HomeExchange | Blog
  • Home
  • Destinations
  • Home exchange guide
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Sustainable tourism

HomeExchange News

The HomeExchange Blog

HomeExchange News

Townsend, Tennessee: The Peaceful Side of the Smokies, Just 7 Miles from Cades Cove

Townsend, Tennessee just hosted its 8th Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival, only 7 miles from Cades Cove and the peaceful side of the Smokies.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

Italy’s “Ghost Residence” Scam Grows to 150 Victims

More than 150 travelers arrived in Italy this summer only to find the seaside home they’d paid for didn’t exist. Now Booking.com itself faces scrutiny.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

First Nonstop Route to Hilo: Southwest Opens a New Door to Hawaii’s Quieter Corner

Southwest launched its first nonstop service between Las Vegas and Hilo on August 6, 2026, opening direct access to Hawaii’s quieter Big Island side.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

90 Days a Year: Cambridge’s New Cap on Short-Term Rentals

Cambridge’s Planning Board wants to cap short-term rentals at 90 days a year. Here’s why a home exchange never has to count the days, register, or pay a fine.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

8 Hours, No Layover: Prague’s New Nonstop Route from Philadelphia

American Airlines now connects Philadelphia to Prague nonstop in just over 8 hours. Here’s why a home exchange beats a hotel room in Prague’s Old Town.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange News

One Rental Per Block: Airbnb Loses Its Federal Appeal in New Orleans

Fifth Circuit upholds New Orleans' short-term rental law, rejecting Airbnb's takings claim and forcing platforms to verify listing permits before charging fees.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
HomeExchange Reviews

How We Stayed in Banff for less than $26/Night

Nathan, Emilie, Noah, and Samuel from Love Life Abroad recently enjoyed their dream vacation in Banff while sticking to a budget. Nathan shares the secret to the family's affordable, authentic, unforgettable trip.

  • HomeExchange
    HomeExchange
5 min read
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
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

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
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
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
HomeExchange News

Escape to a Portuguese haven where over 300 days of sun promise a complete vitamin D cure

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
2 min read
HomeExchange News

Where the Water is Perfect: A Guide to the Best Clear-Water Lakes in the U.S. for Summer

While water clarity lacks a single scientific definition, certain lakes consistently stand out for their exceptional transparency due to deep, cold, and nutrient-poor conditions that limit algae growth.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
3 min read
HomeExchange News

Want a Hair-Raising Road Trip? Head to Ireland, Home to the World’s Longest Signposted Coastal Route

In 2014, Ireland unveiled a tourist route on the far western edges of Europe: the Wild Atlantic Way. Stretching over 2,500 km along the Atlantic coast. Between these, the route traverses nine counties, offering breathtaking coastal landscapes and towns where one can savor authentic Irish culture.

  • Gabin PAUL
    Gabin PAUL
2 min read
HomeExchange | Blog © 2026
Last posts Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube