What is the soundtrack to your vacation?

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Whenever I travel, there are two things that I will always bring with me: a toothbrush and music. Music is what helps me get through long road trips or long plane rides. I like to think of it as a soundtrack to my vacation. The genre is generally anything that is upbeat and fun.  The lyrics will usually speak to the journey that awaits me when I arrive to my destination.

Now, I should say that I am writing this post with a heavy heart. Recently, the music world lost Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey. Frey died January 18^th at the age of 67. I grew up listening to the Eagles. One of my favorite memories from my travels is driving along a long dusty highway in Mexico with my husband, listening to “Hotel California” and “Tequila Sunrise” over and over and over again. The Eagles has been a featured band on my vacation soundtrack for many of my trips, including the one to Totos Santos. I wrote about that trip recently. Frey’s death had me reminiscing about those few days my husband and I were in Mexico. Rest in peace Glenn. I will forever embrace your legacy during my travels around the globe. 

What’s the soundtrack to your vacation? Are there songs that you will always listen to when you are traveling to your International Vacation Home Exchange? Are there songs that bring you back to that trip to Mexico, or France, or Hawaii? When you walk alongside an ocean, is there a particular song that plays in your head? Music has a way of setting the backbeat to any trip. You may pass the time on a road trip by singing your favorite songs out loud. These memories will follow you for the rest of your life.

Here is a sample of my vacation soundtrack:

Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Hotel California – The Eagles

Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi

Dark Horse – Katy Perry

Carry On – Fun

Piano Man – Billy Joel

Hey Jude – Beatles

Thriller – Michael Jackson

Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Margaretville – Jimmy Buffett

Take It Easy – The Eagles

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark – Fall Out Boy

Warriors – Imagine Dragons

Fluers du mal – Sarah Brightman

And every song from the musical “Wicked”.

Wherever your travels will take you, be sure to set the soundtrack for your vacation.

“Travel the world and the seven seas. Everybody is looking for something.” –Eurythmics

Thank you to travel writer Carla Pruitt. You can follow Carla on Twitter at @crobscarla

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Plenty of room to enjoy: Todos Santos, Mexican

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Down a long, dusty highway, with the cool wind in your hair, you will find a hidden gem in Mexico. This town is about 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas. The coastal community of Todos Santos (or “All Saints”) is located in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains. Founded in 1723, the town was once on the brink of economic collapse. That changed in the mid-1980s, when the Mexican Government paved Highway 19 into the town. Since then, Todos Santos has become a popular tourist destination with its upscale restaurants, hotels, and history. In fact, the last battle of the Mexican American War was fought near the town in 1848.

About 15 minutes from town, are beautiful beaches along the Pacific Ocean. Playa Las Palmas and Playa Los Cerritos are known for shell collecting – a great activity if you are looking for an inexpensive way to explore the area. Nearby beaches, San Pedrito Point and Los Cerritos, attract surfers from around the world. If you are here at the right time, you may get a glimpse of whales migrating. You can also take a boat tour to see whales and even dolphins swim in the ocean. This town arguably has the best climate in North America, with temperatures averaging between 75-85 degrees all year round.

Shopping and surfing aside, there is another reason why travelers seek the smell of colitas rising through the air. In the middle of town stands the Hotel California. While there may be plenty of room here, most tourists who come through the doors don’t exactly have reservations. They come here because the name of the hotel was made famous by the band the Eagles. If you recall the lyrics, it feels almost like the song describes the place perfectly. “Plenty of room at the Hotel California. Any time of year. You can find it here.” Sadly, the song is not about the Hotel California (sorry to ruin it). In later interviews, members of the band said the song was about the journey through life and whether that journey could be heaven or could be hell.

But don’t let that stop you from visiting the real Hotel California, or Todos Santos for that matter. Aside from the beaches and sightseeing, you can also take a hike to the Triple Waterfall, go horseback riding, and check out one of many of the town’s many festivals. You can also taste authentic Mexican food by dinning at one of many restaurants in the town. In 2006, the town was official designated a Pueblo Magico (Magic Town) by the Mexican Tourism Secretary. And there is something truly magical about Todos Santos. It could be the vibrant colors of historic buildings, the music that fills the streets, or the people. Regardless, there’s plenty to see and do here if you have the time to take a trip down that long, dusty highway.

Also located near town, is International Vacation Home Exchange property #1215. You can also check out Vacation Home Exchange properties in Cabo San Lucas, which is a short hour drive to Todos Santos.   New to Home Exchange, download a Free Home Exchange Guide and find out more.
Thank you to Travel Writer Carla Roberts Pruitt @crobscarla

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Teenagers Love Home Exchange Too!

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We would like to thank Julian (age 18) for sharing with us some of his experiences on home exchange, as a teenager.....

Over the last few years my family and I have stayed in many different houses through IVHE all across the world from South Africa, Tobago, Jamaica to Mexico and every time has been a blast. Staying at a home through IVHE has added an extra layer of awesome to all of these amazing trips. 

Recently we visited South Africa and our home had a barbecue shack out in our front yard with a fire pit in the middle and benches all around.  While cooking dinner we could see various animals running around just outside the fence like antelope, meerkat and we even had some very friendly warthogs pose with us for some selfies. 

Another great thing about staying at homes through IVHE is being able to socialize with the local people easier.  In South Africa our neighbours invited us over on a couple occasions to feed the bush babies (small monkey like animals) in their back yard which was great!  A couple years ago we went to Mexico and got to try some of the most amazing banana pie from some local near the house.  

