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HomeExchange News

Founded in 1714: Meet Natchitoches, Louisiana's "Mini New Orleans"

Founded in 1714, Natchitoches, Louisiana's "mini New Orleans," hosts the Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run over Labor Day weekend 2026.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
Guide to home exchange

What Are the Best Websites for Family Vacation Homes?

The best site for a family vacation home might not be a rental site at all. HomeExchange lets families swap full, fully-equipped homes worldwide for one flat annual membership, with no nightly rates and no generic listings.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
6 min read
HomeExchange News

298 Km of Coastal Cliffs: Cape Breton's Cabot Trail Deserves More Than a Day Trip

Nova Scotia's 298-km Cabot Trail is closer to New England than it looks - and 2026's new Skyline Trail parking rules make it worth more than a day trip.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
HomeExchange News

3 Minutes of A Rare Solar Eclipse Sweeps Iceland and Spain on August 12

On August 12, 2026, mainland Europe's first total solar eclipse since 1999 sweeps across Iceland and Spain.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

$350 a Year Just to Host: Baytown, Texas Passes Strict New Airbnb Rules

Baytown, Texas approved a $350 annual short-term rental permit by a narrow 4-3 vote, adding fire inspections, occupancy caps, and a 30-day stay limit.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
HomeExchange News

Quishing Scams Jump 146%: The Fake QR Codes Stealing Bank Details in US Hotels and Airports

Quishing scams jumped 146% in the US in 2026, with fake QR stickers hitting hotels, airports, and restaurants in Miami, Dallas, Seattle, and Philadelphia.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

500,000 Visitors, 73,000 Views: Why the Black Hills Are Exploding This Summer 2026

South Dakota's Black Hills are having a moment: a viral 73,000-view video, America's 250th at Mount Rushmore, and the 86th Sturgis Rally pushing hotel prices up 50-100%.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

Summer 2026 Airfare Jumps 15%: How to Beat the Price Hike

Summer 2026 airfare is up 15% for domestic flights and 12% internationally. Here's why prices climbed, and how to fly smart without overspending.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
Guide to home exchange

Can I Share a HomeExchange Membership with a Partner or Family Member?

Yes, you can share your HomeExchange membership with anyone living under your roof, such as a partner or an adult child. Sharing with friends, extended family, or other households isn't allowed since each household needs its own account.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
Guide to home exchange

Can I Use HomeExchange If I'm a Student?

Yes - students 18 and older can use HomeExchange, either on their own account or a parent's. Minors can't register or exchange homes, but adults can house-hunt, study abroad, or list their own place during school breaks to earn GuestPoints.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
HomeExchange Reviews

A Different Kind of Honeymoon: Patagonia, Open Homes, and People Who Are Now Part of Our Story

This time, we're handing the mic to Paco and Susana, HomeExchange ambassadors and members since 2014, who chose Patagonia for a honeymoon built entirely around home exchanges.

  • HomeExchange
    HomeExchange
4 min read
HomeExchange News

Coupeville: The Pacific Northwest's Second-Oldest Town Is Topping Every 2026 Travel List

Founded in 1852, Coupeville is Washington's second-oldest town, and in 2026 it's landing on travel lists from Fodor's Go List to Livability's Top 100.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

Route 66 Turns 100: The Perfect Excuse for a Multi-Stop Home Exchange Adventure

Route 66 turns 100 in 2026. The 2,448-mile Mother Road crosses eight states - the perfect excuse to string together multiple home exchanges along the way.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
HomeExchange News

$297 Million Lost to Travel Scams: The Risk Home Exchange Doesn't Have

Travel scam losses hit $297 million in the US, nearly tripling since 2021 - a risk that simply doesn't exist when you exchange homes with verified members.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

Astoria, Oregon: 100 Years of Its Iconic Column, and a Port Town Worth More Than a Portland Day Trip

Astoria's 125-foot Column turns 100 in July 2026. Discover this historic Oregon port town 96 miles from Portland, and why a home exchange beats a hotel.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

200 Nights a Year, One License, Zero Margin for Error: Salt Lake City's New Short-Term Rental Rules

Since July 1, 2026, Salt Lake City short-term rental hosts need a $540 license, a 200-night annual cap, and a 2-night minimum stay to operate legally.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
Guide to home exchange

Is HomeExchange still worth it if I only travel once a year?

When you only travel once a year, where you stay matters more than ever. Comfort, budget, flexibility, and authenticity: HomeExchange offers a different way to travel, built for anyone who wants to make the most of every trip.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
Guide to home exchange

What happens if I don't manage to exchange during the year, do I lose my money?

Worried about joining HomeExchange because you might not complete an exchange in your first year? Don't be - your membership is protected. Here's how the second-year-free guarantee works, plus practical tips to help you travel with confidence.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
HomeExchange Reviews

16 Years and 400 Home Exchanges: How One Decision Changed the Way We Travel and Live

This testimonial was written by Elisabet, a HomeExchange member since 2010 who has completed 400 home exchanges traveling the world with her family.

  • HomeExchange
    HomeExchange
4 min read
HomeExchange News

Valle de Guadalupe: The 100-Winery Valley 90 Minutes From San Diego Americans Are Finally Discovering

Mexico's answer to Napa Valley packs 100+ wineries into 20 square miles, just 90 minutes from San Diego, and it's perfect home-exchange territory.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

$274 Million Lost to Vacation Rental Scams: The Risk Home Exchange Doesn't Have

Scammers copy real vacation rental listings and pose as the owner, pressuring travelers to pay off-platform. That risk doesn't exist with home exchange.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

Yachats, Oregon: The Pacific Coast's Hidden Gem Even Oregonians Overlook

Fewer than 1,000 people live in Yachats, Oregon - home to Thor's Well, Devil's Churn, and a quiet stretch of Highway 101 most travelers drive right past.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
Guide to home exchange

Is It More Expensive to Travel Often with HomeExchange?

Traveling frequently with HomeExchange, the world leader in home swapping, allows you to explore new destinations. But is it more expensive? In this article, discover the real cost of frequent exchanges and what it means for your travel budget.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
Guide to home exchange

How Many Exchanges Do You Need to Break Even on a HomeExchange Membership?

Traveling affordably with HomeExchange is possible. But how many exchanges does it take to make the membership pay for itself? Often, just a few nights are enough to make the experience highly cost-effective, all while enjoying the comfort of a real home and the pleasure of traveling differently.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
HomeExchange News

One Day Off, Five Days Away: How to Turn Labor Day 2026 Into Your Longest Weekend of the Summer

Discover a sun-drenched escape in Faro, the Algarve's capital, where over 300 days of sunshine await without the need for a long-haul flight.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
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