Luxury Home Exchange and home swap- how it work

---

Simple Video Explaining Home Exchange Systems

Wouldn't it be great to have holiday homes all over the world rather than just one in the same old place? Well, with IVHE swap system you can have just that! No, we’re not suggesting you go out and buy more properties. In fact you don’t need to spend any more money, just put the value of your current vacation home to better use.

Unlike conventional home exchanges, IVHE allows you to trade holiday homes without the need for both parties to swap at the same time or with each other. It also gives you the flexibility to trade up to a larger home, or a more exotic location.
Home Exchanging really is a simple way of saving thousands on your vacations. a simple explainer video on the different types of home swap options that you can chose from.
Just imagine turning your one wonderful vacation /second property into thousands of options around the world, with home exchanging and trading you can do just that.

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.

Read More

Great vacation home exchanges, go peninsular

---

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!

Read More

Typhoon devastation in the Philipines

---

An IVHE-Home Exchange Hero Needs Your Help

The northern part of Cebu island in the Philippines is picture-postcard beautiful -- azure sea, stately palms, tranquility everywhere. IVHE guests at Eva’s beach house would sit out on this deck, sip a drink, and watch the pelicans fly by. It didn’t get much better than this.

It’s hard to imagine that a monstrous typhoon of unheard-of magnitude would come roaring in from this peaceful sea and lay waste to practically everything in its path.

The roof of Eva’s beach house was ripped away in the first hour of the typhoon.  Water damage was extensive. Eva’s loyal caretakers, Raul and Rosalie, lost their home completely.

The storm surge was tsunami-like in its destruction. The fishing village nearby was literally flattened. Death and injury were widespread. Most of the survivors (many friends of Eva's) have been left homeless and desperately in need of help.

Eva is doing more than her share. She helping organize a food relief effort that has kept 60 families from going hungry. Emergency medical and shelter needs are her next priorities.   Eva plans to keep up her effort for as long as it takes. She is an inspiration to us all.  

IVHE home exchange is helping by donating 20 percent of its new membership fees to Mercy Corps, a global charitable organization already hard at work in raising funds and supplies to assist the storm survivors and local responders like Eva.  Prospective new IVHE home exchange members can make it happen by simply entering MCHELP in the promo box when they sign up. Mercy Corps is a charity you can trust, ranking among the top in accountability and transparency.

If you are an existing member and would like to help Eva's fishing village to rebuild their homes and lives, you can make a donation via IVHE vacation home exchange by emailing info@ivhe.com

Eva will rebuild. Help others do the same. And thank you.

Read More

A ground-transportation question:

---

To drive or not to drive?

IVHE- home exchange property listings show whether a car is needed, whether one would be useful, and whether one is available to the guest. More often than not, a car will be needed or at least useful. But the exceptions can be awesome.

A car is not required in many IVHE home swap locations because the property is centrally- located in a pedestrian-friendly city,  or is efficiently served by public transportation -- subways, metros, trolleys, trams, buses, taxis, tuk-tuks, or rickshaws.  

Home Exchange Property #0228: France, Cote d'Azur – A luxury apartment in the heart of Cannes on Rue d’Antibes – one of the city’s hottest shopping streets. You don’t need a car to get there, and you don’t need one to get around. Restaurants, bars, clubs, cinemas, the theatre, train and bus stations are all in walking distance, as is the famous seafront promenade La Croisette, where you’ll find more shopping  -- high end luxury items and designer clothes – and an ocean view that would be amazing if the huge numbers of impressive yachts weren’t so distracting.

 

Home exchange property#0749 -- Walk to the gondola from this cool condo in Breckenridge, Colorado, USA. Ski in at the end of the day; then walk to the restaurants, bars, and nightlife of main street for après ski par excellance.   If you want to try the slopes of nearby Copper Mountain or Keystone for a change, free bus service is available. For a car-less trip all the way, take a fare-based shuttle bus in from Denver International Airport and back again.

