🏆 CONTEST CLOSED: What’s the Best Listing? Win 250 GuestPoints!

English Forum Activities 🏆 Contests
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This contest is now closed. Thank you all for your participation. We loved reading each of your submissions. Some were truly original, and at times, even touching.

We hope that those who are venturing into house swapping will find the inspiration they need in your listings to write their own listing and understand what’s important to mention.

We have reviewed all of your submissions, and I am happy to announce that the grand winner of this contest is @marcos-6b21f, who will receive 250 GuestPoints.

Congratulations to him, and see you soon for new adventures!

It’s time for a fun new contest! This time, we’re celebrating the best listing. As you know, your listing says a lot about you - it’s like your business card that members review before proposing or accepting a home exchange. That’s why it’s so important to craft a listing that’s well-written and reflects your personality.

Important note: This contest isn’t about “the most beautiful home,” but rather the best-written listing. Read on to fully understand the criteria, and check out our tips below for optimizing your HomeExchange listing!

This contest is open to everyone:

  • If you’re already a member, you can share your existing listing.
  • If you’re not yet a member, you can create an imaginary one!

How to Participate

:orange_heart: If you’re already a HomeExchange member:

  1. Visit your listing on homeexchange.com: My Account - My Home, then click on “View the listing.”
  2. Copy the description of your listing (yes, the entire description of your home). (Feel free to update or improve it first if you’d like!)
  3. Paste the text you’ve copied as a reply to this post: Click “Reply” under the post and paste your text.

Bonus: You can also include the description from your profile linked to the listing if you’d like (optional).

  1. Vote for your favorite listing by giving it a “Like.”

Important: Do not share links to your listing, your home ID, or photos. We want the votes to remain as objective as possible.

:orange_heart: If you’re not yet a HomeExchange member (or if you want to get creative and invent a listing):

  1. Click “Reply” under this post and share your imaginary listing’s description - whether for a real or made-up home.
  2. Add “Imaginary Listing” in the title.

Bonus: You can also imagine and share the content of the profile linked to your listing if you’d like (optional).

  1. Vote for your favorite listing by giving it a “Like.”

The response that gets the most reactions (thumbs up, hearts, etc.) will win! (Psst, feel free to share this contest with your friends!)

Contest ends: March 4, 2025, at noon (Paris time).

Prize: 250 GuestPoints

:light_bulb: Tip: Take inspiration from the Fernandez family’s listing to improve your own!

Any listing that reflects who you are and includes all the necessary information can be considered a cool listing.

This contest is designed to encourage you to ensure your listing is complete and polished. To help, we’ve created an ideal fictional listing that includes all the elements of a high-quality listing. Check it out if you’re looking for inspiration or are new to the community:

View the example listing in English: The Fernandez home: nice family apartment in the center of Madrid)

Final tips: Learn how to improve your listing with advice from our ambassadors, Florent and Joanna

If you’re looking for more tips to boost your chances of successful exchanges, check out advice from our ambassadors: Home swap profile tips from seasoned home exchangers

Legal conditions of the contest:

Only one winner per forum. The author of the response with the most “Likes” (including all reactions) will be identified on March 4, 2025, at noon and will win 250 GuestPoints. The winner will be notified personally.

Note: A different winner will be chosen for each of our four forums (French, English, Spanish, and Italian); in other words, a participant cannot win on multiple forums. If a member participates on multiple forums and gets the most “Likes” on more than one, only one response will be considered. In total, four winners (one per forum) will be selected at the end of the contest.

7 Likes
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What you will love about this home :heart:

We love our home because it is the perfect balance between nature and the city. :evergreen_tree::deciduous_tree::bus::red_car:

There are trails in the forest right behind our house. You can walk, enjoy the scenery and see animals all year long.:deciduous_tree:

Some details about our home:
1st floor: washroom, dryer and wash machine, kitchen, dish washer, dining room, living room with a fireplace and lots of windows to enjoy the view of the forest. We also have a lot of board games you can use and enjoy in family. :teapot::clinking_glasses:
2nd floor: master bedroom (king size bed) and walk-in closet, 2 kid rooms (double beds), bathroom with a claw foot tub.:sleeping:
Basement: It is now a playroom with a tv, xboxone and kids’ toys. If you need, it could be changed for a 4th bedroom and a living room. There is also a small section where you can do your workout. It has a rower, stationary bike, weights/bench and yoga mats.:weight_lifting_man:

Outside: At the back of the house, we have a big deck where you can sit, eat, use the BBQ and just relax. We also have a heated pool where you can play and relax. We have an area where you can make fires and grill your own sausages or marshmallows. In the shed, you have many amenities you can use, snowshoes, ice skates, chairs, bikes, etc.:biking_woman:

1 Like
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Imaginary Listing → Honestly, I’m this close to changing mine…

Imagine a subtle blend of the chaotic, lively home of Malcolm in the Middle and the Simpsons’ house. There you have it—you’re at our place! A modest suburban home, unassuming yet full of character. As the French rapper Orelsan would say, it’s a house “middle-class, moderately classy!”

We often like to say we live in vacation mode. Both because of our house’s location and the house itself. It’s small, might seem narrow for living, but we feel so at home here because it’s so close to the seaside and the dynamic city of La Rochelle.

If you look closely, our home could almost pass as a Leroy Merlin or IKEA showroom—because, yes, 90% of our equipment and decor come from there. [Fun fact: some exchangers even bought the same tiles as us after visiting.] Honestly, we’re not decor experts, and since the hardware store is a 10-minute walk from our house… we go with what’s practical.

Yes, actually, our house is this: a practical house. The home of a family with two children, slightly overwhelmed parents, but a happy family. Everything is designed to save time, everything is optimized to share moments of joy.

Anyway, enough said, since the goal is still to stay here, here’s, à la Prévert, famous french poet, an inventory of what you’ll find at our place:
Three bedrooms
Three beds, one big and two small
A pot overflowing with colored pencils
An aircraft-shaped lamp that keeps watch at night
Laughter stored in the walls
A rug littered with rogue Lego pieces (but we promise to tidy them up)

A well-equipped kitchen
An induction hob, an oven, a sink
Spices that smell like far-off travels
Pots and pans in every size
A bar marked by meals and shared stories
A dish rack full of drying plates (but we promise to empty it)

A couch that knows every episode of our lives
A table and six chairs
A tide clock to remind us we live by the sea
Houseplants trying to survive
Photo frames and illustrations capturing our memories
A secretary desk with piles of papers (but we promise to tidy them up)

A bathtub and a shower
Two sinks
A changing table
A towel heater doubling as a radiator
A shampoo bottle always almost empty
A mirror fogged with morning thoughts
A laundry basket overflowing and sighing (but we promise to sort it)

A hyper-connected office

A garden
A terrace
A table and chairs
A sofa and two armchairs for lounging
Ants marching in single file
A birdhouse waiting for tenants
A trampoline for suspending laughter in the air
Toys scattered in a chest (but we promise to tidy them up)

A cluttered garage – oh, we don’t promise to tidy that –

Looking forward to welcoming you,

3 Likes
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Here is my listing :slight_smile:

————

:sunny: Bright and colorful home with backyard, close to everything!

What you will love about this home

We bought our house in 2020 and put a lot of time into renovation and decoration to make it our home.

Our home is located on the ground floor and basement of a typical Montreal building. Built in 1931, it has been renovated keeping the cachet of yesteryear (plaster sculptures, floors and moldings, etc.).

On the ground floor (air-conditioned in summer!), you will find our living and dining rooms, a kitchen with a large island, a large family room that serves as a bedroom (queen-size sofa bed - 63x79" or 160x200cm), kids playroom, gym (rower, yoga mat and dumbbells) and music room (with an upright piano), our office and a bathroom with bathtub.
The large bay window in the kitchen gives access to a large terrace with bbq and to the garden with a swing. We have planted raspberries and gooseberries (and sometimes tomatoes and peppers depending on the year) - if it’s the season when you come, help yourself!
The garden overlooks a “green alley”, an alley that has been greened and in which there are many games for children (scooters, kitchenette, playhouses, sandbox, etc.). We have friendly little neighbors of all ages who play there and would be good friends for your children :slight_smile:
We have a parking space in the alley, when our car is not there. Otherwise, street parking is free and really easy.

In the basement, 3 bedrooms : one with a king bed (76x79" or 193x202cm), one with a twin bed (38x75" or 97x190cm) and a nursery with a crib and changing table. As well as a large bathroom with shower and bathtub. The advantage of sleeping in the basement: it’s quiet and it’s always cool, even in the middle of a heatwave :slight_smile:

Please note: we don’t have any pets (except for the marmot living in our backyard :slight_smile: ) and the house (including the patio/backyard) is strictly non-smoking.

