Villas on the Cheap

Your readers may want to know that there is a low-cost alternative to renting a villa of their own.

We recently stayed in a home every bit as wonderful as some of those described in your Vacation Rentals issue (April 12) . . . except there was no charge other than the minimal ($75) membership fee of the home-exchange agency.

We used Trading Homes International of Hermosa Beach, telephone (800) 877-8723. And while we stayed in the comfort of their home, our English exchange partners took wonderful care of our home (including our dog!). Our entire vacation cost little more than our air fare and what we would have spent had we stayed at home.

JANE BARNETT

Los Angeles

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I enjoyed the Vacation Rentals issue. However, I noted that Untours, run by Idyll Ltd. of Media, Pa., tel. (610) 565-5242), was not mentioned. Untours offer apartments in Europe and Vietnam, as well as packages that include air and other transportation. Their prices are low, and the quality of the apartments and support during the trip is outstanding. PHYLLIS SNYDER

Westminster