If you’re currently in a cold climate, you might be wishing for a holiday exchange in warmer temperatures. At The Vacation Exchange, we have properties in some of the best hot climates around the world. The snow may blow and the ice may come in your hometown, but you’ll be comfortable in a t-shirt and shorts when you head to some of these destinations on a vacation house swap. Here are five picks for hot climates this winter.
South Africa
The Kirstenboch National Botanical Gardens – Photo used under Creative Commons from Flickr user mariya_umama_wethemba_monastery
Recommended by The Lonely Planet and Conde Nast, South Africa is a great destination for a house swap this winter. Our exchange homes are available in areas including the Western Cape, Western Province, and Umlodti. South Africa’s winter is in June and runs to August, so if you’re looking to depart for a warm climate in December, it should definitely be on your list! Several of our Cape Town properties are available year-round, and feature amazing views and more. Capetown is a popular pick, and you might consider visiting attractions like Cape Point Nature Reserve or the Kirstenboch National Botanical Gardens while there.
The Bahamas
A classic for vacation for good reason, The Bahamas are a great place to visit during a winter vacation. Our Bahama vacation homes are only second homes, they are not regular residences, and thus, they offer a great place to retreat from the cold. The area is perfect for fans of deep sea fishing, diving, and other aquatic sports. Some of our exchange homes even have a dock attached. Visit areas like Nassau or Harbour Island are great for a house swap this winter. There’s activities galore, and don’t forget the great restaurants! Swim with sting rays, catch some rays on the beach, and just relax.
Australia
Ever wanted to visit Australia? December is one of the warmest months for Australia, so it’s a great destination for a holiday exchange. The continent is a good place to watch wildlife and do sight seeing at attractions like the Sydney Harbour Opera House or Blue Mountains National Park. Our vacation homes in Australia include locales like Sydney and Queensland. Stay for a while in Melbourne and try attractions like the Opal Mines, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Royal Exhibition Building. South Australia is fun as well for a vacation and you can head out on the Fleurieu Peninsula, located 45 minutes away from Adelaide. There’s surfing, animal farms, canoeing, and plenty more for you or your family to do you when you stay at one of our exchange homes.
Belize
Watch any vacation-home hunting show on HGTV, and you’ll see a number of episodes shot in Belize. Why? Belize is appealing for a vacation because it’s full of lush natural beauty and has a great climate. The Belize vacation homes available in the network so you can have a home swap in Cayo, San Pedro or Stann. Besides the breathtaking wildlife such as wild toucans, jaguars and more, Belize has multiple Mayan ruins to visit and climb – if you can stand the steep stairs! These ruins include Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. Whether you want a guided tour or just want to visit the structures at your own pace, Belize has options for your wishes on a holiday exchange. Want to do more in Belize during your trip? Try visiting some of the beautiful botanical gardens, underground caves, or even the butterfly ranch. For those who want a taste of adventure, there’s rafting, canoeing, ziplining, and all kinds of outdoor recreation.
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
How about a warm weather vacation that doesn’t require a passport or a long flight? Yes this is Florida, but it’s a gem of vacation place, especially for families. Why go to Destin when several of our Santa Rosa Beach, Florida vacation homes are just as splendid as a Destin condo? Most of our properties are three or more bedrooms, plus have pools and easy beach access. You could even walk to Seaside, the famous Victorian-style beach town where the movie The Truman Show was filmed with Jim Carrey. If you want to leave the beach for awhile, there’s golf courses, chartered fishing services, and charming shops. Don’t forget to try a visit to seafood restaurants while you’re there! Once you’ve wound down, you can start your next day off with a fun lesson in sandcastle building, and learn how to sculpt sand into captivating scenes on the beach. The waves may wash away your work, but the memories will last!
If you look out your window and see frost, it may be time to get away this holiday. Consider having a vacation in some of these great sunny and enjoyable areas this winter!
Please visit The Vacation Exchange Network’s site to join our home swap network, to learn more about how home exchanges work, or see all of our properties at great destinations all over the world. You can also follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!