Babies/children: we have everything you need for little ones, such as a crib, Stokke high chairs, changing table, folding bathtub, observation tower, tons of toys and books. We also have toys/games for older children (our eldest is 8 years old).

What you will love about this neighborhood

:sparkles: OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

We live in a quiet and family-friendly neighborhood where everything is within walking distance.

Our home is a few minutes walk from the subway (Jolicoeur and Monk stations) taking you downtown in less than 15 minutes and several bus lines.

You have all the shops you need nearby: the grocery store is 300 meters away, a pharmacy 2 blocks away and many restaurants and shops on Monk Street (500 meters away).

We are close to several parks, including Campbell Park which has a large water play area to cool off in the summer, two skating rinks in the winter, greenery and modules for young and old. By walking 15-20 minutes, you’ll be at Ignace-Bourget Park, with a large free outdoor pool in the summer and a sledding hill in the winter, or to Angrignon Park, a large park with a forest and a lake, perfect for a picnic in the summer or slides and cross-country skiing in the winter.

We are right next to Verdun, a very lively neighborhood with many restaurants and shops. There is also a beach where you can swim in St Lawrence river. Wellington Street was voted World’s Coolest Street in 2022 by TimeOut. This street is pietonized all summer and there is such a cool vibe there!

We’re also just steps away from the Saint-Henri neighbourhood, one of TimeOut’s World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods in 2024, great restaurants, trendy bars and boutiques. Don’t forget to go to the Atwater Market, iconic in Montreal!

:sparkles: MONTREAL

Montreal is a city that can be enjoyed in all seasons:

  • In spring, if you like maple syrup, you’ll be served :slight_smile: Eat maple taffy at the Cabane Panache festival in Verdun, attend the St. Patrick’s Day parade or go admire the flowers blooming at the botanical garden.
  • In summer, enjoy activities in the parks, stroll through the pedestrian streets… Do you like festivals? There’s something for everyone, whether it’s music (Jazz festival, Nuits d’Afrique, Osheaga, Piknic electronik…) or other (Mtl en Arts, L’international des feux d’artifice, Montréal complètement cirque…).
  • In fall, enjoy the colours of Quebec, whether in the heart of the city (Parc Angrignon or Parc du Mont-Royal) or outside, in the parks listed below.
  • In winter, come play in the snow! Many hills are set up for sliding in the city’s parks. Visit the Christmas markets and warm up by the fire after skating on one of the many outdoor ice rinks (if you don’t have your skates, we’ll tell you where to borrow/rent some). Festivals take place even in cold weather, such as Montréal en lumière or Igloofest. Do you like to go skiing? Many resorts are accessible within a 30 to 90-minute drive: Mont St-Bruno, Mont St-Sauveur, Mont Orford, Bromont, etc.

By taking the metro at Jolicoeur station, a few minutes walk from our home, you can explore many places of Montreal, such as:

  • Verdun and Wellington street (De l’église station - 2 minutes by metro). If you like walking, you can also go there on foot (25 minutes).
  • Atwater Market and the Lachine Canal (Lionel-Groulx station - 7 minutes by metro). You can also take a walk along the canal (super pleasant - 45 minutes) or take the bus 35 right in front of the house and which drops you off in front of the market (15 minutes by bus).
  • Mount Royal Park. Get off at Peel station (12 minutes by metro) and go up Peel Street to the park entrance.
  • Place des Arts (14 minutes), the heart of cultural events in Montreal, including Place des Festivals.
  • Old Montreal and old port, at Place d’armes station (14 minutes by metro from Jolicoeur).
  • Plateau Mont-Royal, by stopping at Mont-Royal station (20 minutes by metro).
  • Olympic Park (botanical garden, planetarium, Biodome, etc.) at Pie-IX station (25 minutes by metro).

:sparkles: WANT TO ENJOY NATURE?

You have a car and would like to explore surrounding nature? Here are the parks closest to us:

  • Iles de Boucherville National Park (30 minutes by car)
  • Ile Saint Bernard (30 minutes)
  • Mont Saint-Bruno National Park (30 minutes)
  • Gault Nature Reserve at Mont Saint-Hilaire (50 minutes)
  • Oka National Park (50 minutes)
  • Yamaska National Park (1h)
  • Mont Orford National Park (1h15)

In our house guide, you will find lots of recommendations for restaurants, shops and things to do in our neighborhood, in Montreal and also a little further away, in order to make the most of your stay ! :slight_smile: Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you have.

————

If you’ve read this far, I’m giving you a 10% discount on GP for your next stay haha!

1 Like
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Description

What you will love about this home

NB we only have mobile airconditiong in the upper two bed rooms and not in the rest of the house! And the piano is actually a keyboard!

We have a big house with five bed rooms . Our back garden is fairly big for in a city (50m2). During summer, it’s nice to sit in the sun in our garden, or in the shade from our sunscreen. Families with children will be pleased with with all the toys we have: many games, Playmobil, Lego, Cars from Cars and a wooden train set of Thomas the Train. Our daughter has a keyboard, which is standing in her room.
Our kitchen is fully equipped (induction plates, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher and even a cooker, that gives boiled water instantly). We also have a smart TV that you can watch via streaming (you will have access to our streaming channels, amongst them Netflix and Prime Video), Wii and Playstation 3. Our WiFi works excellently throughout the house. We all use our own laptop. It is useful if you can also bring (a) laptop(s), but otherwise we do have a slightly older computer that we can connect.

The layout of our house:
Ground floor: hall; toilet; entrance door to living room and open kitchen, together ± 40m2.
First floor: bathroom with shower cubicle, bath and toilet; bedroom of ±20m2 with bed of 160200 cm/62,9978,74 inch; bedroom of ±12m2 with bed of 140200 cm/55,1278,74 inch; bedroom of ±6m2 with bed of 90200 cm/35,4378,34 inch.
Second floor: landing where the washing machine, dryer and drying rack are; bedroom with dormer window of ±10m2 with bed of 90200 cm/35,4378,34 inch; bed room of ±15m2 with bed of 90200/35,4378,34 inch cm.
All bedrooms, except the largest, have a desk. There is also a desk in the living room.

We have three bicycles for men, two for women and four bikes for children, in various sizes. You can use them during your stay, of course.
In the garage there are frying pans.

We live in a house where it’s very quiet and we like the homes where we’re staying to be quiet, too!

What you will love about this neighborhood

We live in a neighbourhood that is rather quiet, but still at 15 minutes cycling from the centre of our town. At a few minutes walking distance there is a very small forest (Het Roege Bos), where you can take a nice walk. In front of our house there is a big pavement, where very small children can play. At the end of the street, there are two small playgardens.

Additional information

We live in Groningen. The Martini Tower is well known. You can climb it! Groningen is a great city where you can shop or sit on a terrace, go to a restaurant or movie, or the swimming pool that has waves, the Groninger Museum, or to an indoor playgarden, or go karting, or climbing, or … There are so many things you can do!
In this article that CNN posted about the 17 best places of Europe to visit, Groningen is the Dutch city they mention! https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/europe-best-places-to-visit/index.html
And the Guardian also ranks our city very high: The best party destinations for backpackers | Backpacking holidays | The Guardian
The American magazine Forbes also thinks our city is worth a visit: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredranahan/2020/01/28/five-underrated-dutch-cities-to-tour-instead-of-amsterdam/#2537ded12f48
For children up to the age of 12, there are many things to do. At a five minute drive from our house, there’s a pond with sand that functions as “a beach”. At a twenty minute drive there’s an outside playgarden/fun park Nienoord. At half an hour drive there is funpark Drouwenerzand, where your ticket also buys you chips and snacks, coffee, tea and lemonade, icecream and soup and bread all day long. There are two zoos within an hour drive. There are other things, too.
At about half an hour drive, in Norg, Gieten and Drouwenerzand, there are woods where you can walk, with moorland and drifting sand hills if you like.There are also lakes not far from our house, De Hoornse Plas in Groningen (20 minutes drive), the lake of Paterswolde (30 minutes) and the lake of Zuidlaren (also about 30 minutes). (I asked on the Facebook group and I was able to tick the lake among the facilities of the location, because of the very large pond created with the artificial beach where we used to swim when the kids were younger. However, it is not officially a lake and there are no sailing boats either).
From our house, you can also go on a daytrip to the island Schiermonnikoog. With a 40-minute drive and 40 to 50 minutes by boat you are there. The island does not allow cars (except for some of the islanders) and has beach, sea, dunes and forest.

If you stay in our house, we will correspond before your arrival and we will give you more tips on what to do, based on the age of your family members, your interests and how far you’re willing to travel for interesting things.

