We arranged our exchanges (apart from the hospitality exchange in Boston) with Homebase Holidays. For a £45 pound fee (now £38) they would provide entry in their register, a booklet 'Guidelines for a successful Home Exchange' and three brochures of possible Home Exchange partners throughout the year. Alternatively we could opt for internet access through their web site. It is possible to see what's on offer before buying. It is necessary to pay the fee to get a code to see the contact details of the entrants on the site.

A useful feature on the web site it the flagging up of new entries.

Homebase Holidays: 7 Park Avenue, London. N13 5PG

e-mail: homeexchange@btinternet.com

Phone: 020 8886 8752

Web site: http://www.homebase-hols.com

I made inquiries with the flight consolidators who advertise in the Sunday papers and got several quotes. Travelbag gave the best prices (just) but beware of insurance scam (see below)

Our main concern was if our partners cancelled at short notice for any reason. Homebase suggested Spears Travels (01782-644499) could arrange cover which would be more comprehensive to cover this. We therefore bought a 'Holidayguard Select' policy which covered for cancellation of either party.

The second year I telephoned 'Holidayguard' to ask for more details and was told the policy would not cover us if the exchange partners cancelled. The policy was quite a bit more expensive so I wasted my money the first year. I then arranged a standard family policy with CGU which was much cheaper. We did not have to pay the balance of the flights to Travelbag until a month before we traveled.

The second year Travel bag added insurance to the price of our tickets which was considerably more expensive than the insurance I had already bought from CGU. This was done without any discussion with me It was obviously a scam, fortunately I checked the paperwork when it arrived and they cancelled it when I phoned.

We exchanged cars both years. We were left a  truck and a compact saloon car in Cape Cod. We used the truck only for travel back from the airport and to take the rubbish to the dump. In Hollywood Jennifer left us her old Volvo, I felt more comfortable driving around in an old car than risk crashing someone's shiny new pride and joy.

We left our Rover hatch back. It is fairly old but quite comfortable, it was a bit small for Alice's party of five.

I didn't realize you have to carry your driving license when driving in the USA.

Also you can turn right against a red light unless there is a sign to the contrary.  More Info click here.

Homebase told us in their guide booklet that some insurance companies won't insure Americans. When I renewed my insurance with Norwich Union I checked and they told me to call with details of who would drive at the time. When the deal was made I called and they added Alice to our policy for a fee of £20.

The following year I insured with Royal & Sun Alliance. On taking out the policy I asked and was told the same. However when I called to have Jennifer added to my policy they declined to cover her and I had to change insurers. 

Message: don't have anything to do with the Royal Sun Alliance.

The American's cars seem to be insured for anyone anytime.

As always Lonely Planet was the most useful.

We were frequently asked for 'Photo ID' especially when using a credit card. We got away without it every time except we couldn't get an audio guide at the Getty Center. Next time I will carry a color photocopy of my passport or a new style photo driving license.

More info click here.

E mail is obviously the best way to make initial contact. However I would recommend early telephone contact. It is very easily to type a reply to an e-mail and sent back a 'I've just received your e mail and looked at your web page and I think it's wonderful, I'm at work at the moment and I'm so excited I shall buy the tickets on the way home and tell my husband tonight' message. We had two of these and never heard any more. I would take much more notice of a response which has been considered for a few days.

I had one serious time waster in Boston with whom I swapped 4 e-mails and considered everything agreed but then got no more response.

I got the impression that location is very important and that most Americans want to go to London. Certainly our partners both spent some of the time in London and we got no takers from our entry in the register for Lincoln.

Americans beware.

If you want to visit London you must understand it covers a large geographical area. There are quite a number of potential exchangers who describe there property as in London. Technically they are within 'Greater London'  but you could still find yourself an hour traveling time away from the places you want to visit.

Information I suspect that the fact that we got a deal at all was because we gave loads of information about ourselves, our home in Malvern and the local area. In the first year this was with four sheets of typed information with scanned photographs and the second with our web site which had an immediate personal impact. 

Contact. I also suspect that continuing contact between the time the deal is made and the time of the holiday is reassuring. We sent more tourist information and books by post and phone calls.

If you have anything to add or comments to make about Home Exchange I will add them to the site.

E mail me at: sadlerno@sorejawspam.co.uk

(remove no spam)