Archive for October, 2008
October 28th, 2008 at 10:33am
Under About Villa Exchange+ Save Money with Villa Exchange
With the strengthening of the dollar and the Euro against the pound, many owners who have bought properties overseas have been hit by the double whammy of increased running costs and possibly higher mortgage re-payments.
If the properties are rented out, there is probably a third whammy in the form of increased competition on rentals, which means that they have to negotiate lower rates with potential clients.
It’s at times like these, when everything is going against you that a little lateral thinking is required and it pays to search out for new options on how you can get the most out of your holiday home.
Canny owners like Ann and Chas Cameron, featured in a recent travel article in the Saturday Telegraph by Graham Norwood, joined Select Exchange and enjoyed a two week free accommodation in the luxurious Discovery Resort in Marigot Bay St. Lucia by exchanging their holiday home in Cyprus, thereby saving several thousand pounds!
“The arrangement gives us predictability, with the convenience of quality and a good holiday home but without having to visit the same place every time, the resort is five star and the actual accommodation is used by the resort when the owners are not using it” says Ann Cameron.
“The idea of home exchange is not new, but what is novel with Select Exchange is the fact that every holiday property is rated, according to their rental value, like hotels. It makes perfect sense”, says Michael Reilly, “the director of Select Exchange; most of the properties in the scheme are situated in upmarket resorts and are rented out anyway, so the members know the value of the other member’s homes.”
By introducing a point system at 1 point per £1, owners swap points for the difference in values which they can use when visiting other properties. The website; www.selectexchange.co.uk works everything out and allocates points to members when they join and when they exchange.
The scheme can also increase rental income via a third option, whereby members can accept a one way exchange. If one party cannot travel, they simply request an amount of points (and or rent) that they feel is acceptable.
The joining fee is £10 and there is a small introductory/administration charge when the members exchange, but well worth paying when considering the total savings.
Details on; www.selectexchange.co.uk or tel. 0044 (0) 1202 769 570
By admin
October 24th, 2008 at 02:30pm
Under Uncategorized
Christopher Columbus claimed the island of Puerto Rico for Spain during his second trip in 1493, the island at that time was inhabited by Arawak and Taino Indians who were friendly compared with other Carib tribes inhabiting other islands of the Caribbean.
The Taino Indians were quickly enslaved and put to the task of digging for gold which didn’t last long and in 1511 there was an uprising. The peaceful Tainos up to this point believed that the Spanish were gods, then took a soldier and dunked his head in a river for several hours to see if he would die, just in case they had prepared a feast for him if he came out alive!
Most of the Tainos and Arawak Indians gradually died out but not at the hands of the Spanish, it was the diseases brought from Europe against which they had no defences. The Indians were later replaced by African slaves to work the fields growing primarily sugar cane. Puerto Rico remained Spanish until Spanish-American war in 1898 when it was ceded to the United States.
Some Puerto Ricans hope the island will become the 51st state of the union but many prefer status quo and move between the island and the US to get the best of both worlds. The island has prospered with a variety of industrial and commercial activities in addition to the now vibrant tourist industry.
Puerto Rico Villa Exchange
Beautiful tourist resorts have been recently created, one of them is Wyndham Beach and Golf Resort. You can visit the resort and potentially stay there for free in a luxurious 2 bed 2 bath apartment with golf and sea views by joining Select Exchange! For details please access www.selectexchange.co.uk
By admin
October 24th, 2008 at 12:40pm
Under Uncategorized
When we think of Switzerland, we think of chocolate, cuckoo clocks, watches, skiing and wonderful scenery, amongst other things. Switzerland is divided into 3 cantons each bordering with different countries where different languages are spoken; Italian, French and German.
Switzerland has remained neutral since the formation of the federal state in 1848, the last war was in 1847, it was an internal war between Catholics and Protestants, it lasted less then a month and there were less then 100 casualties.
During world II the Germans prepared detailed invasion plans and the country’s trade was blockaded by both the Allies and the German Axis with each party exerting pressure not to trade with the other, but Switzerland was never attacked and managed to remain neutral.
After the war Switzerland prospered greatly and has played a great role in many United Nations and international organizations. It is a great holiday destinations both in summer and winter. Skiing is very popular with guaranteed snow in many Alpine resorts; one of the most popular is Zermat near the Matterhorn.