We love taking pictures. I’ve made some albums with Google Pictures of things you can do in our environment, that we took pictures of. So this is, of course, not everything you can do, but these are things we have done the last few years. Mostly hiking.

In our neighborhood https://photos.app.goo.gl/fBesm3etHbt5DuC3A

Groningen city (pictures made on a wet snow winter day) https://photos.app.goo.gl/wpACmdCykpwLgRbJ9

Reitdiephaven - 10 min. drive/cycle https://photos.app.goo.gl/nGXJzEKb9Qi9yVkJ8

Onlanden - 12 min drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/nQVwBXVxXqqeiHQv5

Hortus Haren - 20 min. drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/JKxBz4AsxLSQM1u8A

Zeegse - 25 min. drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/JXE3iRhZ9cDQUSS67

Gasselte - 30 min. drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/9pbFEaigWGrXVgvQ7

Bakkeveen - 30 min. drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/cnUvpcaLeLcCdJGf6

Nije Hemelriek 30 min. drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/4RFmHodwE57mo3uEA

Dannemeer - 30 minute drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/Xc5mvgFJKEbPbnoW7

Drouwen 40 min. drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/qT4yY7dvE1VBfdEU6

Aquazoo - 50 min. drive https://photos.app.goo.gl/PFkiEzfd2RXznMTk7

Schiermonnikoog - 50 min. drive 45 min. boat https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bg1M5eCo8d3o3PHd8

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Our home is comfortable and relaxing, a great place to enjoy time together with friends and family, or to relax quietly and listen to a cat purr. It’s an eco-friendly home - solar panels, infra-red heaters, a Tesla Model S 100D with a huge range, chickens in the garden for fresh eggs, lovely fresh herbs for cooking with.

Furnishing is vintage enough to be cool without compromising on comfort and practicality. There are lots of gorgeous crochet blankets in the main sitting room, both to look decorative and to be snuggly, and both a multifuel stove (with plenty wood and smokeless fuel provided) and an infrared heater.

The TV projector has a Roku stick, with Netflix, DisneyPlus, AppleTV etc, so the TV display takes up most of one wall - great for watching movies. Or of course you can log in to your own streaming accounts. The projector works equally well with lights on, so you can choose whether to have a cinema experience or be able to actually see your drinks and snacks.

There is excellent very fast wifi throughout the house.

The music room has a well-tuned concert pitch upright piano, and various other instruments which you are welcome to use if you know how to play them and will take good care of them (trombone, electric violin, recorders, ukulele).

We have gorgeous vintage (but practical) Spanish Garden Midwinter crockery (at least 8 place settings and plenty for a huge and spectacular Christmas dinner, or a sumptuous afternoon tea), Oneida Hampton Court silver cutlery, and Royal Brierley Cornflower glasses. And it all goes in the dishwasher :slight_smile: Our G-plan dining table and chairs seat 8, although you can fit 10 around it if you bring in the piano stool and another chair.

Kitchen gadgets include a bean to cup coffee machine, sparkling water maker, KitchenAid stand mixer, Magimix food processor with all possible attachments, a rice cooker, slow cooker, ice cube maker, smoothie maker - all in excellent working order. The microwave is huge, the hob is induction, and there’s an electric oven/oven and grill.

You’ll love relaxing in our back garden’s hot tub, which seats up to 6 - just as lovely in the snow as in the sunshine, with a gorgeous view of Holy Trinity Church (see photo). Please don’t take glasses to the hot tub - there are lots of insulated cups and bottles if you would like to take your coffee/hot chocolate/wine out there.

The cats eat special cat food which makes them hypoallergenic! Close family members with very sensitive cat allergies have stayed and they have not had allergy symptoms - we don’t guarantee that this will be the case but the evidence is very good so far! The cats mostly keep themselves to themselves, unless they think you may be about to provide them with additional food, and while you’re welcome to leave your bedroom door open (and may be visited) it’s also fine to shut the door and you are unlikely to be disturbed. They eat in the back porch, where they have automatic cat feeders, water fountains and a robot litter tray, which are all very easy and infrequent maintenance - you’ll need to check each about every 3 days. Maintaining the robot litter tray involves removing a bag and putting in another bag - and no smell! The cats get in and out of the house and the back porch using cat flaps, so they’re fairly independent. They enjoy sleeping in front of the fire or on the heated floor in the office downstairs.

The chickens, who live in the side garden, have an enclosed run. If we let them out in the garden to free range they have radio 4 on in their garden to deter foxes, so are highly informed about current affairs, although they keep their political opinions to themselves, unlike us. We didn’t vote for Brexit, we welcome refugees, and we work to protect the environment. Although of course you are welcome to stay here if you don’t share those views :slight_smile:

We have LOTS of Lego - we can provide a list of what we have and if you would like to request the bricks and instructions then we can leave it out for you to build during your stay - although please don’t take it with you! There is a Lego Grand Piano currently in progress, and lots of Star Wars kits waiting to be built, among other things. The Taj Mahal is complete and in a perspex case in the sitting room, and Tower Bridge is on display on top of a bookcase, as are Famous Female Scientists :slight_smile:

The Tesla is a 2017 model S 100D, with up to 360 miles (580km) of range. I know. We’re environmentalists, not the other thing: we wanted an electric vehicle, it’s a fabulous car, we bought it second hand and we are appalled by Elon Musk. There is a type 2 charger, plus a 10m 3-pin cable and a type 2 cable if you need to charge it away from the house. The car is connected to the Tesla Supercharger network, so you can charge it very quickly at many motorway service stations (the satnav will tell you when and where you need to charge if necessary). This is more expensive than charging at home, so if you charge at a supercharger please note down what you have spent and leave us the cash or ask us how to make a bank transfer. It’s still much cheaper than using petrol/gasoline :slight_smile: The car seats 5 very comfortably, with heated seats and steering wheel if needed, excellent heating or air conditioning, and all the usual Tesla gadgets. And just to reiterate in case I haven’t said it enough, obviously Elon Musk is horrendous, but the car is fantastic :slight_smile:

If you’re interested in the environmental stuff, we have solar panels and battery storage - the batteries are filled from the solar power and from cheaper renewable energy at night, and then during the day the house is powered by the batteries/solar, and in winter also from additional renewable energy from the national grid. Heating is from underfloor heating or infrared heaters.

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What you will love about this home

“A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure.”
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Relish the sights and sounds of nature as our chalet is nestled alongside Fall River and one mile from Rocky Mountain National Park. We have a cozy 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo adorned in an artsy mountain theme. Along with our views our chalet features: a luxurious log king bed, chocolate leather queen memory foam sleeper sofa (that’s a mouthful), additional single inflatable bed, cable TV, Blu-ray, Roku, PS3, Wi-Fi, and a gas fireplace. The combo of our luxurious king bed plus the comfortable sleeping weather adds up to a good night’s sleep. Our gas fireplace adds charm (and convenience) to our chalet. We enjoy cooking up there; consequently, we have a full kitchen that features nice cookware and most spices on hand. We have a Taylor guitar that Marilyn enjoys playing out on deck and serenading the elk. Guitar players have fun!

Rocky Mountain National Park is The Cats Meow, The One and Only, Out of This World, A Sight for Sore Eyes, The Real McCoy, The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread [insert cliche here]. Or you could say the main attraction. There are 227 different hiking trails that wind through aspen, pine, and spruce forests, glittering alpine lakes, waterfalls, and swaths of wildflowers. Elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and other wildlife roam the lush forests and glittering lakes, guaranteeing that every trip to Rocky Mountain National Park will be memorable. The park encompasses more than 250,000 acres, has 124 named mountain peaks, and rises 14,259 feet at its highest point. Maybe it’s hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, backcountry skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, photography, bird watching, or just a beautiful drive and a picnic that makes you rock and roll. There are plenty of ways to play and recreate in the park.

As filmmaker Ken Burns remarked, “the glory of Rocky Mountain National Park is that you can pull over at a scenic view and have a spectacular experience and be 10 feet from your car and say, what’s for lunch?” Scenic drives like Trail Ridge Road more than live up to its advanced billing. Covering the 48 miles between Estes Park on the park’s east side and Grand Lake on the west. Eleven miles of this high highway travels above treeline, the elevation near 11,500 feet where the park’s evergreen forests come to a halt. As it winds across the tundra’s vastness to its high point at 12,183 feet elevation, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34), the highest continuous paved road in North America, offers thrilling views, wildlife sightings and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions, all from the comfort of your car.

