enqfeb09

IN THIS ISSUE

Visit to China

Street View

Historic Places Trust

Please ask us

? Going to Germany

Home Exchange or package tour ?

ROMAN holiday. Read about a typical home exchange in Europe
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This weeks selection from the hotlist

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? GOING TO GERMANY

If you are lucky enough to be travelling to Germany our German Organiser Manfred Lypold has asked that we make members aware of this web site about what's on in Germany.

http://news.germany-tourism.co.uk

VISIT TO CHINA

I am a little late with the newsletter this month as John & I have just returned from a 2 week holiday in China. We have travelled there several times before but never to the major cites. China is a most interesting destination for tourists with so many superlatives. We were able to meet up with the new HomeLink Representative in China who lives in Beijing. His name is Bing Fan and he has lived in South Africa for several years so has perfect English. The number of foreigners living in the main centres is staggering and hopefully we will be getting some interesting exchanges for members soon. There are so many possibilities. We were able to spend a few days doing our own thing while in Shanghai and in Beijing. If you take some time to plan and take your "Lonly Planet Book' it is not difficult to travel in China independantly. If you are peering at a map there is always some kind person to come to your help. English is taught at primary school and most people are eager to practise.

STREET VIEW

Have you had a look at your home on Google Street View. With members consent HomeLink International add Map Links to our members listings. New Zealand and Australia were the first to be added to Google Street View and now it is becoming common in many countries. You can now see exactly what the home and area is like of your potential home exchange. Sadly its not always to the best advantage as our house was photographed on a wet and bleak winter day. Oh well !

HISTORIC PLACES TRUST

I mentioned some time ago about the added value of joining the NZ Historic Places Trust. One of our members was asking for a reminder. If you are thinking of travelling to the U.K. this is the bargain of the year !

As well as supporting the history of NZ you have the added bonus of getting FREE entry into all the National Trust Properties in England. The cost for joining is $55 for a family. The cost for entry into just one of the National Trust properties in England is somtimes more than this amount. There are some fabulous properties listed. Not only famous houses but walks and conservation areas. We did the White cliffs of Dover walk last year when we were in England and visited the family home of Winston Churchill's at Chartwell.

PLEASE ASK US

At the risk of being repetitve I urge you to ask us for advice if you are having any problems with a potential exchange or if you cannot find the exchange you are looking for. This is what makes HomeLink special. You can simply pick up the phone and call us. We can't perform miracles but we do have the experience to hand out the correct advice an possibly sort out problems that may occur from time to time.

To avoid misunderstandings with a home exchange please remember to fill in your Exchange Agreement forms. These are available as electronic or as paper forms to download.

HOME EXCHANGE OR PACKAGE TOUR

Which to choose ?

As I said John & I have just come back from China. As we had limited time and wanted to visit 3 cities in 9 days, we took a tour. This is the first tour we have taken since we began Home Exchanging and I plan to avoid tours in the future if at all possible. To give credit where its due the tour was comprehensive, well planned and full of interest. But................. Leave the hotel at 8am arrive back in the evening. On and off the bus about 10 times a day. Eating far too many Chinese banquets. We are exhausted. It was a good tour but it was not the quality of travel that we have become used to.

No time to do washing or ironing. No time to put your feet up and relax. No time to enjoy the comforts of a home. What is more important it was EXPENSIVE !!