WHAT A TRIP!

Copenhagen

With Copenhagen in the news this week, I feel compelled to write about my travels there. I brought my whole family for a family travel show I hosted on the Travel Channel, so my perspective is that from a mom traveling with kids. I realize Copenhagen may not top the list of family vacation places, largely because there are desirable destinations closer to home for us here in the U.S. However, this post may inspire you, or just kick back and arm chair travel :)

Let me say from the get go, and I am sure this is obvious, you need to visit in the summer. In the winter, Copenhagen has perpetually grey skies - with some days seeing only one hour of sunlight a day. Heading into spring, there's more like 5-8 hours of sunlight - but still! This can have an impact on one's mood. We met families there who leave Copanhagen in the winter for another place to live.

One of my interesting observations that probably differs from other travel guides has to do with the Danes' general mood. The lack of sunlight certainly contributes... but after talking to locals, and walking the streets, there is not the "rush" or energy you get from visiting other larege European or American cities. It may have to do with the fact that there are extensive government welfare measures and some of the highest taxation in it's citizens in the world. This may reduce motivation to move upward in life, expalining the kick back, and somewhat resigned, attitude. Just a thought - but at the same time the Danes do appreciate all of the social services.

Sure there are plenty of things to do in Copenhagen for familes - Tivoli Gardens being the most well-known, and one of my kids' favorites. I love visiting foreign parks - they offer so many different things than here in the States. You can read all about Tivoli here www.tivoligardens.com

But what I want to share with you are two places that were HUGE hits with my family, that involve traveling a bit outside Copenhagen. I always try to add a couple of days extra to a trip to explore the greater area...who knows when you'll be in that region ever again? So explore to the fullest we did.

Egeskov Castle is in Odense, on Funen Island west of Copenhagen is more than 400 years old. You can take a train and it takes a little more than an hour, then catch a cab to Egeskov. We rented a car and drove. Not bad.

Once you get there plan on spending about 4 hours..there is so much to do and see on this 40 acre playground. Once a home for defense purposes, the castle is built with a lake around it, and it's only access was a drawbridge. Now the castle is open to the public for tours.

But it is what's outside the castle on the grounds that really captured my kids' attention. Four life size mazes to race through  - and get lost in.

Treetop walking is also fun - walking along paths form tree to tree about 33 feet up from the ground.

Eight different playgrounds - mostly for younger children - but let them play and you can sit and rest for a moment.

The car museum has approximately 50 beautifully restored cards from the end of the 19th century to the present.

There are many other museums on the property as well - pick and choose your favorites. Egeskov is only open April -October... for more information visit www.egeskov.dk/en/node/378

The other location outside Copenhagen worth visiting is the Roskilde Viking Museum. Roskilde is about 20 miles outside Copenhagen, and accessible by train. This is an exccellent place to learn about Viking history and expose your children to a fun learning environment.

On exhibit at the museum are five Viking ships from the 11th century that were excavated in 1962 from the bottom of Roskilde Fjord. There are many ships to see right on the waterfront of the museum, and depending on when you visit you can take a boat trip on one of them - the kids even got to row.

The best part for the kids is the children's museum located inside. They can dress up in Viking clothes..and climb aboard some Viking ship replicas, letting their imaginations soar. Outside, there are sometimes demonstrations of Viking workmanship and crafts. When we were there the kids got to make their own Viking shields and other items to take home. It kept them busy and happy.

For more information visit www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/index/php

Happy Travels!

Teen Travel

I was bit by the travel bug years (decades?) ago. But now I have been bit by something almost as alluring to me..and I am completely ashamed to admit it!  

Count me in as a new "Twilight" fan. In a matter of less than a week, I have read the first two books in the "Twilight" series..."Twilight" and "New Moon." I am obsessed with getting my hands on the third, "Eclipse" and almost broke into a cold sweat when the local librarian told me it was checked out.

This might not seem strange to many of you fans - I have friends who hid in closets from their kids to finish reading it. However, with Ted Kennedy's memoir, and Alice Munro's latest book of short stories sitting on my bedside table, this was the least likely choice for me.For an involved, busy mom of three kids to read two 500 page books in less than a week tells you something.

My excuse to read it was that the film version of "New Moon" was out, and I should really know a bit about pop culture..and see what "kids" today are enthusiastic about reading. I am now a convert - thank you Edward Cullen. It is total escapism.

