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Love Nature: An African Experience


Imagine waking up to enjoy your coffee or tea on the deck and watch the world walk by.  This is the place, in Marloth Park you can see bush babies, giant kudu, giraffe, mongoose, wildebeests and warthogs!  This is their land too so they casually wander around the neighborhood, you can sit back and watch all the action.  Marloth Park shares a border with the massive Kruger Park so even while at the lodge you can experience nearly endless assortments of local animals.  
Our visit was in August, for us a perfect time; no bugs, weather got up to high 20’s C (low 80’s F) and Kruger Park was less busy during the day.  BTW – from the lodge to Crocodile Gate (Kruger Park entrance) it is approximately 25 minutes drive – easy!  

Every night we enjoyed using the bbq area and talked about our discoveries of the day while eating at the outside dining area with candlelight and fantastic southern hemisphere stars. 
Traveling to Kruger Park in August has other advantages.  As it is the dry season, the grasses start to wilt and die, thus making it much easier to see much of the wildlife.  In addition, as water becomes more scarce the remaining waterholes (ponds / lakes) become all that more popular during the day, allowing you to see more of the majestic animals. 

IVHE.com has many listings in South Africa and several around Kruger.  Property #0848 is a safri lodge that offers guests 3 bedrooms and two shower rooms, comfortably sleeping 6.  The location of the property is perfect for enjoying nature from the patio and is conveniently located for days in Kruger.  Relax in the evening with outdoor dining areas, a splash pool and thatched braai area and fire pit.  

Vacation Home Exchange Infographic (video)



Are you new to International Vacation Home Exchange, IVHE.com?  We are going to share with you some key facts about our exclusive vacation homes and what our members enjoy when home exchanging with IVHE.
Want to save money on your next vacation?  How does over $5,600 sound?  Of course you don’t need to stay the full 2 weeks, the length of your vacation is up to you. Our members, on average save over $400 per night in accommodation costs. 
What are these home like?  To start with, about 2 out of 3 have 3 bedrooms or more.   For larger groups, nearly 20% have five bedrooms or more.  95% of the homes accommodate 4 guests to sleep comfortably.  And for larger parties, nearly a quarter can sleep 10 guests or more. 
Besides plenty of space, another advantage of home swapping is the convenience of having a kitchen for cooking meals.  For IVHE.com properties, almost 2 out of 3 have four major appliances like a stove, microwave and a dishwasher for cleaning up.  In addition, another convenience while on vacation is a clothes washing machine, so you don’t have to find a laundromat. 
It’s not just about amenities, it’s also about having fun.  1 in 4 homes have a pool for you to enjoy. More than two thirds have a garden or yard and two thirds also have an outdoor barbeque.    Some even have an inviting hot tub to relax in.
Who are our members, chances are they are just like you, someone who loves to travel, enjoys living like a local when away and looks to save money! 

IVHE.com members enjoy luxury vacation homes in over 70 countries around the world.   Contact us today to find out more on how to plan your next home exchange vacation  

Castles, Museums & Romans, Exploring Provence, France


Fragrant lavender fields, awe inspiring Roman ruins, and mouthwatering food and wine; these are the things that make Provence one of the most popular vacation destinations in the south of France. Even Van Gogh couldn’t resist the beauty and allure of the region, as illustrated by approximately 300 of his works.
However, figuring out how to explore approximately 12,124 square miles of sun soaked splendor in just a few days can be a little daunting. So, we’ve created this little selection of vacation ideas to help guide you through your time there. Vacation home exchange can help you explore France and create best memories with the local communities. Here are more ideas to bear in mind. Provence is best experienced in a wandering and unstructured fashion, so these suggestions will likely just serve as starting points for your own unique Provençal adventure.
How to Get Around
Provence contains a network of country roads and highways are easily navigated by car or bicycle and, due to the abundance of hidden gems throughout the region, getting lost can actually work in your favor. For driving maps of the area, see www.viamichelin.com.
Things to See
Chateau des Baux-de-Provence - Tour the remains of this 10th century castle featuring full-scale replicas of huge siege engines and a breathtaking panoramic view. Download their free app for the full experience. 

