How HomeExchange Made Our Barcelona Anniversary Trip Unforgettable

At HomeExchange, we love giving the floor to those who can talk about it best: our members. This testimonial was written by Juliana, a lovely HomeExchange member, who shares the story of her anniversary trip in Barcelona.

Celebrating 15 Years of Marriage with a Memorable Getaway in Barcelona

Hi! I’m Juliana Loewen from @thiswildpassport, travel journalist and lifestyle content creator. When my husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary in June, we knew we wanted to do something memorable, something worthy of celebrating 15 wonderful years of marriage. 

With three young kids at home, this trip was just for us: a chance to reconnect, explore, and create memories together. We set our sights on Barcelona, with its vibrant streets, iconic architecture, and sun-soaked beaches. And while we saved money by traveling without the kids, we still wanted to be mindful of our budget. Our goal was to splurge on experiences, not accommodation. That’s where HomeExchange came in.

Saving on Accommodation, Splurging on Experiences

Instead of pouring thousands of dollars into a hotel or short-term rental, we turned to HomeExchange and set our parameters to points only. I love this feature because it allows us to save our home for when the kids are there, while still giving us access to incredible places around the world.

That’s how we found it: a newly renovated, modern three-bedroom apartment with a front-row view of the Sagrada Familia. To this day, I can’t imagine what a hotel room or Airbnb with that view would have cost us. It was absolutely stunning, the kind of space that makes you pinch yourself.

Home exchange: Barcelona - Aida&Jose’s home - Barcelona/Spain - HomeExchange

We have just refurbished the whole apartment in 2022. Everything is brand new! Our home is very sunny, bright and spacious. The

HomeExchange

One night, we even sat on the balcony and watched a lightning storm roll across the sky, illuminating the towers of the Sagrada Familia in flashes of light. It was one of the most breathtaking, surreal moments of my life. I remember thinking: we only paid a membership fee for this, and here we are.

What We Saved

To put it into perspective, comparable hotels in central Barcelona with a view of the Sagrada Familia start around €350–€500 per night for a standard room. Even an Airbnb apartment with a similar location and view would have easily been €300+ per night, not including cleaning or service fees.

For our week-long stay, that would have added up to over €2,000–€3,000 just for accommodation, while we only had to pay our $235 membership fee. We’re putting those savings towards our family spring break trip to Japan!

By saving on accommodation, we were able to stretch our budget further and put it toward the things that mattered most:

• Day trips to Montserrat and the Costa Brava.
• Tapas tours through the Gothic Quarter.
• Tickets to Gaudí’s masterpieces, from Park Güell to Casa Batlló.
• A few extra splurges on wine and cava tastings that turned our evenings into celebrations.

These were the experiences that made our anniversary feel so special, and HomeExchange made them possible.

Living Like Locals (With Tourist Views!)

One of the unexpected gifts of our Barcelona exchange was how much it felt like living as locals. Yes, we were in a touristy area, but the apartment itself was calm and quiet, a retreat after busy days exploring. Every morning, we’d drink coffee while the sun rose over the Sagrada Familia. Every evening, we’d watch the basilica light up against the night sky. That rhythm of daily life, paired with the comforts of a real home: a fridge, a washing machine, a cozy living room. It gave us a sense of grounding we wouldn’t have had in a hotel.

We didn’t need to rent a car, since the apartment was so central and public transit was right at our doorstep. That alone saved us both money and stress. Instead of navigating traffic or worrying about parking, we simply hopped on the metro and went wherever we wanted.

Tips for Planning Your Own HomeExchange Trip

If you’re considering using HomeExchange for a special trip, here are a few things I learned:

Set your parameters wisely. If you’re looking to travel without offering your home in return, “points only” searches are a game-changer.

• Think about location: being close to transit saved us so much time and money, and made it easy to fit more into our days.
• Appreciate the little things: having a kitchen, laundry, and a quiet space to unwind truly added to our comfort.
• Splurge intentionally: by saving on accommodations, you can put your budget toward experiences that will stick with you forever.

Why We’ll Keep Choosing HomeExchange

Looking back, Barcelona was everything we hoped it would be for our anniversary trip: beautiful, vibrant, and full of moments we’ll never forget. And HomeExchange was at the heart of making it happen. It gave us not only a stunning place to stay but also the freedom to focus on what mattered most: celebrating 15 years together.

For us, HomeExchange isn’t just about saving money (though that’s an incredible bonus). It’s about traveling deeper, living like locals, and creating memories in homes that feel like they’re ours, even just for a little while.