Help > GENERAL

Yes and inter-galactic when the time comes!

Some useful tips for travel in general:

1. Carry a printed list of emergency numbers.
2. Keep a paper copy of your ID / Passport separately from the originals.
3. Let friends and family know all of your movements and changes of plan in case you need to be contacted in an emergency
4. Scan all of your documents and store them in your e-mail account
5. Travel with comprehensive medical insurance and be sure to read the small print and disclaimers, such as body repatriation, search and rescue, mopeds, water sports etc.
6. Travel with 2 x credit cards and store them in different places.
7. Ask your credit card company about what to do if a pin number does not work and what to do in case of a lost card.
8. Store small amounts of cash in different places in your luggage so you don’t lose it all in a single hit.
9. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas – it could be stolen or be tampered with (drugs) or mistaken for a bomb.
10. Never accept packages from strangers. Don’t risk trafficking drugs or weapons.
11. Use bags that you can safely close and seal up. This is to prevent people adding to your possessions as well as taking from them.
12. Walk confidently even when confused about your location. If you are lost, find a café, restaurant or safe place to go in so you can figure out where you are. Do not open up a map in the middle of the street or along the sidewalk!
13. Avoid traveling alone or at night.
14. Stay around larger groups of people. And well lit streets.
15. Carry a basic medical kit:

• headache / cough / stomach / flu medicine / diarrhoea
• band-aides
• bandages
• antiseptic

NB: This list is in not intended to frighten people away but to highlight things to consider before staying with someone.

We have a section dedicated to Safety but above all we recommend that any time you travel, use your common sense!

Arrivals

Arriving at your Hosts home will be exciting for both parties so create a good first impression and if you’re running late then please let your host know.

It’s not a Hotel

…Despite the name of this site! You are staying in someone’s private space and using their property. They own everything you see and touch so treat it with respect. You have been given a huge degree of trust so treat that carefully – it’s hard to get it back. Empathise with Hosts situation and be thoughtful and kind.

Are there House Rules?

At home you may waltz around in a towel, grab some breakfast and watch TV before getting dressed but I’m not the only one who would be a little upset if any guess of mine did the same thing! Ask questions first and then you’ll be free to live in harmony. Rules are not personal – they are there to help you both get along.

Free-range accommodation?

Are you to be entrusted with a key? What time should you get home at night? And what time does public transport stop running? Share your plans with your Host; they may well be able to suggest a better idea – after all they are the ones that live there.

Don’t be a Stranger

You’ve chosen to stay with someone and they’ve been brave enough to have you to stay. So don’t hide away – be talkative and interested about where you are – before long you might even forget that you were ‘strangers’.

Have a great time wherever you go and keep us up to date with your experiences!

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“The vacation rental industry has incredibly high customer satisfaction and an unbeatable repeat rate, yet only 10 percent of U.S. adults have ever booked a vacation rental and travelers are replete with misconceptions about the product.” (PhoCusWright: Vacation Rental Market – Poised for Change)

• 50 million consumers consider vacation rentals worldwide, 30 million of those are in the US.
• 16 million second homes exist in Europe and the US alone.
• 16,500 people can be vouched for on Facebook through the average ‘friends of friends’ network.
• 89% of people trust the travel recommendations of their peers.
• 89% of vacation rental guests intend to rent again in 3 years. Only 1% would not rent again due to a negative experience.
• 87% would recommend vacation rentals to a friend or relative.
• 81% of Holiday rental reviews are positive, only 3% are negative. However, only 16% of Guests are asked to leave feedback!
• 78% of Holiday renters are more likely to book accommodation with a review.
• 73% of referrals for owner-rented accommodation comes from friends, family, referrals and previous guests.
• 60% of Yahoo customers rated Trust as the most important aspect in booking a holiday online.
• 22% or travellers start looking for a Holiday with no destination in mind.

(sources: Compete, PhoCusWright, FlipKey, Yahoo)