Villa Eprhussi de Rothschild - Also called villa Île-de-France, this villa was built between 1905 and 1912 for the Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild. It features nine gardens on the grounds, each of which follows a different theme: Florentine, Spanish, French, Japanese, exotic, stone, rose, Provençal and Sèvres.

Musée Océanographique de Monaco - Founded by Prince Albert I, this museum was designed as a Palace entirely dedicated to Art and Science. It is home to a large collection of oceanic and general natural history, and a panoramic terrace. 
Théâtre Antique d'Orange - One of the most well preserved Roman theaters and part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, this ancient theater is home to awe-inspiring architecture and the famous Chorégies d'Orange international opera festival.
Things to Buy
While you’re taking in the old-world sights, don't forget about the weekly markets. Provence is full of local artisans and these markets are often the best way to find their goods. A few of the things to keep an eye out for:  Herbs de Provence, olive oil, wine, soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, textiles, calissons and nougat.
Things to Eat and Drink
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, you’ll have many places to choose from, but expect to set aside some time for the experience. Restaurants here serve meals at a pace that is slower than you may be used to and because the whole meal is meant to be enjoyed as an inclusive experience, it is strongly frowned upon (basically an insult) to ask that a dish be altered to suit your tastes. There will also typically be both a prix fixe and an a la carte menu. Bistros and cafés are more casual, and generally just offer coffee, drinks and sandwiches.
For a more local experience, familiarize yourself with the region’s market days. On these days you’ll find produce and delicacies like breads, cheeses, sausage, olives and preserves from the local farms; perfect for nibbling on while exploring the countryside.
Places to Sleep


As a popular tourist destination, so it’s no surprise that this area boasts a wide a variety of accommodations. As always, there are plenty of hotels, but for a truly immersive experience you’ll want to go with one of the many wonderful French homes that range from beautiful villas to traditional rural gîtes, which come fully furnished. It you’re planning to visit in the May to September season, when the weather is at its best, be sure to book far enough in advance as this is when the region is the most popular. 

Learn about Home Exchange FREE audio-book



Do you love to travel?  
Like adventure, yet also enjoy the comforts of a home?
Does saving money appeal to you? 
If the answer to all of these is yes, then home Exchange is for you.  Following the successful release of the digital copy of the Home Exchange Guide, we are pleased to announce that you can begin downloading and listen to audio format of The Home Exchange guide.  The first two chapters are now available.  They cover important topics like Why Home Exchange and Are all Home Exchanges the same?


In future podcasts we will cover additional chapters with the following topics:
     How do you choose the best home exchange network for you?
     How do you get an exchange?
     How do you ready your home?
     How to prepare for your vacation?
Plus 10 Things to Avoid, Your Membership Checklist, and a sample Home Exchange Agreement.
The author, Larry Klimczyk shares with you useful insights from traveling the world (over 60 countries) and a decade of home swap experiences.  Subscribe to this blog or the podcast series and automatically receive an email when these future chapters are released, or download a PDF version today at Home Exchange Guide
Interested in listening to IVHE.com member’s experiences, go to our full range of podcasts or visit our testimonials page. 

 D

Hiking, Skiing, Fishing, Cycling, Golf – luxury mountain lodge (video).


Do you love the outdoors?  This year-round location is perfect for enjoying everything mother nature offers in a mountain retreat.  Ski Mellow Mountain Lodge, IVHE.com #1014, has all of the above activities either on site or within a 10 minute drive – fabulous.  If you want to simply relax in this spacious 7,500 square foot (~700 square meters) home, chances are you will see wildlife right from your windows or porch in the majestic Wasatch Mountains. 
The Great Room is perfect for family gatherings around a beautiful fireplace.  Make use of the wet bar and juke box or step into the games room to play Nintendo or an arcade game
With three (3) Master Bedrooms, each with a fireplace and bathroom, it is a wonderful choice for large families or to invite along friends.  In total there are five (5) bedrooms, can sleep up to 13 guests and 7 bathrooms – plenty of space for everyone. 
For your convenience the kitchen is full of modern appliances and there is also a separate laundry room with clothes washer and dryer. 
In the winter while heading to the slopes, take advantage of the 3 car garage, making those early mornings much easier to stay toasty warm. 
This exclusive home is only 1 mile from Park City, filled with world-class skiing, delicious cuisine, and activities for all ages. The lodge is only 40 minutes from Salt Lake Int’l airport. This is a perfect mountain home exchange property!
New to home exchange?  Get a FREE Home Exchange Guide, full of great information for you.  

