Use Pedal Power when in Portland on Home Exchange

New member Michael and his wife Wendy (HE20927) moved to Portland for its quality of life, and it seems that one reason why life might be more pleasurable in Portland is because there is less reliance on the car. Michael says: "Portland, also known as 'The City of Roses', has it all, a great downtown full of museums, galleries, a concert hall, world class restaurants, a stunning riverfront, more coffee shops than you can count and over thirty micro breweries and all this easily connected by bus, streetcar & light rail".

"Portland is also the perfect size for pedalling and is widely considered the premier cycling city of North America. Portland offers everything we need in a city but in a compact size so we don't have to own a car. We have two cats and lot's of bicycles (even a cargo bike for hauling our son Nathan & the groceries)and we enjoy camping and hiking. Dedicated bike paths and bike boulevards guide you safely through Portland's charming, leafy neighborhoods and into the country side".

"Out of town you are spoiled for choice as well. Within two hours of Portland (but by car this time) you can reach some of Oregon's most outstanding natural scenery, waterfalls, deserted beaches, outdoor activity areas and picturesque towns".

How refreshing to hear about people enjoying the location in which they live, but doing so in such an environmentally considerate way. So if you want to try out living by pedal power, why not consider a home exchange in Portland?

Home Exchange Activity Holidays

Although Home Exchange has perhaps not yet entered the arena for extreme sports such as skydiving or base jumping, a recent GTI Home Exchange member listing highlighted the fact that it is perhaps time to extend the list of leisure activities that can be pursued on a home exchange holiday. The particular listing that I am referring to is HE20672 at Dahab on the Red Sea in Egypt.

Lynne says: “Our house is less than one minute from the beach in Dahab which is a very beautiful area with lots to do including; snorkelling, diving, camel riding. It also has local restaurants and shops nearby. The house has 2 large bedrooms, bathroom, lounge (with Satelite TV), kitchen (with washing machine and microwave) and a cool outside tiled area with trees all around. Dahab is well known for diving and you would be able to use the facilites of Dive Urge, our dive club. We have a private beach for you to enjoy. Dahab suits all types of people looking for a great holiday. We can also easily organise a transfer from Sharm Airport.”

She continues: “We are a family of 5 including 3 kids: 2 girls 10 and 4 and a boy who is 18 months. We own and run Dive Urge in Dahab and have lived here for more than 11 years now too so we have lots of helpful information on getting the best out of your time here. We like to enjoy our annual holiday in England for 6 weeks over July-September time but, as we do not live in our exchange house, we are able to offer it year round and are flexible. We do a fair bit of exploring here and are active in trying to preserve this amazing place. Myself and my hubby are both scuba divers and I also ride horses locally too with my daughter.” Lynne is interested in visiting England, preference being for the counties of Berkshire, Somerset or Dorset.

Another gentle activity like diving is hot air ballooning, mentioned by new Green Theme International Home Exchange members Barbara and Brian, HE20831 who live in Canterbury near Christchurch, New Zealand. They describe their area as follows: “10 mins from city centre, we are also close to the port hills and surrounding bays and beaches, and yet only an hour and a half drive to the closest ski field. There are many outdoor activities locally situated including hot air ballooning, fishing, jet boating, swimming and many more.”

“We are Barbara and Brian a family of 5 with 3 children aged 9, 12, and 14. My husband Brian was born in England and hasn't returned since he immigrated here over 15 years ago, so we are very excited to have the opportunity to go back. We have never done an exchange before but have heard it is a great way to travel to other countries without accommodation costs and a great way to meet new people.” Barbara and Brian obviously can’t wait to fix up their first home exchange, so anyone interested in a home swap to New Zealand, please contact them as soon as possible.

Who's seeking a Home Exchange at Christmas?

Who would have thought that I could be so audacious (or mad even?) to mention Christmas in March. But at GTI Home exchange I have always been keen to encourage people to plan their holidays well in advance, especially if it involves long-haul travel and more than once in past issues of the GTI Newsletter have I emphasised that it is the 'early bird' that catches not the 'worm' but the exceptional home exchange opportunity.

So, when GTI Home Exchange member, Bruno, HE17670, renewed his membership today mentioning "Our aim in this home exchange is for our family to have another Northern Hemisphere Christmas in a new and interesting area", I thought that it was time to make the point again. If you're looking to spend Christmas in warmer climes or perhaps meet up with family in Perth, Western Australia, do take a look at this fantastic offer. Only 269 days to go and counting!!!