While in Mexico we stayed in two different IVHE homes, one was a huge house with a beautiful waterfall and super cool infinity pool, the other was a really comfortable home decorated fully in amazing Mexican fashion, both great for different reasons but great nonetheless.  The first home had long-boards and surfboards decorating the walls and plenty of room for everyone to explore.  The second place had a super relaxed vibe that always made you feel welcome, not to mention the crazy cool turtle mural in the pool.  Both of the houses were in excellent locations as well with one being just down the street from the local party scene and the other being perfectly serene and calming. 

One year we went to Florida and stayed in a home just down the street from the beach and a bunch of really great restaurants.  Every morning was filled with surf lessons followed by an evening of fantastic seafood and chilling out. 

Staying in a home with IVHE always provides great opportunities to try out the local food that hotels don’t always offer.  Also in Mexico we tried avocado ‘everything’ including an amazing avocado soup.  In Jamaica I got to experience true Jamaican jerk chicken and in South Africa I had my very first taste of ostrich jerky.  Overall when it comes to accommodations for travel, nothing beats staying in a home exchange through IVHE. 

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Great vacation home exchanges, go peninsular

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BRAVO BAJA

Baja is a peninsula that hangs off the northwest shoulder of Mexico like an arm reaching down for the Tropic of Cancer. It stretches south -- with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortez on the other -- until it touches the Tropic some 700 miles away. It is a land of mountains and deserts; but with over 1900 miles of coastline, it also presents spectacular beaches, bays, islands and, of course, resort communities that attract vacationers from around the world, including home swappers.



Photo source: fleckr, V. Litvinov

 The peninsula is divided into two states, each with its own popular vacation destinations. They both share abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, building castles in the sand … and building castles in the sky.
 Baja California Sur, the southern state on the peninsula, boasts the cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, collectively known as Los Cabos. They are only 18 miles apart and share a common airport, but they each offer a distinctive vibe for visitors.  Cabo San Lucas is more of a city than a town, with trendy shops and swinging nightlife. San Jose del Cabo is more of a town than a city, with the quaintness and charm of old Mexico.
North of Los Cabos,   between the mountains and the sea, is a small village not as renown as Los Cabos, but with a big reputation for hospitality – Barriles. If any kind of water sport is your favorite vacation activity, Barriles is your kind of place.  World class big game fishing tops the list.

 IVHE Swap Property #0024:       Cabo San Lucas.                         

Would you prefer a secluded private beach or a curvy pool in a lavish garden? The choice of sunning spots is yours. Views of the Pacific, the Sea of Cortez, or the town of Cabo San Lucas?  How about all three?  This one bedroom home exchange suite on the top floor of Finisterra’s Palapa Beach Club offers a combination of  first-class amenities, incredible views, a sense of serenity, and walkable access to the city, the marina, and the famous Los Arcos rock formation.

 

 Home Exchange Property #0406:
      Condo, San Jose del Cabo.
Luxurious, spacious two bedroom/three-bath condominium situated on a golf course with a spectacular view of the Sea of Cortez. Six other world class golf courses are within a 10 minute drive. Three swimming pools, a tennis court, and a health and fitness spa are all part of the package. Walk to town and explore the delicious sights, sounds, and flavors of Old Mexico.

IVHE Home Exchange Property #0606: 
Two-bedroom Contemporary Home
This architect designed exchange home is fully walled and gated for complete privacy. Within the walls you will find resort style gardens with a swimming pool, fountains, and lush landscaping. When you’re ready for the ocean, your host can help arrange excursions and boat charters for big game fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin or whale watching, as well as rentals for ATVs and jet skis.

Baja California (Norte) – This northern state features two vacation destinations popular with home exchange visitors  -- Rosarita on the Pacific, just 30 minutes south of San Diego, and San Filipe on the Sea of Cortez,

Rosarita sits in an area known as The Gold Coast.  In addition to the draw of the sea and surf, Rosarita attracts visitors with theatre, art galleries, wine tasting, and sophistication. It is one of the wealthiest, most developed areas in Mexico.

San Filipe is a lovely little town that’s all about laid-back living. It holds events and happenings year ‘round, including a salute to tequila, and a Welcome-Back-Snowbirds festival with food and entertainment.  

IVHE Home Swap Property #0788:
     Ocean front  condo, Rosarita
This modern, comfortable, convenient two-bedroom unit in Club Marena for home swaps, a world class resort, is sure to deliver a first-class vacation experience. Enjoy a cocktail on the spacious balcony, a dip in the pool, a swing on the tennis courts,  a burn in the exercise room, a sigh in the spa, and the peaceful sound of the surf.  The shops, restaurants and other attractions of  Rosarita are a short drive away. 

 Home Exchange Property #0789:
Oceanfront home, San Filipe

A private home for exchange, away from the crowds, set in the privacy of over one acre of oceanfront property.  Just you and the pelicans enjoying peaceful lazy days, walks on the beach, soft white sand,  beautiful sunrises over the Sea of Cortez, and brilliant sunsets over the desert mountains.  

IVHE Vacation Home Exchange has mucho other properties in Mexico and around the world. Take a look at www.IVHE.com. Also, check out our membership options, low costs, and the benefits of our credits-based system of home exchanging.

Hasta la vista!

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