Why not try home swapping for your holiday this year?

HAVE you thought of holidaying at home this year? That might seem an odd statement coming from a travel insurance consultant, but I didn’t mean your own home, which might not be too much fun.
I was thinking more about doing a swap with another homeowner looking to holiday in your area.
Home swapping has been around for decades, and these days there are more and more agencies giving a much wider choice of destinations for that dream holiday.
For instance one of the largest online specialists –  homeexchange.com – registered 75,000 swaps in 150 countries, with offers ranging from modest flats to designer lofts and luxury condos. In fact any sort of home you could think of was catered for.  That means what was once a tiny minority ‘alternative’ holiday scheme has now become a mainstream travel concept that even appeals to risk-averse people like you or me.
This year, the take-up could be higher than ever, as people look for ways of fulfilling their holiday dreams without blowing the budget. At Globelink, we’ll be there to cover them on their travels.
Certainly, the economies of home swapping are an incentive. While some agencies charge a modest sign-up fee, others are free until a deal is sealed. You pay for your travel but the rest is up to you, minus hotel bills, and even car hire if you decide to go the whole hog and swap car keys too.
For would-be first-timers, the good news is that the majority of home swaps pass off happily. They stand an even better chance of running smoothly if exchange partners take the time to get to know more about each other and their expectations.
As that suggests, home swaps involve a good deal more preparation than a book-and-fly deal. That includes taking obvious precautions, such as checking with your house insurer that you’re covered for the exchange, and complying with any extra conditions. Should you decide to swap cars, arranging guest driver car insurance is an absolute must. As your departure date approaches, you’ll want to put together an at-a-glance folder containing emergency numbers, security instructions and any other details you consider important.
Decent travel insurance should, of course, be right at the top of any checklist. From lost or stolen passports to accidents or illness, things can and do go wrong.

For an instant quote and to arrange cover securely online visit www.globelink.co.uk, the leading Travel Insurer for people living in the EU. Or call Globelink on 0044 1353 699082 or their Spanish links line 966 265 000 or 951 242 434.