Estes Park serves as the gateway into Rocky Mountain National Park. The small town has been ranked #3 from The Smithsonian Magazine’s Best Small Towns, #3 for Trip Advisor’s 13 Hidden Gems, and #1 Coupons Daily’s 10 Affordable Honeymoon Destinations list.

Enjoy the Riverwalk in town as you might want to experience a meal on the river, eat at an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, watch a movie at the Historic Park Theatre (the oldest theatre west of the Mississippi), have a cup of coffee or beer, find a bench and people watch, or check out many of the shops.

A short drive takes you to chuck wagon sing-alongs, horseback riding, wineries, distilleries, children amusements, golf, a recreation center, tennis, pickleball, bowling, sports bars, mountain coaster, Via Ferrata, galleries, and much more. Delight at the farmers market, free concerts, the famous Stanley Hotel, the annual famous Rooftop Rodeo, the annual Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival, Frozen Dead Guy Days festival, and other festivals throughout the year. Estes Park has something for everyone, making it one of the best places to stay near the national park.

For you fishing aficionados Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park offer a myriad of places to wet your fly. Of course if you don’t feel like driving…

Photography buffs wanting to hone your photography skills, Rocky Mountain National Park is like a kid in a candy shop. You will find some of yours truly photography in our chalet. It is a work in progress.

IN OUR CHALET
We have two sets of hiking poles, a fishing pole, tackle box, snowshoes, and traction footwear. You will also find hiking books, maps, and information on Estes and day trips to the surrounding areas.

We’ve had guests through the years ask about our Wi-Fi speed. Our chalet is equipped with Wi-Fi speeds that will allow you to do work from home. So…if you have to do work from home, at least you have a view.

ON THE GROUNDS
We love going for nature walks without getting in the car. You can walk along the river in either direction. One way will take you for a short walk along the river on our grounds. Or if you feel so enthused go the other direction and do a nature walk along the river to the new bike/walking path into Rocky Mountain National Park.

Fishing lovers have enjoyed wetting their flies first thing in the morning and in the evening “when they’re biting.” It must be easier when you don’t have to hop in a car.

We enjoy refreshing in the heated pool in the summer after an active full day, or if we decide to have a low key day. There are gas grills on the grounds and we have a personal old school charcoal BBQ grill/smoker. Coin operated washers and dryers are available in the main building.

What you will love about this neighborhood

 We are ONE mile from ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

 We can walk down the steps from our deck and go for a stroll along Fall River, fish, or sit and take in the views.

 We are CLOSE to the stores and restaurants in Estes, yet far enough AWAY to experience the peacefulness and serenity of the mountains and nature doing its thing.

Additional information

1 mile (1.6 km) from Rocky Mountain National Park
3 miles (4.8 km) from the town of Estes Park
40 miles (64 km) from Boulder
50 miles (80 km) from Eldora Ski Area
60 miles (97 km) from Ft. Collins
80 miles (129 km) from Denver International Airport

This is our second home and we do not rent it, exchanges do not need to be simultaneous. Similar chalets listed on VRBO rent for over $3,000 a week during peak time.

We do ask for a minimum of four night stays for guest point exchanges. Housecleaning is available for $160 or you can choose to clean it yourselves.

We are happy to help you plan your trip and adventure, just ask.

Ken Burns Rocky Mountain National Park

Breath taking scenery RMNP

Expedia Travel Guide Video RMNP

Aerial and property video: “Chalet on the River”

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
-John Muir

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What you will love about this home

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:
THE WHOLE HOUSE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN GREEN/BLUE PERIODS ON THE CALENDAR, WHILE WE ARE OFF. IF YOU ARE UP TO 2 PERSONS AND PLAN TO STAY IN WHITE PERIODS, WE OFFER OUR 2ND FLOOR AND SHARED KITCHEN FOR 135 GP WHILE WE ARE IN THE HOUSE.
OUR CALENDR IS ALWAYS UP TO DATE

Small, approx. 100 year old fully renovated town house (ca 150 sqm) in the centre of Mannheim, very close to Marktplatz, Planken, Mannheim University and Popakademie, well connected with public transport and ca. 20 min walking to Mannheim main station and Ludwigshafen city-centre.

Our sunny, friendly house is situated in the backyard of a bigger complex, has a large rooftop garden-terrace, two bedrooms each with en-suite bathroom, big kitchen and living area and a study, distributed on 3 floors.

Ground floor:
Bedroom: one big double bed, closed space.
Bathroom: shower and bathtub, WC in separate room.

1st floor:
Open kitchen and living room; can be closed with floor-to-ceiling glas doors.

2nd floor:
Large open space with two single beds, plus possibility to put a futon. If you prefer a sofabed instead of a futon you can sleep on the sofabed in the living room.
Bathroom: WC and shower.

Besides the central heating there are two wood fired stoves in the living area 1st floor and the study on 2nd for a cosy atmosphere in winter.

Whether you are a musician, a scientist, a student, want to visit relatives or whatever reason brings you here, you will find a fully equipped house and kitchen (we love to cook!) with everything you need to feel at home. One of the few things we don`t have though is a TV.

This is the house we mainly live in, so there are the usual small imperfections that come with life. We don´t have a cleaner to set up the house perfectly every time someone is coming here. I will of course clean and prepare the house nicely for you, but if you expect spotless hotel level cleanliness maybe our home is not for you.
I don`t expect anything diffent from the houses I would like to stay in.

The house is NOT suited for CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 7 because of dangers from open railings.

What you will love about this neighborhood

Mannheim is Baden-Württembergs second biggest city and known for its theater, opera, and music scene (it is UNESCO city of music), has a vivid cultural life, many good museums, and arts galleries.

It`s one of the big transportation hubs in Germany, 40 min from Frankfurt int. Airport, 3 hours from Paris with the TGV, 2 hours from Nuremberg or Cologne which makes it the ideal starting point for your visit to south-western Germany. But also the immediate surroundings offer a lot: Mannheim is the heart of the historic region of the Palatinate, full of traditional wine-villages, vinyards, castles, and very near to important historic and UNESCO rated sites such as Heidelberg, Speyer, Worms and Mainz or the Rhine Valley, all at a short distance.
And it was here, where Carl Benz invented the car…

The house is in JUNGBUSCH, the ex-redlight district of Mannheim, now a very lively multiethnical neighbourhood with art galleries, music venues, the statal Popular Music Academy, a lot of culture and subculture. Students, musicians, artists and immigrants live here. Officially it`s part of the Mannheim centre district (Stadtmitte-Jungbusch), and indeed it is super central, you can reach Marktplatz Mannheim in less than 10 min walking.
There are a lots of restaurants of all types, bakeries and groceries in our immediate surroundings, bigger supermarkets, Mannheim University and all the important museums of the town within walking distance. Excellent public transport connection with bus stop in front of the house.
Especially ARTISTS and MUSICIANS will find a welcoming and inspiring neighbourhood here.

Additional information

https://www.unesco.org/en/creative-cities/mannheim
https://www.heidelberg-marketing.de/en
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/germany/articles/mannheim-city-guide-weekend-break/

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Large Andalusia penthouse with sea, golf and mountain views

What you will love about this home

Our apartment is very light and spacious with great views on all sides - down to the sea, across the golf courses or up to the mountains in Casares. On a clear day you can see across the Med to the coast of Africa.

It is a 3-bed, 3-bath duplex penthouse (the 3rd bedroom is used as an office) with several large terraces in a gated urbanisation. Downstairs is a large living/dining room, fully-equipped kitchen, and a utility room with separate washer and dryer. On this level you will also find a bedroom with high vaulted ceiling, UK king size bed (150cm), and large ensuite bathroom.

The other bedroom downstairs is used as an office and has two large desks (one stand/sit) with dual monitors and a printer. There is another full bathroom downstairs off the hallway. The living room, bedroom and office all have access to a huge terrace with views down to the sea. The rear terrace is accessed through the bedroom and is the best place in summer if you want to escape the heat.

Upstairs is a landing area with access to the roof terrace, and a very spacious bedroom with UK king size bed (150cm) and ensuite bathroom. There are awnings on the terraces if you want some shade, and plenty of seating areas.

We have high-speed fibre internet, Netflix, Amazon Prime, hot/cold air-conditioning in the living room/bedrooms/office, and heated mirrors in the ensuite bathrooms. Externally there is underground parking, and access to communal gardens, swimming pool and a padel tennis court.

What you will love about this neighborhood

Situated in a quiet urbanisation in Casares Costa, we are only a few minutes walk from Casares Golf club where, along with the pro shop, you will find a gym, steam room and sauna. Upstairs is a large bar/restaurant with outdoor terrace. The restaurant has weekly jam nights and occasional live music in the summer.

