THIRDHOME member, Larry G., recently visited Cabo San Lucas. Mexico is one of his favorite destinations to visit using his THIRDHOME membership. Like all members of The Club, Larry is able to book luxury trips all over the world simply by trading in unused time at his second home.
Larry’s trip to Cabo San Lucas:
“Escaping grey, cold and dreary coastal Virginia for a trip to Cabo San Lucas in January was just what the doctor ordered. The vacation really started on the airplane where it was apparent that all of us leaving the United States were in a pretty festive mood as we got closer and closer to Mexico. Even navigating the long, zig-zagging customs line everyone was in a good spirits because as we exited the plane, we had all seen the bright sunny weather and the beautiful Sierra de la Laguna mountains on the horizon.
As this was my 25th trip with THIRDHOME, I knew from previous experience that the website photos never do justice to the beauty and style of each residence. That was certainly the case with Casa Sandcastle, which is as unique and artfully decorated as any THIRDHOME I’d previously visited. It was outfitted with dozens of “why would you leave me?” features. If the infinity pool, hot tub, huge outside decks and game room weren’t enough, the movie room with the enormous screen and a hundred movies would clinch it. To further entice us into never leaving, the house concierge Angelica had prepared margaritas, guacamole and chicken burritos with arguably the best homemade salsa in the country.
One of the truly unique features of the Casa Sandcastle was the ability to watch both the sunrise over the Sea of Cortez in the morning and the sunset over the mountains in the evening from the wraparound upstairs terrace. An added bonus we discovered the first afternoon was the frequent site of whales spouting, swimming and playing as we watched from the house. Our entire week the Humpback whales put on a show in front of the house at all hours of the day, leading us to schedule a boat ride to see them close up. We weren’t disappointed as our captain steered us in close proximity to 6 whales during our 2 ½ hour boat ride. The highlight was when two humpbacks swam right in front of the boat and dove in unison with their huge tails disappearing at the same moment.
Extremely helpful to our group was the advice and assistance given to us by Angelica. She arranged a private chef for dinner and guided us to excellent restaurants and stores within a short drive of the house. Upon our request to get deeper into the Baja, she accompanied us to the small town of Miraflores, located 45 miles north of San Jose. It was in Miraflores that we were treated to the one and only (according to our waiter) “tuna colada”. In this case tuna was not a fish, but the red cactus fruit referred to as “prickly pear”. The colada was pink, rich and absolutely delicious. The perfect complement to the machaca (Mexican shredded beef) burritos that the town is known for.
Sandcastle is located just outside San Jose del Cabo, the Baja city referred to as the “little brother” or “charming sister” to Cabo San Lucas. Over the course of the week we spent time in the more rowdy Cabo San Lucas but preferred the serenity and mellow vibe of San Jose del Cabo. It was less touristy and featured art galleries, live music every night and a vibrant plaza that was perfect for people watching. Mariachi musicians were always available for hire at a moment’s notice in the local restaurants.
I’ve found the beauty of traveling in Mexico is more than the beaches, great weather and wonderful food. It is also the lovely interactions with the Mexican locals and the Cabo cities did not disappoint. At every turn our Mexican hosts were friendly, helpful, and proud of their city and its attractions. For all of us Cabo is a “return to” destination, especially when coupled with an outstanding THIRDHOME residence.”
What are THIRDHOME members saying about their luxury house swap trips (Switzerland and Cabo San Lucas) this week?
Luxury Swiss Alpine Chalet | Ringgenberg, Switzerland
Skiers will love this fantastic Swiss ski chalet. It is only a 25-minute drive to the world-renowned ski resort of Jungfrau, where there are ski terrains for all levels of skiers. At the end of a day out on the slopes, you can stay cozy with the sauna, jacuzzi or fireplace!
THIRDHOME member Leandro says: “The house is just a small drive away from many top ski locations and also various interesting cities. I totally recommend it!” click here to read more of Leandro’s review
Novaispania by Pueblo Bonito – 4 Bedroom Residence | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Enjoy the best of both worlds with this property: You’ll have the privacy of your own residence but the conveniences of a resort. With over 2,000 square-feet of outdoor living areas including an infinity pool and fire pit, you’ll spend all of your time underneath the sunny skies of Mexico. When you do go inside, there is an abundance of luxury features throughout this large home. This home can be your own piece of paradise for a week.
