Home Exchange Berlin 2011: Cycling

October 28, 2011
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One advantage of home exchange is you get lots of stuff that goes along with the home, such as cars, video games, hot tubs, and bicycles. Most importantly you get the exchange family, which looks after your interests and will help you get the most out of your exchange vacation. I don’t specifically look for [...]

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Slow Food, Slow Travel and Home Exchange

October 22, 2011
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There are many people worldwide that think life is too hectic, busy, and standardized. They want to slow down, relax, and enjoy authentic local experiences. One organized group is Slow Food. To quote from their website: “Slow Food stands at the crossroads of ecology and gastronomy, ethics and pleasure. It opposes the standardization of taste [...]

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Will Home Exchange benefit from the economic crisis?

October 18, 2011
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By Didier Leclerc, translated and edited from the French original by John Mensinger For the last two years we thought that home exchange was going to increase substantially, because it would appeal to families in an era of financial difficulties.  The French media shared this view; our contribution was a report of our home exchange [...]

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Intervac on the iphone and ipad

September 18, 2011
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By Didier Leclerc, translated and edited from the French original by John Mensinger. Intervac is the oldest home exchange agency on the market. They invented the concept and were one of the first on the Internet. Intervac has innovated again by offering a free application for iphone and ipad. This is interesting; it is now [...]

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Summertime: The silly season to be looking for next year’s home exchange

September 5, 2011
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House swappers with school age kids usually trade during the summer vacation.  Many older couples with adult children may prefer summer, because it fits with their vacation schedules or they want to travel with family members. This year we finished our home exchange in early July.  After a few weeks of catching up with work [...]

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Home Exchange Berlin 2011: Getting High

August 26, 2011
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Now that I have your attention this is not an article about drugs, beer, or other mind altering substances.  Paris has the Eifel Tower, which is a beautiful building that offers great views and intimate contact with thousands of tourists.  Berlin has several options for a view high above the maddening crowd, which is generally [...]

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Exchanging your home and your pets

August 13, 2011
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By Didier Leclerc, translated and edited from the French original by John Mensinger Trading your home may mean exchanging pet care. This year I swapped my cat for a lovely aquarium with fish and a turtle. You can find exchange opportunities that include dogs, horses, birds, snakes, chickens, and other animals. Think carefully before agreeing [...]

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Berlin 2011: Carnival of Cultures

July 28, 2011
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Berlin has many festivals and special events. June is a busy month with one or more unique activities each weekend. Our family enjoyed the Carnival of Cultures in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg. This celebration draws over 500,000 people with outdoor music, food and drink vendors, and a parade with over 100 diverse cultural groups. [...]

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Berlin 2011: Public Transport

July 25, 2011
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My favorite public transit system in the world is in Berlin.  It is clean, affordable, extensive, reliable, and easy to use.  You can get on the S-Bahn with your dog, drink a beer, or take along a bicycle.   You have to buy a ticket for the bicycle, but the first dog is included at no [...]

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Is it too late to trade your home this summer?

July 18, 2011
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By Didier Leclerc, translated and edited from the French original by John Mensinger For some of us summer is almost over.  Children in California begin returning to school at the beginning of August.   Kids in England remain in school for most of July and will have the entire month of August to relax, which is [...]

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