Home swap property #0806 – You couldn’t drive a car to this luxurious cottage in Ontario, Canada, if you wanted to. It’s on an island in a lake and only accessible by boat.  Civilization – shopping, restaurants, and golf – are just a short boat ride away, if you like that sort of thing. Perfect for an executive retreat or family vacation.

One of the sweetest deals you can get through an IVHE home exchange is use of a vehicle for a few extra credits; or, in some cases, no credits at all. A host-provided car saves you the hassles of dealing with a rental car company, but you will still need to check out insurance and license requirements, and any special rules of the road -- like braking for kangaroos.

Luxury home exchange property # 0549: This award-winning beach house in New South Wales, Australia, comes with a 2008 Landrover Defender with 4wd for no extra credits.

Okay, if you’ve fallen in love with a property for which a car is necessary, it’s time to say “car hire,” or “car rental.”  However you say it, it can still be a pain in the bumper seat.

 Be sure to shop around on-line and compare more than just rates before you book. Delve into the terms and conditions and know what is, and what is not, covered by your personal auto insurance and your personal credit card or bank card in the event of an accident or damage to the car.

Then, when you get up to the rental counter and the agent launches into his spiel about the dire consequences of smashing the car without having paid extra for Collision Damage and Loss Damage waivers (picture shackles in a medieval dungeon), you can confidently say “no thank you,” or you can go ahead and sign up for the extra protection you know you might need. When in doubt, sign up. A medieval dungeon is a terrible place.  

Be sure to inventory any dings and dents on your car, and have the agent make note of them before you drive off.

And, finally, don’t be a fuel fool. Rental companies in some countries offer you the “convenience” of returning the car without refueling; that is, return it and they will fill ‘er up for you. And charge you way (double way) more than the going price. If you have the option of returning the car with a full tank that you pump yourself, take it. If you don’t, rent from someone who does.  The savings can be significant.

If you have any helpful advice or vacation experiences involving cars, or no cars, please share them with us in the comments section of this blog. We're all ears.

Enjoy your vacation quarters and ground transportation, whatever it may be.

Wishing you a smashing holiday – in a good way.

To find out more about properties in the International Vacation Home Exchange, and how to get to them.  Visit us at www.ivhe.com.

Read More

Say g'day to an IVHE holiday in southeastern Australia

---

G'DAY FROM DOWN UNDER

Photo Source: flickr, Eric Kilby

Vacationing down-south down-under usually means heading for Victoria or Tasmania, two of the most picturesque and inviting states in the country.
But if you’re from the northern hemisphere, there are a few seasonal things to keep in mind before you start packing. It’s warm in December, so beach and resort wear are musts.  July is chilly; don’t forget a few woolies and hoodies. Autumn leaves fall in April; pack a few tweeds with your Easter bonnet. And the glory of spring, and the return of short sleeves, arrives at last in September. Forget the pumpkins.Regardless of the season, Australia is wonderfully different – doubly so for Victoria and Tasmania. Make your holiday base of operation one of IVHE’s vacation home exchange homes, apartments, cottages, boutique hotels, or
B & B's, and you’ll set yourself up for a southern vacation you’ll never forget.

Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, is a vibrant metropolis of almost 4 million people. It’s bursting with style, culture, outstanding restaurants, great shopping, and Aussie friendliness. Its parks and tree-lined boulevards blend graciously with impressive buildings and modern skyscrapers.

Photo Source: flickr, Kay Adams



City boutique hotel in the heart

of the business district: #0368

Victoria At Large brims with things to see and do. Outside of Melbourne you can taste wine at prominent vineyards, explore mountainous national parks and ski areas,  take in the beauty of scenic coastal drives, and enjoy the charm of quaint small towns.