THIRDHOME member Harold says: “We spent most days outdoors by the infinity pool and spa gazing at the Sea of Cortez. In the evening after dinner the sunken fire pit by the pool was the perfect way to end the night. I can’t wait to return to NOVAISPANIA. It was one of our family’s most memorable and favorite vacations!” click here to read more of Harold’s review
Members, click here to view all available weeks and plan your next THIRDHOME trip. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.
Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.
Vacations to Hawaii are popular because they often are the perfect mix of relaxation and outdoor recreation. Hawaii is a state made up of a series of islands best known for their warm weather, spectacular beaches, waterfalls and active volcanoes. While on a trip to Hawaii you can experience so many unique activities! Many people like to fill their days in Hawaii with whale watching, snorkeling to view tropical fish, and hiking Volcanoes. For those seeking a slower paced vacation, there are plenty of beaches to lounge on and spas to visit. THIRDHOME has a variety of luxury homes available for vacations to Hawaii. Below are a selection of 3 luxury homes to get your planning started.
Homes perfect for vacations to Hawaii:
Maui Paradise | Lahaina, Hawaii
This luxury home is situated 1,000 feet above sea level with an unobstructed view of the island of Lanai. There are multiple areas to lounge around and enjoy the view, including a private pool. When you want to venture off of the property, there are excellent restaurants and shops nearby. The Westin Heavenly Spa is a good place to stop by for those who seek some pampering. Make sure to save a day for the Maui Chocolate Tour! On the tour you can learn about how cacao is harvested to make chocolate.
The Auamo Compound at Hokuli’a | Kealakekua, Hawaii
The Auamo Compound has panoramic views overlooking shoreline and has 250 coffee trees throughout the property. This home has separate wings for the master suite and the guest rooms, which allows everyone in your travel group plenty of room to relax. Golfers who stay here will be excited to know that the home is only half a mile to The Club at Hokuli’a, a Jack Nicklaus signature course.
Blue Hawaii Kai | Oahu, Hawaii
Blue Hawaii Kai is a private oasis on the Leeward side of the island. This impressive 4-bedroom home was named after Blue Hawaii, a film that Elvis Presley did in the area. It has been used for filming numerous TV shows including LOST, Bay Watch Hawaii, and Hawaii Five-0.
Vacations to Hawaii are easy to plan with a THIRDHOME membership. Click here to browse through more luxury properties in Hawaii.
When searching for the perfect second home, contemplating the amount of time you’ll actually use it is definitely a factor. To ensure you expand the use of your luxury second home you want to be confident that you will enjoy it enough times per year to make the investment worth the purchase.
Surely you know location, location, location is imperative for real estate appreciation value and to be sought after by renters. Pick a spot you know you will love skiing during the winter months just as much as you will love golfing over the summer. Plan to deck the home with the finest furnishings and tasteful appointments to make it homey and a place where you’ll want to be all year round. These are all great ways to maximize the use of your second home.
But what about that itch you have to travel to new locations, have new adventures, experience different cultures, see incredible landscapes and create new memories? Having the travel bug may keep you away from your prize second home possession. Rather than letting it sit empty and have you feeling guilty for not using it; here’s how you can expand the use of your luxury second home.
TURN IT INTO A THIRD
Let someone else enjoy your thoughtfully appointed luxury second home while you enjoy theirs. Earn a Key, use a Key with our exclusive THIRDHOME travel club! You no longer have to feel guilty about repeating your vacations to the same destination because you are tied to one location with your second home. You can now use the investment to your advantage and excite your luxury travel desires. Travel the world in style and stay in premier luxury second homes all over the world by exchanging unused time in your second home for time in one of our member’s luxury second homes.
Another benefit? You no longer have to worry about the trustworthiness of renters. All THIRDHOME members are reviewed and approved, so you can have peace of mind. By expanding the use of your luxury second home with our travel club, all you have to worry about is where you will travel to next and how fast you can pack your bags! Start checking boxes off your travel list and search for your next luxury getaway destination!
What are THIRDHOME members saying about their luxury house swap trips this week?
Bay of Islands Luxury Retreat | Kerikeri, New Zealand
Visit New Zealand and stay in a private home on 5 incredible acres of waterfront land. Enjoy the movie room, take a dip in the pool or cook a meal in the high-end kitchen. There are over 10 beaches within a short drive!
