As travel costs continue to rise and frustrations with traditional accommodation mounting, a growing number of travelers think how they are vacationing.
Among them is the 27-year-old, Natália Amorim, of Canadawhich saved around £ 18,000 in just two years, which worldwide worldwide to the destinations of the bucket list, including CaliforniaCopenhagen and the The Netherlands.
Next month, she even succeeds a month in a soft Notting Hill apartment for only $ 180 (£ 133) – less than the average price of one night in a hotel in the same area, £ 147.
But how did Natalia do this?
This is all thanks to the ditch of hotels and airbnbs in favor of home exchange on Typewhich involves payment of just the price of basic cleaning and membership fees.
Since she joined, she has used the service to travel extensively for both recreation and work – with more than 90 nights in homes in the UK, Europe and the US
But one of Natalia’s most memorable stay was in a three -story home overlooking Amsterdam’s channels, a home she describes as “the most beautiful” she has ever seen in an exclusive interview with MailOnline.
On another occasion, after seeing only pictures of the interior, she showed up at what she thought was a modest accommodation in California – but was greeted by something completely different.
Natália Amorim, depicted in London, exchanged hotels and short -term rentals for home exchange – and saved up to £ 18,000 within two years
Since joining Kindred, she has used the service to travel extensively for both recreation and work – with more than 90 nights in homes in the UK, Europe and the US.
Natalia has moved through the world worldwide to the destinations of bucket list, including California, Copenhagen (in the photo) and the Netherlands
She tells us, “I only had pictures from the inside of the property, and it was almost a whole farm for ourselves.”
Natalia’s first experience with home exchange comes through Facebook groups, but she finds them disorganized and risky in terms of safety.
However, since she discovered Kindred in 2022, Natalia insists that she is rarely concerned about her safety and comfort when she will stay with others, or if there are guests in her home.
She does not even move her home before guests arrive, although some hosts “do not touch” notes attach to items they want to keep unused by guests.
Natalia says: ‘I think different people do different ways. I personally leave all my stuff out. I’ll push away, like a little space in the closet as they need – I even keep my magazines out.
‘One host has small stickers named’ Privacy, please. “If there’s a drawer that you don’t want someone to open, someone to touch, you can just add the small privacy stickers.
“I recently had a host who did it with post-it notes and told me, ‘This drawer has too many things. If you open it will fall. ”
Each exchange is built on mutual trust and, unlike traditional rent, must be hosting users to stay.
Natalia insists that she is rarely concerned about her safety and comfort if she will stay with others, or if there are guests in her home
Natalia says: ‘There is a real community aspect, a human aspect, to exchange at home. I am very close to all my hosts who offered me and I still keep in touch with some of my guests. ‘Guests even took selfies with my cat (in the photo)
She adds: ‘I am a great gift provider, so every time I stay in a family, I pay close attention to their home and their cups and their taste and their art to love, try to find a gift that matches their personality’
She continues: ‘There is a real community aspect, a human aspect, to exchange at home. I am very close to all my hosts who offered me and I still keep in touch with some of my guests.
‘Guests even took selfies with my cat.
‘Usually the host will leave a handwritten note when you get there. It was my first time in Edinburgh a few weeks ago with Kindred and the host left me a few tea bags.
“I am a great gift provider, so every time I stay in a family, I will pay close attention to their home and their cups and their taste and their art to love, try to find a gift that matches their personality.”
For increased safety on Kindred, before the trip is confirmed, members arrange a video call and every home is verified.
Guests can personalize how they exchange keys – Natalia uses a keyboard or a locks and support is available 24/7 if something goes wrong.
Natalia explains: ‘Nothing is automatic.
“If someone requests to stay at your home, and if you request to stay at their home, you have the opportunity to discuss a video call with them.
For Natalia, the decision to exchange at home was not only practical-it was a game changer that saved her thousands, ‘cleaned her conscience’, and allowed her to experience unique, once in the lifetime
“Then there’s a waiting period before something is actually lost.”
For Natalia, the decision to exchange at home was not only practical-it was a game changer that saved her thousands, “cleaned her conscience,” and allowed her to experience unique, once in the lifelike journey while on his way.
She says, ‘When I swap, I am really welcomed as a gas, and I must make true connections with my host pre- and for journey, while experiencing the city like a local.
“If I know that staying in a real home when swapping home, avoiding contributing to gentrification, I can also travel with a better conscience.”