Switzerland Apartment Exchange Zermat
You can visit Zermat and stay in luxurious two bed apartment with amazing views of the Matterhorn. The ski run is only 100 meters away and from there you can access some of the highest ski runs in Europe. You can potentially stay there for free by joining Select Exchange. More details about this beautiful apartment on; www.selectexchange.co.uk
By admin
October 15th, 2008 at 02:55pm
Under Italy
Located in central Italy along the Mediterranean coast, Tuscany is a hilly region known for its vineyards, olive groves and rolling landscape. The beautiful countryside is not all that Tuscany has to offer, as the stunning scenery surrounds beautiful towns and cities with renaissance art and architecture.
Villa Exchange Tuscany
Tuscany really does have something for everyone. For the active, the breathtaking countryside offers stunning walks and cycle routes while others adore lazy beach holidays on the Tuscan coast. Some enjoy the wonderful cuisine and wine produced in the local area, and many go in search of fine art and architecture in the cities.
Plus there a host of opportunities for cookery courses and wine and olive oil tasting to painting and language lessons, ensuring that a visit to Tuscany offers something for everyone.
When not exploring rural Tuscany, why not visit some of the charming cities and towns such as Florence, Pisa, Siena and Lucca which can be reached by car or some by public transport.
Select Exchange have a number of properties available for villa exchange so you can save yourself thousands of pounds on your trip, giving you more to spend on fine wine, fine food and if your wife is like mine, fine Italian fashions.
By admin
October 14th, 2008 at 05:26pm
Under Testimonials
One of our members recently exchanged their Cyprus Apartment for a week in San Lourenco in Quinta do Lago on the Algarve. They were kind enough to write us this short note.
Hello Michael
We really enjoyed our stay in the apartment: it was very homely and had all of the conveniences we could wish for. Quinta de Lago was a beautiful resort with excellent facilities, and the beaches were superb. Many thanks for arranging our stay at the Sao Lourenco Village.
Regards, Mrs. White
By admin
October 9th, 2008 at 04:00pm
Under France
It’s a well known fact that many recipes for famous French liqueurs, and even for Champagne, were produced by monks. Benedectine, as the name implies was produced by the Benedectine monks at the monastery of Fecamp in Normandy. The inscription on the bottle DOM stands for Deo Optimo Maximo, latin for “To God most good, most great”.
Monk Don Bernardo Vincelli originally designed the “elixir” to sustain the monks in their work and as a medicine to defend them against malaria. I suppose you could say that even if it the remedy did not work, at 40% volume, it would certainly help them to feel better for a while, not sure how much work got done though!
Chartreuse is another popular liqueur originally produced in the 12th century by the Chartreuse Monks in the most beautiful section of Chartreuse mountain range in south west France. The original Monastery has been converted to a museum and you can experience how the monks lived at that time.
Home Exchange France
The French seem to enjoy life more then other nationalities, especially when it comes to food and wine. France is a beautiful big country, if you visit in early autumn; you can experience the wine harvest and visit all the famous vineyards. The best way to do this is to take a vineyard tour; most regions of France produce good and famous wines, one of the most popular is the Bordeaux region.
The Lamarque residence, in the village of Montreal du Gers, situated between Bordeaux and Toulouse, is an ideal base for visiting nearby wineries. You could possibly stay there for free! Lamarque is one of the many properties featured by Select Exchange, for more details visit;
www.selectexchange.co.uk
By admin
October 9th, 2008 at 03:49pm
Under St Lucia
“Michael Winner is not welcome here!!”
So said the sign at the entrance to a beach restaurant in Rodney Bay St. Lucia, in truth I would not be surprised to see similar signs outside most restaurants, that name must strike fear even to the most professionally run establishments! Sunday Times readers will be familiar with the regular column by the ex film director, now food critic, which appears on the back page of the Review section. The articles are amusing but seldom complimentary.
Michael Winner is a regular visitor to St. Lucia, he regularly boasts about hiring private helicopter to go for lunch during his frequent visits to the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados. His latest visit was to the Ladera restaurant located in a idyllic position overlooking the magnificent Jalousie Bay with the Pitons rising to almost 3,000 feet on either side of the bay, it’s an awesome view!
The food is pleasant; the place is very peaceful with only the constant chirping of colourful birds that incidentally also like the food, hence the reason for the water pistols placed on every table!