Bear to golf in Whistler?


This is the third in a series of British Columbia golfing from our guest blogger, golf fanatic and business coach, Karen Thrall, enjoy!

Whistler, British Columbia is considered one of the greatest year-round resort destinations worldwide.  There’s a good reason for its reputation.  From mountain, forest and water activities to scenic trails for hiking and cycling; various extreme adventures to push your boundaries; and every outdoor sport imaginable, you will love the Whistler experience.  What do you feel like doing while you’re in Whistler?  Whatever you want.  Breathtaking views surround you.  You’ll also enjoy exceptional restaurants and boutiques; relaxing spas and poolside lounges (all year, even in the winter months); fun nightlife, great pubs and live performances; a friendly and engaging community, … and yes, golf! (saved the best one for last!). 

Golf.  Oh, Whistler golf.  How I pine (no pun intended) after thee.  Three outstanding courses:  Whistler Golf Club, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club and Nicklaus North Golf Course

I’ve played all three.  And enjoy all of them.  Each unique.  All challenging.  All scenic.  All representing British Columbia and the Whistler culture in their finest of ways.

I played in a fundraising tournament at Whistler Golf Club hosted by my good friend Matt Yasinchuk.  He organizes these Battle Of The Elements charitable tournaments every year.  It’s one of my favourites to attend.  Needless to say, we had a blast.  Prizes and winnings were generously distributed amongst the foursomes.  The beverages were a flowin’ and the food, delicious.  The staff at Whistler Golf helped our experience be unforgettable.  This is also one of the first golf courses I ever played when I was newly learning the game.  I highly recommend you grab a pull cart and walk it.  Soak in its surroundings and enjoy the evergreen lands.

I’ve enjoyed a few games at Chateau Whistler.  You’ll want to drive a golf cart: up and down rolling hills, with plenty of opportunity for panoramic photography.  They have excellent doglegs throughout the course design.  I may or may not have lost a few balls playing this course.  I do suggest the ball land in the fairway for every hole. But I’m sure your ball always lands in the fairway... it's probably just me that has that attraction to trees... J

And then there’s the legendary Nicklaus North.   One of my closest friends, professional snowboard photographer, Chad Chomlack, is a member at Nicklaus North.  Teeing off in the early morning, we talked golf for 4 hours.  (“C’mon Karen.  You didn’t really talk golf for four hours?!”)  - Oh yes we did, Invisible Cyber Voice.  We nerd out on golf and it’s magical.  J

Chad enjoys golfing with his two boys at Nicklaus North.  Both of these young lads are competitive snowboard enthusiasts.  Chad believes that the golf culture is a great place for his sons to learn the etiquettes of being gentlemanly; and how golf teaches his boys the art of the mental game as well as learning how to manage your plays on the course.  The skills they learn through golf are transferrable to their passions in the extreme sports culture.  He strongly believes that golf is one of the greatest ways to build a father bond with his children.

Enjoy Whistler, and what better way than a home exchange vacation and golfing!    

And don’t be alarmed if one of these little bear cuties wants to join your foursome.  The golf marshals and forest rangers take good care of you.  Get your camera out and enjoy BC’s captivating wildlife.

Brazilian beaches, pools, great food and room for everyone! (video)


You can enjoy an active watersport vacation or a simply relax by the pool and beach enjoying a good book in the sun!   For the activities, the local village of Taiba is a popular place for surfers, kite-surfers, sailing and swimming.  If pools are more your style, you have a choice of either your own private pool or the large resort pools with plenty of space. 
Close by are plenty of local restaurants, so-called "barracas".  You have plenty of choice, French, Italian and Brazilian restaurants.  Plus pizzerias, bars, supermarkets, shops and pharmacy are all available and convenient for you. 
This luxury vacation home is situated at an exclusive resort in the calm fishing village of Taiba in the tropical northeastern state of Ceara, Brazil.  Relax in the three air-conditioned bedrooms with separate en-suite bathrooms.   
On the first floor is an open plan kitchen living room with large panorama doors and windows offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, the tropical garden and the resort pool area.  For entertaining, the terraces are well-furnished with lounge sofas, sun beds, dining tables with chairs, and several hammocks.  For hot days when you might want a little shade, there is a terrace that is out of the sun so you can stay cool and relaxed.  
The kitchen is well-equipped with a gas stove, oven, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator/freezer with ice-machine, and dish washer.  For dining you have a large table with places for eight (8), plus a bar top with 4 chairs for casual dining. 
The living room is tastefully furnished with lounge sofas, table and a large LED television. 
Your own very private outdoor area treats you with a pool, shower, sun beds and tables, plus a barbecue area with kitchen and a dining table enough room for twelve (12) people.  
As you can see, this exclusive home has plenty of space for entertaining and chilling out.  Enjoy this brief video of IVHE property number 1110.  For additional information, visit the listing on IVHE.com. 

