The idea of home-sharing / swapping has been around for decades, but has never really gained any traction until recently.
Until the Internet came along, you were possibly taking a risk in loaning your home to strangers.
But now, we are all so connected that it is becoming more difficult to perpetuate a scam for long.
It is truly worth considering home-swapping, as you get all the benefits of home (and maybe even more) at a reasonable price. And you might make lifelong friends in the process.
And if that is too rich for you, here’s another option.
The Guardian offers a service that may help you get started.
And don’t forget to visit our Deals pages to see the latest offers, and those from our partners.