Celebrate Something Special on a Home Exchange

I have noticed over the years that our members often plan holidays to celebrate special events in their lives. One of the most popular celebrations when people really want to do something memorable seems to be their 40th wedding anniversaries. Way back in the early 90’s former member Wendy Painter wanted to visit Bali and New Zealand to celebrate her Ruby Wedding – but be warned, this home exchange trip had momentous consequences as Wendy and her whole family eventually emigrated to New Zealand.

Just recently, two new members have indicated that their 40th anniversaries have played a part in their future holiday plans. Brian (HE19196) and his wife bought their flat in Seaton, Devon, to celebrate their forthcoming 40th wedding anniversary. As they are new to home exchange they are planning to swap the flat (also said to be ideal for honeymooners) initially with other GTI Home Exchange members in the UK. But do I detect a note of dissention after 40 years of married bliss? Brian would prefer the south and west of England, whereas his wife would prefer Cumbria, Wales or Scotland. I am sure they will be really successful in their search for non-simultaneous home exchanges and receive so many offers that they will both be satisfied.

A world away, two other GTI members are planning their 40th anniversary celebration. Robyn (HE18719) and his wife live in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia. The hump-back whales visit between July and November to frolic in the bay. Robyn says, “Locals say Hervey Bay is beautiful one day and perfect the next”.
A well travelled couple, they now wish to spend a few weeks in a Spanish village and experience the Spanish way of life and are already learning Spanish. “We will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary in Spain”, says Robyn.

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside!

Confronted by the hype of holiday advertising at every turn at this time of year, it's hard not to let your thoughts drift to how you might be lazing in the sun (or even under welcome shade) on a beach somewhere in a few months time. For many the organised package holiday might be the answer, but more adventurous types might want to consider a home exchange beside the sea. At GTI Home Exchange you can do a search to find seaside homes in many locations: and on a home exchange you can go further, see more, stay longer, and at a cost much less than for a conventional seaside package holiday, as you only pay for the travel to your destination. So why not take your holiday 'on the house' and give home exchange a go this year? Here are just a few examples of ocean side/seaside home exchanges available.

HE18710 House in Morlaix, Brittany, FRANCE
Located in one of the most beautiful and typical french areas, 10 mns from Morlaix, a britanny idendity town; 15 & 16s centuries architecture, bay (one of the most beautiful in France according to Michelin), castle, market every saturday morning ...
30 mns from islands : Batz, Callot and rocky coasts where you can still find nice sand beaches.

HE17520 House in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, NEW ZEALAND
Sunridge is a private estate with marvellous views across the Bay of Plenty to downtown Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and the Pacific Ocean. Sunridge has its own thermal swimming pool and tennis court. This coming year I hope to stay preferably at a seaside resort in Denmark, where I could spend 4-5 weeks and so have a base where I could invite my sister, a girlfriend or my daughter to share some time with me.

HE17611 House in Fish Hoek, Western Cape, SOUTH AFRICA

Atractive detached double storey home on the mountainside of seaside village called Fish Hoek, nestled in a valley between two oceans. Ten minute walk to beach. Ten-minute drive to other (Atlantic ) ocean and unspoilt beach in horsey country (beach great for riding). Wonderful beach and mountain walks abound. 30-40mins to heart of Cape Town with its vibrant nightlife. Galleries, theatres, fine restaurants, clubs dot the entire area. Pleasant drive from Fish Hoek into the winelands. Car available.

HE15364 House in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA

Known as "The Ocean State," our area is famous for bird sanctuaries, surfing, sailing, kayaking, and all manner of sports related to the sea. There are a dozen beaches within a 10-15 minute drive of our house. 40 minutes to the west are the world famous Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport, a recreated New England whaling village. Providence, the state capital, is half an hour's drive to the north, and has many fine restaurants, theaters (the Trinity Repertory Theater), and museums.

HE16549 Apartment in Alassio, Liguria, ITALY

We live in Alassio,a small town on the Riviera seaside, famous for its fine and soft sands, a 4 Km long beach which slope down gently towards the sea, suitable for children. Our town has shops,pubs,restaurants,play parks,friendly people,golf,horse riding, an ancient English Tennis club. Excellent public transport:1 hr train to Genoa, site of Europe's largest aquarium, boat trips to Portofino and Cinque Terre. 2 hrs to Nice airport and Cote d'Azur.