Discovery in Marigot Bay is a small Boutique Hotel recently opened; the accommodation consists of privately owned suites leased back to the Hotel by the owners. You can stay at Discovery by booking through the usual channels, or if you own a holiday home elsewhere, you could possibly stay for free by joining www.selectexchange.co.uk
There are many unique dining locations in St. Lucia, if you like waterfront dining I suggest the Charterhouse in Rodney Bay or the Coalpot near Castries for a very romantic setting. Further north, still on the west coast, is Marigot Bay, the setting for Dr. Doolittle film. Marigot Bay is often referred to as “The Most Beautiful Bay in the Caribbean”. Here you will find The Hideway restaurant built on stilts and only accessible by boat a short ride from The Discovery hotel on the other side of the Bay. The Hideaway is seriously romantic, candlelight, soft music, calm water and good food, all the ingredients for a perfect atmosphere.
By admin
October 9th, 2008 at 10:16am
Under New Enquiries and Featured Property
We have recently had an enquiry form a client interested in a Home / Villa exchange. The client (a London based music and advertising executive) has a luxury mews home (valued £2M+) in central London. He is seeking a getaway this Christmas and is looking for a Caribbean beach side villa ideally St. Barts, Turks and Caicos etc or similar for 3 weeks or more. He is very keen on diving so good diving is a must.
If you would like to spend Christmas shopping at Harrods or partying at China Whites then perhaps this swap may be for you. If you are interested please email mail@selectexchange.co.uk for more information but let us know where your property is.
By admin
October 9th, 2008 at 09:54am
Under Cyprus
Cyprus, where East meets West
The island of Cyprus lies in the North East corner of the Mediterranean near Turkey and Syria. Because of its geographical location, it’s been over the centuries a natural crossover point for travellers primarily of Christian and Muslim faith. Visitors to the island will notice how the two cultures sometimes blend by observing the architecture, the folkloric dances and sampling the local cuisine.
During its long history, the island has been governed and administered by many outside powers including the Republic of Venice, Greece, Turkey and Great Britain. Cyprus became independent in 1960; the north part was invaded by Turkey in 1974. Since then it has been divided and the northern part is now the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus.
Villa Exchange in Cyprus
The majority of the population is of Greek descent and living in the southern part, which has prospered greatly since the division and became part of the EU in 2004. A reunification plan was put forward by the United Nations in 2004 but this was rejected by the Southern Cypriot government. The two sides are continuing to talk and progress is being made. It is encouraging to hear that a new proposal for reunifying the island is planned for the near future.
Cyprus has much to offer and it is very popular not just with tourist but also holiday home buyers and people wishing to live there permanently. Cyprus is a great place to visit anytime of the year, new facilities are being added and existing ones improved.
Cyprus Home Exchange
Aphrodite Hills is just one example of the new smart resorts being built on the island. Cyprus is easily accessible with frequent flights from most part of the UK and Europe. Aphrodite Hills is one of the many destinations with villa owners featured by Select Exchange where you could potentially stay for free by joining the villa exchange program www.selectexchange.co.uk
By admin
October 8th, 2008 at 03:35pm
Under USA
Texas, the Lone Star State.
The history of Texas began in 1845 when it joined the Union of The United states of America. The word “Texas” originates from the word “Taisha” meaning “friends” in the Caddoan language spoken by the Hasinai indigenous Indian tribe living in the territory, the state motto is “friendship”
Texas is one of the largest states in the union and everything we associates with the state is BIG, the Rio Grande, the highways, the buildings, the cattle ranches and the big Stetsan hats. Not many people realize that prior to joining the union, there were once many Texases; French Texas, Spanish Texas, English Texas, Mexican Texas and the Republic of Texas.
Texas is often referred to as the “Lone Star state” which stems from the fact that the original state flag had only one star. Today it is known for the oil, President Bush connection, (he was a previous governor) and the Pecan tree which is the state tree symbol, pecan nuts are grown commercially.
Texas is a big, friendly state where visitors are made very welcome with lots of interesting sites to explore. Texas is well connected and easy to get to; Houston airport is one of the largest airline hubs in America with many daily flights and connections to the UK and the world.
Home Exchange Texas
Mustang Island is a popular holiday destinations just of the Texas coast, it has beautiful sandy beaches and enjoys the warm breezes of the Gulf of Mexico. Visit Texas and Mustang Island, one of the many destinations featured on Select Exchange where you could potentially stay for free by joining http://www.selectexchange.co.uk. We currently have a fantastic property in Mustang Island available for exchange. This beautiful beach house on Mustang Island has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. This house has a view of the Gulf of Mexico from all floors and guests can walk to the beach by private walkway. There is a communal pool and hot tub close by. This home is beautifully decorated with the owner’s own artwork and great wall paintings around the home.
By admin
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