So - what does this have to do with travel? The setting of the book Forks, Washington - on the Olympic Peninsula - has been inundated with tourists from all over the world since the vampire book was published. There is a whole cottage industry that has sprung from the popularity of the novels...including "Twilight" tours visiting landmarks in the book. www.twilightinforks.com. It seems that this might be an interesting option when considering a trip with your teens...It is always a challenge to find something they want to do.

I'm not saying you will find it fascinating, even if you are an aficionado like myself. Some parts the "Twilight" tour mentioned above are pretty cheesy  - certain houses being dubbed the house where Bella Swan lived...and where the Cullens lived, which, since this is a piece of fiction, is not true. That being said, there seems to be some fun things to try in this former logging town of 5,000 residents. (I am talking rural.) Kayaking on some pretty beaches..hiking through forests, just like in the book...and even heading into nearby Port Angeles and eating at Bella Italiana just like Bella and Edward did on their first date.

There is also a cruise to the Caribbean for "Twilight" fans - with activities to like a vampire costume ball, to screenings of the movie...to "Twilight" discussions. www.fantrips.travel/twilightfantrips.

If you do decide to visit Forks, do your research and perhaps plan to visit as a side trip to Seattle - a great city that teens will also love. Don't miss the Experience Music Project: a museum devoted to rock and roll.

Just remember - Forks is one of the rainiest places in the U.S...so pack your rain gear. No garlic necessary.

 

Thanksgiving with kids activities around town

If you are like me  you are amazed the holidays are here already - shoot I am still working on my New Years resolutions for 2009...but heck, gotta jump right into the spirit! Especially if you have kids.

Thanksgiving weekend gives you the opportunity to do all that. Whether you are staying home or traveling to see family, there are myriad holiday festivities that begin this weekend, kicking off this special time of year. Visiting them can create wonderful family memories, and get you out of the house!

Wherever you are going to be this weekend you can research the holiday festivities in that area.  www.travelwithkids.about.com offers a good round up of things going on. Also check your local paper or regional websites like www.dailycandy.com for local events.

Here are some that have come to my attention :

--Even if it is 80 degrees like it is in Los Angeles, there are ice skating rinks that will get you in the mood for bundling up to winter. Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles's rink in Pershing Square, Detroit, Frog Pond in Boston Commons, and of course Rockefeller Plaza are all feeling the freeze.

--Many zoos in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, the Bronx, and even the Living Desert in Palm Desert begin a holiday light festival that is sure to light up your little ones' eyes.

--Thanksgiving Day Parades: Not just in New York! Seattle even has one. Check in your community.

--Chicago : The Wreathing of the Lions.On Friday, November 27th, the iconic statues outside of the Art Institute don their holiday finery. The actual wreathing takes place from 10:00-10:30. The event includes a performance by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and a wreath craft. Afterward, you can visit the Art Institute.

A Gingerbread House Workshop at the Emerald City Theater Company.On both Saturday, November 28th and Sunday, November 29th, parents and kids can create a gingerbread masterpiece and enjoy theater games based on The Nutty Nutcracker Christmas. The workshop is from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m. on both days.

--Washington D.C.: At the U.S. Botanic Gardens -  November 26 through January 10, 2010. Regular hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  During the holiday season, the U.S. Botanic Garden presents a unique exhibit featuring model trains that kids will love and fantastic replicas of Washington, DC's most famous buildings and monuments.

National Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting
November 27, 2009, 5-7 p.m. Waterfront Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland. The waterfront community will kick off the holiday season by lighting up the sky with fireworks and a 65ft Christmas tree decorated with 20,000 lights. Sip some hot chocolate and enjoy story-telling, an ornament-making workshop and holiday music.

ICE! – Christmas at the Gaylord National Resort
November 19, 2009 - January 10, 2010. The award-winning holiday attraction is a winter wonderland created entirely of 5,000 BLOCKS of ice weighing 1.5 MILLION POUNDS! hand-sculpted by 40 international artisans and kept at a chilling nine degrees Fahrenheit. New in our region this year, this is an interactive holiday attraction you won't want to miss.

Christmas Light Displays in the Washington, DC Area
Celebrate the holiday season with a drive or a stroll through one of the Washington, DC area's spectacle of lights at a local park in the suburbs of Maryland. These Christmas light displays are a fun way to get in the spirit and a great way to share the magic and joy of a winter wonderland.

City of Alexandria's Tree Lighting Ceremony
Historic Market Square in Old Town, Friday, November 27, 2009, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Lake Tahoe: Resort at Squaw Creek 
This luxurious Lake Tahoe resort will roll out its annual Magical Memories program with a tree-lighting ceremony and the unveiling of its gingerbread village.  Families can take part in holiday-themed activities such as sleigh rides, ice skating, caroling and visits with Santa.