A Home Exchange of Contrasts in Santa Fiora, Tuscany

Some like it hot! Others prefer to Come in from the Cold



The home exchange that this title aptly describes is HE18614

It offers a nice flat in the mediaeval village of "Santa Fiora" on Amiata Mountain just in the center of the "Borgo" famous for the "Della Robbia" masterpieces.



The mediaeval town is an interesting place well maintained and rich in history and cultural activities. You can quickly reach the top of the mountain to ski in winter, or to walk in the woods and wide fields during the summer and sunny days.



Near the town are thermal places like “Terme di Saturnia” and “Bagni di S.Filippo”. The sea is about 65km away. The place can be reached by bus or by car from Grosseto and Siena. Highway “A1” runs a few km away from the place.

I can remember the exhilarating experience of being on a skiing holiday in the Swiss village of Champery, and of visiting the nearby thermal springs which fed a swimming pool allowing you to swim in complete comfort with the snow all around. I am assuming that something similar is possible in “Terme di Saturnia” and “Bagni di S.Filippo”.

GTI Home Exchange member Sandro describes their offer in Italian as well as English as follows: "Siamo una famiglia composta da tre persone, di cui una bambina di 3 anni. Siamo due geologi e gradiremmo poter offrire in scambio di casa per alcuni giorni/settimane questo appartamentino per 3-4 persone, che si trova in un bellissimo paese medioevale chiamato Santa Fiora ubicato sulle pendici del vulcano ormai spento del Monte Amiata. L’area e’ coperta da castagni e faggi. Oltre ad essere localita’ sciistica invernale, durante la stagione estiva e’ l’ideale per passeggiate nei boschi. Nelle vicinanze si trovano Le Terme di Saturnia ed I Bagni di San Filippo. Facilmente raggiun gibile da Grosseto Siena. Vicino scorre l’autostrada A1.

Christmas Escapes with GTI Home Exchange

Although at GTI Home Exchange we do encourage people to make their home exchange plans well in advance, if you are desperate for a change of environment to avoid the ever escalating blaze of retail festivity (commencing as early as November this year no less!!), there is probably still just time to get away on a home exchange for Christmas or New Year. Here is a small selection of available seasonal home swaps:

Hogmanay Festival, Edinburgh for Melbourne, Australia
HE18615



"Our home in Morningside district is a terraced, stonebuilt, Victorian house built in 1892. Although it is in a quiet suburb it is on a very good bus route 20 mins from the city centre - about 2 miles from Princes Street. We live in a very friendly street. Our house combines modern facilities and period detail and antiques. Edinburgh is a wonderful, historic city which has attractions and entertainments for all ages and tastes.

We wish to exchange to Melbourne over the festive period and Edinburgh at that time has a Christmas and Hogmanay Festival which is now rivalling the famous International Arts Festival which takes place in August."

Disneyland Paris for any European country
HE13942


Detached, comfortable and cosy bungalow, restful garden overlooking small field with inground swimming pool. One hour drive to centre of Paris on weekdays -(35 min in the weekends). Train station in St Mard or RER not very far. Half our to Disneyland Marne La Vallée. Close to Senlis and Chantilly, famous historical towns, with pitoresque country markets. Ermenonville forest, ideal for walking, cycling also several well-known Golfclubs and horse races/riding nearby. Many Castles to visit in close neighbourhood, some with excellent restaurants. 2 bikes available. Friendly helpfull neighbours. Our car is a Citroên C5 diesel.


Home with private beach, Florida, in exchange for European or West Coast ski resort
HE15355

"Our home is directly on the intercoastal waterway with large dock, at low tide a private beach, 60ft lagooon pool with waterfall, Large Gazebo bar that could entertain 20 people easily seated around the bar while you serve up margarita's. House is gated with total privacy on 3/4 of an acre. It is a tropical oasis that offers true indoor and outdoor living. We are minutes from great shopping, fine dining and the beach. Visit gopbi.com and look up Downtown at the Gardens and the Gardens Mall. We are biking distance to both beach and mall. We have 3 bikes with baby seat.

An ideal home swap for a family as "the house has plenty of toys, a babys room with crib, and swings for young and old".

