| Hotels are nice but can be pretty expensive to | | | | a different place and even at a different time? |
| stay at, especially if you are staying there for a | | | | Timeshares are given three ratings - green for |
| long period of time. Some other options to | | | | off-season, yellow for mid-season, and red for |
| consider when traveling and definitely when | | | | peak season. |
| vacationing are bed-and-breakfasts, vacation | | | | So if you have a green timeshare you can swap |
| rentals, timeshares, and believe it or not - hostels. | | | | it for a green timeshare in another part of the |
| Bed and Breakfasts | | | | world. Even if you have a green or yellow |
| For the most part American bed and breakfasts | | | | timeshare you could swap it for a red as long as |
| or "B&Bs" in America are not cheap and are | | | | you are willing to travel within 60 days or less. As |
| actually in some cases pretty expensive, but this | | | | a result, you can temporarily swap your lesser |
| is often not the case of European B&Bs. In fact | | | | unit for an even better unit for free! |
| B&Bs in Europe are often cheaper than the hotels | | | | Home Exchanges |
| of Europe. | | | | A home exchange works in pretty much the |
| But to ensure you're getting the best deal for | | | | same manner as a timeshare swap with the |
| what you're paying you need to keep in mind | | | | exception of you exchanging your home instead |
| what's included or "excluded" from the price, i.e., | | | | of your timeshare; and home exchange programs |
| check-in/check-out times, will your room have a | | | | don't usually use a rating system. But keep in |
| private bath, are linens included in the price, is | | | | mind that you should only participate in home |
| breakfast offered, etc. | | | | exchanges if you feel comfortable with doing so, |
| Vacation Rentals | | | | and your home will obviously have to be in a |
| Although not usually the cheapest option when it | | | | desirable location. |
| comes to lodging, vacation rentals are nice and | | | | Hostels |
| often offer some good deals for travelers who | | | | A hostel is pretty much just a rented bed as |
| need somewhere to stay for a week, a month, | | | | opposed to a rented room but the price can be |
| or even longer. | | | | as low as $10 a night - they're dirt cheap! |
| Also, many vacation rentals have multiple | | | | However, when most people think of hostels they |
| bedrooms at great rates, so if you and a group | | | | think of dirty, dark rooms with unsavory |
| of friends and/or relatives want to vacation at | | | | characters residing there, and that is sometimes |
| the same destination, why not split the cost of a | | | | the case but there are some pretty nice hostels |
| vacation rental? | | | | to stay at too. |
| For most rentals if you split the cost with others | | | | At some of the nicer hostels you have heat & |
| that would be the absolute best bargain going for | | | | AC, televisions, and in-room safes. But still keep in |
| a place to stay during your travels. Plus vacation | | | | mind that you are still just renting a bunk. Also, |
| rentals are for the most part usually fully | | | | breakfast is usually included in the fee, and at |
| furnished and have some great amenities such as | | | | some of the best hostels there are lunch and |
| a full kitchen, swimming pool, game room, etc. | | | | dinner options and they host special events such |
| Timeshare Swapping | | | | as theme parties and other social get-togethers |
| Do you have a timeshare? Did you know that | | | | as well. |
| you can swap your timeshare for a timeshare in | | | | |