Wherever you and your family are this holiday, enjoy and give thanks for all your blessings.

Traveling Rogue

With Sarah Palin stealing headlines, I am inspired to write about her home state. Whether you like her or not, don't hold it against traveling to Alaska - it is one of my all time favorite destinations. It is for the traveler who "has been there done that." It feels so unspoiled, depending on where you go and how you get there.

The most popular way to see Alaska is on a cruise. You do get to see more of the inside passages that way...and you have plenty of entertainment. My well-traveled friend Jessica took a Alaskan cruise last year with her husband and two children ages 10 and 8 and had a great time - despite the fact they aren't necessarily "cruise fans." It is a great way for the kids to see Alaska - what they loved most were the excursions like hiking, rock climbing, zip lining, and whale watching. All pretty exhilarating stuff, and sure to please kids her age. But what really was an added bonus were the well-educated guides that explained the natural environment they were discovering.  

That being said, my favorite way to see Alaska is also the hardest. When we went we flew to Anchorage, then drove hours south to the Kenai Peninsula. Along the way stopped in Girdwood for some glacier hiking from the Alyeska Resort. (The word resort here is used loosely in my opinion...it still felt like camping to me! EVERYTHING in Alaska is rustic, which is its charm.)

The glacier hiking was a thrill - you take a tram 2300 feet above sea level. We put our special ice-pick type boots on to secure our steps in the frozen mountain, and began a 50 minute hike. The photos speak for themselves.

Other suggested things to do in Alaska:

Stay at a wilderness lodge. Tutka Bay is where we stayed and we met some teens there who said it was the best vacation ever. The lodge has daily activities for you - kayaks for a day out on the water was one of my favorite things to do. We were met by many otters, and some bald eagles perched on the mountains overhead. Not an everyday site for us city slickers. Boy are they beautiful. www.tutkabaylodge.com   

At other wilderness lodges there are tide pools - which are so colorful and alive. Great for kids too! 
 

You have to try bear viewing - a private tour group will take you - and for some reason, because the guides do this all the time, you have a sense of safety, even if it is a false sense. Don't kid yourselves, we were very close to those brown bears...the only thing that kept them from us were the plentiful salmon for which they hungered. The plane ride to the bear viewing area is exciting - the views are gorgeous.

 
  Another thing to do is visit Halibut Cove - a village on a small island. The number of visitors are limited so reserve in advance at the Saltry - Halibut Cove's only restaurant. It is worth it - lovely view and gorgeous setting. Nearby art galleries are fun to see in the artist community.   www.centralcharter.com/halibutcove.

Most people go on to Homer for the fishing - that explains the success of the hole in the wall bar "Salty Dog." Classic - worth the visit - not for kids. Bottle caps cover the ceiling, as well as all kinds of souvenirs like women's bras lining the walls. The only place to stay in Homer is aptly called "Lands End Resort" because it is at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula.

I sure hope I've inspired you. You betcha. ;)

Thanksgiv...wait a minute!

Yeah, yeah ...I know the busiest travel weekend is upon us. I'll get to that in another post real soon. I just can't help myself in writing about these latest great airfares.I always get excited about amazing deals because there is the possibility I may go somewhere...but also these deals are harder and harder to find with airlines reducing flights (you don' t have to be an econ genius to know that means less supply...more demand...more money they can charge) and charging more for extras.

Let me get to the good news: Round trip flights all over the country - some for less than $60. Yes, I said round trip. Set your eyes on these, oh wary travelers... 

Baltimore to Miami: $99

NY - Miami: $139

Chicago New Orleans : $114

Boston- Angeles: $159

Boston-san Francisco : $159

Las Vegas-Los Angeles: $59.

That last one in particular has me fired up. I love Vegas. Not for a long period of time - but ya gotta admit a little excess is a good way to cut loose. Great food, top entertainment, luxurious hotels, and of course the casinos if you like to gamble.

The thing with the airfare deals is that you have to book through Expedia by November 23 - so put your planning in high gear.Deals are good for travel between Dec 2 and March 9, 2010. As a parent, I am thinking, shoot - that is just when my kids have their holiday break and some holiday three day weekends. Hard to get away so many times in that period....