Photo Source: flickr, CucombreLibre

 Start your IVHE home exchange Victorian holiday in any of these homes, cottages, apartments or check all home exchange properties 

Secluded stone cottage swap in
the forest: #0391 

Luxury hilltop home overlooking

beach and marina for exchange: #0562

Country cottage in historic
gold mining township to swap: #0576

Country home exchange-
vineyard and ocean: #0596

Tasmania,

 Australia’s island state in the south, has much to write home about: majestic mountains, magnificent lakes, beaches, rivers, waterfalls, forests, and picture-postcard towns like Hobart and King Island.

Boutique hotel in Tasmania for luxury exchange: #0605

 If you are not a member of International Vacation Home Exchange and would like to learn more about money-saving ways to vacation in style, click here for information on membership and how home exchange works at www.ivhe.com

Read More

Home Exchange to Save thousands on Weddings

---

Home Exchange Ideas

For the Father of the Bride

As the father of the bride, you are not only giving up your daughter at the alter,  you are also giving up a sizable amount of cash. The venue, the ceremony expenses, the reception expenses, ca-ching, ca-ching.

 You’ve made your vacation home available to guests through the IVHE- Home exchange community on many occasions. The credits have been building up in your account.  Why not apply them to a luxury wedding venue for your daughter’s wedding. And save money. Not a member? Find out how you can save thousands with IVHE vacation home exchange.

Depending on the size of your wedding party, an IVHE luxury home, boutique hotel, resort property, or villa may be ideal for both the ceremony and the reception.

Home exchange property #0591: UK, England

Let’s say you did a property search on IVHE’s web site and found this wonderful boutique hotel in Devon, England ( #0591).   It may or may not be close to home, but what a fabulous place for a wedding. With 12 double-bed units and four junior suites, it can accommodate the wedding party, parents, grandparents, and a few special guests – 32 total. It has a gorgeous garden for an outdoor ceremony and excellent space for a fun-filled reception.

 The credits come from your IVHE account, and nothing comes from your wallet.

Huddle with the bride and groom about holding the wedding close to home, at a nearby but different kind of location. If you live in the city, a nice bucolic setting would be a charming change of pace. Or, if you live in a small or rural town, holding the ceremony in or near a big city may be just the ticket. Family and friends can take advantage of cultural and entertainment events they can’t find at home.  

Home Exchange Property #0670: USA, Florida (near Miami)

If you really want something different, you and the soon-to-be newly weds may want to consider a destination wedding – a romantic spot where a wedding and a vacation for the wedding party can be rolled into one. Smaller weddings work best here. These two properties are among several other extraordinary IVHE listings with wedding potential:

Home Exchange Property #0363: India, Goa, Majorda

For over 400 years, until 1961, Goa was a Portuguese province. The European cultural influence is everywhere from its architecture to its Christian churches to its old colonial homes such as this -- Vivenda dos Palhacos in the village of Majorda. Completely renovated and totally charming, Vivenda dos Palhacos is off the beaten path yet within walking distance of a peaceful beach fringed with palm trees -- the longest beach in Goa. Sunsets over the ocean here are amazing.

Home Exchange Property #0372: Mexico, Tulum

AMANSALA is set on a stunning part of the beach in Tulum, Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula. Its village-like setting consists of 24 spacious, well designed beachfront cabanas, as well as a selection of beautiful garden cabanas; ideal for a tropical wedding or personal getaway.

IVHE offers a travel research service to Platinum Members that,  either directly or through the property host,  can put you in contact with local wedding coordinators and suppliers.

Honeymoon Suite

If the kids have opted for a modest wedding close to home, you can still apply your IVHE credits toward something fabulous – a stay at an exciting location as a honeymoon gift.

Any amount of credits can be used by family or friends to choose any home exchange property the credits will buy. But you, as the IVHE member,  have to request the exchange, let the host know and assure the host that your guests will treat their property like you would, as you would be responsible at all times.

Membership in IVHE as a wedding gift

In lieu of a splashy wedding,  or a honeymoon to an exotic place, you can give the newly weds a membership in IVHE as a wedding gift.  You will receive five (5) free credits for generating a new member (a referral ) worth $500 of vacation home exchange time, and your daughter and whatzizname also receive five (5) credits to launch their own IVHE-home exchange experience. When they make their  first trade, you will get another bonus of 50 percent of  the trade’s credit value.

