I prefer to have the flexibility to book the first few nights during my trip with the house exchange. You can always book more than the first few weeks, but once you've landed you might want to change your plans.

If you're going to read a lot of good books while you're by the pool, bring a nice cover-up and lots of novels. Popular winter vacation destinations in Mexico are modern cities where you can find pharmacies, grocery stores, and shopping centers just in case you forget to bring something else.

With the school holidays coming up and the family holidays approaching, there is little time for families to go on holiday with house exchange. But holidays are not just for the summer, and winter and spring offer their own possibilities. Children will be thrilled to pack up for a fun weekend getaway.

Depending on where you go, there are shows, concerts, museums, and other possibilities. Some parents choose to take their children to amusement parks or on adventure tours. Nevertheless, there are many ways to keep the children busy on holiday exchange.

The more time you spend in a dream destination, the better, so make sure you get there on time and have enough time to get back to a normal life. One or two days should be enough for most people to return to normal business, work, school, or summer camp.

Entertainment: Let's face it, the most boring travel moments are the dirty 8-hour bus rides, waiting at airports, empty hostels without Wi-Fi, and rainy days. Pack a Kindle for those moments, start a prepared downloaded book, and, of course, a diary or sketchbook. My husband and I pack headphones, our Kindle, and a card game to make friends at the hostel.

In 2019 we spent our winter holiday with 12 great days in Egypt. Marvel at the wonders of the pyramids, marvel at ancient tombs and temples in Luxor, cruise the Nile, and history lessons in Egyptian museums. It was the journey of a lifetime with the house exchange.

I was so excited when I wanted to travel for 2.5 weeks during the winter break in 2012. For three glorious weeks, I crisscrossed three different countries and after a few months off I met my backpacking friends again.

My original packing plan for Scotland included a hefty winter coat and boots. Later in the plan, I realized I needed a tank top, a bikini, and a place to store my winter coats and boots so I didn't have to wear them.

It made the journey seem real and tangible. A helpful book would not have prepared me to plan a trip anywhere in the world by taking house exchange service. Not with travel blogs, travel guides, share economy websites, and apps of today.

Pro tip: If you feel secure about your passport, check the expiry date before you book your trip. You can do this by checking your own passport to make sure it is up to date. Bring something with you to distinguish between passport and cover, so you know which passport belongs to whom.