Living Like A Local in Italy With HomeExchange

Do you have a dream like this?

It’s been on our travel bucket list FOREVER, but we’ve always had an excuse as to why we couldn’t take that trip.  You know the one – the dream trip that is forever being put on the back burner for a long list of reasons:

• It’s not a good time to travel right now, you know, because of the kids.
• Maybe we shouldn’t be spending money on travel right now when what we really need to be doing is buying a new front door – that thing might as well just be a screen it leaks so much.
• It’s a really busy time at work.
• Hotels are so expensive.

And then an e-mail from HomeExchange.  Had I ever considered travelling the world in a different way?  Colour me intrigued.  All of a sudden that dream vacation, the one I’d been painting in my head for 20 years, didn’t seem so far out of reach.  Yes, all of a sudden my Hubby and I were making real honest to goodness plans to go to Italy!  I was cruising the HomeExchange site and drooling, yes drooling at the many options for a vacation – all over the world!  Did I want to stay in an eclectic apartment, a house in the hills of Tuscany, or a charming villa tucked into a hill on Lake Como. My hands shook as I realized this was it, I was about to take 10 days and really live like a local and eat all the things. Let me tell you all about it and how you can make your travel dreams a reality.  This is HomeExchange.

I spent more time then I care to admit pouring over the countless listings from all over the world.  My Hubby and I had imagined a romantic trip for two to Italy, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t take a peek at the homes in London England, beach houses in California and Greece, and even some sexy flats in New York City.  Ultimately we landed on a little beauty in Faggetio Lario on the exquisite shores of Lake Como.  Why?  Oh my friends, because this was my fairy tale coming true.  This was to be my view…

I had sent out enquires to a few owners, but ultimately this was the flat I wanted.  It was everything we needed and available on our desired dates.  Bonus:  The owner was a joy to “talk” to via e-mail.  Extremely helpful with suggestions and never seemed bothered by my many questions.  Finalizing the exchange was a breeze then all we had to do was wait.

To access this glorious apartment we ambled down a small path and boarded a funicular.  Um yes, a funicular!  Hello, how fantastic.  As we approached I knew we were somewhere special.  The view was spectacular, my breath caught in my throat.  This was a HomeExchange?

We dragged our too heavy luggage around a winding path to the double doors just waiting to be opened.

The inside of our home for the week was equally inviting offering everything we could possibly need to truly feel at home.  A fully equipped kitchen dining area, living room, flat screen TV with more movies then we could ever need.  The bedroom, bathroom and of course the view completed the space.  For more pictures and a video tour be sure to check out my Instagram Story Highlight titled Lake Como.

(interior picture courtesy of villa owner)

After settling in we continued to live the entire week as true locals.  This home was located approximately 20 minutes outside of Como so we were challenged to dive in and really get to know the village of Faggeto.  We explored the winding streets, ate in the two local restaurants, took the ferry – yes the ferry – everywhere, and were very thankful for our rental car.  We revealed in the stillness and the quiet.  We were charmed by the church bells that went off every hour during the day, and we adventured!  Taking day trips to Bellagio, Como, Varenna, and even Switzerland!  We cooked, and cleaned, we read books by the pool, and even worked a little.  We were home.

What exactly is HomeExchange?

It’s the world’s largest home exchanging community, it offers a warmer, more authentic, and truly more budget-friendly alternative to staying in traditional paid accommodations.  They are currently the #1 worldwide home exchange community.

Why try a HomeExchange?

HomeExchange offers a whole new experience: to stay in real, authentic homes, and live like a local.  HomeExchange allows you to stay in areas you never could with a traditional hotel experience.  Think the most exclusive areas of London England, an area you’ve been dreaming to explore in Paris, an eclectic part of San Francisco or in our case the charming area of Faggeto Lario – a village on the shores of Lake Como with views that dazzled at every turn. A HomeExchange also allows for one very big item that regular hotels do not; space.  Our particular was perfect for the two of us. Had I been travelling with my kids I would have sought out an exchange with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms – there were lots to choose from!

HomeExchange currently offers over 400, 000 homes in 187 countries, and for their exchangers, peace of mind, knowing that support is provided 24/7  in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

How to get started?

Follow these 6 easy steps:

1. Register at HomeExchange.com  There is a fee to sign up.  Note  The fee is only to be paid once an exchange is finalized.  Signing up and contacting other members remain free until you have finalized something concrete for your vacation.
2. Complete your listing.
3. Choose your destination.
4. Contact members.
5. Finalize the exchange.
6. Enjoy your vacations!

Thanks to HomeExchange we stopped waiting for the “perfect” moment to take the trip, we dove into the Italian life with both feet (and a rental car), and made our dreams come true.  This trip was like none other I’ve ever taken.  Not only did I get to see a part of the world I’ve always dreamed about, but via e-mail, I got to know a home owner from another part of the world and I’m currently talking to some HomeExchangers in Paris!  If you’re looking for a different way to travel, perhaps a more authentic way, maybe to meet more people, or to exchange your own home and save some money along the way, take a peek at HomeExchange and see what’s out there in the world just waiting for you.  Life is short, eat the cake, buy the shoes, take the trip.

 

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post. In exchange for this post, I have received perks in the form of products and/or compensation.  All opinions on this blog are my own.