The first thing to understand is that a home swap is not a timeshare – you are not paying to stay in a condo or resort, nor do you have to take the same week every year. The concept of exchanging homes isn’t particularly new or innovative. Generations of students and those low on funds have taken advantage of the hospitality of friends - or friends of friends. Travel clubs often have a network of people prepared to offer food and lodging to complete strangers, usually in return for the same hospitality extended to them.

But in recent years, the idea has become more accepted and now appeals to a wider group and age range of people - singles, professional couples and families. The concept of home exchange vacations as we know them today was pioneered in Sweden in 1950, by a non-profit organization called Intervac. Today, Intervac still coordinates some 11,000 home swaps every year between 50 countries around the world. A recent search on several home swap websites indicated homes available in such exotic locations as Croatia, Syria and Zambia.

Home swapping appeals to a wide rage of people - most home swappers are still fairly affluent retirees or families trying to save on expensive lodging costs, but there is a growing increase in single swappers. Some people would not vacation any other way after experiencing the home swap and many people participate year after year – the record apparently is over 80 home swaps by a retired American couple well into their 70s!

A Home Away from Home?

The economic advantages of this type of vacation are obvious. The money saved by not having to pay for accommodation can be substantial - especially for a family; and especially in cities or countries that are known to be expensive. Apart from the cost element, many people enjoy this type of vacation because they get to live as the locals do, while in their home. For a week or two, you get to experience what it is like to really live in another country - rather than simply visit as a tourist. Make sure you know your own limitations as far as living in a stranger’s home – many apartments in large European cities can be tiny with no elevator. Dishwashers and cable TV are unheard of in some countries.

A home exchange allows you the comforts of home or a hotel, but with that intriguing element of adventure, or at least “culture shock.” Most exchanges include the use of your host’s car, thus saving on transport costs as well. For the adventurous traveler, home exchange vacations offer you a degree of flexibility and spontaneity that other more “conventional” vacations don’t offer. You don’t usually get to meet the person whose home you are exchanging, although some swappers make a point of getting to know their opposite number.