We are only a few minutes drive (20 min walk) from the beach and local ‘chiringuitos’ (beach bars). The pretty port of Duquesa is a 5 minute drive and has numerous bars and restaurants and regular live music. The larger town of Estepona is around 10 mins away and has a lovely old town in addition to a new pedestrianised promenade stretching the length of the town. The white village of Casares is a 15-20 minute drive into the mountains and has amazing views and some great restaurants.

Gibraltar with its famous rock and Barbary Apes is half an hour in one direction, and Marbella and glitzy Puerto Banus half an hour in the other direction. For shoppers there is the large La Cañada shopping mall in Marbella.

Golf lovers will be in paradise! The apartment is surrounded by the challenging 9-hole Casares course, the vast Doña Julia is a few minute drive, and world-famous Finca Cortesin is literally around the corner. There are at least a dozen more courses within a 20 minute drive including Valderrama (home of the Volvo Masters), La Reserva, El Paraiso and La Hacienda (which has one of only two links courses in Spain).

The ski slopes of Sierra Nevada are 2 1/2-3 hours away and are suitable for all levels. The season normally runs from December through to April.

There are plenty of other activities nearby including horse-riding, karting, padel tennis, watersports, boat trips and dolphin watching. Walkers/hikers will love going up into the surrounding mountains, and the famous El Caminito del Rey walkway can be reached in less than 2 hours.

We are in an ideal spot to explore the rest of Andalusia and many places are within an easy driving distance:

Malaga (a fantastic city, often overlooked) - 1h 10m
Ronda - 1h 10m
Tarifa - 55m
Cadiz - 1h 30m
Jerez - 1h 30m
Seville - 2h 15m
Granada - 2h 20m
Nerja - 1 h 45m
Cordoba - 2h 30m

Tangiers in Morocco is possible as a day trip. Madrid can be reached by train from Malaga in under 3 hours. Malaga Airport is an hour away and Gibraltar Airport half an hour.

Additional information

STRICTLY NO SMOKING (INCLUDING TERRACES)

CLEANING:
We have a cleaner who has been with us for 15 years who comes Friday mornings for 3 hours. We would want this to continue during exchanges (at no cost to you) - she has a key so you don’t need to be here to let her in. We don’t have cleaners who can come in ad-hoc and work around guests. Regardless of your arrival day the apartment will be clean and ready for you and we would expect it to be left as you found it (whether washing of bedding/towels etc is required will depend on how soon guests are coming in after you - the finer details would need to be discussed).

SWIMMING POOL:
The pool is unheated and closed in the winter months.

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What a great idea! Here’s our home’s description:

What you will love about this home

Cozy apartment with a sunny rooftop terrace full of greenery - a stone’s throw away from Valencia’s most popular sights.
The flat is very quiet as we live on the top floor of a 5-storey building. It is a compact flat of 35 m2, yet it comfortably fits everything we need, including a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, cozy couch, bedroom, bathroom, and office room. We’ve decorated our home with our favorite plants and local artists’ works. As we both work from home, we have very fast WiFi and a dedicated workspace in the office room with a comfortable desk, chair, and screen. The best part, however, is the huge (40 m2) sunny rooftop terrace that surrounds the flat. We’ve put a lot of love and effort into making it the perfect place to spend our days by furnishing it with comfortable furniture, lovely plants, and a sun sail, so everyone can enjoy the sunshine or the atmospheric evenings under the fairy lights.
We have an inflatable mattress (which fits in the office room), and the couch can be turned into a double bed, so the flat could accommodate up to 4 people. We have air conditioning and a portable heater - both can be used for heating if it gets chilly during the winter.

What you will love about this neighborhood

Our apartment is located on the border of El Grau and Cabanyal, an up-and-coming, popular neighborhood of Valencia, which was voted one of the 10 coolest neighbourhoods of Europe by The Guardian.
Cabanyal used to be a fishermen’s village which was later integrated into the city, but you’ll still see the charming little colorful, tiled houses typical to the area. The city’s wide, sandy beach, stretching over 3,5 kilometers, is within a 20-minute walking distance - or a 10-minute bike ride away. Turia Park with the impressive City of Arts and Sciences is the same distance in the other direction. There’s a Valenbisi (community bike sharing) station practically in front of our building, as well as metro, tram and bus stops within a few hundred meters, so it’s super easy to get around and explore the rest of Valencia as well.
Taking the metro at the nearest stop will take you to the historic center of Valencia and the train station in 15 minutes, or directly to the airport in 35 minutes.
We have a long list of recommendations with our favorite eateries, specialty coffee spots, gorgeous parks, vintage shops and flea markets, as well as ideas for day trips in the area, that we’d be happy to share with you.

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Our house is large and comfortable with lots of room for relaxing inside and out. We have a large brick home on 8 acres of lawn and forest. It has 3 big bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 full, one ½) and can sleep 6 (possibly more with special arrangements). The master bedroom has a king size bed and an ensuite bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub. One bedroom has a double bed, the other has a queen, both with new mattresses. There is also a futon for extra sleep spots. The back porch has sun all day with a table and umbrella to enjoy meals—great for a sunny breakfast, watching an early sunrise, or just taking in the view of the forest and small pond in our backyard. The front covered porch has a double swinging chair and hammock – both great places to watch the sun set or relax in the shade on a hot day. The country kitchen is spacious and has an eating area with large windows on 3 sides, overlooking the forest in the back yard. The dining room has more space if you are seating 6 or more. The recreation room has a large TV with Netflix, Amazon and DVD player plus many board games. A large living room has comfortable leather sofa and chairs to relax away from the TV. BBQ, Wifi, loads of space for parking. Cell phone reception will vary with carrier. (Koodo works well.) There’s a firepit in the back yard with chairs and wood to burn as long as there are no temporary fire restrictions.

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:sparkles: Oasis near Melbourne, 20 mins from the beach and wineries, 40 mins from the amazing Wilson’s Promontory :national_park:

What you will love about this home
We’re just 1.5 hours outside of Melbourne, lots of schools & sports facilities here, bus line to Melbourne and about 40mins from the amazing Wilson’s Promontory National Park and 20 mins from Inverloch‘s beaches. There are lots of wineries and a 180km rail trail which starts 5mins from the house.

The house itself is a newly renovated gem which feels super cosy, especially with the wood fire in winter and the lovely terrace and garden during the warmer months.

There is lots of light and the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Our neighbours are AMAZING and you can eat fruit and veggies straight from the garden.

We’d be happy to throw the car in for the exchange too would just need to work out the details and see how we can make that happen.

In the garage there are bikes, camping and beach gear which you are welcome to use.

The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an open living dining room/kitchen/living room, a laundry, a walk-in robe and ensuite bathroom with the main bedroom, as well as a spacious playroom for kindergarten or school aged kids.

The garden has fruit trees, three wicking beds for veggies (easy to grow as it has a water reservoir), raised garden beds with veggies and berries.

There is also a slide and a cubby house which are always a hit with the kids.

We got yellow tailed black cockatoos as well as kockaburras coming into our garden alongside a lot of smaller birds like fairy wrens and finches.

One of our favourite things to do is to chill in our beautiful Mexican family hammock. Oh life can be so good!

What you will love about this neighborhood

We live 2 mins from a really nice park and playground which is loved and used by the whole community for afternoon plays, birthday celebrations, mini festivals or events like Halloween/Santa/Easter egg hunts and BBQs.

There is a beautiful community garden just up the road (15mins by foot) and all the sport facilities you can imagine literally 5mins from the house (swimming pool, gymnastics, yoga, footie/cricket/netball/basketball field, golf and tennis courts.)

You will love how close we live to the town Center. It takes no more than 10mins by foot into town where you’ll find anything you need: 3 supermarkets, post office, cafes, bars and restaurants, hardware stores, sport and tech shops, opshops, medical centres etc.

Lots of people (including ourselves) love the local Wholefood Shop which provides organic, local produce and bulk food. We love going there to fill up our honey and dry fruit jars.

Amazing wineries, farmers markets, world class food and tourist attractions are just around the corner. During the weekend and the school holidays our area gets flooded with people from Melbourne who want to escape the city.

Inverloch (Anderson Inlet) is a great destination for wind and kite surfers, as well as SUP and kayaking. It’s also great for little kids as it’s more like a lake and the waves are smaller.

Inverloch also has a surf beach where you can do the classical surfing (Wellenreiten).

Along Bass Coast (from Inverloch to Phillip Island) they are currently building the Dinosaur Trail which will be completed in stages.

