By Magali da Silva
If you think about vacationing around the world with a low budget, you will probably be interested in what we will mention in this article. Well, first were the cultural exchange programs, where the student from somewhere visited a different country and stayed in homes from an “adopted family”, sometimes in exchange for little home jobs and with the support of some language school.
These days it is possible to know 10 countries in Europe sleeping and sometimes even eating free or almost free with the home exchange programs. The negotiation usually is made on the internet in sites that usually is the channel for your adventure beginning. You visit some companies that offer the service and choose the place that you are planning to go. Through email you start the contact for more information and some specific details as some care is necessary.
Ask for some photos of the location that shows the property outside and inside, and part of the neighborhood (also ask for a detailed description about the property). A good tip is to ask the owner to comment about the positive side and negative side of the property and location, as well as tourist points that should be not far from the property. If possible try to find out about references with individuals that have been in the same location.
Remember that this tip is only superficial and some important details that you consider mandatory can make a difference about a dream or a nightmare vocation. After this step it is convenient to make a type of letter-agreement that includes what the house and location have and offer – like bed, table, air, tv, good restaurants, lan houses, laundry, etc.
This kind of service and “trip style” request a bit of time to program it, so it is a good idea to start looking for your house at least 9 months before your vacation date. To access the companies sites to get the information is free, but if you are interested in offering your house to the program, receive travelers around the world and make some extra money, you usually need to pay some fee. Check below some options.
www.couchsurfing.com – with almost 20,000 subscribers and over 4,000 that have made trips intermediated by the site, you can find homes in big tourist cities destinations as well small exotic villages. In Brazil there are over 200 couchsurfers.
www.homeexchange.com – We like it and it is one of the best with many photos and detailed descriptions. Many locations around the planet.
www.ihen.com (International Home Exchange Networking) – With a site easy to surf, it offers thousands of properties, but unfortunately not many descriptions of the houses.
www.airbnb.com – Yes, you maybe should know it as it is already well known in many countries around the world including the U.S and Brazil. it has become an excellent option for people who do not want to stay in a hotel or savings if with a group or whole family.
* Para consultoria e assistência nos Estados Unidos ou passagens para o Brasil e America Latina, entre em contato com nossa agente de viagens Magali Da Silva – Fone / WhatsApp: 1 (323) 428-1963. Estamos em Los Angeles na Califórnia e estabelecidos há mais de 25 anos.