For more information on possible wedding venues, honeymoon suites, and membership, click us at www.ivhe.com.  Here’s to the father of the bride -- a resourceful man, indeed.

Copyright © IVHE 2013

IVHE.com is the trading name of IVHE Limited, a company registered in England and Wales.

Company Registration number: 6425983.

Registered Office: 39 High Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, England KT22 8AE.

Phone: +1 202 470 2424 (US) +44 (0)20 8878 3559 (UK)

Read More

Ho, Ho, Ho Your Boat

---

Christmas Boat Parades in the U.S.

If you plan to be a home exchange guest during the holiday season and spend your vacation in a U.S. coastal community, chances are you won’t be far from a dazzling Christmas Boat Parade. Cities up and down the Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific coast (and even some inland places on bodies of water) roll out the holiday red carpet to boaters who love a parade and to spectators who love to watch. Florida alone has over 74 events.

It's all about boats decked out like floats parading at night down intracoastal waterways, bays, and harbors.   Some feature traditional carolers and modest strings of blinking lights, while others splash their way with glitz and glitter and rockin’  music.

Photo source:flickr,fortherock

Themes may be set by parade officials, but they are usually left to the imagination of boat owners. And imagine they do -- Santa Clause in commodore clothes riding a seashell sleigh drawn by a bevy of mermaids; sugar plum fairies and tin solders cavorting on deck; the Three Wise Surfer Dudes Following Yonder Wave. Of course, you can always count on seeing Rudolph at a boat’s bow guiding the way with his red-nose beacon. It’s all great fun for everyone – the nice and the naughty.



Florida has the longest coastline of any U.S. state.  In cities all around the peninsula, from Jacksonville to Pensacola, thousands of boats strut their stuff in holiday parades.

 IVHEhome exchange properties in coastal Florida are available in these cities:

Bradenton, Boynton Beach, Cape Coral, Coral Springs, 

Hutchinson Island, Key West, Marco Island, Naples, New Port Richey, New Smyrna, North Port, Panama City, Pompano Beach, Rosemary Beach, Sanibel, Sarasota, SeaCrest, Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine

Photo source: flickr, yoTut

All of the boat parade celebrations are bound to brighten your holiday spirit, but Key West presents one of the most fun, and IVHE home exchange offers one of the most unique ways to enjoy it – from your own private luxury sailboat, a floating condominium that can accommodate six.  No sailing experience necessary. This home exchange comes with a captain who can park your boat along the parade route (Key West’s historic seaport and harbor) for a front row seat. And the next day take you out to sea for all the pleasure that sailing has to offer. 

Home exchange #0219: USA,Florida

On the west coast, one of the oldest Christmas boat parades, dating back to 1908, is held each season in Newport Beach, California. The New York Times has called it “One of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation.” Here,  IVHE presents this seaside pearl, among other southern California gems; home exchange property #0694

Regardless of your coastal location, check with the local or state tourism office for details on participating in a parade with your own boat or with a rental.  For landlubber spectators, information on reserved seats dockside, and the nearest wells for holiday libations, is also available.

If you are not a member of International Vacation Home Exchange and would like to learn more about it, visit us at IVHE.com.

Read More

Newport Beach, California

---

Newport Beach

A seaside pearl in southern California

What more can you say about a beautiful coastal California city than this: It has the largest Mercedes-Benz dealership on the planet, a long list of prestigious yacht clubs, and hundreds of fabulous homes (many of which welcome guests on a luxury home exchange).

Okay, it’s an enclave of wealth, but there’s a lot more to it. Just ask people like these with all kinds of holiday budgets: beachcombers, boaters, fishers, rowers, kayakers, paddle boarders, surfers, bird watchers, whale watchers, girl watchers, sunset watchers, golfers, campers, mountain bikers, boardwalk strollers, nature hikers, joggers, daytrippers, home exchange'rs, night lifers, chic shoppers, art stoppers, and foodies. 