So hey - if your travel plans for some reason find you taking your kids to Vegas, I thought I'd list some things for them to do. BTW - I am not one of those proponents of taking the kids to Sin City. I never bought into that campaign Vegas launched about 5 years ago that Vegas is for everyone. BUT that being said, I did bring my own kids there as we were stopping through on our RV adventure to national parks. (And boy did I welcome the Wynn Hotel bed after sleeping in a RV cardboard mattress!)

Anyway - in my opinion top attractions for kids are:

--Lance Burton. Hands down his show is one of the most entertaining for all ages. Great illusions without the cheese. www.lanceburton.com

--Blue Man Group - for older kids, tweens, teens and we adults love it too! A theatrical show incorporating music, comedy, and drama..with no speaking! I don't think they let in kids under five years because it could be a bit loud and scary. www.blueman.com 

--Mandalay Bay Hotel - Among about 8 pools there, the wave pool is a unique feature that will keep kids busy all day. It is in a beach like environment, and a good way to beat the heat. Also in Mandalay is the shark reef.

--Circus Circus Hotel: Adventuredome is a 5 acre indoor theme park. Also check out the circus shows... and the HUGE arcade in the hotel. The arcade was not one of my favorite stops - not anything I'd want to see as a traveler, but the kids loved it.

Cameras in the cockpit???

          It seems now we not only have to worry about terrorists taking over our  planes (for those of us who still think like that since 9/11) but now we have to worry about some pilots with whom we are entrusting our lives.

I haven't heard enough outrage about this latest incident with the Northwest pilots who overshot their destination by 150 miles..AND wasted the passengers' precious time to reach their location...and did I mention also jeopardized individuals' safety? Is the flying public ignoring it like they would a flight attendant's emergency oxygen mask presentation?

It was a precarious enough situation that military jets were almost sent up to check on the plane. It is even more unnerving because now pilots can lock the cockpit door and we have no way to know what they are doing. How did these two pilots ignore attempts at communication with air traffic controllers?  And where were the air marshals? Shouldn't they have been a bit suspicious?

On the flip side, former NTSB members have gone on TV saying that there are tens of thousands of flights a day that go on without a hiccup - which is a pretty stellar safety record. However, if you are the one on a not-so-safe plane, the others just don't matter.

So - what can we do? I have friends who are afraid of flying who have introduced themselves to the pilots when they get on board, ask to see the cockpit, and check in with them. You can also remind them that you will be paying attention to the flight and landing times. But - what about those red eyes? I love those flights myself, but always wonder how the pilots stay awake... in light of this recent incident we have had some implied comments that pilots do doze off now and then.

Which brings us to one solution that is being tossed around...and invariably would cost the airlines ( and us) more money of course: Cameras in the cockpit. I'm all for it. What do you think?

The College Tour

Last fall I spent the weekend with my three kids and husband at his college reunion. The university did a nice job of incorporating the kids in a number of activities - and started the brainwashing early! 

It made me start thinking that many families are doing just what I did – and also traveling with older children to college campuses nationwide to tour prospective universities for study.

Just this week the LA Times reported that despite the economy, summer tours of schools are having a strong start. This should continue through early fall, when applications are due.

The college tour can be turned into an amazing and memorable family vacation. If you go between now and late October, you will still get nice weather in most places, and even be able to attend a football game or other sporting event to catch the true school spirit. There are also many enriching student events that are offered, from concerts, to dances, to guest speakers. Most of the events are free and you can learn about them in the campus newspaper. Many of the college papers are also available online so you can plan before you go.

I thought I might inspire some of you to actually do some sightseeing on the college circuit– yes, meet with the admissions director and get a school tour…but don’t

 miss some of the extras a campus and its surrounding have to offer. I’m talking world class stuff.

Here are some college campuses that are some of my favorites for sightseeing: (Oh and they aren’t bad colleges either J )

Stanford University:

First off, enjoy the gorgeous European feel of this campus with sprawling lawns and stunning architecture.

--Visit the Cantor Arts Center - The sculpture gardens have the largest number of Rodin sculptures outside Paris. I've been to both the Rodin museum in Paris and the sculpture garden on campus - Stanford's is right up there.

--Memorial Church - the crown jewel of campus. The non-denominational church is open to the public, and a guided tour recounting the history is available at certain times.

--Hoover Tower - Observation deck offers great views.

--Downtown Palo Alto - University Ave offers some nice strolling - lots of cafes and boutiques with a definite college-town vibe.

--San Francisco is a mere 45minutes away - look into taking the train right into the city.

 

UCLA:

Another looker of a campus - with liveliness in the air.