They’ve just turned one of our favourite kids books „Magic Beach“ by Gippsland local Alison Lester into a movie which is now streaming in cinemas. Alison grew up in Walkerville and drew inspiration from her beautiful local beach :beach_umbrella: You can check out the trailer here: https://youtu.be/hTduNp6ep0M
And you can visit the Alison Lester bookshop in Fish Creek :tropical_fish:

Have a look at the following popular attractions: Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Wilson’s Promontory, Squeaky Beach (voted #1 beach in Australia; #2 worldwide), Mount Oberon, Mount Nicoll Lookout, Tarra Bulga National Park, Baw Baw Resort (skiing), Italian Fiesta Mirboo North, Ocean Sounds Festival, Korumburra Light Fest, Mirboo North Winterfest, Walhalla (film set of Ice Road 2 with Liam Neeson), Metung Hot Springs (soon also on Phillip Island), East Gippsland Winter Festival.

There is mountain biking in Foster and they just opened a new one near Traralgon called Haunted Hills.

It’s beautifully green and quiet where we live and time seems to go slower here.

We have a ton of insider tips on which beaches, walks, hikes, campsites, restaurants etc are the best, just let us know what you’re into and we’ll put a list together!

Additional information
We’re new to the platform but absolutely love hosting family and friends at our place. We moved to the countryside in 2017 and our house is always a popular holiday destination for our Melbourne peeps as we’re so close to the beach and major attractions. Whenever we went to Europe for a holiday we would always have family or friends house sit and look after our pets.

We have a ton of Airbnb reviews which we’re happy to show you for peace of mind, especially for our very first swaps!

Ideally we are looking for a kid friendly house (primary school aged) for our swaps as it makes life so much easier when there are already toys in the house.

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What you will love about this home

Our upscale, waterfront home has three levels with the master bedroom with king bed conveniently located on the main floor. There is a master bath with tub and shower. Our kitchen has all the modern conveniences. The living room is next to the kitchen and has access to the outside porch overlooking our tree-lined backyard and the lake. We have a two-car garage and large deck with grill, large metal table & 8 chairs with plenty of rooms for family gatherings.
There are three bedrooms on the upstairs floor. Two bedrooms with queen beds, and one with two twin beds, There are two full bathrooms upstairs. There are separate HVAC units for the main and upstairs floors.
The lower floor is on ground level with walkout to a seating area overlooking the back yard and lake. It is perfect for family units or friends who desire their own space. It has a queen bed and single bed in the bedroom, and full bath. There is a microwave, smart TV, sink and exercise equipment. There is plenty of seating.
We have a 21 foot open-bow boat, two kayaks,SUP, life jackets and water toys in our boathouse.

What you will love about this neighborhood

Our home is located in a tree-protected neighborhood with approximately 100 single family, upscale houses. We live on Smith Mountain Lake - a large clean lake with 500 miles of shoreline. The lake is perfect for fishing, swimming and other outdoor activities. Our neighborhood is protected by a home owner’s association. There is a clubhouse with pool, and frequent social gatherings by friendly neighbors. Walking in our neighborhood is easy with shaded walking paths and a park area. We have a neighborhood tennis/pickle ball court that receives frequent use by our friendly neighbors.
Grocery shopping, gym and other conveniences ar about seven miles away.We have a very bucolic setting with many farms in the general vicinity.

Additional information

We are only a short distance from the scenic 469 mile Blue Ridge Parkway. There are many opportunities for cycling, hiking and walking. There is also a community park near us that has a sandy beach, hiking trails and picnic area. Our area has many opportunities of live music. Old Time, Bluegrass and Celtic music opportunities are frequent. We are well-located for Civil War history buffs. Outdoor active opportunities are numerous.
The nearest airport to us, and the one we use most frequently is Roanoke, Virginia (ROA). It is about 50 minutes from us. It i on the smaller size, and easy to negotiate.
Also, the Greensboro, North Carolina airport (GSO) is larger. It hosts more airlines, and is larger. It is an easy two hour drive from us.

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What you will love about this home

PLEASE READ OUR “Guaranteed Exchange Clause” AT THE VERY BOTTOM.

Check out the local newspaper article featuring our home:

Welcome to our 1911 home heritage home, with its 11 foot ceilings, original hardwood floors and wood trim, amazing hand-painted stained glass windows and secret servants staircase. You will have access to two full floors of our 4 floor (4800 sq foot) home, which includes 4 bedrooms (King Bed, Queen Bed, Double sized loft bed (can hold one adult or two small children) and one Double mattress on the floor). If needed we also have a single mattress and multiple inflatable mattresses. Other amenities in the house include: massage chair, Japanese toilets with heated seats, washer and dryer, dishwasher, high speed internet, big screen TV, DVD, children’s books (French/English) and toys, and an alarm system. We also have a large front yard filled with giant trees and plenty of shade that also keeps our house cool in the summer. But we also have a portable AC unit for one bedroom that we have never had to use.

FYI - We do have a completely separated basement apartment (private entrance, no shared space etc) that is rented out. All our home exchanges have been done while our lovely neighbours live downstairs and it’s never been an issue :slight_smile:

What you will love about this neighborhood

Location, location, location! We live in New Westminster - Vancouver is less than 9 km away; downtown Vancouver is 20 km away (easy access on public transit/skytrain); Whistler (2010 Olympics) is less than 2 hrs away by car. We are one block away from our main street - walking distance to shopping, restaurants, public transit (bus service to Skytrain). Metrotown is 6 km away, the largest shopping complex in British Columbia (https://metropolisatmetrotown.com/). Our house is centrally located in our region, so it is convenient to visit other tourist destinations outside of Vancouver e.g. Fort Langley, Steveston Village, Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen Ferry terminals (to visit capital city Victoria on Vancouver Island and other nearby Gulf Islands). We are 40 min to the US border.

Vancouver has regularly been chosen as one of the best places to live in the world. The fresh clean air, mountains, oceans and mild climate makes it an enjoyable destination year-round. It’s often possible to golf in the morning and ski in the afternoon during the winter months. Look up! You may see some bald eagles flying up in the sky. Here are some good viewing spots for bald eagles: https://www.hellobc.com/stories/3-places-to-view-eagles-near-vancouver/

Some Vancouver things to do (SEE https://www.destinationvancouver.com/ for more): Granville Island, Stanley Park (walk the Seawall), Downtown Vancouver, historic Gastown, Chinatown (the second largest Chinatown in North America), Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver Art Gallery, shopping on Robson Street, VanDusen Garden, Museum of Anthropology, Science World, mountains (Grouse Mountain - climb the famous Grouse Grind); Cypress, Seymour), beaches (Kitsilano, Spanish Banks, Jericho, English Bay).

Our city New Westminster is one of the Top 10 places in Canada for millennials “Diversity, walkability, central location, greenspace - and people - are some of the reasons local millennials say they love living in New Westminster” Study: New West deemed to be a hot spot for millennials - New West Record.

Within our city, you can walk past historic heritage mansions to nearby Queens Park (1.5 km away) with a large children’s playground, water park, running trails, rose garden and outdoor bandstand. Two kilometres away is the River Market and boardwalk, where you can stroll along the Fraser River. Please check out the information about what to “Eat, Explore and Do” in New Westminster – almost everything is less than 3 km from our home. http://www.tourismnewwestminster.com

Additional information

Vancouver (especially New Westminster) and the surrounding area is known as “Hollywood North” as many movies and TV shows are filmed here. If this is something that interests you, check out a list of what’s been filmed or is currently filming – perhaps you’ll spot a celebrity!

Or check out what’s currently playing on Netflix that was filmed here: Page Redirection

For tickets to shows, concerts and other events you might want to attend while visiting:
www.ticketmaster.ca

March/April is a great time to visit - did you know Lonely Planet has declared Vancouver the fourth-best spot in the world to see cherry blossoms?! https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-best-world-cherry-blossoms

Information on visiting Vancouver Island or other nearby Islands (Salt Spring, Galiano etc)

Sea to Sky Gondola – located ~ 1 hr from our home, halfway on the route to Whistler - highly recommend it!

Whistler

River Market at Westminster Quay
http://www.rivermarket.ca/

PLEASE READ:
GUARANTEED EXCHANGE CLAUSE: Sadly we hear more on the chat groups about people cancelling exchanges, often last minute. Exchanging is a way of life for us, not an “AirBNB”-like transaction. We have always exchanged with what we call our “guaranteed exchange clause”. If for whatever reason we cannot go to your place, you can still have our home as promised, and we will find alternate accomodation with family or friends. Yes we can go through Home Exchange to resolve it, but if they cannot, you can rest assured you will have a place to stay. We will only exchange with others who will do the same. It gives both of us peace of mind that once we plan and book plane tickets etc that our vacations will go ahead. We get it, things happen. But is easier for us to find alternate accomodation with family or friends than to break our promise and ruin your vacation. It wouldn’t feel right. We have never had a bad exchange experience in almost 20 years and we believe open communication and trust is a key reason why. Happy exchanging!