If you are new to home exchange, get a FREE Home Exchange Guide to find out more.  

Coasteering, kayaking, beaches, cycling, walking and friendly badgers! – Pembrokeshire, Wales


A wonderful place for everyone, plenty of family activities, historical places and plenty of space if you would like to simply relax.  Pembrokeshire’s coastline is certainly a major attraction.  There are several sightseeing boat trips from various ports where you have the opportunity to see seals, dolphins, whales and of course dozens of varieties of unique birds.  The cliffs dotted along the coast create a perfect ecosystem for the birds to mate and nest. 
Feel like seeing things up close from the water, then kayaking should be on your list of activities.  A leisurely paddle will take you into small coves and caves while you can look for lobster, crabs, and a variety of marine life.  You might be lucky enough to have a curious seal or dolphin follow you on your adventure.   Being nimble and quiet, you can approach the cliffs to get a great view of the birds as they continually fly around from their perched nests.  
Of course for the more adventurous how about getting into the water?  Coasteering is great fun where you kit up in a wet suite, gloves, and helmet and then go ride the waves, do some rock climbing and of course jumping from various heights into the sea.  Riding a gentle current into a bay and getting sloshed around in a ‘washing machine whirlpool’ is tremendous fun.  With the right guides you will quickly learn the various techniques of entering the water, even from jumping from as high as 11 meters (36 feet)! 
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is 186 miles of scenic beauty.  Not only are you covering a bit of distance, but the total rise and fall along the trail is 35,000 feet, greater than Mount Everest!   Of course not everyone has to be that dedicated to complete the whole path as there are hundreds of smaller walks in the region. 
Maybe relaxing on the beach is more your style of holiday, there are plenty for you to visit, many isolated so you can peacefully read a book, catch up on sleep or contemplate the world.  At the end of the day having pleasant cottage to enjoy turns your trip into a perfect holiday.  With home exchange you can benefit from all the amenities of a staying in a home – plenty of space and bedrooms for everyone, full kitchen, living room and in many cases extras like a garden area or even a hot tub! 
Cwm Connell costal cottages are well positioned for a visit to Pembrokeshire.  A recent IVHE.com member recently commented: 
These cottages are tucked away in a perfect location for enjoying all that Pembrokeshire has to offer. Lisa and Paul are great and made our stay very relaxing. Enjoy all the comforts of a well presented and spacious cottages along with the extra conveniences of having a barbeque, WiFi, laundry room, well stocked DVD library, hot tub and sauna. We even got to 'meet' the local badger!  Highly recommended.

Meet Lisa in this IVHE podcast; hear about her travels, experiences with home exchange and learn more about these wonderful cottages in Wales. 

It’s not where, but what are you doing on vacation.




People often ask, ‘where are you going on vacation?’ The truth is we go on vacation to enjoy life other than working and being at home.  Shouldn’t the question really be ‘what are you planning to do while on vacation?’   IVHE.com helps people find the right vacation destination for the best home exchange available. 

Vacations are for spending time doing the things we enjoy most.   It could be a specific activity like golfing, fishing or skiing.  Or you could simply be looking for a relaxing place to take a walk or have a nice location to spend time with your family and friends without all the day to day issues of being at home.  What if you can choose your next time away based on your personal preferences?  And what if after a great day out enjoying life you can come back to a luxury home to relax and continue to share the stories and experiences of the day, while saving thousands on accommodation expenses?  All of this is possible with the best home exchange websites.   

