Home Exchange, Pickleball, and Three Years of Slow Travel

At HomeExchange, we love hearing from the people who know it best: our members. This testimonial was written by Dorine and her husband, who have been traveling the world through home exchange for the past 3 years.

Three years ago, we made a decision that completely changed the way we travel.

We committed to leaving home for three months each year to experience destinations the way locals do-with nothing more than a carry-on, a backpack, and our pickleball paddles.

It has become one of the best decisions we've ever made. The first year, we even set off with an around-the-world plane ticket.

Our adventures have taken us to beautiful places, made possible by the GuestPoints we've earned through our home exchanges. Rather than staying in hotels, we've lived in real neighborhoods: shopping at the local grocery store, wandering through farmers markets, and discovering coffee shops, restaurants, and hidden gems that most visitors never see.

Every exchange has been different, but each one has left us with unforgettable memories and lasting friendships.

One thing always travels with us: our pickleball paddles, which have opened the door to so many meaningful connections.

Wherever we go, we look for the local pickleball courts. It has become our favorite way to meet people. The game speaks its own language-whether someone is a beginner or an experienced player, we've found that pickleball breaks down barriers instantly. Before long, we're sharing stories, learning about the community, exchanging restaurant recommendations, and often making plans to play again.

Some of our favorite memories haven't come from famous landmarks. They've come from conversations on the pickleball courts.

Traveling this way has allowed us to experience cultures far more deeply than we ever imagined. We've enjoyed regional cuisines, joined local festivals, followed hiking trails recommended by neighbors, and discovered scenic routes that never appear in travel brochures.

We've learned that every destination has its own personality.

Some mornings begin with coffee overlooking the ocean. Others start with deer wandering through the yard, or a walk to the neighborhood bakery before heading out to explore. Evenings might end with a spectacular sunset, or watching cruise ships quietly pass by on their way to Alaska.

Those simple moments often become our favorite memories.

Living in someone else's home also gives us a different appreciation for the places we visit. Instead of feeling like tourists, we begin to feel like temporary residents. We learn which grocery store has the best produce, where locals go for breakfast, which parks are worth visiting at sunrise, and the quiet places that never make it onto the typical sightseeing lists.

We've discovered that slowing down makes travel richer.

Rather than trying to check off attractions, we take the time to return to places we love, spend an afternoon reading by the water, or simply enjoy a conversation with someone we've just met.

The memories we've created are unlike anything we experienced through traditional vacations.

We've been part of the HomeExchange community for four years now, and here are a few things we've learned along the way:

• Be flexible with your destinations. Sometimes the best adventures are found in places you hadn't considered.
• Communicate openly with your exchange partners. Clear expectations make for a wonderful experience for everyone.
• Pack lighter than you think you'll need. Even for three months, less is often more.
• Bring something that connects you with people. For us, it's our pickleball paddles-whether it's a hobby, a musical instrument, a camera, or a bicycle, shared interests create friendships.
• Shop locally and support small businesses whenever you can.
• Don't try to see everything. Leave room for spontaneous discoveries.
• Talk to the locals. They always know the best restaurants, hiking trails, beaches, and viewpoints.
• Take time to settle into the rhythm of the community. That's when the magic begins.

Sometimes we wonder whether three months is too long, or not long enough.

Just as we begin to feel at home, it's almost time to head to our next destination.

Each place changes us a little. We return home with new stories to tell, friendships that span continents, and an even deeper appreciation for the diversity and beauty of the world.

Travel has become less about checking destinations off a list, and more about collecting experiences.

It's about watching a sunset from the porch of a borrowed home.

It's about laughing with new friends after a pickleball game.

It's about discovering that the best restaurant in town is the one recommended by your neighbor.

It's about finding joy in ordinary moments that become extraordinary simply because you're fully present.

As we continue this annual tradition, we're reminded that home isn't just one place.

Sometimes home is wherever you're welcomed, wherever your curiosity leads you to explore, and wherever you're willing to slow down long enough to truly experience life.

Three years into this journey, we're already looking forward to the next exchange, the next destination, and the next set of memories waiting to be made.

Because in the end, the greatest souvenir isn't something you can pack in a suitcase.

It's the life you've lived along the way.