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Hello travelers!!! :hugs:

Collect moments, NOT things .

Today I want to show you a destination with a great natural attraction, full of peace, adventure, fun … That is L’Alfàs del Pi, a municipality in the province of Alicante in the Valencian Community on the Costa Blanca.

I’m Marcos, a pharmacist by profession. :man_scientist:

I love nature and outdoor sports activities both in the sea and in the mountains.
:mountain:Hiking is my favorite sport and I practice it almost every weekend.
:person_mountain_biking:Love cycling.
:person_surfing:I also like snorkeling, paddle surfing and kayaking as water activities.

:luggage:Travelling fascinates me, discovering new places, different cultures, trying new gastronomy.

:department_store:My apartment is located in L’Alfàs del Pi, a privileged area as the Mediterranean bathes this small corner full of light and charm on the coast of Alicante, come and discover everything you can live and do in L’Alfàs del Pi!

Take note of everything you can enjoy and prepare your getaway!

:city_sunrise:What you will love about this flat!

My apartment is a penthouse, a place full of peace and tranquility because from the window you can enjoy breathtaking views, beautiful mountains, spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

  • It consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 of these rooms are equipped with very comfortable double beds, fitted closets, large mirrors, television and everything you need for a pleasant stay, one room is equipped with exercise bike and a multi gym where you can perform your exercises to stay in shape.
  • The living room is very spacious, elegant and the wood burning fireplace is the magic of natural warmth for rainy or cold days when after a day full of activities you can sit on the couch and enjoy watching a movie on TV or listening to nice music through my smart speaker.
  • The kitchen is equipped with everything you need to cook in a traditional or modern way as you can use the food processor, coffee maker,refrigerator, air fryer, microwave, toaster over…etc.
  • The apartment is also equipped with two elegant bathrooms, one with shower and one with bathtub.
  • Upstairs is the office and my drum kit to play some songs and have a nice time for those who love music.
  • I remind you if you are going to have a stay in my penthouse, you can park your car in the garage of the building, quietly.

What you will love about this beautiful place

:sunrise_over_mountains:Highlights of L’Alfàs del Pi

  1. The natural areas in L’Alfàs del Pi take you to the beautiful Serra Gelada Natural Park, where you can take a route with spectacular views that will take you to a lighthouse.

In the park you can go hiking on foot or by bicycle (bikes are rented for 10€) and enjoy many things to do and rich experiences.

  1. The L’Albir Lighthouse is an emblematic lighthouse in the municipality. Nearby are the ruins of the Bombarda tower, a four-meter tower that was used to monitor pirate attacks.

Inside the lighthouse there is an art exhibition related to seafaring life and the care of the park.

It is very educational and you can learn about the old pirates, sailors, food of the time, peasants… Outside the building you can contemplate the panorama from the viewpoint.

  1. If we approach the beach you have to visit the Torre Bombarda, a fantastic watchtower overlooking the sea, or the Villa Romana de l’Albir and its open air museum where you can discover its secrets, very close is the great beach Racó de L’Albir and all the coves you will see from there, plus some old copper mines, you will find incredible!

  2. A little further away from the town center of L’Alfàs del Pi is the Molí de Mànec, an old mill transformed into an Interpretation Center.

  3. We remind you that L’Alfàs del Pi celebrates every year a film festival and various cultural activities related to music and theater, a festival with more than 20 editions that, each year, welcomes great actors and actresses. L’Alfàs del Pi has become a little Hollywood, with a walk of the stars included! In this promenade you can find the commemorative stars with the names of great actors awarded. In addition, during the summer nights, it is transformed into an artisan market.

  4. Dino Park Algar, it is very fun to spend a day with the kids because it is a theme park where there are dinosaur robots that make movements and emit almost natural sounds. The kids will love it.

It also has other attractions such as playgrounds, paleontological park, 3D cinema and botanical garden of cactus, where the little ones can continue learning.

Prepare your getaway, you will have the time of your life!

:sunset:Places of interest near L’Alfàs del Pi :

:sunrise:* Coastal towns : Altea, Calpe, Benidorm, Villajoyosa
:sunrise_over_mountains:* Inland villages: Polop, Fuentes del Algar, Guadalest

:airplane_departure:L’Alfàs del Pi is located 52 km from Alicante Airport (Alicante, Spain). … Currently, there are 22 airlines operating flights from Alicante Airport.

An interesting thing about the city is that more than 50% of the population is foreign. This indicates that many cultures converge in the same place.

:backhand_index_pointing_right:If you are a person who likes to travel a lot to enjoy the gastronomy of the country, certainly in L’Alfàs del Pi you will be very happy.

:shallow_pan_of_food:The basic product of its gastronomy is rice, a food that is usually prepared in many ways, it is worth mentioning that rice with beans was the staple dish of the ancient settlers and farm workers.

Another food that is essential are the cocas, which can be found in any supermarket and comes in many different flavors, such as the so-called farcida that has tomato, tuna and bell pepper or coca with chard and mackerel. But if you are more into sweet than savory, do not leave without trying the pumpkin fritters and almond fritters.

:convenience_store:Don’t forget to visit the market in L’Alfàs del Pi.

If you wonder where you can buy these dishes or where you can buy the ingredients to make them yourself, the only sure answer is the market.

Every week a special flea market is organized where people can buy clothes and shoes, but what we can highlight the most is the food, where you can find all the typical products of L’Alfàs del Pi, a place that is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars and promenades.

:woman_dancing::man_dancing::saxophone:Parties, Music and Art

Don’t miss the traditional festivals, its Jazz Festival, where you can listen to the music of some of the most recognized national and international figures of this genre, and the exhibitions that L’Alfàs del Pi offers.

:bellhop_bell:Additional information

There is no charge , I would just like you to leave my apartment as clean as you found it when you entered.

Smokers are not welcome, neither are those who like alcohol and nightlife.

Welcome to my house and happy exchanging!! :grin:

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What you will love about this home

Our California mid-century home is inviting and comfortable. In addition to the three bedrooms, there is a full kitchen with dining table, family room with television, dvd player, light free weights, stationary bike, and a living room with fireplace. We also have a closet full of puzzles, games, and crafts you are welcome to enjoy.

Our backyard is a perfect spot for quiet relaxation or for entertaining depending on your mood. Guest can enjoy beautiful Southern-California weather with the pool, (our hot tub is not available for guests at this time), grill, patio (with couches and dining table), outdoor fireplace, hammock, or tree house. The front yard has two tables for dining and a little free library.

We have three bedrooms, two with queen beds and one with a full/double bed, and two full bathrooms. The kitchen has everything you could need for cooking, baking, or grilling.

I am a librarian and the house is full of books and modern art. We hope you will enjoy both.

What you will love about this neighborhood

Our home is in the beautiful tree-lined town of Claremont, CA, with a short 1 mile walk you can be in the center of the artists’ colony and college-town of the Claremont village. The village has restaurants, shops including vintage stores, museums, folk music center, coffee shops, a movie theater, and many galleries.

The Claremont colleges are a mile from our home- it’s a perfect location for college visits, parents’ weekend, and graduation.

The Claremont Colleges (Pomona, Harvey Mudd, Scripps, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, Claremont Graduate U, and Keck Graduate U) are about a mile from the house.

The nearby mountains offer hiking (within minutes) and skiing (within an hour). We are also just 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles. LA can be reached with a direct train from the Claremont village.

Claremont is a art-loving town. The first Friday of every month Claremont village hosts Art Walk with open galleries throughout the village. Summer in Claremont offers Monday evening concerts in the village, movies in the park, and Friday evening music around the village. Year-round Sunday mornings offer a farmers market with fruits, veggies, plants, flower, honey, and artisan booths.

Additional information

Disneyland in Anaheim, CA is just about 30 miles south.

Southern California beaches are within easy driving (timing will depend on traffic). Guests are welcome to use the boogie boards, beach chairs, umbrella, and beach towels.

Downtown LA and all the museums, music, restaurants, and sporting events are just 30 miles west. Hollywood is also about 35 miles.

Home ID

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Explore Seattle and the Pacific Northwest
Hello! We’re a Pacific Northwest couple who found our way back to this stunning region in 2010 to be closer to our son and his family, following many years living on the East Coast. With backgrounds in building contracting and graphic design, we’ve embraced retirement by immersing ourselves in the natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and vibrant urban culture the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Recently, a job change took our son’s family to Dublin, Ireland, and we’re excited to spend time together again through the wonderful experience of home exchanges, as well as meet new and interesting people, domestic and foreign.

