You never know exactly what you’re going to get … but it’s probably going to be good.

If you’re a frequent business traveler and you always choose the Hilton because you know that in every Hilton around the world they use the same pillow that you like so much … home exchange might not be for you.

But if an element of the unknown, a dash of surprise and a hint of excitement is more your cup of tea, home exchange might be that variety box of chocolates you’re looking for. In fact, if you’re the Hilton type, you probably don’t get the variety pack, you get the box with all of the same type–the type you know you like. But just like I tell my 7-year old, “How do you know you don’t like it if you’ve never tried it? If you try it and you don’t like it, that’s fine, but you have to at least try it.”

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Of course, you’ll look at the photos, read the reviews and do a little research on the area, the town, the country. You can do the same with the hotel. Maybe it’s a bit like getting to know someone online and then finally meeting them in person. You have your ideas of what they’re like, but you really won’t know until you meet them in person. Then the Getting to Know You truly begins.

Sure, a Bed and Breakfast can be far different from a hotel. A vacation rental is probably a surprise, too … hopefully a positive one. But there’s something about the personal connection of home exchange that just is on another level.

Oh look, in the room next to ours, the bed is on the other side of the room!

I’m actually in a hotel as I write this. The room next to ours is the exact same as ours, but a mirror reversal. Daring! It’s going to come down to what you find exciting:

The comfort of the known versus the thrill of the unknown.

My mother-in-law wants to always stay in the same hotel year after year. My wife says that they went to Spain for years and years in a row, stayed in the same town, the same hotel, even the same room. I’m in the same hotel as we were last year. (Different room! Woo!) I know where the restaurant is and, well, where everything is. That brings her comfort, security, and peace. It makes me restless. Is it just age? I want to explore, see new things, be surprised by the new place we’re staying next time.

Do you get the box of chocolates with all of the same kind? Because you know you like that kind? Or do you go for the variety? I suppose, if you really don’t like the gooey filled ones, you might suggest that you shouldn’t waste room in the box with something you don’t like. Agreed. But what’s exciting in your life? Do you know? What are the unknowns that are not scary, but something you look forward to? What’s going to happen next?

If you’re really adventurous: don’t choose, be chosen.

One little-known concept in the world of home exchange is to open up your mind to going … anywhere. In home exchange, you can choose to say you’re willing to go anywhere and see what happens. Or if you want to tone it back down closer to reality, maybe choose some countries (or even counties) near you, but farther than you’d normally go. See who picks you, see who contacts you. You’d be surprised who’s looking to stay in your town. Keep an open mind. See what happens.

Home exchange allows for some of the thrill of the unknown into your travel plans. Again, you’re going to look at photos and read about it, it won’t be a complete crapshoot. But when you open the door to “your” new (temporary) home, there’s the adventure of the unknown that you’re opening the door to. What are you going to do all week? How do you turn on that weird washing machine? How is that wine going to taste on the balcony? What would it be like to live here?

Open the box, close your eyes, pick one.

• Possible: stay in the same hotel as you always do.
• Impossible: live where you don’t.
• Repossible: stay where you might someday live.

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Did they say County Pumpkins or Country Bumpkins? [Holland]