Home Away From Home

“Readers Share Their Trip-Financing Strategies” (Travel Insider, July 15) caught my attention. Many of our travels have been made possible by our willingness to trade homes with people across the country and Europe.

We first heard of this program in an article by The Times’ Jerry Hulse some years ago. We joined a vacation exchange club and soon found ourselves talking to a lovely English gentleman. Next thing we knew, we were in Esher, England, living in a home in an upper-class London suburb, a short walk to either the best pub in town or the train to London. Also at our disposal was a new Volvo with a sun roof. Because we had frequent-flier points for the air fare, our expenses were limited to nights out at restaurants, entrance fees to palaces, B&B; costs for the nights out of town etc.

We have exchanged homes 15 times in England, Ireland, France, Liechtenstein, Maryland’s Eastern Shore and New York City. Our trip last year to England was for 35 days, and our expenses, door to door, amounted to $3,500.

DAN CONNELLY

Santa Ana