Fox29 WFLX TV, West Palm Beach, Florida-How to travel for free!

How to travel for free!

By Juan Carlos Fanjul - bio | email

BOCA RATON, FL(WFLX)-- Imagine staying in Paris, London or Rome for free. Need a car to get around? That could be free too. We are not making this up.

There is a way to travel with lodging and transportation not costing you a dime. Just ask Boca Raton's Connie Young.

"We've stayed in Washington State, Stowe,Vermont, Bamf British Columbia, Whistler twice, Utah twice" said Young.

Young and her husband Paul stayed at all those choice destinations for free, saving over the years: "I would guess about $25,000," said Paul.

The Youngs are part of a growing number of people in this down economy who swap homes, instead of paying for hotels.

Websites like www.homeexchange.com allow travellers to advertise their homes, usually in desirable destinations, and then exchange them with someone else living in a place they woud like to visit.

Usually, the parties agree on a time of year desirable to both. No money is ever exchanged.

The Youngs advertise their Boca home as a perfect South Florida getaway complete with gourmet kitchen, pool, and of course a neighborhood close to the beach.

Home exchangers are not only swapping homes, they also throw in their personal vehicles into the mix. That's right lodging, transportation at a choice destination for free!"

And the Youngs use Paul's miles from business travel, so the airfare is even free.

"It's kind of become a hobby for our family. We find our home exchange and with the miles we gain, we travel for free. We just pay for food and entertainment," added Paul.

The couple says they've never had anything broken or missing and while some people may have a tough time with a stranger staying in their home, "once you understand and get to know who you are exchanging with, they really become friends. It's like having a friend over," said Connie.

On the web: www.homeexchange.com