Live like a local by renting or swapping a holiday home
It really is far more of a relaxing, fun holiday when you choose self catering over a standard package holiday – particularly if you are in a large group and there are several kids involved.
It gives you the chance to live like a local – but when you rent or swap your holiday home, you hit the deck running because the owner (or previous visitors) have left lots of hints and tips behind suggesting where you should visit. Choose what you eat and what time you eat; no rigid schedules of ‘breakfast is served until…..’ (unless you choose to instigate that yourself of course!)
Visit the local markets and shops: it’s always more fascinating to visit a foreign market than one at home. Somehow the fruit and vegetables are glossier, fresher and it’s more fun to cook there anyway because you’re not doing the million and one things that normally run you ragged at home. We holidayed as a group in France last year and found a particularly delicious pattisserie that made breads, pastries and croissants that were out of this world. Real melt in the mouth food that was perfect for an easy, simple to throw together breakfast.
Then there’s all the little restaurants that the locals visit – not the tourist trap rip-offs but some really good, family-run, terrifically cooked food. Though you do need to be careful with the menu translations. My brother-in-law thought he was ordering liver and onions, one of his favourites – we still don’t quite know what arrived. But we do know that you could practically smell it outside the restaurant and, after turning slightly green, he promptly downed his knife and fork. But that’s all part of the fun. It doesn’t happen often and most of the time you enjoy some really delicious dining that makes you congratulate yourself for having the foresight to choose that particular restaurant.
We did lots of barbecues too. It’s always nice to know you’re pretty much guaranteed the weather for a change and it’s a great way to delegate the cooking to the fellas – since BBQing is such a ‘bloke thing’. When we did stay in during the evening, we played lots of games – charades, board games and singing games that the kids could easily join in. It was hilarious, great fun and a real bonding exercise for us all.
So try it yourself and see. Sometimes it feels brave to step off the package holiday trail, but it’s really difficult to get back on once you’ve experienced the freedom of self catering. Take a look at the holiday homes our members will rent or swap; where do you fancy going this time?
Tags: holiday home renting, holiday home swap, self catering