--My favorite place on campus is the Murphy Sculpture Gardens. So tranquil it's hard to believe frat boys are congregating nearby. Found on the northern edge of campus, it is the perfect place to relax amongst some 70 sculptures. Bring a blanket and a ball for small kids.

--Another favorite in all of Los Angeles - the Geffen Theater. Intimate and inviting, this theater has some great productions and is walking distance from UCLA.

--The Hammer Museum - Also walking distance from campus...holds Armand hammer's collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

--Walk to Wilshire and take the bus to Wishire and Fairfax to LACMA...and/or the Petersen Automotive Museum. For a meal, head to the classic LA Farmer's Market. Always amazing people watching and interesting choices of food in a VERY casual outdoor setting.

University of Texas: Located in the quintessential town for college students, Austin Texas. On campus and off, there is plenty to do.

--LBJ Library and Museum - Intersting look at his presidency.

--Ranson Center: Holds the world's first photograph and Watergate papers of journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

--U of T Tower - a 27 story architectural beauty. Go tot he observation deck here also.

In nearby Austin:

--Barton Springs Pool - a bucolic place for a swim that is a favorite amongst the locals.

--See the bats under Congress Bridge. Approx 1.5 bats live in the crevices of the bridge and at sunset they all fly out to look for food.

--South Congress Ave - Funky, eclectic, perfect for the teen ehading off to college. Guero's is my favorite Mexican food...and Jo's Coffee often has interesting events. The last time I was in Austin, there was a concert in the parking lot for dogs and their owners.

--Don't forget the Austin music scene...

More colleges to come later this week...

A DAY WHEN LA FEELS LIKE A SMALL TOWN

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WEEKEND....

 

Do something patriotic

Aaaaah - the Fourth of July. As one of my favorite LA Times columnists Chris Erskine puts it, it is the sweet spot of summer - one of the last lazy days you really feel the summer is still unfolding in front of you. Soon enough those pesky "Back to School" ads will kill your buzz.

It is one of my favorite holidays - casual, warm, filled with friends, family, and the wonderment of kids.

Although the headlines read that many towns are giving up their annual fireworks and fun, there is still some great local flavor to be had. My own town does it right. My favorite day all year - starting with a 5K or 10K race at 8AM. Best way to start the morning with all the residents cheering the runners on in this neighborhood course. But let there be no mistake - this is a highly produced event...with an offical start/balloon arch and MC. I ran last year and will run again this year.

The day that follows is filled with neighborhood BBQs and pool parties...and a local parade that winds though a few mile course. More parties.. then fireworks...if one can make it that late after all the fanfare.

If your town doesn't do anything - look into neighboring towns - many events are free and there's always plenty to do with the kids. Best part: You don't have to go far.

My other suggestion is to look into a presidential library if there is one near you. No better way to feel patriotic...and many of them offer special holiday events. (Not to be politcal, but it seems the Republicans offer a few more enticements at their respective libraries and museums...)

Here are just a few things going down:

Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley CA: Patriotic concerts, family entertainment, games, crafts - FREE! There is still a price for admission to the museum, but there is a $4 discount on the 4th. Many other things to see : Air Force One, a 6,388 lb, 9ft tall piece of the Berlin Wall, and the Reagan Library.

Willaim J Clinton Museum in Little Rock Arkansas: The website simply says 4th of July festival and free admission.

George H.W. Bush Museum in College Station, Texas: Live entertainment, historical characters, games for kids, symphony performance, and fireworks. Most activities begin at 5:30 PM. Free - bring blankets.

Gerald R. Ford Museum, Ann Arbor MI: Kids can createw flags while visiting the museum.

If I hapened to miss any special presidential library event, it is because the website did not mention anything.

Here's a link: www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/

Have a safe and happy 4th!

VACATION LIKE THERE'S NO RECESSION

That's right.... you can still have your vacation and not break the bank. I know the thought of taking a big trip sounds expensive and daunting, noting all the lay-offs and t general fragility of our economy right now. But fear no more....

Last January I wrote about how I posted my  home on a home exchange website www.homeexchange.com. I got addicted to browsing the wonderful homes in far off lands...envisioning my family in each one of them. This summer we did it - we exchanged with two different families for a month long sojourn in France.                     

