Most hospitality network forums are warm and fuzzy feel good love fests. Most hospitality network fo

You could have a sea view apartment in the vacation haven of Praia a Mare on the Tyrrhenian Sea in Calabria (images 1,5,6), or you could opt for a Tuscan holiday in a restored stone farmhouse near Lucca  (images 2,3,4).
You can peruse all the homes listed in the home exchange sites I link to below for free. Most websites charge to access owner contact details via membership fees. Fees range from $57 (U.S.) and up per year, but most will extend your membership if  a successful exchange is not negotiated within the year. HomeforExchange.com, for example, boast a 95% exchange rate.
The hospitality networks are free to access. You do not need to have a property to exchange. You will be a guest at someone s home. They could be world travellers themselves, or have chosen to armchair travel while inviting the world through their door.
Most hospitality network forums are warm and fuzzy feel good love fests. Most hospitality network forums are warm and fuzzy feel good love fests. You get the notion travelling this way could change us all into friendly global citizens rolling in travel opportunities and happy memories. That would be cool.
Think of hospitality networks also as a great way to meet people to share travel tips and stories. You don t have to stay at their place- quality inn san diego you could make initial contact with them and then take them out for coffee when you land in their area. The solo traveller would be wise to tap into these networks.
Couchsurfing : The couchsurfing community is represented through 100 Italian towns and cities. Worldwide there are over one million members and over 200,000 people have actually surfed a couch via their site and are actively a part of the community. That s insane! Over 7000 Italian quality inn san diego users are listed quality inn san diego as being open to hosting you and thousands more Italian members will chat with you or could answer your questions. The sheer numbers combined with an easy to use site makes it highly likely you could secure free accommodation in Italy and have an insanely quality inn san diego good time doing it.
The Hospitality Club : The club has over 300,000 members. Over 20,000 quality inn san diego Italians quality inn san diego have joined. When I lived in Italy I was a member and people wrote me regularly- I know the system is used and loved. People travel for months and years staying  at hospitality club members homes. It is a pretty incredible service with a mission similar to couchsurfing. It is interesting to note that it is run mostly by volunteers. The spirit of the people who are strong in the community are captured via Hospitality club ambassadors.
Do you have a home that is suitable for swapping?   If yes, try a home exchange.  Remember, just because you are renting it doesn t mean you can t exchange your rad Vancouver condo  for a city centre Florence apartment- they are probably renting too!
This will help you narrow down your prospective homes. What part of the country quality inn san diego are you interested in staying? North or south? Would you prefer a city spot and rely on the trains or would you like a country home where you need a car?
The reverse could also happen- you are flexible on the destination as long as the lodging sparks your interest. quality inn san diego This process will take considerably more time as the possibilities seem endless.  But if you have time to burn it could also lead to a spectacular home that sings to you and you would, quality inn san diego therefore, design your holiday around it.
Owners schedules, situations and destinations quality inn san diego they are interested quality inn san diego in can fluctuate. Having more than one option will most likely get you in a position where you have a positive invite from a home host.
Tactic for home exchanges: Trade on par. Don t focus exclusively on luxury villas if you have a dilapidated quality inn san diego rancher that need a serious kitchen reno. I m not saying that you can t bag an upgrade- but remember that the amount of requests that the fancy places receive makes this a competitive category.
Think like a host! What information would you like to know from a potential quality inn san diego guest to your home? Use that as your baseline for crafting your profile. quality inn san diego Of course, you would want to know what this person looks like so a photo is essential. You would also like to know what this person spends their time doing, quality inn san diego who they are travelling with and their previous experiences, if any, as a host.
Tactic for home exchangers:   You are not offering your home- you are offering the benefits of a holiday in your area. People likely are not familiar with your area. Don t make it hard for them: list all points of interest in proximity of your home. People want great day trips and want to know what they will be able to access easily.
Tactic for Hospitality Networks: Your preferences and interests are pertinent if you are being directly hosted by someone. If they are non-smoking vegetarians with a baby, they would like to know that you are a chain smoking party man that will be stumbling down the hall at 3am. Your goal is a mutually beneficial exchange, not a war.
Be honest and detailed. Not everyone will get your sense of humor, or like your opinion- but some people will love them. Show your personality so you can meet the members who will appreciate it. And, while you decide what to share, remember that more information helps other members get to know you better.  Couchsurfing.org How to
Give them details on your travel dates even if they are approximate, you work out the details at a later time for a mutually beneficial situation. Tell them why you are interested in staying at their homes (example: quality inn san diego it is family friendly and within an area of Tuscany that your grandparents are from).
When you get home post a rating. This will assist your host in securing another exchange (if it s favourable) and it will let you rise in the ranks of that site by showing you are a participating member.
I m talking about freedom. Freedom to be creative enough to plan your own adventure not your neighbours. quality inn san diego Freedom to spend less time with your ass in an office chair making the funds that you think you may need for your trip. Yeah, your gonna need money- but if you re smart you can really get much more out of your trip than what you originally thought.
So if budget travel isn t just cheap travel what is it?  It s about making the most of what you have. It s a philosophy. It may be how you already live   or it could be new to you. Just because quality inn san diego you have the extra coin to splurge on an expensive hotel  does it mean that is your best option?
Florence is absolutely full of interesting people doing cool things. Just get yourself there and I will assure you, you will make connections. The Florentines have a natural ability to make you feel welcome. Have fun! I studied in Florence too and it was an incredible experience. Just go!
I might also add the SERVAS organization, which has been around since right after WWII and has a similar philosophy to the Hospitality Club. Another great (low-cost, quality inn san diego not free) option is AirBnB, with people opening their homes and spare rooms all over the world.
Ciao. I'm Bianca and I deliver your Italian Fix. I lived in Italy for a few years - which kinda happens when you run off to city hall and marry your Italian boyfriend. I started Italian Fix to help you travel quality inn san diego Italy beautifully. I share my ideas on this blog and each year I take a few small groups to Italy with me. Read more.
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