As it looks like our offspring may permanently settle overseas we are looking at economical ways to travel cheaply - retirement looming - have looked at some house exchange sites but, though our house is comfy and reasonably spacious with nice deck and garden, it isn't as luxurious as many of the potential exchanges. Also as we are in NZ it would be winter here when we would want to go to UK and not sure anyone would want to come to the rain we have had in July. Has anyone done holiday exchange i.e. when the people are still at home? So exchange doesn't need to be simultaneous. Not sure about this though as wonder if it might be a bit claustrophobic if the hosts wanted to do too much with you. We enjoy visitors from overseas and are happy to host eg couch surfers, global freeloaders etc.
However, it looks like a younger persons' thing from the photos - wonder if anyone would want to host/visit a couple of 60 year olds - though we still feel much, much younger :)
Appreciate any comments on your experiences or ideas.
Thank you
Are you talking about visiting your offspring? Or trying to say that now that they are gone you want to travel more?
Doreen, we did holiday exchange the way you describe it for a couple of years. We live in Johannesburg and although it is not the most touristed place in the world, we hosted some couples and a few families too, and in return we have been to stay with a number of them in various countries.
At the time we were around 60-ish and those who stayed with us varied in age from mid-thirties right into their late sixties. Their stays with us and our stays with them have always been only a relatively small part of the holiday (varying from a few days to a couple of weeks), but I think that it is, in a way, comforting to have a contact in the country you are visiting. I guess we might have erred sometimes in wanting to do too much for our guests, but it really depends on what you, as visitors to a place, want to do and see, as to how claustrophobic you will feel. We have always found the exchangers to be friendly, outgoing people who are very easy to get along with. We were never disappointed.
The homes vary so much in size and standard that you should never feel that your home just is not up to their standard - it is. We were members of HomeLink ([www.homelink.org]) and one can very easily get a good idea of the size and standard of the accommodation. If people are looking for something bigger or better they would not approach you or respond to you in the first place. As a non-member you can see all the details except the contact details. Have a look and see what you think.
By the way, although one does save on accommodation costs, it is not a "cheap" holiday. One tends to take one's hosts out to dinner at some stage (usually not to the corner cafe either) and you could spend money in other ways too.
Edited by: RudiK
Thanks for your replies -
Wayworn, our plans are part to visit offspring and part to travel while there since the fare to UK is quite a lot so might as well use the time to see things while there - the exchange rate for the NZ dollar in Europe is not great especially since it is quite expensive over there - presently they flatshare and probably we wouldn't stay at their place too long - probably popping back from little travel forays -other travel would be great too ofcourse
RudiK, ofcourse we would want to recompense hosts somehow but were hoping a meal out might be cheaper than a few of nights at a B&B or hotel - mainly we were hoping to just trim costs (whatever we could save would help with costs for next time) - if they stay away we might have to do it a few times - be different if we were saving for the once in a lifetime trip - sorry I didn't mean to disparage hosts' kindness but had some not so great times in B&B - one host was so determined to show me a peculiar video of the bad weather in some very remote place that we had to sneak in to bed - we had been travelling for about 6 weeks at that stage so maybe I was just a bit jaded
Thanks again
"Fish and house guests stink after three days"
Just remember who's house it really is. Easy on helping out. You'll drive 'em crazy.
I'm 65 + and have travelled several times in the last 5 years to Europe. I stayed at HA hostels, rooms usually more spacious & with older visitors than backpackers. Book online ahead of time & you should be able to have double or twin room & justuse bathroom etc down the passage. Very cheap & great meeting other travellers.
I toured Europe with " Bus about" a hop on-hop off tour bus mainly used by the younger folk but I found them very friendly.
Enjoy yourselves.
trusted partner