So now, one year later from that first home exchange posting, I will write about what I've learned and how you can have a great experience swapping homes.  (See my last Jan posting for some photos of available homes. The pictures here are from our home exchange)

 Pros:

---FREE - Can't beat that. Although, you have to factor in your time planning this; finding a house you like, finding a family who will exchange with you, working with the family on planning - sometimes around different time zones, and preparing your home for another person/family to stay there. That last item is something I didn't realize would take so long...normally when you take a trip, you just leave. But before we left we moved things to my mom's house that we didn't want out or around when people you've never met stay in your home. We also wanted it to be extra clean and comfortable, so we made extra efforts there also - repairing things..etc. I also got a cheap slipcover for our couch - so add that to the tab of the vacation.

--Get to connect with another family and learn what to do in their town from a local's perspective. Then - the best part - you get to live like a local. While in France we went grocery shopping... and ate in residential areas not haunted by tourists. My husband loves telling about the transformations:The first time we went shopping for food, we had no idea you had to weigh your fruit first, apply a sticker with the amount, and figure out the cost of the fruit separately  before paying. By the end of our stay, we were dashing through the produce section as if we had been buying our pommes there for years.

--Toys....Kitchen....Laundry..Pool - all amenities that can come with your home. These are great if you have kids - we saved even more money by eating breakfast at home every morning...we didn't need to pack as much because we washed clothes...AND our Paris apartment came with a Wii!!! So we could have some quiet moments trying to figure out our days outings while the kids played their video games on the wii.

  -You see attractions you wouldn't normally see. We stayed in Ste Maxime for the second part of our trip - a place I had never heard of - but it sounded appealing because, well it was the only Riviera home that was available and willing to exchange the dates we needed....and it is 10 minutes from St Tropez.

We got lucky - it is such a family-oriented village, with plenty of restaurants and a big market that came alive every night. Plus - the kids loved the boule courts right at the marina on the water. (bocce.) Had we found a place in sexier St Tropez, I would have taken it, but it would have been more expensive to eat in that ritzy town, and not as kid friendly. Restaurants open later there.

CONS:

--See the first "PRO" - more time consuming.

--The mystery: Everyone worries that you'll end up in a dump...or someone else will ruin your house. You have to open your mind to the fact that when you stay in a hotel, there have been thousands of people who have stayed there e before you, so get over the cootie factor. And you CAN screen pretty well as to is the people will take care of your home or not. Phone conversations are telling - of your gut tells you NO - listen. Not a thing was damaged at our house except a pool fence, which is a minor fix.

Photographs CANT tell everything - they can mislead. So ask for more photos if you feel you need to see more. Ask to see bathrooms and other things the owners may have excluded. NOTE: Photos also don't convey how clean a place is.... we arrived in the Riviera during a heat wave and the house had been closed up - it was damp and muggy inside...and kind of dusty. It seemed to be a family home and the cleaner hadn't cleaned up a lot of the kids' messes...Still - to me it was worth the day I spent cleaning. I was so happy to be there it didn't matter. Request a cleaning crew to clean before you arrive - even if you pay for it.

--No concierge or property manager to call: If there is a problem, and you are out of the country, it is a bit tricky. Chances are, you can't call the owners because of a time difference - or even if you aren't in a foreign country sometimes you can't reach the owners anyway. So who you gonna call??? We had a few problems - one with the pool - it was turning green. Apparently they don't use the same strong pool cleaning solvents in France, and during heat waves, algae takes over. I had to explain in my best college French that the pool is green. Thank goodness I brushed up with Rosetta Stone. Also -communicating with the cleaning lady was a bit rough... and we had some electricity outages, a fuse went out, and we couldn't reach the owners staying in our Calif. home.

--Toys....Kitchen...Laundry...pool. After  you get over the"pros" of having these things, you then go through the frustration of trying to figure out how to work each item. Washing machines are different and don't have directions in English... Pool: see above...Kitchen: have to figure out where to take out trash, figure out what cleaning agents do what for the sinks, counters, etc. Little headaches but enough to make one miss home sweet. BTW - this is only applicable to foreign travel.

--No guarantee that the deal will go through. We had already booked our tickets... lined up two back to back exchanges, and our Paris apartment cancelled!! No explanation, nothing. It all worked out - my first choice apartment that wasn't available when I was first planning became available...and the www.homeexchange.comfolks jumped on it to try and help me with their France connections..but I was a grouchy stress case for two days trying to hide this fiasco from my husband who was skeptical of home exchanges!

Overall - we had a great time and I would do it again if I were travelling for a long period to maximize the value of it. I figure it saved us about $20,000.

You can also do this in America!! Keep your travel dollars here this summer to help the economy :)

Happy Travels.