We are looking for a luxury home or large condo located in a ski resort area, either in Europe or West Coast USA during the christmas holidays.


Apartment in seaside town of La Spezia, Liguria, Italy - open to offers Europe
HE18291

La Spezia is a seaside town. You can reach Cinque Terre by train in 10 minutes, Pisa in 1 hour, Genoa in 1 hour; Florence in 2 hours by car. Our home is located 5 minutes walk from station. Our home is located at the tenth floor. We can travel in August or for Christmas holidays, but we can arrange also a non simultaneous exchange. Our home is a 100sq m apartmentwhich was renovated last year.

You can find more information about La Spezia on website www.aptcinqueterre.sp.it

Home Exchange in Brazil

GTI Home Exchange Brazilian Members seeking to make new friends Abroad

Member ID HE17472

Cozy house (180 sq. meters) in condo with security 24 hrs and administration officers in case of need. 220 km (140 miles) from São Paulo by good roads; 25 km from Ubatuba, 90 km from Parati, a lovely colonial town. House is 600 meters (670 yds) from beach, which is very calm (not for surf). Boating facilities in condo. Area has over 80 beaches for excursions; boats for rent in Ubatuba, landscape extremely beautiful. Maid available (not English speaking but has been working 5 years for us). Ideal for families. Telephone, washing and drying machines, dishwasher, cable TV. Further details by email, telephone or fax. We love our house and want to use it to make new friends abroad!



Family of two adults, boy of 10, girl of 7. Would like to exchange above described home for apt. in Western Europe, USA (NYC or near it, Boston, California, Florida...) or countries in Latin America. Place should be equipped with facilities usual in the area we travel to. We have lived in USA and France and would like to spend a few weeks during our vacations (December, January, July) in foreign countries. Our house, however, is available any time. We see this exchange as an occasion to have new experiences and make new friends.

Inspirational India - a rare home exchange opportunity to savour

Yesterday was a day with a difference at GTI Home Exchange: we received our first two membership registrations from India. Even though I had tried in the past to make marketing inroads into India, I had wondered why there was so little results or feedback from a country which is now so technologically advanced in the computing world. So it was with surprise and pleasure that I read these new listings, HE18782 and HE18784

HE18782 - PERIYAR-THEKKADY


In the western ghat mountains of Kerala, in South India. Pleasant to cool throughout most of the year. On a working cardamom plantation, in Idukki District. Offers opportunities for walks in the plantation and in the high mountain grasslands above the cardamom plantations. The wildlife sanctuary of Thekkady is 19km. drive away. Experience rural life in the hinterland of Kerala

HE18784 - AMBASAMUDRAM


Mayuram lodge is on a 350 acre property at the foot of western ghats. It adjoins Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary, in southern Tamil Nadu - deep in rural hinterland. The lodge comprises a main house, and ancillary structure, each with two bedrooms. The architecture of the main house is vernacular, with rooms built arounds a central open-to-sky court. The lodge is an ideal retreat for observing the profusion of bird-life that abounds here; it is a good base camp for wilderness treks or to explore and experience the surrounding rural areas. There is a small, working organic farm on the property; but much of it is wild, and management practices are based on ecological principles.


I was particularly encouraged to read the last sentence in our Member's own summary for Mayuram Lodge!

Home Exchange opportunities with a difference

I always like to draw destinations which are unique or out-of-the ordinary to the attention of GTI Home Exchange members. Two such destinations have recently been added to our database of home exchange offers.

HE17472
House in UBATUBA, STATE OF SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

Described as a cozy house in condo; security 24 hrs and administration officers in case of need. 220 km from Sao Paulo with good roads; 25 km from town of Ubatuba, 50 km from Caraguatatuba. Located at 600 meters from the beach which is very calm (not for surf). Boating facilities in condo. Area has over 80 beaches for excursions; town has boats for rent, and the landscape is extremely beautiful. The family would like to exchange their home for an apartment in Western Europe, USA (NYC or near it, Boston, California, Florida……)

HOUSE IN BALCHIK, VARNESKA, BULGARIA

The following listing HE17656 is the first we have had located in Bulgaria. It is a holiday home with three storeys, and described as a newly renovated villa in a traditional Bulgarian village, the house is about 15 minutes from the nearest beach and 45 minutes from Varna Airport. Varna is known as the Barcelona of Bulgaria and has galleries, museums, restaurants and a fab ‘café’ culture. The family consists of four adults and two children ages 9 and 2 and they would like to spend one to two weeks in France in August 2006.

