree, but on a vacation on an unfamiliar place, we should always think of our safety; don’t get caught off guard, you never know when danger will come.

Not trying to sound crazy here, but you can never really tell if there’s harm coming your way.  The place you are in might be beautiful and the people seem to be so warm and welcoming, but that does not mean that there isn’t anyone with wrong intentions roaming around. Remember: they are everywhere. And to someone who’s unfamiliar to that place, you are a perfect target. Foreigners are most likely to get attacked or robbed because a.) they think they could get some loot out of you; and b.) you are not familiar with the place which is an advantage for them to get out of the situation easily. You have to be street smart at all times. Don’t act around like you are lost or you don’t know what to do. Always be ready with the situation, don’t be a “deer in headlights” when danger comes, because that half second that you are taken aback is a full advantage for your attacker. As much as possible, don’t show off anything that could become possible loot for pickpockets and robbers. Keep your wallets/ money close to you, and gadgets such as laptops and cell phones should always be tucked in safety.

As much as possible, try to talk to someone you can trust in that place if you need some help. Don’t talk to some random people just because you need to ask for directions. Ask an authority as much as possible. And if you are on a home exchange,better to ask your home exchange partner some information beforehand regarding safety. It is never wrong to ask this information. Always be safe and be street smart.

Malaga is the second most populous and sixth largest city in Spain. It is one of the cities in the European Union that experiences the warmest winters, having a Mediterranean-subtropical climate, with an average temperature of 16.6 degrees Celsius (62 degrees Fahrenheit) at the highest and 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit) during January. The city is rich in history and culture, with historical sites tracing back Phoenician, Roman, Arabian and Christian epochs, the beautiful sights here are endless. A day or two wouldn’t be enough to appreciate what this lovely city has in store for you.

The name Malaga was coined by Phoenicians who founded the city in 1000 BCE. The term was believed to be derived from the Phoenician word for salt because fish was salted near its harbors. The architecture in this city is perhaps a visual wonder, with Roman theater ruins dating from the 1^st century BC, touring around Malaga is a travel back in time. The walls built in and around the city are traces of military fortifications during the time of Islamic Spain. Some of the must-see places to see are the Gibralfaro Castle, Alcazaba fortress, Plaza de Toros (bullring), Iglesia del Sagrario and countless museums including Museo Picasso Malaga. Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas were born in Malaga.

Transportation is not a problem here as Malaga has its own airport. The seaport of Malaga has been in operation since 600 BC. High speed railway system connecting to Madrid and other railway systems around the city will get you here in no time. Buses are the main means of transport in the city. To get the best experience around Malaga, why not go for a home exchange? There are a lot of homes open for swap around the city. You can start to try living like a local and experience the warm, sunny winter here. This is definitely a good place to spend the Holidays in.

If you are that on-the go person who loves to go around places, here’s one tip that will be a big help for you: have a sling bag with you wherever you go.

Having a sling bag helps you keep your must-haves and valuables handy all the time. This way you could avoid losing things. Who would want to look for his/her passport in the middle of a big city? No one. Get your things organized in a single bag and you won’t have any problems with your stuff. Also, this will be your “survival pack” in case you get lost in the middle of nowhere or whatever circumstance you come across with. Hey, you never know what might happen, so better be prepared at least. So what are those things that you have to have in that bag? Good question. Here’s a list of what to put in there:

•    Money- Keep at least an extra on your bag in case you need to take a cab or train to somewhere. Remember that some stores might not accept credit cards too.
•    Passport/ IDs- Have them with you all the time. In case you need identity verification, it’s easy to pull out your passport for confirmation.
•    Notepad and Pen- You might need to write down something, whether it’s an address or a phone number of a friend.
•    Medicine- This one’s important especially if you have an ailment or under medication. Bringing your medicine with you all the time helps keep you from those undesirable circumstances.
•    Map/ Travel Guide- Bringing a map especially if you are not familiar with the place you are about to go will be a big help.
•    Phrase-book- This will help if you are not familiar with the native language.
•    Toiletries- Neat-freaks agree. Bring at least a pack of tissue and floss with you.
•    A bottle of water- In case there isn’t a store to buy water nearby.
•    Keys- Of course you have to go home. Make sure you don’t lose the keys to your home exchange partner’s place.

These are just suggestions; it depends on what you need to have with you on a trip. Remember to keep an eye on your belongings all the time. It’s hard to lose important things in a foreign place.

When you go abroad to a foreign climate, it can sometimes be easy to mistake the weather. A fine example of this in Europe are the Brits that wonder around Spain in March, scantily clad, whilst it is neither warm nor sun-tanning weather. Another example can be the French that visit Scotland in the summer, sporting a fine pair of flip flops that they literally have to chisel the icicles off afterwards.

Photos in travel guides can often be misleading. Plus, despite the beauty of ease that we have with online international weather reports, if you’re going away for several weeks, you won’t be able to see reliable predictions for the whole duration.

So aside from the “just in case” items, such as the golf-course umbrella that you might pack on the way to the south of France, or *that* dress that you might be able to wear out in Finland, there may be some other items you need. Make sure that you ask your home exchange partners for any freaky bouts of weather that are likely to occur in the area. Similarly, there are other considerations to be made such as car use. It might be an investment to bring a wind-shield protector so that you don’t burn your hands on the steering wheel after having had the car in the sun. Or, if you’re going to Canada for example, you may want to think about investing in a de-icing sprayor some anti-freeze .

Also, ask what kind of clothes they would wear at that time, so that when you arrive you don’t have to deal with the unwelcome realisation that bright sun doesn’t always equal hot weather.