To make this easy, International Vacation Home Exchange, IVHE.com, has enhanced it search criteria to make it easy for you to choose an exclusive location that caters for the needs that you specify.   As mentioned earlier, if you are a golfer, you can choose golf destinations.  Is walking and hiking your passion, search by this criteria.   Are you an expert angler and enjoy pursuing and catching fish?   You can enjoy luxury homes with fishing nearby.   Your search for the best home exchange is now very easy as you can select from all of the following options: skiing, beach locations, scuba diving, boating and sailing, horse riding, surfing, tropical locations, fishing, hiking, golfing and tennis.  

Of course are some point you will want to also narrow your search to the best home exchange for your family / party, so you can also choose by country, number of bedrooms, how many the home can accommodate for sleeping and various other amenities.   Maybe your extended family is traveling together and everyone enjoys going to the beach.  A large place with many bedrooms is important, but you also want to have the conveniences of having a dishwasher – no problem, just include it in your selection criteria.   Or maybe having your own garden or outside barbeque is the best way to spend your time, include them in the facilities search.  Say you require a vacation home where there is Wi-Fi access included; just include Wi-Fi in your search, easy! 

“Vacation travel should be fun and easy, by listening to our members we have enhanced our search criteria to include over a dozen vacation activities along with other important selection areas like number of bedrooms, amenities, and country to name a few.   Our IVHE.com members save, on average, $409 per night in accommodation costs, while enjoying all the amenities of staying in a luxury home.   Our aim is to provide the best home exchange website for planning your next vacation.  ” says Larry Klimczyk, Director of International Vacation Home Exchange, IVHE.com.

With collaborative consumption and the sharing economy growing at a very fast pace, home exchange is a great way to travel.  IVHE.com offers traditional direct home exchanges, where two parties decide to swap homes at the same time.  IVHE.com also offers a unique solution for members that already own a vacation home.  IVHE.com’s credits system enables more flexibility and options for second home owners.  The ingenious system gives credits to the host member when someone stays at their property.  They in turn can then spend these credits at any of the properties in over 70 countries around the globe. 

Join IVHE.com members around the worlds that are enjoying exclusive vacation homes while saving thousands of dollars.  Your best home exchange vacation can easily be planned today – enjoy relaxing in a vacation / holiday home with full amenities, and live like a local when traveling. 




Vacation Home Exchange Podcast - people just like you.


Join the sharing economy and get to know home exchange on at a personal level.  Exclusive home exchange members of IVHE.com are sharing stories about their vacations and home exchange experiences in a new podcast series.  The interview format gives the listeners a personal view from experienced home exchange travelers.   Listen to all of these podcasts, either live or download for your convenience.  

Home exchange is a great way to travel the world, enjoy the conveniences of a home, live like a local and save thousands in accommodation costs.   Before experiencing home swapping for the first time, most people are quite anxious.  In these podcast interviews, you meet several IVHE.com members and learn that they are people just like you.  They give useful information about vacation travel, their experiences in home exchange and some thoughts and tips that will be useful for you.  

‘To further open up home exchange to a wider audience, we are pleased to announce the Vacation Home Exchange Podcast series where travelers share their home exchange experiences with you.  This is a fun and convenient way to learn more about home exchange, IVHE.com is very proud to have great members that simply love to travel and share their ideas and thoughts with others.  Join the sharing economy and try home exchange travel.’ states Larry Klimczyk, Executive Director of International Vacation Home Exchange, IVHE.com. 

With member’s homes in over 70 countries, the following are short introduction to what you can enjoy on your next vacation:

Virgin Islands – beaches, fantastic pool and perfect weather.  IVHE #0835. 

Dordogne France – stunning food, tranquil landscapes and plenty to explore.  IVHE #0552

English Cottage – the best of English countryside, perfect for walking and simply relaxing.  IVHE #0727

Barbados – explore with all your sense on this beautiful Carribean island.  IVHE # 0566

Marco Island, Florida – the waterfront property may treat you with seeing dolphins and manatee.  IVHE #0102

The sharing economy is growing at an extremely fast pace, experience with home exchange, a great way to travel. 
Join IVHE.com members around the worlds that are enjoying exclusive vacation homes while saving thousands of dollars.  Your best home exchange vacation can easily be planned today – enjoy relaxing in a vacation / holiday home with full amenities, and live like a local when traveling. 



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