Kath Botterill
GTI Home Exchange

A Pilgrimage to Cape Trafalgar

A Pilgrimage to Cape Trafalgar
by Seb Jay

A Pilgrimage to Cape Trafalgar

Once described as the most famous place on Earth that no one has ever been to, Cape Trafalgar near Cadiz in Southern Spain finds itself centre stage in 2005. On October 21st this year, two hundred years will have passed since one of the greatest naval battles in history took place in the seas around the Cape - The Battle of Trafalgar.

Fought between the British Royal Navy under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson and the Franco-Spanish fleet headed by French Admiral Villeneuve, the Battle of Trafalgar was a pivotal moment in the long-running Napoleonic Wars in Europe. Napoleon was planning an invasion of Britain but to achieve victory he knew that he had to gain supremacy on the high seas. Although greatly outnumbered, Nelson pulled off a dramatic victory over Napoleon's fleet at Trafalgar, employing innovative maritime warfare tactics to surprise the enemy. This shattered Napoleon's dreams of a British invasion, forcing him to switch focus to a 'continental strategy' and ultimately bringing him to defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

Nelson though was to lose his life in the fray. He died aboard his beloved Victory battleship shortly after Villeneuve's fleet was defeated. To this day, Nelson is still recognised as one of Britain's greatest war heroes, his most famous memorial being Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London.

Cape Trafalgar in 2005

Today, Cape Trafalgar is an unassuming spit of land that juts out into the sea. Its sandy windswept shoreline leads down to a lighthouse at the head of the cape from where spectacular views of the coastline between Conil and Barbate can be enjoyed. Whether you're a sun worshiper, watersports enthusiast or just want to gaze out over the waters where Nelson grabbed his famous victory, Cape Trafalgar truly is an inspiring place to visit.

Getting to Cape Trafalgar

Cape Trafalgar is easily accessed off the main N340 Highway between Cadiz and Gibraltar. From Vejer de la Frontera take the CA-2141 or CA-2143 towards Los Canos de Meca. The Cape is then within easy reach of the town centre. Car hire can be booked in advance for pick up from Cadiz, Gibraltar and many other cities in Spain by visiting http://www.your-carhire.com

Seb Jay is a freelance copywriter specialising in the origination of web content for http://www.your-carhire.com

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Anyone with an interest in the history of the British Royal Navy, the bi-centenary of Trafalgar, or Lord Nelson, might find this home exchange offer from a Spanish GTI Home Exchange member of particular interest.


Lovely Andalusia style detached house located in one of the best zones in the south Spanish Atlantic coast, 200 metres away from a beautiful and peaceful white sand beach of several km of length surrounded by Mediterranean forest. The house is a second residence, has a 900m2 beautiful garden full of different ornament flowers and ancient trees and a swimming pool. It has four bedrooms, two complete bathrooms, one living-dining room with chimney and a full equipped independent kitchen. The main bedroom has a double bed, the other three have each two single beds.

The house has two lovely roofed porches with different orientations, ideal to have breakfast, lunch and dinner in almost every season of the year.

Destination Singapore

Whilst carrying out administration on GTI Home Exchange this morning, I was surprised to come across a rare unique exchange offer HE15123 from Singapore, which appears to be still available. If this suits anyone's requirements, perhaps even as a stopover en route for an exchange of longer duration in Australia, it would be a shame to miss it.

Our home is a tasteful 3 bedroomed, ground floor, apartment within a small 'boutique' complex which includes a pool/gym, manicured gardens and a small children's play area. You can view our residence by going to www.lotus-sanctuary.com.sg. Situated within 5 minutes of beautiful beach and park, 10 minutes from downtown Singapore, 10 minutes from the airport.....an ideal base for touring Malaysia (30 minutes by car). A chalet on one of the neighbouring Indonesian Islands (45 mins by ferry) is also available)..... The apartment is equipped to a high standard and fully air-conditioned. Main bedroom with ensuite and one more bathroom . Maid included if required. Apartment has own private and secluded deck and views of the beautiful quiet gardens.

Our party consists of two adults and two young (well behaved) children. Originally from the UK we have lived and worked in Asia for some 8 years now.