THIRDHOME member Adelle says: “This luxury villa captures elements of the South Pacific, Asia, and the Mediterranean whilst remaining uniquely ‘New Zealand’ in its character. Its main feature is its indoor outdoor design with full height bifold doors from all living areas…” click here to read more of Adele’s review
Camdeboo Manor | Graff-Reinet, South Africa
Camdeboo Manor is where luxurious living meets adventure. Game drives occur twice a day and offer the opportunity for guests to view exotic wildlife. The staff on-site will do everything possible to make sure you get a “Big Five” safari experience. Camdeboo Manor sleeps up to 10 guests total and is perfect for a family vacation.
THIRDHOME member Janine says: “We had the most wonderful stay at Mount Camdeboo – it is one of those experiences that will stay with us for ever … the setting, the views, the stargazing, the staff and the most amazing animal encounters…” click here to read more of Janine’s review
P.S. – Check out Jacqueline Roth’s blog post on her THIRDHOME Camdeboo Manor trip. There is a video with animal sightings included!
Members, click here to view all available weeks and plan your next THIRDHOME trip. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.
Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.
A variety of factors goes into compiling a list of the Hot Destinations of 2017. From classic destinations emerging, to the A-Lister’s vacation of choice and changes in travel restrictions making it easier to travel, there are a lot of hot destinations to travel to this year. Lucky for you (and especially our members), THIRDHOME has compiled a list of the hottest destinations to travel to in 2017 and it just so happens we have member homes in each of these sought after locations.
CANADA
Our Northern neighbor doesn’t just offer stunning views, this year due to the weak Canadian dollar, you can expect your money to go further while participating in one big birthday party. 2017 marks Canada’s 150 year anniversary and they won’t be shy celebrating. Join in on this piece of history and book your hot destination in Canada this year!
CAPE TOWN
It’s no wonder Cape Town grabs the attention of first-time tourists and repeat visitors. Voted readers’ favorite international city by Telegraph Travel Awards, Cape Town is not only one of the most picturesque cities in the world; it is also one of the most fun! Innovative restaurants and top bars, enticing attractions, colorful scenery and endless blue beaches, provide plenty of reasons to come back to this hot destination this year.
ICELAND
With the Northern lights to witness, endless landscapes and lakes, Iceland is always at the top of our travel list. This breathtaking country offers the luxury adventure thrill seeker a journey fell full of memorores and experiences, from taking a dip a geothermal spa, to snow mobiles and scenic tours, Iceland is this year’s hot ticket.
CROATIA’S COAST
This hot destination got a boost in tourism in 2016 after celebrating 25 years of independence. Croatia has as a lot more to offer than its many islands and fishing towns. This year Croatia is also on travelers’ radar because of its gorgeous coastline, fresh seafood and short ferry rides leading to wine trails, tranquil coves and mountainous islands.
What are THIRDHOME members saying about their luxury house swap trips this week?
Contemporary Desert Mountain Home | Scottsdale, Arizona
“The hosts met us at their home to share a bottle of wine and explain the specifics of the property. They couldn’t have been more warm, friendly and helpful. The home is spectacular. The quiet serenity is exactly what we needed to unwind. The resort community has everything you could ask for. We enjoyed couples massages at the spa, a half day hike on the beautiful mountain trails, and a first class meal in the clubhouse restaurant. Those experience exceeded all of our expectations.” – Chris
Les Legendes 4-Bedroom Residence | Mont-Tremblant, Canada
“This is our second time staying at Les Legendes and this time was even better than the last. The house is uber comfortable, clean and spacious. The mattress in the master bedroom is the comfiest I’ve ever slept in. The kids loved their bunk bedrooms and the large living room fireplace was kept warm by my attentive husband daily. We loved jumping in the hot tub at night, with all four of our children, then jumping in the snow and back into the hot tub. One of the highlights of the house. It’s super close to the village which we drove to each day for ski lessons, shopping and other fun. We went tobogganing down our drive way with our toboggans bought at the local Canadian tire store in town. The concierge was very attentive and helped with stocking the house of our groceries for us before we arrived and when a light was blown, they came by within minutes to fix it. The wealth of activities around the area are too many to list, but the most fun we had was going snow-tubing nearby, dog-sledding through the forests with our team of 8 Siberian Huskies and of course our ski lessons right in Mont-Tremblant. Can’t wait for our return next winter!” – Jaime
Members, click here to view all available weeks and plan your next THIRDHOME trip. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.
Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to read more about THIRDHOME.