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The Best Website for House Swaps? My HomeExchange Review

Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
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Where to Stay in Melbourne: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Posted : 3/7/2023 | March 7th, 2023 Melbourne is probably my favorite city in Australia . While Sydney boasts the more iconic tourist attractions, Melbourne is more laid-back and a hub for arts and culture. Home to over five million people, it has a diverse population and something of a European feel, home to plenty of festivals, art exhibitions, live music, stunning street art, chill bars and cafés, and delicious food. You could easily spend over a week here and only scratch the surface when it comes to things to see and do . While public transportation goes everywhere, Melbourne is a bit sprawled out, so it’s important to choose the area where you stay carefully, otherwise you’ll spend most of your trip in transit. To help you decide where to stay in Melbourne, in this post, I’ll highlight the best neighborhoods below so you can choose the area that suits your travel style and budget as the neighborhoods in this city all have their own feel. But, before I get to the specifics...
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Where to Stay in Auckland: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Posted : 3/5/2023 | March 5th, 2023 Boasting harbors galore and multiple boat-packed marinas, Auckland , the largest and most sophisticated urban area in New Zealand (though it’s not the capital), is nicknamed the “City of Sails.” In addition to its scenic seaside views and ample water activities, Auckland has an incredible food scene, insightful museums, verdant parks, third-wave coffee spots, and very welcoming locals. Home to almost two million people (almost 35% of the entire population of New Zealand), Auckland has a plethora of vibrant, colorful neighborhoods. And as the main airport hub in the country, this is where most travelers start their trip. To ensure you make the most of your visit (and that don’t spend all your time in transit between neighborhoods), it’s important to do some research to figure out the best place to stay while in this metropolis. To help you decide where to stay in Auckland, here are the best neighborhoods (according to me) so you can choose the ...
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Where to Stay in Bogotá: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Posted : 2/24/2023 | February 24th, 2023 Located on a high Andean plateau at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level, Bogotá is the third-highest capital city in the world (after Quito and La Paz). Most travelers usually bypass it in favor of the popular digital nomad hot spot of Medellín or the coastal city of Cartegena. Most travelers think that Bogotá is only worth spending a few days in. I think that’s a shame and does this vibrant destination a disservice. I loved my time in Bogotá and ended up extending my visit here! This city just feels more Colombian than some of the other bigger cities that have developed a larger expat and tourist population. There is a lot to do and see here from museums, parks, walking tours, amazing street art, great nightlife, and an incredible gastronomic scene. With that in mind, you’ll want to choose where to stay in Bogotá carefully. It’s a huge city, divided into different estratos , or zones, and there are a few “no-go” areas that you’l...
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10 Travel Hacking Mistakes to Avoid

Posted : I’m a huge fan of travel hacking . It’s transformed my travels and saved me thousands of dollars over the years. Travel hacking is the art of signing up for travel credit cards and collecting points and miles that you can cash in for free flights, flight upgrades, hotel stays, and more — all without any extra spending. In short, it’s a way to get more for less. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed countless free upgrades, free flights, free hotel stays, and other perks — all without any extra spending. Travel hacking has helped open the world to me, so I’m a huge advocate for it, as I’ve seen what a difference it’s made in my travels. And, while the best cards and perks are in the US, travel hacking is available all around the world too (Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe all have travel hacking options these days). Since I’ve been travel hacking for years, I’ve talked with countless people about playing the points-and-miles game. I’ve also seen tons of newbies m...
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