The weather is gorgeous.  It never freezes. Highs seldom reach into the eighties, and it only rains when it needs to.  All of which contribute to the abundance of outdoor fun and the popularity of vacation home exchanges.

Newport Harbor is the largest recreational boat harbor on the U.S. west coast.  Scheduled boat tours and charters are available for all kinds of activities, including sightseeing, sports fishing, and whale watching. 

For a really festive boating experience, catch one of the sunset cruises and experience the Newport Beach bay and coastline two ways: during sunset when the sky turns to fiery colors, and after dusk under the stars. Music, bar beverages, and snacks add to the enjoyment. 

An excursion you’ll long remember is a ferry ride to scenic, romantic Catalina Island, just 22 miles across the sea to the village of Avalon. Only a mile in diameter, Avalon is easy to navigate by foot, rental bike, golf cart, or public transport. You can explore quaint shops, galleries, dine al fresco, or just relax and listen to the waves.  

Speaking of islands, here’s one you’ll love to get stranded on – Fashion Island in Newport Beach.  It’s a lavishly landscaped promenade of luxury boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. Italian style piazzas with fountains and palm trees  enhance its sophisticated style. This place was made for serious shoppers and window shoppers alike.

Newport Beach, and other southern California vacation spots, offers IVHE.com home exchange members many great opportunities for luxury home swaps. Here's a dazzling home exchange example!


With so much to do and see and experience, a private home as your base of operations is a safe, comfortable, and most enjoyable way to go. Find out more at IVHE - Vacation Home Exchange

Read More

Restaurant costs eating into your vacation budget? Vacation Home Exchanging with IVHE is the solution

---

When you’re on vacation, food and drink can be one of the biggest expenses, thanks to pricey room service, marked-up restaurant meals and tips. After all, it’s not like you can skip meals altogether – even if you did fill your plate up four times at the hotel breakfast buffet! 

By enjoying a vacation home exchange with IVHE, not only do you save a fortune on accommodation, but you never have to worry about forking out handfuls of cash for food when you don’t want to.

Most vacation home exchange properties come with full kitchens equipped with ovens, stoves, refrigerators and microwaves. The perfect example of this is home exchange property #0559 – the kitchen here comes with everything you could ever need to cook your favorite meals on vacation and save you money. Some of the kitchens even come complete with extra mod cons, such as smoothie makers and waffle irons so you can enjoy a fancy restaurant-style breakfast without even changing out of your pajamas. 

As well as being a fantastic way to save money whilst on vacation, cooking meals at home is also a top method of teaching your little ones about the importance of healthy eating, a great way to impress that special someone with your cooking skills or even a method of ensuring you’ll get your dinner cooked just how you like it. 

Many of the IVHE home exchange properties also feature stunning BBQ areas where you can gather around and chill out whilst enjoying the wonderful smoky aromas wafting over from the grill. Vacation home exchange property #0775 has a stunning BBQ area with plenty of comfy furniture for relaxing. During summertime you don’t want to be stuck inside a stuffy restaurant when you could be enjoying a perfectly grilled steak alongside a glass of your favorite wine under the stars – all for a fraction of the price, too. 

If you like to splash out on holiday and you’re not concerned with saving money then cooking meals at your IVHE home swap property will allow you to enjoy bigger and better nights out during your vacation. By cooking a meal or two at home instead of dining out at a restaurant, you’ll be able to save enough money to visit that hot new nightclub you spotted on the first day or visit the theatre for a cultural evening. 

When you take into consideration the cost of food, vacations can get terribly expensive and whilst room service is certainly convenient, extortionate hotel prices, tips, delivery fees and the all-too-easy hotel mini bar can add unforeseen and unwanted costs onto your vacation bill. As such, an IVHE vacation home exchange property gives you the opportunity to take advantage of cost-saving facilities – such as a gourmet kitchen – which you just won’t find in a hotel.

Read More