Ciao a tutti,

I'll be posting to the real estate section as well but I'm thinking this is a good place to discuss home exchanges in Italy for one, two or three months a year.

I have a nice little house in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and would love to offer it in exchange for living space in Italy (particularly Rome, Siena and the Chianti region, Lake Como area, Venice area, other... ?) for periods of time.

Travel is expensive and I discovered the first time I visited Italy that a week's stay just isn't enough. When I go, I want to live there for a while -- 30 days, 60 days, or longer.

Living in Italy or living in the United States... they both have their wonders. I want to experience both!

Teresa

Teresa this could be the answer! What a great idea, that I never thought about.
Its only--I do not yet have a house of my own to offer to you. When I do, we can exchange--New Mexico is fine for me!

Teresa, I think more people should talk about this. This is a great idea now that I snoozed on it. Many people do not have that extra cash to blow on living or staying arrangements--their money should be used in the way they want besides-- not all used up on a place to stay---this would allviete alot of stress! I feel this should be a section all on its own --it could turn into an exciting new bartering system!

I agree with Teresa and Jacqueline, it could be a great idea to exchange residences with Italians.

I have a friend from Gorizia coming down to Singapore this week, and she will stay a week with me before finding other accomodation. This is because my husband and I travel a lot, and would be away next month.

But this sure is a good idea, and I would like to explore possibilities of exchange with some one in Rome, Milan or Firenze.

An alternative would also be house sitting. I have a house (http://villacasale.net) in Abruzzo that typically sits empty from Sept to April each year. I would prefer to have someone in the house. I am sure that there are other owners in the same situation.

Yes, I think home exchange is a fantastic idea and I would be open to it. Does anyone want to come to Calgary in Canada, one hour from Banff National Park which is a beatiful mountainous nature area! Great in summer or winter, as has the best skiing in the winter and everything (hiking, biking, golfing, boating in the summer).

If we are serious about house exchanges, we should have a page where we can post pictures and a things to do section so people get an idea of what is available for them in the respective areas?

I agree!
A page that has pictures and other info for home exchange would be great.

Let's see what we can do....:D

Ciao Teresa. Fantastic idea.I'm very much interested.Go with it.

Paolo, what do you think? A separate category for home exchanges? I must confess I quite like Teresa's ideas too!