What You Will Love About This Home: Step into our modern, three-story gem nestled in the heart of West Seattle. Originally built in 1905, our home has undergone extensive remodeling, updating it with contemporary comfort. As you enter the main floor, you’ll be greeted by an open floorplan with 9-foot ceilings and exposed beams, creating a spacious and inviting atmosphere. Natural light streams in from both the front and back, offering glimpses of our charming neighborhood, downtown Seattle skyline, and the majestic mountains beyond. The living room provides ample seating for relaxation or movie nights, while the adjacent dining area transitions seamlessly into the well-appointed kitchen and casual eating space. Step outside onto our expansive deck, complete with a large table, seating area, and grill, perfect for alfresco dining or soaking up the afternoon sunshine.
Up the open staircase are three rooms: the main bedroom with a queen bed, a versatile office space, and a light-filled studio with some distant views. The office can be equipped with a blowup mattress if additional beds are needed. Both the office and studio can be used for remote work spaces. They also offer access to a small balcony on the front of the house. The main bedroom opens onto a small outdoor walkway and access to a fresh breeze. A full bathroom with a shower/tub combo completes this level. Downstairs, the basement level (which has it’s own outdoor entrance) features a comfortable suite with a large-screen TV, ideal for family gatherings or accommodating additional guests with its pullout queen bed. Laundry facilities and a remodeled bathroom add convenience to this lower level.
We think our home is ideal for two couples, each with their own space and a shared area on the main floor. It is less ideal for a family that wants to be close by each other since the bedrooms are separated on different floors. This might be fine (and even appreciated) if there are teenagers but not for younger kids.
We’ve poured our hearts into creating a comfortable, light-filled retreat that reflects our love of comfort, the warmth of being with friends and the beauty of this area. We hope you will be happy here as well.

What You Will Love About Our Neighborhood: Situated in the charming and convenient North Admiral neighborhood of West Seattle, our home offers partial views of downtown Seattle, the harbor, and distant mountains. Nestled within a cul-de-sac, our quiet street is lined with lovely homes and exceptionally friendly, multi-generational neighbors who share a strong sense of community. Just a short stroll away, you’ll find a plethora of amenities, including grocery stores, pharmacies, library, restaurants, bus and water taxi access, and even a movie theatre. A couple miles further south the hub of West Seattle hosts a vibrant shopping district with an array of restaurants and shops to explore.
Looking for exercise or just enjoy the beautiful outdoors, it is an easy walk down our hill (coming back up the hill is not quite as easy) to Elliott Bay and the bustling dock for the West Seattle water taxi, which provides convenient and scenic access to downtown Seattle. You will also find breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier on a clear day, along with the scattered islands peppered around the Sound. A leisurely walk or bike ride along this waterfront trail leads to picturesque Alki Beach, a popular playground for locals and tourists alike. There are plenty of dining options to keep you there and waiting for a stunning sunset with the mountain backdrop.

What You Will Love Beyond Our Neighborhood, there is so much more to explore…like visiting downtown Seattle, Pikes Place Market, the Space Needle, museums and galleries, major league sporting events, wine-tasting at the nearby tasting rooms, all in the urban scene. Or choose to leave the city behind and go hiking. There are lots of choices: Mt. Rainier, the Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Mountains, or venture to San Juan Islands via ferry. Whether you’re drawn to the warm, sunny days of summer or the thrills of winter at near ski slopes, our West Seattle home offers an ideal base for year-round enjoyment. Come experience the magic of the Pacific Northwest. We welcome you.

Additional Information:
Square footage is 2460 sq ft., 3-floors with stairs, air-conditioning, appliances: gas range and hood, dishwasher, refrigerator, air fryer, microwave, toaster over, 3 TVs, stationary bike, washer and dryer.

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What will your guests love about your home

Our home is located near a bus station, a few stops from the city center. It is situated near parks and a shopping mall and has a lot of shops, restaurants and cafes nearby.
It has two bedrooms, a living room and two bathrooms. It has a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, dishwasher and also a washing machine. It has a big balcony with a beautiful view. A parking space is available in front of the building.

What will your guests love about your neighborhood?

The neighborhood has many parks and shops and is also close to the city center and the airport. There is a direct bus to the airport and also to the train station.
In the summer there are many concerts and festivals (including a film festival) and in winter there is a beautiful Christmas market.

Additional information

In the city you can relax in the Central Park, have a panoramic view of the city from the Cetatuia hill or the Firemen’s Tower or visit the Botanical garden, the Ethnographic park or the History, Pharmacy and Art museums. A short bus ride from the apartment you can find MINA, Museum of Immersive New Art, the largest immersive art center in Europe. With over 4,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space, MINA offers visitors a multisensory experience through 360° projections and interactive installations. For more details and information, please visit MINA Museum - MINA Cluj, Museum of Immersive New Art.

A short drive from the city you can reach an animal park, a salt mine, beautiful gorges and waterfalls, traditional villages, medieval cities and castles. Apuseni Mountains offer many hiking opportunities, a destination recommended by CNN https://www.beyonddracula.com/apuseni-mountains-romania/.

Please check https://visitcluj.ro/ for more information regarding our city and Flavours of Romania https://www.netflix.com/ro/title/81285938 for videos about our beautiful country.

Romania was selected as one of the best destinations to visit in 2025 by CNN travel and Vogue (see https://edition.cnn.com/travel/best-destinations-to-visit-2025/index.html and The 10 Best Places to Travel in 2025 | Vogue)

Note that for the music festivals during the summer of 2025 we ask for a minimum stay of 5 days.

We don’t charge a cleaning fee, but ask that you leave our home in the same condition that you found it. Thank you!

Who we are

We are a family with 2 children, 2 boys of age 8 and 3. The oldest started school and the youngest is in kindergarten. Teodora is a mathematician passionate about numbers and education and Paul has its own business in IT sector.
We would like to travel together and show our children the world, so that they grow up in an international environment. We believe that trips are always an opportunity to learn new things.

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My apartment offers a very authentic dive into the Parisian life being situated in a lively neighbourhood and close to the main attractions.
The house is always full of light, has a big bed, simple decorations and a dining table.
It has lots of plants and most importantly, two small balconies with a breathtaking view to the charming Parisian rooftops. There is no separation between the living room and the bedroom, the place is a welcoming open space as shown in the pictures. The kitchen is really tiny, but there is all you need, a dish-washer, an electric oven and all tools and spices.
The apartment is situated at the 6th floor in a well maintained building with a private yard, very calm and silent, but there is no elevator in the building. The place is secured with codes and there is a guardian as well.

Neighbourhood:
My home is situated in a very nice neighbourhood, very vibrant, full of restaurants, cafés, boutiques and cool bars.
There are many food options, and also some nice vegan-friendly restaurants around my house. It is at a walking distance from Louvre and from Montmartre, and in the same time quite calm, far from tourists and enjoyable to live in.

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Hello travellers :luggage::heart_eyes::airplane::world_map::oncoming_automobile:

Welcome to our home :house: !

:bridge_at_night:We live in a nice apartment near the center of London :ferris_wheel:. We house has 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 kitchen and 1 bathroom, has dehumidifier and heating as well.

:couch_and_lamp: The living room has: one small window that you can see the trees. We also have a TV with access to Netflix, a sofa and a dining table with 4 seats.

:woman_cook: In the kitchen we have an oven, fridge, blender, microwave, kettle and an air-fryer.

:bed: In the bedrooms has:

  • 1 bedroom with single bed of 95cm x 1.95m (children place with toys and books).
  • 1 bedroom with a king bed of 1.5m x 2m.

:bike::girl:t2:We have one child bike that we’re happy to make available to our guests and in front our house has rental parking bikes.

:red_car:If you come by car, you can finding parking in the neighbourhood.

What you will love about this neighborhood:

:office:Our apartment is on the 1st floor(without lift)of a building very close to a station. Better still, the subway station is only a 4-minute walk from our home, which is even easier!

:bus:There are also several bus stops nearby (about a 2-minute walk away). We live in a great location!

:uk:In London, you can easily get anywhere by public transport. If you want to take excursions in more famous places of London it’s a good idea and a car won’t be necessary!
Approximate times from our home to popular locations by underground:

  • :ferris_wheel:London eye: 30 mins.
  • :mantelpiece_clock:Big Ben: 30 mins.
  • :lion:Trafalgar Square: 27 mins.
  • :classical_building:Palace of Buckingham: 35 mins.
  • :bridge_at_night:Tower Bridge: 40 mins.

:national_park:Our neighborhood is a very lively area, with supermarkets, cafes, bars and many parks. You can find everything within walking distance.

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